CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Brad Foss called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, September 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Lori Erickson, and Arnie Carlson were present, Brian Blesi arrived at 7:02pm. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Police Chief Jack Rydeen, Wendy Sander and Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Minutes of the August 27, 2007 Regular Council Meeting, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Police Chief Jack Rydeen presented the August 2007 Police Report.

The August 2007 Fire Dept Report was provided for Councils’ information.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Lori Erickson: Traffic and Roads met to discuss road ratings and what roads should be listed for improvements in five and ten years. Big Read event kick-off was on Saturday, their will be a picnic at DD Kennedy Park on Oct 10^th as part of the Big Read.

Brian Blesi: Historic Preservation Committee met and discussed which properties would fit in a historic district. Deer Management recommended archery hunt for 2007 hunting season. Park & Rec is working with Steve tucker to coordinate efforts to get young people together to establish rules for the Skate Park.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $497,042.76, Library Fund $1,005.95, Park & Recreation Fund $501.77, Water Fund $74,201.10, Sewer Fund $5,935.04

Darrell Anderson moved to approve claims, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, passed.

OLD BUSINESS

Update on Library/Holiday Process

Ed Emerson: cost to move forward with roof and dividing wall of old Holiday Foods building: City share $94,000, Mr. Uddin’s share $60,000, options for financing City share include Impact Fees and proceeds from possible sale of City owned land to Dairyland Power, will need to consult with financial advisor on TIF eligibility of public plaza and parking lot improvements. May be able to get in-kind contributions from professionals for such work as electrical and HAVC to reduce monetary costs.

Sarah Adams: once Library has green light to move forward, we will start fund raising program which includes educating the public on what is needed and how it will be funded.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Pember Pay Request for Louisiana St, Timing of Project, and Issues Related to Residential Sewer Back-up

The contract called for substantial completion by August 31^st with some allowances for delays out of their control, such as the delay in starting project that was due to DNR permit hold up. There is a $1,500 per day penalty for going beyond the completion date. Pember is now 10 days past the completion date stated in the contract. Construction equipment caused damage to side roads around project area, shouldn’t contractor be responsible for repairing that damage? There was a sewer back-up to three homes on Blanding Woods Road due to a crimp in the temporary sewer line running to Louisiana St. Pember’s insurance only covers depreciated value, not replacement value. It was suggested that the City could forgive the penalty in exchange for Pembers making residents affected by sewer back-up whole. It was noted that the affected residents should forward amount of shortages to the Administrators’ Office. Council discussed possibility of utilizing the project contingency fund to make up the difference between depreciated costs and replacement costs while negotiating with Pembers on the penalty issue.

Lori Erickson moved to authorize payment of shortage of insurance coverage for an amount not to exceed $5,000, pending negotiating reimbursement by Pembers, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve pay request #4 in the amount of $694,362.98, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Craig Knutson of 131 N Madison St questioned if the guard rail along his property was going to be put back in, gets hit about 4 times a winter, Jeff Nussbaum noted that a guard rail is in plan.

Consider Revolving Loan Fund Request of Sterling Design to Expand Operations and Create 14 New Jobs

Sterling Design is looking at purchasing a building in the City limits for the purpose of expanding their business and creating 14 new jobs. They are requesting a $40,000 RLF Loan. Kevin Carlson of Sterling Design stated that he is willing to design the HVAC system for the new Library for free.

Arnie Carlson moved to approve a Revolving Loan Fund Loan for $40,000 at 4% interest for 10 years to Sterling Design contingent upon locating within the City limits and review by WI Dept of Commerce, second by Lori Erickson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider an Ordinance Repealing and Re-creating a Part of the City Burning Regulations

Proposed Ordinance would permit burning of leaves, brush, and untreated lumber from Oct 1^st through May 1^st, but not from May 1^st to Oct 1^st with the exception of recreational fires under 4 ft in diameter along with a few other listed exemptions.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Ordinance #08-07, Repealing and Re-creating a part of the City Burning Regulations with the addition of (h) for prescribed burns of native yards, as an exemption, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Ordinance Establishing Rules for The City Operated Skate Park

A neighbor has complained about parking and noise after sunset, rules need to be in place before they can be enforced. Proposal is for 4 rules at this time, hours of operation from sunrise to sunset, no alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drug use, no amplified noise or music without a permit, and the park shall be open from April 1 to Oct 31, rules can be expanded on in future as Park & Rec meets and works out details for rules with the youth utilizing the park.

Brian Blesi moved to adopt Ordinance #9-07, Establishing Rules for the City Operated Skate Park, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Increasing Counter Service Fees for Vehicle Registrations

Darrell Anderson moved to increase the counter service fee for vehicle registration from $5 to $7, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Policy on Special assessment Letters & Reports

Periodically the City Office is called upon to supply a written letter or report for special assessments, property taxes, utilities for properties that are being bought and sold, these written responses require staff time to research and respond to, it is recommended that there be a service fee of $25 per request, or $45 for rush (same day) requests, these requests are generally made by real estate offices or title companies whom are already charging their client for the service.

Lori Erickson moved to authorize the Special Assessment Letters and Reports Policy, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Bidding Engineering & Design Services for State St & River St Public Improvements

Steve Slautner and Chris Srom of Tech Design: we are a small company that provides survey and engineering services, we can offer services for some projects at a lower cost than larger operations. Chris Strom used to work for Cedar Corp and knows the City’s community and staff.

Mayor Foss: the City could bid out the 3 upcoming projects (State St reconstruction, River St project, and Library project) as a package, with emphases on cost saving for Library.

Jeff Nussbaum, Cedar Corp: Cedar Corp is a full service company providing full municipal services, including engineering, architectural design, planning, and grant writing. Cedar Corp was authorized by the City Council to design State Street last March.

Brian Blesi moved to table bidding of services, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Authorizing 2007 Deer Hunting Resolutions

The Deer Management Committee has recommended authorizing archery hunting in the City for the 2007 season and that the Simonson Woods property be hunted with the following restrictions: no vehicle access, no guns permitted, and no permanent deer stands. It was recommended that a restriction for no climbing devices that can effect health of tree be added.

Brian Blesi moved to adopt Resolution #07-22, Designating the time, place and manner for hunting of deer for the 2007 season, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Darrell Anderson moved to adopt Resolution #07-23, Allowing for the hunting of deer in the Simonson Woods property, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Lori Erickson moved to adjourn, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed. 10:35 pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk