Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL – COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021 – 6:45 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: Council President Gray called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Present in person: Council President Gray, Mayor Arnold, City Administrator Ellefson, City Clerk Goebel; via Zoom: Alders Albright, Motiff, Pyfferoen, Reid; Staff: City Attorney Johnson, City Engineer Lietha, Police Chief Weiner, Schreiber, Anding, interested citizens, media. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Motiff, second by Pyfferoen to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: None 5. Committee/Commission Minutes: placed on file: CHLPC 8/11/21, CWL 8/19/21, PFC 6/24/21, 8/16/21, Recreation 8/9/21 6. Review & discuss 2nd Ward Creek project options, costs and borrowing scenarios: Ellefson reviewed borrowing options from Ehlers for the 2nd Ward creek project. After much discussion, the consensus was to have Ruekert Mielke submit task order to do further studies on elevations on James Street, look into DNR position on dam removal and grants available to do so, and impact study of dam removal. Forward to October 19 Regular meeting. 7. Review & discuss Storm Water Utility status and next steps: Ellefson reported the Council will need to make a decision whether or not the storm water utility should appear on the April ballot – the timeline to do so is closing in. If not on the ballot, we would be penalized $1 for $1 against the levy. He mentioned the City will need professional guidance with fee & credit policies, and for public education and informational meetings on the utility. 8. Review & discuss project update from CHLPC: Ruth Hermanson, Acting Chair for CHLPC, spoke on the Rest Haven project. After council approval for CHLPC to begin fundraising for ADA compliant bathrooms at the Rest Haven, CHLPC members determined the project would require additional upgrades; larger doorways leading into the bathrooms as well as into the venue, to be ADA compliant; possible electrical upgrades, plumbing needs, etc. They initially wanted to replace bathrooms to be ADA accessible, but found more items that would need replacing. Hermanson reported donations are coming in to fund the project. 9. Review & discuss parking and traffic near School: Police Chief Weiner was present to discuss the ongoing issues with parking around the elementary and middle schools; No Parking signs are ignored, parents stop in the middle of the street to drop off or pick up kids. The police have not issued citations yet, but the problems continue. Gray suggested the school be contacted for a meeting to help find a solution. Weiner will contact the school for a meeting. 10. Review & discuss purchasing police squad with unused funds: Chief Weiner has requested to use unused wages due to vacancies to help fund a new squad, final squad cost amounts to $52675. Vehicle won't be available for 4-6 months and Countryside has agreed to meet the state's pricing. Forward to October 19 Regular meeting. 11. Review & discuss Dodge County Stray Animal Contract – 2022: Request to use the same options as last year – lump sum of $1300 which covers 5 domestic strays, more would be $300/animal; humane society must have approval before accepting any animal. Police Dept only picks up dogs. Forward to October 19 Regular meeting. 12. Review & discuss Dodge County 911 Joint Powers Agreement for 2022: Agreement lays out the response roles for the Dodge County Sheriff's office & Columbus Police Dept. Forward to October 19 Regular meeting. 13. Review & discuss redistricting information: 2020 Census data submitted to the County to review and redraw, if necessary, County Supervisory Districts. This resulted in new ward boundaries for the City due to an increase in population. Council must approve maps and ordinances and submit to County Clerks no later than October 18. Forward to October 12 Special meeting. 14. Review & discuss Ordinance #759-21 An Ordinance to Establish Wards as Part of the Redistricting Process in 2021 For the City of Columbus – Columbia County: Forward to October 12 Special meeting. 15. Review & discuss Ordinance #760-21 An Ordinance to Establish Wards as Part of the Redistricting Process in 2021 For the City of Columbus – Dodge County: Forward to October 12 Special meeting.  Page 2 – Council – COW 10/05/21 16. 2022 Administrator’s proposed budget: Budget 2022 is moving along, hi-lights: CHLPC requested money in new projects and money in a façade program. Currently have a façade program through the CDA; Municipal Court Judge requested an increase in salary, typically the salary does not change in the middle of a term; Capital Projects show the CDBG grant amount of $423,483.00 for the 2nd Ward Creek project, and $455,000 for Hwy 89 road improvements (utilities, stormwater, curb/gutter, tree removal, etc) and would be included in bond proceeds; Capital vehicle replacement: 1994 mini dump, purchase of used bucket truck from CWL, 72" mower. Wastewater Treatment Plant projects include sanitary sewer for Hwy 89, sludge study, lift station engineering for upgrades at Meister & Waterloo St lift stations, and aeration diffuser. Budget Workshop is scheduled for October 26 at 5:00 pm. 17. Convene to closed session per § 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by Motiff to convene to closed session at 8:39 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 18. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Arnold, second by Pyfferoen to reconvene to open session at 8.58 pm. Carried voice vote. 19. 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 potential purchase of property in the City of Columbus: Motion by Motiff, second by Arnold to convene to closed session at 8:59 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 20. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Pyfferoen, second by Arnold to reconvene to open session at 9:05 pm. Carried voice vote. 21. Adjourn: Motion by Motiff, second by Reid to adjourn at 9:05 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk