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, December 6, 2011, in the
Council Chambers at City Hall.
Roll call showed the following members present: Alderpersons Johnson,
Olejniczak, David, Kuehl, Bleske, Coughlin, Arnett, Bartel and Romlein. (9)
Absent: (0) Also present were Chief of Police Tim Roets, Fire Chief Greg
Michalek, City Engineer Joe Radocay, City Attorney Bob Bender and City
Clerk/Treasurer Mike Hoppenrath.
The Council recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
Mayor Krueger inquired if there were any additions or corrections to the
minutes of the meeting held Tuesday, November 15, 2011.
There being none, the minutes were approved as published.
The
Mayor declared open a public hearing which would rezone 201 South Water Street
from Central Business to Planned Unit Development.
There was no one present to speak in favor of, or in opposition to the
proposal and the Public Hearing was closed.
The following reports were presented and contained the following items:
FINANCE COMMITTEE, November 14, 2011.
1) Village of Clyman Solid
Waste Recycling. Clyman is
proposing to enter into a contract with the city for our pick-up of their solid
waste and recycling. The Street
Superintendant has reviewed this proposal and deemed it feasible to do.
The Finance Committee recommends finalizing a contract.
2) Review proposed Library
sign. With the recent demolition of
the buildings directly south of the Library, the Library Board wanted to place a
sign in the area that would say “Future Home of Library Expansion”.
The Finance Committee felt this may send the wrong message and a motion
was made and carried to not place a sign at the present time.
3) Approve Solid Waste
Rates. An Ordinance will be
presented. 4)
Demolition Disposal. The
Street Superintendant indicated that he is concerned about his budget being over
expensed due to several of the large projects that have happened, not only on
city property, but also private property, that have been turned over to him for
demolition. The Finance Committee
feels that when these private properties are sold the proceeds should go back to
Solid Waste Fund to reimburse for expenses.
5) Fire Department Copier Proposal.
A motion was made and carried to lease a copier for the Fire Department.
6) Fire Department Retirement.
Todd Christian has notified the Fire Department that he will retire
December 31, 2011. The Fire Chief
was present to ask if he could start the hiring process.
A motion was made and carried to allow the chief to proceed.
7) Review VandeWalle & Associates Contract for Planning Services.
A resolution will be presented.
8) Review 5 year lease with Crossroads House, 113 Jones Street.
A resolution will be presented.
The Committee then met in closed session to discuss personnel matters.
Report was received and placed on file.
FINANCE COMMITTEE, November 28,
2011. 1)
Library Sign Review. Several
members of the Library Board asked the Finance Committee to reconsider allowing
them to place a sign where the buildings were recently demolished.
Based on the revised wording, a motion was made and carried to place a
sign with the wording changed. 2)
Review Pay Day Loan Store Ordinance Proposal.
The Finance Committee recommended removing a cease and desist order for
Security Finance and their move to South Church Street.
The Finance Committee will continue to work on the wording for Pay Day
Loan Stores. 3)
Closed Session to discuss legal issues.
A motion was then made and carried to go into closed session.
The Committee then reconvened back into open session.
4) Street Department Hire.
A motion was made and carried to approve the top three candidates with
Street Superintendant Rick Schultz making the final selection.
5) Repair of a retaining
wall in the South Water Street Parking Lot.
A resolution will be presented.
6) Update on the Village of
Clyman Solid Waste Contract. The
Finance Committee is proposing a monthly rate per household of $9.90, to pick up
their garbage and recyclables.
There are 157 residential units.
The city would also receive an additional $6,000.00 from the annual Recycling
Grant Fund. 7)
Insurance Premium Review.
The city asked the insurance company to provide various options for deductibles
and this will be reviewed at a future meeting.
8) Discuss grant funds for
RiverWalk Plaza. There is
approximately $46,000.00 left from our grant for the construction of the
RiverWalk Plaza on South Water Street.
The local Arts Council has been working in conjunction with the Finance
Committee and Park & Recreation Department to come up with some proposed
statuary to go into the Plaza site.
A motion was made and carried to recommend spending additional funds for this
statuary. 9)
Discussion on expenditures done by Committees.
Some concern was raised by Alderperson Arnett and the City Clerk about
the Committees having authority to expend funds.
It was decided that, as long as the purchase is below $10,000.00, and is
specifically identified in the budget, the Committees could recommend
expenditures. Report received and
placed on file.
Certified
accounts in the amount of $297,343.51 were presented for payment.
Alderperson Arnett moved to pay all certified accounts, seconded by
Alderperson Romlein and carried on a roll call vote: Yes-9.
No-0. Alderperson John David
abstained from the Charles David’s invoices.
The following reports were presented: Historic Preservation – September
21, 2011, Library Board of Trustees – October 13, 2011, Payroll Summaries –
November 2 – 15 & November 16 - 29, 2011, Plan Commission – November 14, 2011,
Police & Fire Commission – October 3, 2011
ORDINANCES
ORDINANCE #11-30, would
increase the solid waste rates from $7.30 per month to $8.60 per month,
effective Dec. 6, 2011.
Sponsor:
Mayor Krueger. From:
The Finance Committee.
Alderperson Arnett moved for the adoption of this Ordinance on its second
reading, seconded by Alderperson Coughlin and carried on the following roll call
vote: Yes – Johnson, Olejniczak,
David, Kuehl, Bleske, Coughlin, Arnett, Romlein – 8.
No – Bartel – 1.
EXHIBIT #7733, would
authorize purchasing repair materials for a retaining wall on South Water Street
from Contech Construction Products at a cost of $4,737.00, to be charged to Off
Street Parking Account #05-58-11-68.
Sponsor:
Mayor Krueger.
From: Finance Committee.
Ald. Bartel moved to approve this resolution, seconded by Ald. Arnett
and carried on a roll call vote.
Yes-9. No-0.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council at this time,
Alderperson David moved to adjourn, seconded by Alderperson Coughlin and carried
on a voice vote. The time being
7:06 p.m.
City
Clerk/Treasurer
MHH/dn
(Complete
video of Council Proceedings on DVD.)
(DISCLAIMER: These minutes are uncorrected and any corrections made thereto will be noted in the proceedings at which these minutes are approved.)