COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

            Mayor Krueger called this regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Watertown to order at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

ROLL CALL

            Roll call showed the following members present: Alderpersons Johnson, Olejniczak, Berg, Zgonc, Coughlin, Arnett, Wetzel and Blanke. (8)  Absent: Kuehl. (1)  Also present were Chief of Police Tim Roets, Acting Fire Chief Kraig Biefeld, City Attorney Tom Levi, City Engineer Joe Radocay and City Clerk/Treasurer Mike Hoppenrath.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

            The Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETING

            Mayor Krueger inquired if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting held Tuesday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 29, 2010.  There being none, the minutes were approved as published.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

            The following reports were presented and contained the following items: FINANCE COMMITTEE – DECEMBER 27, 2010.  1. Review Year-End Resolution.  Five items were asked to be carried over and a resolution will be presented.  2. Review of Garbage & Recycling Cart Sizes.  The committee discussed the comments received from citizens that the recycling carts are too large.  After review of other cities operation, the Finance Committee decided that if a person absolutely could not find a place or want to push the larger 96 gallon cart, they could purchase a smaller one by making arrangements with the Street Dept. 3. Review the Logo & Wording for the Carts.  The Finance Committee decided to stick with the logo that simply said “Property City of Watertown”.  4. Garage & Recycling Ordinances.  Four ordinances will be presented changing the operations of the recycling and garbage collections to be compatible with the new carts and trucks.  5. Review of Small Appliances & Carpeting for Recycling. The Finance Committee was informed that there appears to be markets for small electrical appliances and old carpeting.  Rick will continue to monitor this and meet requirements of these materials in the future. The report was received and placed on file.  PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION – DECEMBER 14, 2010.  1. First Inaugural “Rockman Challenge” Event.  On September 24, 2011, a triathlon will be held in Watertown.  Various city staff are working with Greg Breese to try and alter any of the ingress and egress points to the river and various points along the routes.  The cost to the city will be minimal.  2. Watertown Siding Water Leak/Sidewalk Issue.  Water Superintendent reported that the Water Dept. was sent to the building housing Watertown Siding to look into a complaint of a water leak in their basement. The sidewalk had to be dug up for repair of this leak and the Street Dept. fixed the damaged sidewalk.  3. Asset Management Software - Water/Wastewater.  The Water & Wastewater Plan is proposing to update their Asset Management Software by purchasing a program from True Point at a cost of $52,500.  A resolution will be presented.  4. Reduce Utility Billing Lag Time.  Water Manager is proposing to reduce the time between meter reading and the water bill being sent out to a 2 week period vs. the 1 ˝ month lag we typically have. He will update the Commission once this proposal is in place.  The report was received and placed on file.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR

            The Mayor presented two letters from Charter.  One indicating cost increases for various channels and the other was the fact that the PEG Fees would stop being collected on February 1, 2011. 

NEW BUSINESS

            Alderperson Berg asked for a closed session for an update on the Fire Department issues.  The Mayor informed him that would be done as soon as we have the necessary information.

REPORTS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

                        The following reports were presented: Licensing Board – Special Meeting, December 29, 2010; Payroll Summaries for the period December 1 to December 14 and December 15 to December 28, 2010; Plan Commission, December 27, 2010; Site Plan Review Committee, December 27, 2010; Transit Commission, December 15, 2010.

LICENSES

            The following licenses were presented:   Second Hand Jewelry/Article License – Naveed Ahmad – 213 W. Main St.  Alderperson Johnson moved to approve the licenses, seconded by Alderperson Wetzel and carried on a voice vote.

ORDINANCES

            ORDINANCE #10-43, would deal with open intoxicants on a public way, was presented.  Sponsor: Alderperson Zgonc.  From: Public Safety & Welfare Committee.  Alderperson Zgonc moved for the adoption of this Ordinance on its second reading, seconded by Alderperson Blanke and carried on a roll call vote: Yes-8.  No-0.

            ORDINANCE #10-44, would deal with chronic nuisances of dogs running at large, was presented.  Sponsor: Alderperson Zgonc.  From: Public Safety & Welfare Committee.  Alderperson Zgonc moved for the adoption of this Ordinance on its second reading, seconded by Alderperson Wetzel and carried on a roll call vote: Yes-8.  No-0.

            ORDINANCE #11-01, would deal with solid waste collection fees moving that from Chapter 3 into Chapter 10, was presented.  Sponsor: Mayor Krueger.  From: Finance Committee.  Alderperson Arnett moved to adopt Ordinances #11-01 through #11-04 on their first reading.     

            ORDINANCE #11-02, would deal with the residential containers and collection of items and items not collected, was presented.  Sponsor: Mayor Krueger.  From: Finance Committee.  Alderperson Wetzel then moved to amend Ordinance #11-02 in Section 10.32 (2)(d) in the paragraph Items Not Collected.  The third sentence should read: “Residents are required to take the above electric items to the …”, seconded by Alderperson Blanke and carried on a voice vote.  Alderperson Berg then asked to vote on Ordinance #11-03 separately. 

            ORDINANCE #11-04, would collect additional fees for an additional container, was presented.  Sponsor: Mayor Krueger.  From: Finance Committee. 

The motion to adopt Ordinance #11-01, #11-02 and #11-04 on their first reading as amended carried on the following roll call vote: Yes-Johnson, Olejniczak, Zgonc, Coughlin, Arnett, Wetzel, Blanke (7).  No-Berg (1).            

            ORDINANCE #11-03, would make changes to management of batteries, appliances, waste oil, yard waste and preparation and collection of recyclable materials, was presented.  Sponsor: Mayor Krueger.  From: Finance Committee.  A motion to adopt Ordinance #11-03 on its first reading carried on the following roll call vote:  Yes-8. No-0.

RESOLUTIONS

            EXHIBIT #7646, would authorize transferring $5,000 from the 2011 Contingent Account to the Commission Account #51-12-18 so that the expenses for a replacement Fire Chief could be charged to that account, was presented.  Sponsor: Mayor Krueger.  Alderperson Wetzel moved for the adoption of this Resolution, seconded by Alderperson Blanke and carried on a roll call vote: Yes-8.  No-0.

            EXHIBIT #7647, would authorize a purchase of Asset Management Software from True Point Solutions at a cost of $52,500 to be charged to Capital Account #2-97-30-00, was presented.  Sponsor: Alderperson Berg.  From: Public Works Commission.  Alderperson Berg moved for the adoption of this Resolution, seconded by Alderperson Zgonc and carried on a roll call vote: Yes-8.  No-0.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT

            Maynard Carl, 1509 Utah Street, commented on the cable and satellite providers and the channels that are available.

            Joe Raatz, 801 Fieldcrest Court, asked several questions about the garbage costs and replacement cost for cans should they be stolen or taken along with the former owner when they leave.  The Mayor did respond to several questions about the cost savings and operation of the proposed garbage and recycling activities.

ADJOURNMENT

            There being no further business to come before the Council at this time, Alderperson Coughlin moved to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Blanke and carried on a voice vote.  The time being 7:55 p.m.

Mike Hoppenrath

City Clerk/Treasurer

 

MHH/sm

 

(Complete video of Council Proceedings on Tape N.)

 

(DISCLAIMER: These minutes are uncorrected and any corrections made thereto will be noted in the proceedings at which these minutes are approved.)