Common Council Meeting

The Common Council met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on June 4, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. Alderpersons Gearing-Lancaster, Wussow, Ammann, Peloquin, M. Rave, and Dougherty were present. Alderpersons E. Rave, and Olson attended remotely via Zoom meetings. Mayor J. Eddy presided. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the May 7, 2024 Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE There were 8 citizens in attendance for agenda items. 5 in person and 3 via Zoom. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ Sheriff Waldera advised the Law Enforcement Committee set up a work group to discuss current directives of the committee and working through site locations. Current planning is for jail construction only. The Sheriff presented three conceptual jail designs that would require the closing of a city street. The options for street closures included N 3rd Street between Main Street and Harrison Street, Harrison Street between N 3rd Street and N 4th Street, or N 4th Street from Harrison to Tyler. The North 4th Street option would require the acquisition of three properties. The City Administrator advised City Department Heads felt closing N 3rd Street was the least favorable due to traffic, fire responses and just about every department head had concerns with this option. They were a little more open to closing Harrison Street, but still expressed concerns with traffic especially since Harrison is the main detour route for Main Street during closures for parades or any reason. N 4th Street had the least concerns other than they would be taking three more structures off the tax roll. N 4th Street was the least impactful on city operations and traffic. Alderperson Wussow advised she has received feedback from her constituents in Ward 3 who were against all three options. There was discussion on building up instead of out and the effect that would have on the design, staffing and long-term operational expenses. Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster advised she has heard the same feedback that closing N 3rd Street is not a popular option. The City Administrator advised the process for vacating a street is a question for the City Attorney but would entail two resolutions and public input. The Mayor expressed the city and county are partners and the city would like to support the project if the jail is built within the city with the least amount of impact and greatest benefit to all parties with public input. Alderperson Wussow shared questions from her constituents regarding the 19 classifications and what the Sheriff’s Department really needs and if we are trying to compete with surrounding counties. The Sheriff offered an explanation on classifications, intake processes, the need for a jail, and this is not a competition just using their designs as references and opportunity to see what is working for them and what isn’t. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ COMMITTEE REPORTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to place on file the minutes of the March 21, 2024 Airport Commission Public Hearing. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to place on file the minutes of the March 21, 2024 Airport Commission meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to place on file the minutes of the May 7, 2024 Board of Review meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to approve the minutes of the May 15, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to place on file the minutes of the May 16, 2024 Business Improvement District meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Olson, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to place on file the minutes of the May 20, 2024 Utility Commission meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to approve the Mayor’s appointments for 2024-2025 as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the application for a Temporary Class B Beer (Picnic) License for the Rotary Club of Black River Falls for Festival in the Park July 13, 2024 at 1400 Tyler Street (Lunda Community Park). Motion carried. Page 1 of 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the applications for renewal of Class A, B, and C Beer, Wine, Liquor, and Wholesale Retailer Licenses (2024-2025) as presented. Motion carried 7-0-1 with Alderperson M. Rave abstaining. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ Sarah Peloquin addressed the Council regarding her request to increase the number of fowl city residents are allowed to keep from four (4) to at least six (6). There was discussion on the request and there were no objections to considering this change. The City Administrator will draft an ordinance and bring back to Council for consideration. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ORDINANCE 887 – An ordinance regarding plan examination for commercial buildings was presented to the Council. This was the first reading. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to approve the Façade Improvement Grant Program for TIF #6. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The City Administrator provided an update on the shared ride taxi service. Total estimated deficit for 2024 in excess of budgeted/levied amount is now $65,155.00 up from $61,883.94 after receiving final federal and state grant distribution notice with lower than expected federal and state aid. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to convene in to closed session for the purpose of deliberating the sale of public properties related to an offer to purchase a vacant lot on S. 1st Street, the sale of a portion of Parcel 010-0617.0005 and the purchase of property for access to Parcel 010-0617.0005 where competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session which is authorized under Section 19.85(1)(e) of the Wisconsin Statutes. Motion carried at 7:05pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to reconvene in to open session to take or announce action, if any and if appropriate. Motion carried at 7:42pm. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to counter offer the Offer to Purchase vacant land on S. 1st Street with the terms discussed in closed session. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to authorize the City Administrator to pursue possible sale of a portion of Parcel 010-0617.0005 and purchase property for access road with the terms discussed in closed session. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Olson, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to adjourn. Motion carried at 7:45pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ A. Brad Chown City Administrator Page 2 of 2