CITY OF ST CROIX FALLS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
CITY HALL, 710 HWY 35 SOUTH
Mayor Darrell Anderson called a regular meeting of the City of St. Croix Falls Common Council to order on Monday, September 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Roll call: Councilpersons Debra Kravig, Paul Kuhlmann, Brian Blesi and Arnie Carlson were present. Also present: Administrator Ed Emerson, Clerk Bonita Leggitt, Police Officer Erin Murphy, Fire Chief Wade Sommer, Librarian Sarah Adams, the public and the press. All joined in the salute to the flag.
Brian Blesi moved to approve the Minutes of the August 25, 2008 Regular Council Meeting adding “to meet goal of raising one million towards” the $1.6 million needed for a new Library to Library report, second by Debra Kravig, voice vote, motion passed.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve the Minutes of the August 25, 2008, closed session, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Police Officer Erin Murphy presented the August 2008 Police Report.
Fire Chief Wade Sommer presented the August 2008 Fire Dept Report, noting that the Departments extrication equipment that was purchased in the 1980s is in need of replacing at an estimated cost of $45,000, the current equipment in inadequate for materials being used in newer automobiles.
Mayor Darrell Anderson: an article in last week’s Osceola Sun made references to the City’s sending a letter to Cedar Corp and went on to say that I went on a golf outing with Cedar Corp, this is not true, no letter has been sent to Cedar Corp, I did meet with Cedar Corp that morning, in the afternoon I took some friends golfing and rented two rooms, all at my own expense, some items addressed in the article were from Closed Session and are subject to confidentiality, I apologize to Cedar Corp for the misunderstanding.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Paul Kuhlmann: Park & Req believes it is in the City’s best interest to keep impact fees in place
General Fund $37,943.92, Library Fund $108.84, Library Building Fund $4,212.50, Water Fund $3,220.74, Sewer Fund $5,991.87.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to approve claims, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Hearing: Public Comments Related to the Public Participation Requirement for the Community Development Block Grant Which Approved Will Provide Funds of Approximately $340,000 for Rehabilitation of the Former Holiday Grocery store for use by St Croix Falls Public Library
Debra Kravig moved to open the Public Hearing, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
David Carlson, SEH: this public hearing serves to meet two requirements, one to describe program, and to get comments from the public. SEH is under contract to Library Board to manage project, and prepared the grant application for re-using the former Holiday Grocery store for a Library, the $340,000 award is part of the CDBG Facilities Program. The total project cost is about $1.6 mil and that includes acquisition of the building, plaza and parking lot, and renovation of Library portion of building. Construction typically has to start within 90 days of award, award is based upon size of project, if project is downsized award would be reduced. As this is now a Federally funded project we will need to verify that state wage rates are adhered too. Members of the Library Board and others were present to represent and support the Library projects.
Arnie Carlson moved to close the Public Hearing, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider a Resolution Accepting Community Development Block Grant Funds for Rehabilitation of the Former Holiday Grocery Store into the St Croix Falls Public Library
It will be difficult to meet 90 day construction start, but getting bid package together and project bid out will hopefully count.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to accept Grant and Approve Resolution #08-16, Authorizing Submission of a CDBG Application, second by Brian Blesi, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider Update & Change Orders to Library Public Plaza Project
Warren White presented three Change Orders, Change Order #1 deals with removal of an unexpected poured concrete foundation under the old curb, cost to remove and replace sidewalk is $1,982.50 Change Order #2 replaces curb and gutter and makes a second entrance to the parking lot for an estimated cost of $8,000, $3,008 for curb work and fixture removal to be done at this time, the cost of paving to be determined later, this improvement would be on Holiday Co’s land with costs to be charged to Holiday. Change Order #3 is for a design element, currently the plan calls for 14 bollard lamps to be mounted on piers, mounting the bollards on the curb will save $2,800. These Change Orders take the total project costs from $275,813 to $278,971.24. Warren White recommended getting Holiday Co’s commitment to fund Changer Order #2 in writing. The project also includes two bib hoses for watering plants, they will need to be drained each year before winter to prevent freezing.
Arnie Carlson moved to approve Change Orders 1, 2, and 3, for a net increase of $3,200, second by Debra Kravig, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Consider State Street Completion Extension and Punch List Items
September 12 was to be the date of completion for the State St project, there has been a delay in getting street lights, bollards, and the decorative fencing, the delay is from the manufacturer and is beyond the control of the contractor.
Arnie Carlson moved to acknowledge and grant time extension, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider a Resolution Designating the Time, Place and Manner for the Hunting of Deer Within City Limits
The Deer Management Committee has recommended allowing deer archery hunting again this year with a couple of changes, they propose to leverage a DNR Deer Nuisance Tag, there are no limits on the number of tags to be issued and the DNR would track the deer registered under the nuisance tag. Other changes include hunting from an elevated platform to hunting from an elevated position with shots limited to forty-yards. Utilizing these purple nuisance tags will allow archery hunting to continue in the City limits during gun season.
Paul Kuhlmann moved to adopt Resolution #08-17, Designating the Time, Place and Manner for the Hunting of Deer within the City of St Croix Falls, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider a Resolution for Deer and Other Hunting on the Wert Family Nature Preserve
The Deer Management Committee recommends hunting in the 450 acre Wert Family Nature Preserve during normal State of Wisconsin hunting seasons. Concerns were raised about hunting of bear, if hunted using dogs there is a risk that a bear could be chased into residential areas, should bear hunting be allowed, should it be restricted to baiting? Neighboring property owners should be given a say in what rules will be put in place for hunting in the preserve, could allow deer and turkey hunting this year and then establish rules for other hunting in future.
Michelle Carlyle of the DNR has been attending the Deer Management Committee meetings and noted that the deer heard needs to be thinned out and that the DNR has done a study and determined that there are more bears in the area than first believed, there have been numerous reports of bear sightings this summer and residents are expressing concern.
Brian Blesi moved to adopt Resolution #08-18, allowing for Deer and Other Hunting on the Wert Family Nature Preserve with the amendment that only deer and turkey hunting be allowed, second Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Park & Recreation Committee Annual Report
Paul Kuhlmann moved to table the Park & Rec Annual Report, second by Arnie Carlson, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Update on River Spirit Sculpture
The Arts Advisory Committee has ordered a plaque for the River Spirit Sculpture; plan is to put in place for unveiling at the Autumn Fest on Sept 27th.
Consider Update on Year 2009 Budget Process
The first draft of the 2009 Budget was presented to Council, Councilpersons are asked to review and submit their concerns.
Arnie Carlson moved to take a break, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Arnie Carlson moved to reconvene, second by Brian Blesi, voice vote, motion passed.
Consider Entering Closed Session Pursuant to State Statute 19.85 (1)(g) to Confer with Legal Counsel Regarding Strategy to be Adopted in Association with Receipt of the Louisiana Street Storm Water Report and Litigation Associated with the Report of Which the City is Likely to Become Involved
Brian Blesi moved to enter Closed Session Pursuant to State Statute 19.85(1)(g) to Confer with Legal Counsel Regarding Strategy to be Adopted in Association with Receipt of the Louisiana St Storm Waster Report and Litigation Associated with the Report of Which the City is Likely to Become Involved, second by Arnie Carlson, roll call vote, 4 ayes, motion passed.
Return to Open Session
Debra Kravig moved to end the closed session and return to open session, second by Paul Kuhlmann, voice vote, motion passed.
Darrell Anderson, Mayor Bonita Leggitt, City Clerk