Committee of the Whole

CITY OF AMERY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS October 19th, 2021 The Committee of the Whole of the City of Amery met on Tuesday – October 19th, 2021 at City Hall and via Zoom. Council President, Chad Leonard called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. Present: Council President, Chad Leonard; Mayor, Paul Isakson (Arrived at 6:20); and Alderpersons, Tim Strohbusch; Rick Van Blaricom (Arrived at 5:02); Sarah Flanum; and Eric Elkin. Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator, Patty Bjorklund; City Clerk-Treasurer, Ben Jansen; Administrative Assistant, Taylor Larson; Police Chief, Tom Marson; Fire Chief, Dale Koehler; and Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney. Staff Absent: Library Director, Amy Stormberg. Others Present: Eric Barclay – MSA; and members of the public. Public Comment – Eric Barclay of MSA was present to give an update on the Keller Avenue Project. He stated that the tentative opening day for Keller Avenue was October 29th assuming that the DOT has the striping done. The block party being put on by MSA will take place on October 22nd from 3-5. Department Head Reports – Reports were heard from Administrator, Bjorklund; Clerk-Treasurer, Jansen; Chief, Marson; Chief, Koehler; and Director, Mahoney. Resolution 17-2021 – Procurement Policy This resolution has been brought forward by Administrator, Bjorklund; to address needed procedures for the handling of federal grant monies. Currently the city does not have such a policy. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Elkin; to forward Resolution 17-2021 to Council as written. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Discussion Regarding Possible Change Order for Keller Ave. Curb and Gutter. Eric Barclay of MSA was present to discuss a possible change order regarding the deficient cement that has been used throughout the Keller Ave. project. When tested the cement did not pass the specified pressure test within the 28-day requirement. The recommendation from MSA is to request invoices from the cement contractor to find what the price for the supply was. The recommended deduction would be the price of the supplies that the contractor paid unless the Committee would like to go in a different, and quicker, direction. The Committee expressed its desire to pursue the deduction that Eric has recommended and for him to find the invoices to bring to the November Council Meeting. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Flanum; to table the discussion of a possible change order until the November Council Meeting. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Keller Avenue/City Center Borrowing Discussion. Administrator, Bjorklund; has been working with Baird Capital to secure financing for the City’s portion of the Keller Avenue Project and to secure additional funding for the City Center Project and for Capital Expenses for the 2022 Budget. The two options presented were in the amounts of $900,000 and $1,400,000 which would be in addition to the $1,100,000 needed to pay for Keller Avenue. The Committee did not take any action at this time but was advised to think about which option they would prefer and what Capital Projects they would like to fund. 1 Website Services Invoice The City had received an invoice from a private citizen who had done some online work on the City’s website. This is now being brought to the Committee for direction in regard to payment as there was never a signed contract for these services and no work order had come from City Hall. The Committee did not take action but asked City staff to try to get more information about the situation. 2022 Budget Discussion This is the preliminary budget meeting for the 2022 budget cycle. City staff has largely completed the budget but the finer details need to be hammered out. The Committee spent some time discussing changes to the insurance benefits that the City currently provides as the costs of insurance continue to increase dramatically. The Keller Ave./City Center Borrowing will also be a part of the 2022 budget as it will be tied directly to any Capital expenses in the next year. It was decided that an additional meeting should be held on October 26th to further discuss the budget in detail and to decide on Capital costs that the City does not yet have estimated costs for. Motion by Flanum; seconded by Van Blaricom; to go into closed session at 6:28 P.M. under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)E – Police Union Contract. Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. Roll Call Vote Ayes – Strohbusch, Van Blaricom, Leonard, Flanum, Isakson, Elkin. Nays – None Motion Carried. Motion by Van Blaricom; seconded by Elkin; to reconvene into open session at 6:47 P.M. Roll Call Vote Ayes – Strohbusch, Van Blaricom, Leonard, Isakson, Flanum, Elkin. Nays – None Motion Carried. Motion by Elkin; seconded by Isakson; to adjourn at 6:48 P.M. Ayes – 6 Nays – 0 Motion Carried Respectfully Submitted, Ben Jansen, MPA Clerk-Treasurer October 20th, 2021 2