Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 – 7:35 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Council President Ryan. Present: (in person) Council President Ryan, Mayor Thom, Alder Pyfferoen; (via Zoom): Adams, Gray, Reid; Staff: (in person) City Administrator Ellefson, City Clerk Goebel, City Engineer Lietha, Meyers, Wolf; (via Zoom): City Attorney Johnson, Duernberger, Schreiber, interested citizens. McCabe excused. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by Adams to approve agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Hannah Best to comment on item #9. 5. Committee/Commission Minutes: placed on file: CHLPC 2/15/21, CWL 1/21/21, Library 1/19/21, PFC 12/2/20, Recreation 12/14/20 6. Update on Transportation Utility draft ordinance and credit policy: After further discussion, consensus to take the discussions a little slower, and reschedule PIM #2. 7. Review & discuss potential DNR Grant for Storm Water Management: Opportunity to apply for a 50/50 grant to assist with planning for stormwater management. If awarded, the grants starts in 2022 and is good for two year. Consensus to have City Engineer apply for the grant. Return to March 16 COW. 8. Review & discuss application process to keep chickens: Clerk Goebel updated Council on the current process for residents to apply to keep chickens on their property. Current fees to do cover the cost of the cumbersome application and process, including a visit with the building inspector. Current process makes the applications hard to track. Suggested a permanent permit with a one time fee and make the application a complaint-based process. Directed the clerk to see what other communities do for their process, fees, etc. and return to COW with recommendations. Return to future COW. 9. Review & discuss application to keep chickens and bees at 502 Waterloo Street: Application to keep chickens and bees at 502 Waterloo Street was discussed. Consensus to set standards for beekeeping. Forward to March 16 Regular meeting. 10. Review & discuss Special Event Electronic/Appliance Recycling Vendor, Pricing, 2021 Special Event Electronic/Appliance Recycling Dates: Columbia County will no longer accept freon appliances or electronics. New recommended vendor would accept these items plus more at a more reasonable cost. Forward to March 16 Regular meeting. 11. Review & discuss DPW Copy Machine upgrade: Current copier is expensive to maintain; request to upgrade to a copier & scanner – leasing from Wisconsin Copy. Forward to March 16 Regular meeting. 12. Review & discuss Community Development Investment Grant Support: Grant to help renovate some downtown properties. City would have no money invested, but about 20 hours of staff time to help facilitate the paperwork. Will need a resolution from the City supporting the application. Forward to March 16 Regular meeting. 13. Review & discuss Comprehensive Plan Update: Public Hearing on April 1 to review the Comprehensive Plan Update. Would like the updated plan adopted by April 5 if possible. The plan has been available for inspection for several months. Wait to see how the public hearing goes, and set adoption date at that time. 14. Convene to closed session per §19.85(1)(e) deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investment of public funds, or conducting other public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically to discuss the purchase of property in the City of Columbus. Motion by Thom, second by Pyfferoen to convene to closed session at 9:32 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 15. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by Thom to reconvene to open session at 9:45 pm. Carried voice vote. 16. Convene to closed session per § 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, specifically City Administrator 1 year review: Motion by Thom, second by Pyfferoen to convene to closed session at 9:49 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 17. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by Adams to reconvene to open session at 9:49 pm. Carried voice vote. 18. Adjourn: Motion by Gray, second by Pyfferoen to adjourn at 9:50 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk