CITY OF ST. CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

AUGUST 29, 2005, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

           

                

CALL TO ORDER                                       

Mayor Lee Uhrhammer called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, August 29, 2005 at 7:05 p.m.  Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Jon Cermin, and Bill Kersch were present.   Debra Points was present via teleconference.   Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney John Schneider, Treasurer Jamie Carlson, Public Works Director Dennis Neva, Fire Chief Dale Anderson, Dave Scofield of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.  

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Bill Kersch moved to approve the Minutes of the August 8, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Wade Reddy, Administrator for St Croix Valley Good Samaritan Center: when the radio read meters were installed it was discovered that the Center was being charged at a 10 cubic foot rate when it should have been charged at a 100 cubic foot rate, resulting in an under-billing of $37,380.25 over the past two years.   We are a non-profit entity that is barely making it, absorbing the cost of the under-billing would mean cutting staff.   

Donald Hill, Linda Iwaszko, George Lair, Gerald Bretl, Joan Stanze, and Clarence Johnson spoke on behalf of the Good Samaritan Center, of its services to the community, and requested the City’s help with the under-billing.

Brad Foss was also found to have been under-billed and requested that waivers be granted for the under-billings.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSSIONS AND BOARDS                                                                   

The August 16, 2005 Plan Commission Minutes, August 18, 2005 Deer Management Committee Minutes, and August 17, 2005 Park and Recreation Committee Minutes were presented for Council’s information.

 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $69,808.75, Water $4,507.22, Sewer $10,251.89

Bill Kersch moved to approve claims, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Authorization for September 24 Entertainment: Overlook Deck

Michael Schaar and Woody McBride propose to conduct another Amateur Psychologist Convention – music festival on September 25th on the Overlook Deck similar to what was done in June.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Amateur Psychologist Convention Part II for September 24, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider Final Pay Request for Sampling Monitor Station, Straus Knitting Mills

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Final Pay Request for $2,935.00 for the Sampling Monitor Station, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider Final Pay Request of Ryan Contracting for TIF Storm Pond

Pay request is for $15,184.04, leaving a 2% retainage of $3,019.76.  Final details are being completed.

Bill Kersch moved to approve full final payment of $18,203.80, including retainage, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider Change in Agent, Alcohol License Application for Loggers Bar & Grill

There has been a change in corporate membership and agent for Loggers Bar & Grill. 

Bill Kersch moved to approve the change and appointment of Dave Kremer as agent for Loggers Bar & Grill, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

 

 

Consider Mayoral Appointments to Zoning Board of Appeals and BID Board

Debra Points moved to confirm the appointment of Warren White to the Zoning Board of Appeals and of Steve Bont and Steve McCormack to the BID Board, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider Bids for City Shop Storage Building

Bids were requested for a new heated storage building for the City Shop, two bids were received, Northwest Builders submitted a bid of $84,598.00 and Cleary Building submitted a bid of $53,788.  Both bids are for a 42’ by 48’ metal building.  Northwest’s bid included electrical service.  Cleary offers a discount for winter construction.  Dennis Neva recommended biding the electrical work out separately, and going with winter construction, resulting in about $4,000 in savings, concrete slab would be poured this fall and construction would be done in January or February.  Equipment left outside would be covered with tarps and some stored at the Fire Station until construction was complete.  Water Dept Funds could cover part of cost with remainder coming from undesignated funds.

Darrell Anderson moved to accept the Bid of Cleary Building for winter construction of a storage building for a cost not to exceed $50,000, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider Bids for Georgia Street Resurfacing

One bid was received for resurfacing Georgia Street from Monarch Paving for $21,177.  $9,000 of that cost would be covered by a Local Road Improvement Grant, rest of cost was included in 2005 budget.

Darrell Anderson moved to accept the Bid of Monarch Paving of $21,177 for 2753 sq yards of asphalt for Georgia St, second by Debra Points, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Discuss Policy on Repairing Damaged Curbs

There is currently no City policy on repairing damage curbs, biggest problem is with driveway entrances they break up with use.  Property owners call City when curb breaks, McDonalds’ driveway curb is already breaking up due to heavy use.  It was questioned of commercial would be handled differently than residential, commercial receives heavier use and thus breaks up sooner.  Other communities will be contacted to learn how they handle issue.

 

Discuss Lawn Care Bid Process

Current 3 year contract for lawn mowing expires in October and was priced per time mowed.  Could request bids based upon an annual basis, would be easier to budget for.  Current contractor has done a good job.  Could request proposals based upon per mowing and for annual basis and review responses.

 

Discuss Water Meter Under-billing

Jamie Carlson: during installation of radio read meters seven customers were found to have been under-billed, they were billed at a 10 cubic ft rate when they should have been billed at a 100 cubic ft rate.  The City can go back two years to collect under-billed charges.  The total amount under-billed is $44,616.55.  Two customers were found to have been over charged and will be receiving refunds.  Concern is the Sewer Utility; it is running at a loss, will be looking at increasing sewer rate in future. 

Darrell Anderson: mistake was made in past and discovered now, should treat all fairly and forgive under-billed charges, with correct billing in place should help future revenue flow of Sewer Utility.

A Resolution to forgive under-billed charges will be presented at next Council Meeting.

 

City Treasurer Budget Update

Jamie Carlson: the proposed 2006 budget is $67,922 over limit imposed by new State Law, new law limits levy increase by 2%, maybe 2.5%, plus new construction.  Issue is with Assessor’s error whereas new construction wasn’t reported to the State, hurting the City’s value.  It was questioned by the Council if there were any legal recourse for loss of revenue due to non-reporting of new construction.  New revenues in the budget include Protection and Service Fees to be paid by Menards, increased Court fines, and the City qualified for an Expenditure Restraint payment.  Decreases in expenses include a reduction in ambulance fees per agreement, lower debt service, reduced assessment contract amount, and a reduction in machinery.   Additional expenses include, 9% increase in health care costs, wage increase, cleaning services, new police officer, and office outlay.  Funding was eliminated for Wannigan Days Fire Works, Park & Rec Revenue, and lawn mowing services.  Budget requests not funded include two tankers for the Fire Department, $800 for the Library, $5,000 for Street Dept.  Other 2006 projects not funded include: HVAC for Festival Theatre Building, City share of Ambulance/Police building, WWTP upgrade, Louisiana St improvements, a new Library facility, and various River Street Improvements.

 

Discuss Proposed Garage Setback Standards Revision

The Plan Commission has discussed and recommended changing the garage setback requirement in the City’s Design Standards from 20 ft to 5 ft from the front of the house or porch, and in addition the City may as part of the Development approval process allow for variable front yard setbacks and flush or front facing garages where architectural features are incorporated to make garages inconspicuous.  The next step will be to schedule a Public Hearing and consider adoption of the amendment to the Code.

 

Consider Initial Resolution to Vacate and Discontinue an Alley in Block 56, First Addition

Max Fisk initiated and submitted a petition to vacate an undeveloped ally in Block 56, First Addition, it has been signed by all the adjoining property owners in Block 56.

Debra Points moved to proceed with a public hearing to vacate and discontinue an alley in Block 56, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider a Resolution Approving City Costs for Shared EMS/Police Garage

The City has agreed to a shared EMS/Police garage, a bid of $152,369 has been received for the facility.  The City would pay half the construction costs as the Police will utilize half the space up to $80,000.  Any costs over the $80,000 shall be a change order and subject to approval by the City Council.  In exchange the City shall have a 50% reduction of designated EMS service fees for the length of the lease.  Life Link would be responsible for all utility costs of the building and the City would be responsible for snow removal and lawn care.  The City’s share of the cost would come from undesignated funds.

Debra Points moved to adopt Resolution #05-31, Approving City Costs and Operating Terms for a Shared EMS/Police Garage, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

 

Consider a Resolution Accepting a CSM, 790 S Wash

ington St, Corner of Washington and Connecticut Sts

The Plan Commission has held a Public Hearing and reviewed the proposed CSM that would divide the property at 790 S Washington St into 3 lots at two meetings; concerns that were raised have been addressed and are noted in the Resolution approving the CSM.

Debra Points moved to adopt Resolution #05-32, accepting the CSM for the property located at the intersection of Washington and Connecticut Streets, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider a Resolution Designating the Time, Place, and Manner for the Hunting of Deer in City Limits

Deer hunting by archery will once again be permitted from Sept 17, 2005 to Nov 17, 2005 and again from Nov 28, 2005 to Jan 3, 2006.

Jon Cermin moved to adopt Resolution #05-33, Designating the time, place and manner for the hunting of deer within City Limits, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mayor Uhrhammer: there will be a Young Artists’ Art Show at 6:30 pm on August 30, 2005 at the Tower Rd Park.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Bill Kersch moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.  Meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.

 

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor                                                             Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk