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 18, 2011, in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

ROLL CALL

            Roll call showed the following members present: Alderpersons Johnson, Olejniczak, Berg, Kuehl, Zgonc, Coughlin, Arnett, Wetzel and Blanke. (9)  Absent: None. (0)  Also present were Chief of Police Tim Roets, Acting Fire Chief Kraig Biefeld, 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, January 4, 2011.  There being none, the minutes were approved as published.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT

            Gerald McKee, 879 Crestview Drive, was opposed to issuing an alcohol license for the Towne Theater. 

            Linda & Rick Townsend, 628 Carriage Hill Drive, are also opposed to issuing the license for the Towne Theater.

            Jennifer Townsend, 628 Carriage Hill Drive, was also opposed to issuing the license to the Towne Theater.

(City Attorney, Tom Levi, enters here at 7:05 p.m.)

            David Glazer, 6823 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa, will be the owner and operator of the Towne Theater and asked the council to approve his application for a Class “B” Malt Only and “Class C” Licenses for the Towne Theater.

            Rod Laudenschlager, 509 Cole Street, was also opposed to the alcohol license for the Towne Theater.

            Scott Lebrine, 605 South Washington Street, supports the alcohol license for the Towne Theater.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

            The following reports were presented and contained the following items: FINANCE COMMITTEE – JANUARY 10, 2011.  1. Health Dept. Residency Requirement.  The committee reviewed a request from a Health Dept. employee to exceed the 15 mile limit.  A motion was made and carried to approve the variance to our residency requirement.  2. 300 Elm Street – Solid Waste Charges Review.  The property owner had asked for relief from the solid waste utility charges since her tenant is currently incarcerated and she is unable to rent the apartment.  After discussion, a motion was made and carried to deny the request.  3. Review Solid Waste & Recycling Informational Handouts.  Street Superintendent presented handouts which the committee reviewed and made suggestions for changes and will be brought back to a future meeting.  4. Review Fire Dept. Salary.  Because an Assistant Fire Chief was appointed as Acting Fire Chief in November 2010, the committee felt that he has taken on increased duties and therefore his pay should be commensurate with the responsibilities.  A motion was made and carried to move him from Grade 8 Step 2 to Grade 8 Step 8 retroactive to January 1, 2011, to remain in effect until a new chief is hired.  5. Economic Development Update.  The Mayor informed the committee that he and several members of the Chamber of Commerce and the Promotive Corporation have been looking into ways to expand our economic development efforts in the city.  The Mayor will keep the committee informed of any discussions taking place on this issue.  6. Closed Session for Personnel Issues.  The Finance Committee met in closed session to discuss personnel issues per Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c).  The report was received and placed on file.  PUBLIC WORKS COMMMISSION – JANUARY 11, 2011.  1. Review Landlord Request to Disconnect Water for Non-Payment.  A landlord asked the Commission to review a proposal to disconnect water utility for reasons of non-payment vs. our current policy of placing any delinquent utility bills on the property tax bill. These property owners feel frustrated because they have no way to enforce the requirement to pay the utility bill and end up with it on their property tax bill at the end of the year.  Water Systems Manager handed out Public Service Commission (PSC) guidelines and was directed to provide information to the Commission on how Fort Atkinson handles these issues. Paul was also asked to look into how many property owners had their water bills go to taxes this year and will discuss this at a future meeting.  2. Review Sand Box Proposal on Richards Avenue.  A request was received to place a sand box in the area of 1042 Richards Avenue.  The owners in the area would fill and maintain this sand box.  The commission reviewed the past history of sand boxes and noted that we are reluctant to approve this idea because the box would be located on private property.  3. Changes Coming for Fluoride Levels in Drinking Water.  Water Systems Manager noted the changes would be coming in the levels of fluoride in drinking water and encouraged the Commission to review a website dealing with this and would keep the commission informed when the final announcement is made.   4. Chromium 6 – Information Only.  Water Systems Manager also informed the commission that our water was checked for Chromium 6 and we appear to be below the maximum levels. 5. Clean Air Act.  Paul updated the Commission on the Clean Air Act exemption for Public Owned Treatment Works to burn methane without a permit.  He noted that our permit has expired and he is currently working with the DNR to get this extended.  6. Quotes to Fix Water Maintenance Building Roof.  A resolution will be presented.  7. Preliminary Sidewalk Network Update.  City Engineer reviewed various areas of the city which have a need for sidewalk and will forward a recommendation to the commission in the future.  The report was received and placed on file.

OLD BUSINESS

            Alderperson Berg asked when the council would be given the information regarding the details of what is happening with the Fire Dept.  The Mayor indicated it would be soon.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR

            The Mayor presented several emails asking for approval of the alcohol license for the Town Theater.  The Mayor presented a Certification of Candidates for the February and April 2011 election. The Mayor presented the Weights and Measures summary which was recently done in the city.  The Mayor presented the construction totals for the year 2010.  The Mayor presented documentation on the complaint which had been filed against the property owners are 426 South Montgomery Street.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

            Certified accounts in the amount of $433,083.07 for 2010 and 422,440.87 for 2011were presented for payment.  Alderperson Arnett moved to pay all certified accounts, seconded by Alderperson Johnson and carried on a roll call vote: Yes-9.  No-0.  (Complete listing of accounts payable is on file and open for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk/Treasurer.)

REPORTS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

            The following reports were presented: Airport Commission, December 8, 2010; Community Development Authority, December 16, 2010; Library Board, December 9, 2010; Licensing Board, January 12, 2011; Payroll Summaries for the periods December 29 – December 31, 2010 and January 1 to January 11, 2011; Plan Commission, January 10, 2011; Police & Fire Commission, December 13, 2010; Police Department Quarterly Report for October, November, December 2010.

LICENSES

            The following licenses were presented for year ending June 30, 2011:  Charlie A. Busshardt, 1028 Perry St.; Darcy R. Clark, N6442 Ann St., Lake Mills; Mark H. Faltersack, W5903 E. Clymet Rd.; Christie L. Jeske, 1029 Clement St.#3; Yvonne J. Nelson, N8680 County Road Y; Brian F. Neumann, N6830 CTH E, Oconomowoc; Lisa A. O’Reilly, N2948 State Rd 26, Juneau; Eric M. Owens, 1425 Willow St.; Jennifer N. Vogt, 215 Williams St.; Kris L. Zimmerman, 406 S. Washington St.  Alderperson Johnson moved to approve all of the bartender licenses, seconded by Alderperson Berg and carried on a voice vote.  Alderperson Johnson then moved to approve the Class “B” Malt Only and “Class C” Licenses for Rosebud Entertainment LLC, Towne Cinema, Agent David Glazer, 308 E. Main St., seconded by Alderperson Olejniczak and carried on the following roll call vote:  Yes-Johnson, Olejniczak, Kuehl, Zgonc, Coughlin, Blanke (6).  No-Berg, Arnett, Wetzel (3).

ORDINANCES

            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 Johnson moved to adopt Ordinances #11-01, #11-02 and #11-04 on their second reading, seconded by Alderperson Olejniczak.  The motion carried on the following roll call vote:  Yes-Johnson, Olejniczak, Kuehl, Zgonc, Arnett, Wetzel, Blanke (7).  No-Berg, Coughlin (2).             

            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. 

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

            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.  Alderperson Blanke moved for the adoption of this ordinance on its second reading, seconded by Alderperson Olejniczak.  Alderperson Kuehl then moved to amend section 28.15 (9)(a) to read as follows: “plastic containers labeled 1 through 7 shall be rinsed and placed within the recycling container for collection.  These plastic containers may be flatted to save space within the recycling container.”  Paragraph (9)(b) would be deleted.  This was seconded by Alderperson Arnett and carried on a voice vote.  The motion to Ordinance #11-03 on its second reading as amended carried on the following roll call vote:  Yes-9. No-0.

RESOLUTIONS

            EXHIBIT #7648, would approve a new roof to the Water Dept. storage and maintenance building by US Roofing at a cost of $15,796 to be charged to the Water Department Capital Outlay Account #3-99-99-99, was presented.  Sponsor: Alderperson Berg.  From: Public Works Commission.  Alderperson Zgonc moved for the adoption of this Resolution, seconded by Alderperson Wetzel and carried on a roll call vote: Yes-9.  No-0.

            EXHIBIT #7649, would approve the Watertown Humane Society Contract for 2011, 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-9.  No-0.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT

            Maynard Carl, 1519 Utah Street, thanked the council for providing larger receptacles for recycling.

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 8:30 p.m.

Mike Hoppenrath

City Clerk/Treasurer

MHH/sm

(Complete video of Council Proceedings on Tape P.)

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