CITY OF ST. CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 24, 2007, 7:00 P.M.

CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Brad Foss called to order a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council on Monday, September 24, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Lori Erickson, Brian Blesi and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney Brian Nodolf, Charlie Jones and Jeff Nussbaum of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Minutes of the September 10, 2007 Council Meeting, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Brian Blesi: Park & Rec met and prioritized goals and synergies for 2008, focusing on Simonson Woods.

Lori Erickson: Cemetery Board met, water storage tank being replaced, old well will be removed. Historic Society will work with Cemetery Board to come up with a plat of the Cemetery.

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $51,661.98, Park & Rec $3.96, TIF Fund $408.99, Water $8,919.91, Sewer $3,219.23, Library Fund $5,641.69

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

OLD BUSINESS

Louisiana St Project Update

Jeff Nussbaum: Pember has agreed to pay difference between insurance coverage and actual costs for repairs due to sewer backup. Pembers will repair damage to side streets due to construction traffic. Pembers will need to satisfy punch list before substantial completion. The School has submitted revised storm water plan with 8” lines connecting to storm drain in street.

NEW BUSINESS

Consider Mayoral Veto of Simonson Woods Hunting Resolution #07-23

Mayor Foss: at the last Council Meeting the Common Council adopted Resolution #07-23 for hunting of Simonson Woods, I vetoed this action because the property is not yet owned by the City and because a Management Plan needs to be developed.

It was noted that there are a lot of deer that area and that the current owners’ permission is needed for hunting. It is anticipated that the property could be deeded to the City the end of November.

Consider a Resolution Establishing a Management Team for the Simonson Woods Property

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-23, Establishing a Management Team for the Simonson Woods Property, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Resolution Authorizing Purchase of the Holiday Building and a Partnership with Dr. Uddin

Arnie Carlson: reviewed estimated costs and funding sources, proceeds of potential land sale to Dairyland Power should be removed, funds are needed elsewhere.

Ed Emerson: Dr. Uddin is willing to finance installation of dividing wall, City will finance improvements to roof, parking lot, and public space through TIF bonding. Library is responsible for financing improvements to interior. The DNR may have tapped into springs running under building.

Attorney Nodolf: have reviewed environmental reports and received map of lots from Holiday Corp, a garage encroaches on property but doesn’t appear to be a problem, DNR may claim an easement for water on site, would like to see copy of DNR easement for springs, am waiting for title work from Holiday.

Arnie Carlson moved to remove the $62,500 in proceeds from proposed land sale from the funding list in the Resolution, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-24, Authorizing the Purchase of the Holiday Building and a Partnership Agreement with Dr Uddin with the removal of $62,500 in land sale proceeds, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Brian Blesi moved to authorize the City Administrator to make determination on any exceptions to title, whether requiring further review of Common Council or acceptance of City Administrator, prior to closing, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution Pursuant to Wisconsin Statue 67.12(12) Authorizing Borrowing on a Promissory Note to Fund the Purchase of the Holiday Building

Dr. Uddin will front the money for purchase of the Holiday but WI State Statutes require restitution, therefore it is proposed that the City issue a promissory note to Dr. Uddin.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-25, Authorizing Borrowing on a Promissory Note to Fund the Purchase of the Holiday Building, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider A Resolution Finding that a Redevelopment Area Exits in the City, Holiday Building Site, CDBG Application

This is the first step in seeking a CDBG grant for the Library.

Lori Erickson moved to adopt Resolution #07-26, Finding that a Redevelopment Area Exits in the City, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Offer to Purchase Vacant Land by Dairyland Power Company

The City owns an Industrial Zoned Lot east of Golf Course Road that only has a 20’ wide easement access to the street, it has been appraised at $45,000. Dairyland Power has offered $62,500 for the property.

Darrell Anderson moved to accept Dairyland Powers’ purchases offer for $62,500, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Cedar Task Order to Complete Well #11

Jeff Nussbaum: Well #11 was grouted last week and will utilize the existing #8 well house. DNR requires new chemical feed calculation and pipe tapings will need to be adjusted to meet code, Cedar Corp will provide Construction Oversight and provide the DNR with necessary reports for a cost not to exceed $2,500.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve the Cedar Corp Task Order for a cost not to exceed $2,500, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.

Consider Adoption of Emergency Management Plan (Update)

Polk County updated their Emergency Management Plan last year. The City’s Emergency Management Plan is being updated to reflect that of Polk County.

Arnie Carlson moved to adopt the update of the Emergency Management Plan, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider Operators’ Permit

Darrell Anderson moved to approve an Operators Permit for Linda Larson, second by Lori Erickson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Increase in Municipal Court Warrant Fees

Lori Erickson moved to increase Municipal Court Warrant Fees from $20 to $28, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider an Ordinance Amending Downtown Sign Code

The City has received requests for internally lit signs in the Business Improvement District, the BID Board has reviewed the Sign Code and ok with the proposed change. The Plan Commission has held a Public Hearing and has recommended amending the Code to allow internally lit signs.

Arnie Carlson moved to adopt Ordinance #10-07, Amending a Part of the Zoning Code Relating to Signs in the Business Improvement District to permit Internally Lit Signs, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

Consider a Resolution to Vacate & Discontinue a Portion of Missouri and Franklin Streets

Dean Cameron, owner of the Wild River Marina, has requested that portions of Missouri and Franklin St right-of-ways bordering the Marina be vacated. Vacating of these streets would result in some lots being landlocked.

Darrell Anderson moved to deny request to vacate portions of Missouri and Franklin Sts, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ed Emerson: Xcel Energy hopes to have approval for power line in Minnesota soon, possibly in Dec.

Dale Gunderson: Snowmobile Club lost their access through the Simonson Woods Property 3 years ago due to a complaint by a hunter, the trail used to follow old logging trail through the property, once the City has authority over the property, the Snowmobile Club would like to get trail access in place again.

ADJOURNMENT

Lori Erickson moved to adjourn the meeting, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Brad Foss, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk