New Richmond City Council, Feb. 9, 2009

City Council Proceedings

City of New Richmond

Mayor: David Schnitzler City Clerk: Joseph D. Bjelland

Aldermanic Districts

District 1: Frederick Horne

District 2: James Johnston

District 3: Roberta Dale-Wozniak

District 4: Jane Hansen

District 5: Ronald Volkert

District 6: James Zajkowski

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING, February 9, 2009 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was opened by announcing that this was an open meeting of the Common Council. Notice of this meeting was given to the public at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting by forwarding the complete agenda to the official City newspaper, the New Richmond News, and to all news media who have requested the same as well as posting. Copies of the complete agenda were available for inspection at the City Clerk’s office. Anyone desiring information as to forthcoming meetings should contact the City Clerk’s office.

Roll call was taken.

Members Present: Mayor Schnitzler, Alderman Horne, Johnston, Dale-Wozniak, Hansen, Volkert, Zajkowski, and Student Representatives Megan Elkin and Ariel Berres-Green.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Alderman Johnston moved to adopt the agenda as amended, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak and carried.

Alderman Zajkowski moved to waive the reading of the minutes of the previous Regular Council meeting, January 12, 2009 and approve them as presented, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried.

B Company Deployment

Ken Penttila, Chairman of the Farewell Committee, reviewed the plans surrounding B Company’s deployment which is scheduled for February 23, 2009 and 12:30 p.m. There will be three buses that will leave the armory and be escorted through New Richmond and then continue to Interstate 94. They would like to have citizens line the streets to say goodbye to the troops. Ken read the following proclamation that was signed by the Mayor:

City of New Richmond Proclamation

Be it known that on the 9th day of February, 2009, the City Council of the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin met and has resolved:

WHEREAS B Company, 1/128th Infantry is based in New Richmond, Wisconsin

And

WHEREAS B company, 1/128th Infantry was activated February 1, 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and on February 23, 2009 will depart the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin to be deployed to the Iraqi Theater of Operations.

It is therefore proclaimed that to honor the citizens of New Richmond, Western Wisconsin, and Minnesota who will deploy with B Company, 1/128th Infantry into harm’s way hence forth Monday, February 23, 2009 will be forever known in the City of New Richmond, Wisconsin as B Company, 1/128th Infantry Day.

Alderman Dale-Wozniak moved to approve this proclamation, seconded by Alderman Horne and carried.

3D Strategies, Inc.

Emily Matchey, co-owner of 3D Strategies, Inc., gave a presentation on commercial and industrial business marketing that her company could help the City of New Richmond within our Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. Alderman Zajkowski moved to approve entering into contract with 3D Strategies, Inc. for six months at a cost of $15,900 with the funds coming from TIF District #6, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried. The Council would like to receive monthly updates from 3D Strategies.

Needs Analysis

Wold Architects gave a presentation on the needs analysis that they completed in December of 2008. The Street Department is in the greatest need at this time for space and their recommendation was to eventually move the Police Department out of the Civic Center. No action was taken on this needs analysis.

Ordinance #401

Alderman Johnston moved to suspend the rules and adopt Ordinance #401 amending Section 74-1 Lodging Tax (g) exceptions, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak and carried.

Parade Permit

Alderman Zajkowski moved to approve the application for a Parade Permit for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17, 2009 at 4 p.m., seconded Alderman Horne and carried.

Application for Class A Liquor and Beer License

Alderman Johnston moved to approve the application from Scot Destasio, Agent for Econo Foods at 110 West Fourth Street, for a Class A Liquor and Class A Beer License, seconded by Alderman Horne and carried. Alderman Zajkowski abstained.

Applications for Temporary Class B Beer License:

Alderman Horne moved to approve the application for Temporary Class B Beer License from the Knights of Columbus, 144 East Fourth Street, for a fish fry on March 27-28, 2009, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried.

Alderman Johnston moved to approve the application for Temporary Class B Beer License from the New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce for the Park Art Fair in Mary Park, June 5-6, 2009, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak and carried.

Alderman Dale-Wozniak moved to approve the application for Temporary Class B Beer License from the New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce for Fun Fest in Cyclone Park, July 9-12-2009, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried.

Request for Amplified Music

Alderman Horne moved to approve the request for amplified music in Mary Park on June 5, 2009 from 4 p.m. to midnight for the Willow River Blues & Brews Fest, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak and carried.

Alderman Dale-Wozniak moved to approve the request for amplified music in Mary Park on June 6, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the Park Art Fair, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried.

Alderman Zajkowski moved to approve the request for amplified music in Cyclone Park for July 9, 2009 5-10 p.m.; July 10, 2009, 5 p.m. to midnight; July 11, 2009, noon to midnight; and July 12, 2009, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Fun Fest, seconded by Alderman Hansen and carried.

Memorandum of Understanding

Alderman Zajkowski moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for the School District to maintain ownership of the Middle School property for 3 - 5 years after the closing of the Middle School, seconded by Alderman Hansen and carried. Alderman Dale-Wozniak voted no.

Street Committee Recommendations

The Street Committee tabled discussion regarding sidewalk snow shoveling. Alderman Volkert moved to table discussion regarding sidewalk snow shoveling, seconded by Alderman Hansen and carried.

The Street Committee tabled the request from Willow Stain Glass Company to name the alley between East Second Street and East Third Street so that his business can obtain a new address and he then would be able to receive mail and deliveries by way of the Alley. Alderman Volkert moved to table this request, seconded by Alderman Hansen, and carried. John Frisco will look into this issue.

Finance Committee Recommendations

The Finance Committee received the 2009 Fuel Bids stating the markup on the gas that would be sold to the City:

Cenex $0.005 Markup

Kwik Trip $0.02 Markup

Skoglund $0.05 Markup

Alderman Zajkowski moved to accept the bid from Cenex for $0.005 markup, seconded by Alderman Horne and carried.

There will be another Finance Committee meeting on February 18, 2009 at 8 p.m. to discuss the 2009 Street & Utility Projects, Capital Projects and the possible reduction of Impact/Access Fees.

The Finance Committee recommended approving a community service officer for the Police Department at $13.00 per hour for a total of $7,000 between Memorial Day and Labor Day of 2009. Alderman Zajkowski moved to approve this recommendation, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak and carried.

Mayor Schnitzler appointed Alderman Horne and Zajkowski to a committee to discuss future use of the Room Tax being collected by the City. Alderman Johnston moved to confirm this appointment, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak and carried.

Robert Cole, from Builders Resource Group of Roberts, looked at the sound system at the ice rink and made suggestions for ways to help alleviate the noise level outside the Sports Center. He is working with the Hockey Association on these items. No action was taken.

The Finance Committee received the following two bids for removing the asbestos tiles in the east entrance and hallway of the Civic Center:

ARS $6,000

Brack Thermal $5,500

Alderman Zajkowski moved to accept the bid from Brack Thermal for $5,500, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried.

The Finance Committee received the following two bids for replacing the tiles in the east entrance and hallway of the Civic Center:

Carpet Center of New Richmond $10,384

Faust Carpet of Somerset $8,990

Alderman Zajkowski moved to accept the bid from Faust for $8,990, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak, and carried.

Allen Pape, President of Pape Taxi Service, Inc., has requested that the City review the State DOT audits for Pape Taxi Service, Inc. for the years 2005 - 2007. Rod Clark, Director of the State Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads & Harbors, sent the City a letter stating that the State was unable to identify anything that would have a material impact on the audit results that would justify reopening the audit. Alderman Zajkowski moved to not reopen the audits for 2005 - 2007 and reaffirm the letter from Rod Clark, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried.

The City is in the process of purchasing land from the Albert family for the future construction of Richmond Way east to 140th Street. The Alberts would like to receive the payment over a 2 year period, with interest being paid on the 2nd year payment of $20,000. The City is currently earning 1.2% interest from the Local Government Investment Pool. Alderman Zajkowski moved to pay 1.5% interest on the 2010 deferred payment to the Alberts, seconded by Alderman Horne and carried.

Bob Barbian, City Planner, would like to hire an intern for the summer to work on updating the City’s comprehensive plan. Bob would use the funds already budgeted for in Planning. Alderman Zajkowski moved to approve the hiring of an intern, seconded by Alderman Horne and carried.

Kirk Van Blaircom, from Pyramid Sign Ltd., submitted an invoice for $4,000 to the City for his design work for potential City entrance and parking signs. Kirk had been working with a Vision 20/20 committee on researching sign locations and design. The Finance Committee would like the sign design and location issue be presented to the Historic Preservation Committee, Vision 20/20 Avenue Committee and the Economic Development Commission for their recommendations. Alderman Zajkowski moved to table further discussion, seconded by Alderman Johnston and carried.

The New Richmond VFW had requested funds from the City for uniforms for their new members in January of 2008. The VFW was told that the City would match up to $3,000 for any funds the VFW raised from the surrounding communities. The VFW has raised $3,350 and is requesting $3,000 from the City. Alderman Zajkowski moved to pay $3,000 from the General Fund to the VFW for new uniforms, seconded by Alderman Dale-Wozniak and carried.

Alderman Zajkowski moved to pay VO# 37295 thru VO# 37537 for $526,235.64 plus electronic transfers totaling $524,725.66, for a grand total of $1,050,961.30 with the funds coming from the following accounts:

General Fund $813,467.21

CDBG - Housing 1,643.60

Health Insurance 2,818.17

Debt Service 9,701.79

Capital Projects 65,193.97

Landfill Cleanup Project 140,576.76

TIF # 6 5,594.53

TIF #8 2,269.22

TIF # 9 16.50

Storm Water Utility 4,135.51

Park Land Trust Fund 1,675.00

Library Trust Fund 1,657.63

Tax Agency 2,211.41

Motion was seconded by Alderman Horne and carried.

Communications and Miscellaneous

The City will be closing on the Richmond Way extension property in the next week to ten days.

Closed Session

Alderman Dale-Wozniak moved to go into Closed Session per State Statute 19.85 (1)(e) to discuss the Borst Property at 648 West Fourth Street - Condemnation/Nuisance Abatement, seconded by Alderman Horne and carried.

Open Session

Alderman Dale-Wozniak moved to proceed as discussed in closed session with the Borst Property condemnation/nuisance abatement, seconded by Alderman Hansen and carried.

Alderman Johnston moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Alderman Hansen and carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m

Joseph D. Bjelland, Clerk/Treasurer

31L

WNAXLP

Tags: new richmond city council, legal, 9feb2009