Committee of the Whole

CITY OF AMERY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS April 19th, 2022 The Committee of the Whole of the City of Amery met on Tuesday – April 19th, 2022 at City Hall and via Zoom. Mayor-Elect, Chad Leonard called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. Present: Mayor-Elect, Chad Leonard; and Alderpersons, Tim Strohbusch; Rick Van Blaricom; 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; Interim Fire Chief, Chuck Frohn; Library Director, Rachel Thomas; and Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney. Staff Absent: None Others Present: Larry Stelter, City Building Inspector – Dan Kegley; and Members of the Public. Public Comment – No public comment was heard at this time. Oaths of Office for Newly Elected Positions – Clerk-Treasurer, Jansen; administered Oaths of Office to Mayor-Elect, Leonard; Alderperson, Flanum; and Alderperson, Elkin. Mayor, Leonard stated that unless there were objections he would lead this meeting as there will not be a Council President election until the May Council Meeting. Department Head Reports – Reports were heard from Administrator, Bjorklund; Clerk-Treasurer, Jansen; Chief, Marson; Interim Chief, Frohn; Director, Thomas; and Director, Mahoney. Annual Building Inspector Report – The City Building Inspector, Dan Kegley; was present to give his annual report to the City. He stated that last year the total valuation of all the projects in town was over $8,000,000. Simplified Rate Increase for Water/Sewer and Potential Monthly Billing – Administrator, Bjorklund gave an overview on what will be needed moving forward. The City needs to increase its utility rates to generate revenue for future capital expenditures at the Sewer Plant. A recommendation to Council will be needed so that City Staff can start the process to get a simplified rate increase. Motion by Flanum; seconded by Strohbusch; to recommend the rate increases to City Council. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Upcoming Committee/Board Appointments and Potential Committee Realignment – Mayor Leonard drafted a memo that stated his thoughts on what should be done with the numerous vacancies on the different City committees and boards. He said that the 2 vacant Council seats were the most important by far. He also stated that he would like to combine the façade and micro-loan committees into one community development committee. Another idea he had was to dissolve the beautification committee and create a committee that is concerned with Arts, Parks, and Recreation which would take those responsibilities over. The final thought he shared was that a recycling committee spearheaded by the Woman’s Club might be a good idea. Ordinance 01-2022 – Ch. 163 Alcoholic Beverages – Administrator Bjorklund drafted this ordinance that cleans up much of the language that refers to the combined office of Administrator/Clerk Treasurer which no longer exists. It also removes the provision that the Police Chief must seek Council approval to conduct a more thorough investigation. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Elkin; to recommend Ordinance 01-2022 to Full Council as written. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Garbage Hauling RFP – Because of Waterman Sanitation’s decision to stop recycling service in the City their current contract has been voided. City staff prepared the proposed RFP so that garbage hauling services could be sent out to bid. This RFP requires recycling service and that the vendor provides billing rather than the City. Alderperson, Strohbusch stated that this is one of many contracts which needs to be brought up to date. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Van Blaricom; to recommend the RFP to Council as written. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. 1 Ordinance 02-2022 – Ch. 362 Solid Waste – The proposed ordinance would clean up some language in the current ordinance to make it match with what is found in the RFP that was proposed. The Committee noticed that foam packaging was included in the non-collectable items and asked what was supposed to be done with it if it can’t be thrown away. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Elkin; to recommend Ordinance 02-2022 to Council with section 362-2 sec. B(15) stricken. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Ordinance 03-2022 – All-Terrain and Utility Terrain Vehicles – This ordinance revision was requested by Police Chief, Marson; to clean up the current routes that are open to ATV and UTV riders in the City. The new ordinance would allow them on all roads except Keller Ave. and County F in the City. It was noted in section 358-12 sec. C. that West should be changed to East in reference to Venture Dr. Motion by Van Blaricom; seconded by Elkin; to recommend Ordinance 03-2022 to Council with the noted change in 358-12 sec. C. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Motion by Flanum; seconded by Van Blaricom; to go into closed session at 5:57 P.M. under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)c – Potential Police Lieutenant Position & Employee Reviews. Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Roll Call Vote Ayes – Strohbusch, Van Blaricom, Leonard, Flanum,Elkin Nays – None Motion Carried. Motion by Strohbusch; seconded by Elkin to reconvene into Open Session at 6:45 P.M. Roll Call Vote Ayes – Strohbusch, Van Blaricom, Leonard, Flanum, Elkin Nays – None Motion Carried. Motion by Van Blaricom; seconded by Elkin; to adjourn at 6:45 P.M. Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion Carried Respectfully Submitted, Ben Jansen, MPA Clerk-Treasurer April 21st, 2022 2