Special Common Council Meeting

The Common Council met in special session at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on October 16, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. Alderpersons Gearing-Lancaster, Wussow, Ammann, Peloquin, E. Rave, Dougherty, and Busse were present. Alderperson M. Rave was excused. Mayor J. Eddy presided. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the October 1, 2024 Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE There were 2 citizens in attendance. Todd Wilkinson expressed concerns regarding the communication between the City and residents related to the Buchanan Street road construction, the moving of mail boxes, the inconvenience of having to go to the post office to retrieve mail, and a neighbor that fell. Mr. Wilkinson asked that better communication take place for future construction projects. Mayor Eddy advised we will discuss his concerns and follow up with Mr. Wilkinson at a later date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ COMMITTEE REPORTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to place on file the minutes of the October 2, 2024 Plan Commission meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson E. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to place on file the minutes of the October 10, 2024 Board of Review meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Busse, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the 2025 operating budget as presented for publication only and set November 20, 2024 as the public hearing date for the 2025 operating & capital budgets. Motion carried. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------- The Department Head monthly reports were reviewed. Department heads present were Darryl Nelson, Jarod Meyer, Jody Stoker, Travis Brown, Cara Hart, and Brad Chown. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The Fire Chief advised they will be traveling to Pierce on November 6th to inspect the new 100ft platform truck and plan to take delivery the following week. Station modifications are complete. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the contract between the City and Black River Falls EMS for ambulance service with an annual cost of $90,550. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The Street Superintendent advised Buchanan Street is shaped and paving should be done in two weeks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The Parks & Recreation Director advised the rest room renovations by the all-abilities playground are complete. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson E. Rave to approve the final application for payment from Badger Environmental for the Riverview Drive Utility Extension Project in the amount of $35,108.69. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the Application for Payment #1 from Haas Sons, Inc. for the Buchanan Street Project in the amount of $59,740.20. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ There was discussion on the city’s ownership interest in the BRF School Forest property. Alderperson Peloquin spoke in opposition to transferring ownership to the school district citing feedback he received from 20+ residents in his ward and other local groups, and no liability for recreational use. Alderperson Ammann spoke in favor of transferring ownership citing there is nothing for the city to gain from retaining ownership as the property is nowhere near the city limits and the property is surrounded by thousands of acres of county forest land. Dr. Shelly Severson advised the Town of Adams has approved transferring their ownership to the school district via Quit Claim Deed and the Town of Albion has indicated they intend to do the same. Alderperson Dougherty expressed some concerns with safety regarding posting the property before events and access to the property from other directions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ Page 1 of 2 It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Busse to gift the city’s ownership interest in the property described in the legal description therefore set in Document 189183 Vol. 179 Page 87 recorded in the office of the Jackson County Register of Deeds to the School District of Back River Falls via Quit Claim Deed and the School District shall cover all expenses related to this transaction. Motion carried 6-1 with Alderperson Peloquin voting no. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the Public Transit Feasibility Study prepared by the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve RESOLUTION 2024-05 – a resolution setting a public hearing date for proposed changes to the shared ride taxi service. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS RESOLUTION 2024-05 RESOLUTION TO PROPOSE TAXI FARE INCREASE AND HOURS OF OPERATION DECREASE OR TERMINATION OF THE SERVICE WHEREAS, The City of Black River Falls Wisconsin contracts with a third-party vendor to operate a shared-ride taxi service; and, WHEREAS, The City of Black River Falls Wisconsin owns two ADA accessible vans that are leased to a third- party vendor for the shared-ride taxi service; and, WHEREAS, The approved 2023 payable in 2024 property tax levy allocated $85,000 to operating the shared ride taxi service; and, WHEREAS, The local share for shared ride taxi service operations and capital expenditures in 2024 is projected to be approximately $145,000, which is $60,000 more than the amount levied; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that a public hearing be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall located at 101 S. Second Street in Black River Falls, WI on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 beginning at 6:00PM to consider the following: 1. Increasing the shared ride taxi service agency fare from $7.00 per ride to $10.00 per ride 2. Decreasing the operating hours for the shared ride taxi service from 6:00AM to 10:00PM every day of the week to 6:00AM to 8:00PM Monday-Friday and 7:00AM to 8:00PM on Saturday & Sunday 3. Terminating the shared ride taxi service effective January 1, 2025 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to approve vouchers for September 2024 Check #74539 - #74655 totaling $439,978.53. Motion carried. Checks #74527-74538 were manual payroll checks for election workers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the City Treasurer’s Report for September 2024. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the Revenue & Expense Report for September 2024. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The November Common Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 due to the general election taking place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to adjourn. Motion carried at 6:56pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ A. Brad Chown City Administrator Page 2 of 2