CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, July 25, 2005 at 7:02 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Debra Points, Bill Kersch and Jon Cermin were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney John Schneider, Treasurer Jamie Carlson, Public Works Director Dennis Neva, Librarian Sarah Adams, Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Debra Points moved to approve the Minutes of the July 11, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Warren White, Festival Theatre Building Committee: air conditioning unit for the library is on the agenda, the boiler heating system was installed in the 1930s and there have been complaints on the noise levels of the cooling system from neighbors to the theatre building. The efficiency, longevity, and maintenance of the heating and cooling system for the building needs to be looked into, the Theatre has a proposal for replacing the existing air conditioning unit with two smaller units to be located on the roof of the building excluding electrical work and any necessary roof repair for $26,000.

Peter Weber proposes to erect a plaque about the log jams on the river to be located on City property to the south of the National Park Service Headquarters for his Eagle Scout project. He would raise funds for the project. The proposal will be added to the next Council agenda.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSSIONS AND BOARDS

The July 19, 2005 Plan Commission Minutes were presented for Council’s information.

City Treasurer Jamie Carlson presented the 2^nd quarter 2005 Treasurers Report: bond funds for the Wilberg Blvd project were received on July 20, some of the funds will be used to reimburse the City for funds already expended. Installation of radio read meters came in lower than estimated. Repairs, maintenance, and lobbyist costs resulted in higher than usual expenses for the Sewer Utility.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $37,346.64, Park & Rec. $56.95, TIF $7,249.31, Water $4,896.56, Sewer $11,545.44

Darrell Anderson moved to add Cedar Corps invoices in the amount of $11,566.80 to the list of claims, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve claims as listed, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Authorizing Upgrades to Air Conditioning Unit, City Library

Air conditioner not cooling the 1500 sq ft library space, fans are being used, but attendance is down, could be due to uncomfortably warm temperatures in the library. There have been numerous complaints about noise level of existing air conditioning unit by neighbors; Festival Theatres’ proposal to replace existing air conditioning unit located behind the building with two new smaller units on roof of building may address Library’s issue also. As we are reaching the end of the season where cooling is needed we can look at options in preparation for next season. It was questioned if a window unit for the Library would address the immediate need while a solution is looked into.

Dennis Neva, Director of Public Works, recommended hiring a mechanical engineer to evaluate heating and cooling system of building and propose solutions.

Bill Kersch moved to authorize the Library to purchase a window air conditioning unit as a temporary solution for a cost not to exceed $500, seconded by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Proposals for solutions to heating and cooling will be requested and reviewed at a future meeting.

Consider Wilberg Blvd Pay Request

Debra Points moved to approve Pay Request #1 for $121,597.65 by McCabe Construction for Wilberg Blvd, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider CSM for Hilltop Auto/Embers, With Conditions

Property was originally all part of Hilltop Auto. CSM identifies area between Hilltop Auto and Embers as a separate lot. As there are existing special assessments on this property authorization is needed to separate the assessment based upon the front footage of Hilltop Auto and the new lot.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the CSM for Hilltop Auto conditioned upon dividing of special assessments between the two lots based upon footages and payoff of assessments if property is sold, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing Bids for Georgia Street Resurfacing, Partial Grant Funded

Director of Public Works Dennis Neva: City had received a LRIP Grant for Maple Dr; requesting authorization to transfer Grant from Maple Dr to Georgia St, City’s share of costs will be slightly higher.

Jon Cermin moved to authorize amendment of LRIP Grant from Maple Dr to Georgia St and to authorize bids for the project, second by Debra Points, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Revisions to Police Union Contract to Reflect Additional Officer

Revisions include changing from a 9 hour day to a 10 hour day for schedule coverage and updating rotation for 10 hour days. Police Union has reviewed and approved revisions.

Jon Cermin moved to approve revisions to the Police Union Contract for an additional officer, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider an Ordinance Amending the Building Code to Clarify Language for Minor Repairs

The dollar level where a permit is required for minor repairs is $3,500 in 14.06(9) and $10,000 in 14.07, this Ordinance would update 14.06(9) to $10,000 to match that of 14.07.

Darrell Anderson moved to adopt Ordinance #05-05, Amending Building Code 14.06(9), second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

CLOSED SESSION: Convene into Closed Session under State Statute 19.85(1)(e) to Discuss the Purchasing of Public Properties or Investing Public Funds Relating to Waste-Water Treatment Plant Upgrades.

Debra Points moved to Convene in Closed Session pursuant to due notice under State Statute 19.85(1)(e), to discuss the purchasing of public properties or investing public funds relating to Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrades, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Jon Cermin moved to reconvene in open session, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

Administrator Ed Emerson: the Army Corp of Engineers will be conducting a feasibility study for a Waste Water Treatment Plant Facility.

ADJOURNMENT

Debra Points moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk