CITY OF ST. CROIX FALLS

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 26, 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, September 26, 2005 at 7:07 p.m.  Roll call: Councilpersons Darrell Anderson, Jon Cermin, and Bill Kersch were present.   Debra Points was absent.   Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Attorney John Schneider, Treasurer Jamie Carlson, Charlie Jones and Chris Strom of Cedar Corp, the public and the press. All Present joined in the salute to the flag.  

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Minutes of the September 12, 2005 Regular Council Meeting, seconded by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, COMMISSSIONS AND BOARDS                                                                  

The September 21, 2005 Plan Commission Minutes, and September 15, 2005 Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes were presented for Council’s information.

 

APPROVAL OF CLAIMS

General Fund $35,555.12, TIF $877.86, Park & Rec $82.58 Water $3,680.99, Sewer $3,470.70

Jon Cermin moved to approve claims, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Public Hearing to Consider Amending Subdivision & Platting Code 20.05(3)(d)(5) for Garage Design Standards

Jon Cermin moved to open the public hearing, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

Plan Commission has held numerous discussions on garage setback requirements; it is proposed that the 20 ft garage setback from front of house be reduced to a 5 ft setback with incorporation of architectural details.  The Plan Commission is recommending this change to allow flexibility.  The height restriction for garages has also been questioned and will be discussed at a future meeting. 

Jon Cermin moved to close the hearing, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider an Ordinance Amending Zoning Code 20.05(3)(d) for Garage Design Standards

 Jon Cermin moved to adopt Ordinance #06-05, Amending Code 20.05(3)(d)(5) for Garage Design Standards, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

Consider a Conditional Use Permit for Menard Inc, Hwy 8 and 208th Street and Approval of Developers Agreement Setting Conditions and Approving Site Plan

The Plan Commission held a Public Hearing for a C.U.P. for Menards to construct a facility over 10,000 sq ft on September 21, 2005.  Only remaining issue is item G of the Developers Agreement for the water main loop.  Menards will be paying for the loop up front and the question is how future benefiting properties will share in that cost.  Language will be worked out and added for reimbursement of costs under item G.  Menards has contracted with Cedar Corp for a Traffic Analysis Report, the report has been submitted to the WisDOT and we are waiting for them to complete their review. 

Jon Cermin moved to approve the Developers Agreement subject to clarifying item G, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the C.U.P. for Menards, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.  

 

Consider a Developers Agreement with Bill Greene, Old Wal-Mart Site

Bill Greene has owned the old Wal-Mart site since before the Commercial Design Guidelines were adopted and therefore is not subject to the part of the Guidelines relating to new ownership.    

Charlie Jones: the Commercial Design Guidelines define new buildings as any building being renovated for different use, the old Wal-Mart site was, and still will be, used as commercial.  Use changes are usually zoning changes between Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Zoning.  The proposed Agreement for the old Wal-Mart site covers 5 points:  1. a vegetative buffer on west and north side of proposed fenced in outdoor display area 2. Placement of 6 bollards to separate traffic from display areas 3. Four landscape islands 4. Delineation of leased spaces with separate entrances for each business/lessee 5. Existing pole sign is grandfathered in but can not be enlarged.

Bill Kersch moved to approve the Developers Agreement with Bill Greene for the old Wal-Mart site, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

Consider a Presentation of Sharna Braucks, Wild River YMCA, Requesting Funds for a Market Study

Sharna Braucks, Exec Director for the Wild River YMCA: the St Croix Valley branch of the YMCA was founded in 2003 and runs programs for youth, teens, families, adults, and seniors at various locations.  Statistics show that a YMCA needs a population of around 22,000 to support a facility and that population is usually within a 6 mile radius, here it’s a 10 mile radius that encompasses numerous communities.  A market study will tell us the demographics of the area and aid in determining if there is sufficient support for a facility.  We are asking each community to contribute $2,000 towards the cost of the study, the YMCA will contribute $10,000, total cost of study is $30,000.  A YMCA facility costs about $8 million, all funds are raised locally and we do not finance facilities, we have found that areas that can raise the funds for a facility have the necessary support for continuance of a facility.  It was questioned if this request should go through the Park & Rec. Committee.

Darrell Anderson moved to table consideration of the request for funding a market study to confer with the Park & Rec. Committee, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed. 

 

Consider Alterations to Washington St & Massachusetts St Intersection Improvements

There is a 125 ft gap between the street improvements being done by the City and the National Park Service on Massachusetts St, while it is in the plan to re-pave this section, curb, gutter, and sidewalk were not included.  It will cost an additional $1,900 for curb and gutter and $2,400 for sidewalk.  The TIF District could cover cost of these improvements. There is also a question on placement of the kiosk/                                sign planned for the southwest corner, the concern is that it be placed so as to minimize impact on traffic vision at the intersection.  The conceptual drawing for the monument sign has been sent to Fred Pfannes for submittal of a proposal for construction and design of sign.

Ron Erickson, NPS: sign is primarily needed for south bound traffic; the intent was to replace the existing 4’ by 7’ pole sign with a monument sign, even at that size it isn’t very visible.

Bill Kersch moved to authorize extending sidewalk, curb, and gutter on Massachusetts St for a cost not to exceed $4,500, second by Jon Cermin, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

Consider Final Resolution Levying Special Assessments Against Benefited Property, N Washington St Improvements

Only 10% of the project costs are being assessed for Phase III, this is in line with how the assessments were levied for Phase II improvements.   There is a 90 day period for landowners to contest amount of assessment, during this period the Cermin’s could file for an adjustment to reflect that Falls Orthodontics had already paid to have sidewalk extended to their property in conjunction with Phase II improvements. 

Bill Kersch moved to adopt Resolution #05-34, approving the Final Resolution Authorizing Public Improvements and Levying Special Assessments for Washington St Phase III for 10 years at 5.434% interest, second by Darrell Anderson, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

Consider Authorizing BIDS for Mowing City Parks and Grounds

The current contract for mowing expires in October.  It is proposed that we seek a flat rate per year for mowing.  Dale Gunderson requested addition of a renewal clause and that there be an opportunity for negotiation with the City Administrator and Director of Public Works rather than a bidding process. 

Darrell Anderson noted that the job of mowing was being well done and that we should try negotiating.

Darrell Anderson moved to move forward with negotiating costs of mowing and to bring back to Council, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.   

 

Consider Approving CSM for Wilberg Blvd Extension to 208th Street

This Certified Survey Map designates the right-of-way for Wilberg Blvd as it traverses the LaVonne Johnson property to reach 208th St.

Jon Cermin moved to approve the CSM for extending Wilberg Blvd, second by Darrell Anderson, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider a Conditional Use Permit for Cingular/American Tower to Construct a Wireless Antenna and Accompanying Equipment, St Croix Lofts Building

Cingular/American Tower propose to place an antenna on One St Croix Lofts, it will be designed and screened to match the antenna that is there now.

Jon Cermin moved to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Cingular/American Tower to place an antenna on One St Croix Lofts, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider a Temporary Sign Permit, Hwy 8, WestCap

WestCap has requested authorization for a 4’ by 4’ temporary sign to advertise the availability of rental units to be placed at the intersection of Glacier Dr and Birch St for up to 90 days.

Darrell Anderson moved to approve a temporary sign for WestCap for up to 90 days, second by Jon Cermin, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider Policy for Dispersal/Sale of Hanging Downtown Planters

There have been enquiries as to what will be done with the hanging planters downtown and if at the end of the season and if they could be sold to interested parties.  The hanging planters were purchased by the Business Improvement District.

Jon Cermin moved to let the BID disperse with the hanging planters as they see fit, second by Bill Kersch, voice vote, motion passed.

 

Consider Police Department Request for No Parking, Lincoln St, EMS Site Location

The Police Department has requested that the east side of Lincoln Street along the EMS/Police facility be designated as no parking.

Jon Cermin moved authorize the Police Department to post “no parking” along the EMS/Police facility, second by Bill Kersch, roll call vote, 3 ayes, 1 absent, motion passed.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Mayor Uhrhammer: the Baker Land and Title Building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.  We have been invited to the Eagle Scout Ceremony for Erin Bloomer at the American Legion Hall on Oct. 10th.

The Cemetery Board Meeting was not held as a notice of meeting had not been posted.

 

ADJOURNMENT

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

 

Lee Uhrhammer, Mayor                                                             Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk