Common Council Meeting

The Common Council met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on April 3, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. Alderpersons Dougherty, Gearing-Lancaster, Wussow, Ammann, and E. Rave were present. Alderpersons Olson and M. Rave (left meeting at 6:26pm) attended remotely via Zoom meetings. Mayor J. Eddy presided. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2024 Spring Election results were shared with Council members. Incumbent Ward 2 Alderperson Travis Brown won re-election but submitted a letter on April 3, 2024 declining the position. Notice of a Ward 2 Alderperson vacancy will be sent out and interested parties will have at least 21 days to submit a letter of interest and would be invited to present at the May 7, 2024 Common Council meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the March 5, 2024 Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE There were 16 citizens in attendance – 15 in person and 1 via Zoom meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheriff Waldera provided updates on the County jail / justice center project. Still looking at a build out at the current site which may consume North 3rd Street. There has been discussion on forming a subcommittee which would include the City Administrator to work through the planning stage. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to open the public hearing on the proposed Outdoor Recreation Plan. Motion carried at 6:12pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mississippi River Regional Plan Commission representatives Jon Bingol and Ken Harwood presented a summary of the Outdoor Recreation Plan and the process they utilized in updating the plan. Over 550 community members responded to a survey giving the planning staff valuable information to use in developing the plan. The plan is 80-90% complete but a few more updates will be needed. The proposed bike trail around Wazee Lake and connecting to the Foundation Trail will be added as well as a separate section for baseball fields and the activities that they host. They will be meeting with the interim and incoming Parks & Recreation Director. Being in the plan does not mean we have to do it or that it will be done, it means it is something we would like to consider over the next 4-5 years as a potential to make this a better community for Parks & Recreation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to close the public hearing on the proposed Outdoor Recreation Plan. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No action was taken on the Outdoor Recreation Plan. It will be presented again at the April 16 Special Common Council meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the proposal from Market & Johnson for design build services for the Lunda Community Park ADA restroom addition with funds to come out of the Playground Renovations Fund. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to authorize the City Administrator to apply for a planning grant to expand the Foundation Trail with local share to be covered by private donations. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMITTEE REPORTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to place on file the minutes of the February 29, 2024 Hiring Committee meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to place on file the minutes of the March 5, 2024 Hiring Committee meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson E. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to place on file the minutes of the March 6, 2024 Hiring Committee meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 1 of 2 It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to place on file the minutes of the March 11, 2024 Business Improvement District Board meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson E. Rave to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to place on file the minutes of the March 25, 2024 Utility Commission meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve RESOLUTION 2024-01 – an authorizing resolution for an outdoor recreation grant application. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve ORDINANCE 885 – an ordinance amending Section 7.10 of the Code of Ordinances for the City pertaining to the use of school bus warning lights. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ORDINANCE 886 – an ordinance amending the official traffic map establishing a 35 MPH speed limit on a portion of West Bauer Road was presented for 1st reading. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Olson to approve Amendment #8 to the Employee Handbook related to overtime pay. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Olson, seconded by Alderperson E. Rave to adjourn. Motion carried at 6:57pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A. Brad Chown City Administrator Page 2 of 2