CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on July 9, 2007 at 7:03 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Lori Erickson, Arnie Carlson and Brian Blesi were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lori Erickson moved to approve the Minutes of the June 25, 2007 Regular Council Meeting and Closed Session, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the June 2007 Police Report.

Fire Chief Dale Anderson presented the June 2007 Fire Dept Report.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Lori Erickson: Library Board met today and reviewed status of Library Budget and will be meeting with architect. The Library has received a Big Read Grant.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $99743.99, Library Fund $912.97, Park & Recreation Fund $31,977.93, Debt Service $1,623.76, Water Fund $7,066.21, Sewer Fund $5,420.34

The forms were delivered to the Skate Park last week but the supplier’s crew did not mortar the forms, as was noted in the bid, consequently Warren White recommended withholding $5000 from their payment. It was questioned why Warren White’s invoice was listed twice on the claims list.

Lori Erickson moved to approve claims, with $5,000 reduction in Spohn’s payment for the Skate Park and verification of W. White’s invoices, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, passed.

OLD BUSINESS

Holiday Corporation has signed the Purchase Offer for the old Holiday Foods building.

The Taco Wagon was in town last weekend and is interested in coming back, it was the consensus of the Council to say “no” due to objections of existing businesses.

The City has requested that $450,000 of the Federally authorized $5 million in funding be released for planning and engineering of Waste Water Plant upgrades and will request release of additional funds for construction the following year.

NEW BUSINESS

Darrell Anderson moved to put the Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Land Stewardship Presentation to the beginning of new business, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Presentation: Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Land Stewardship Project

Danna Jackson, WI Land Stewardship Project: Community Based Food System for Economic Development is a tool that can help build local economies by supporting farmers through purchasing of locally grown food. If St Croix Falls’ Farmers Market joins the program the Land Stewardship Project will provide access to advertising and promotional materials.

Administrator Ed Emerson recommended that the City assist the Farmers Market by paying the first years membership fee and purchase a small sign promoting Buy Fresh, Buy Local for a cost of $120.

Lori Erickson moved to approve payment of first years membership fee and purchase of sign for a cost not to exceed $120, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Presentation on Recent State Conference Held in Hudson: Strengthening Rural Economies Through the Arts

Danette Olson and Amy Klein attended the “Strengthening Rural Economies Through the Arts” conference in Hudson, subject matter included the importance of art and creativity in school and business, how a knowledge based economy is our biggest asset, the availability of matching fund grants for Art Education, and how we protect and share what we have.

Danette Olson noted that Michael Learned of The Walton’s TV show has moved to Polk Co and will be helping to support local arts through a river boat excursion this summer.

Downtown Action Plan: Arts & Economic Development: Interconnectedness of Festival Theatre, St Croix National Scenic Riverway, City River St Site, Trail extension, and Holiday Library Site

Mayor Foss: would like to see trail pushed through to the south with a lookout under the Hwy 8 Bridge and a connecting foot bridge to Taylors Falls, linking the trail systems together.

One of the firms that had responded to the RFP for the River St site for a Library is interested in developing the property and would like to make a presentation to the Council in August. The Council would like to see off-site parking and design elements that relate to historic flavor of our town. It was questioned if we have sufficient population to support these potential new business ventures.

Consider Authorizing Request for Proposals: Arts District Street Banners

It was suggested that we could invest a portion of the proceeds from sales of the River Spirit Sculpture in new banners to promote the down town Arts District theme, the design could then be sold to generate further funds for re-investing in the arts. Mayor Foss recommended that the Arts Advisory Board review the proposal.

Lori Erickson moved to refer the matter to the Arts Advisory , second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Update on Festival Master Plan Process

Architect Bob Claybaugh will be making a presentation to the St Croix Festival Theatre Board at their next meeting.

Update on City’s 50^th Birthday Party and 170^th Anniversary of its Founding: Consider Wannigan Days Partnerships

St Croix Falls was settled in 1838 (170 years ago), was incorporated as a Village on Dec 15, 1887 (120 years ago), and became a City on February 25, 1958 (50 years ago). It is proposed that these anniversaries be celebrated in 2008 as part of the Wannigan Days festivities, Councilman Brian Blesi and Clerk Bonita Leggitt will head the planning for the event.

First Reading: Consider Updating City Burning Ordinance Modeled after Dresser, Requiring Permit and Notification

The current City Burning Code is simple with few restrictions, the Fire Department would like to see the Code updated similar to the Code recently adopted by the Village of Dresser whereby permits and notification are required and burning regulations are more detailed.

Consider Authorizing 25 MPH Speed Limit on Louisiana St/Fairgrounds Rd from Blanding Woods Rd East to City Limits

Lori Erickson moved to refer the matter to the Road Committee, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Danette Olson asked what would need to be done to add the court yard in front of Festival Theatre to their licensed area for sale of alcohol.

ADJOURNMENT

Lori Erickson moved to adjourn, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed. 9:45 pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk