Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2022 – 6:40 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL 1. Roll Call: Council President Gray called the meeting to order at 7:21 pm. Present: Council President Gray, Mayor Arnold, Alders: Albright, Reid (via Zoom), Roelke, Steiner; City Administrator Ellefson, City Clerk Goebel, City Engineer Lietha, Zoning Administrator Schreiber, Rec Director Meyers, staff via Zoom: Lentz, Anding, Bledsoe, City Atty Johnson, interested citizens. Excused Motiff. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted. 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Roelke, second by Arnold to approve the agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Joe Hammer, 162 E School Street spoke regarding storm water. ARPA funds are available for infrastructure and hope no department would lose ability to function. 5. Commission / Committee Minutes: placed on file: CWL 3/17/22, Library 2/15/22, 3/15/22 6. Review WWTF Aeration Diffuser Upgrade: Dave Arnott, Ruekert Mielke, discussed the aeration diffuser upgrade. The company who installed the diffuser membrane 8 years ago would provide free materials for upgrade. The membrane design has changed. Ruekert Mielke Task Order #2022-04 would allow them to coordinate the design and submit to the DNR for approval at a cost of $10,300. The labor through Sanitaire to install the new membranes would be $38,400. Forward to May 17 Regular meeting. 7. Review Scout Cabin agreement: Forward to May 17 Regular meeting. 8. Review Defective Sidewalk Inspection/Repair/Replacement Policy: DPW Director Lentz presented the sidewalk inspection/replacement policy. There is approximately 189,000 feet of sidewalk to review and repair or replace. Homeowners would have the option to replace defective sidewalk on their own or have the City replace/repair it and be subject to special assessment. City Administrator Ellefson would work with City Treasurer Bledsoe to discuss interest rates for the assessment. Forward to May 17 Regular meeting. 9. Review Ruekert Mielke Task Order – 2022 Street Maintenance / 2022 County Aid / 2022 B.I.L. Grant Submittal. AMENDED 4/29/2022 at 4:00 PM: Ruekert Mielke Task Order #2022-06 covers seal coating and base patching bid process and coordination for annual street maintenance. Task Order also covers grant assistance for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and apply for 80/20 assistance for street repair. Grant application is due June 3. Forward to May 17 Regular meeting. 10. Review Storm Water Utility Fee Referendum Results: Council discussed different ways to proceed with the storm water issues. Consensus was to review the studies already done and determine the best use of funds. Return to May 17 COW. 11. Review Personnel Manual Review update: Consensus to keep the manual as one book and focus on language and not make changes to benefits. Wait for the compensation study to be finalized. Return to COW. 12. 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 developments in the City of Columbus: Motion by Roelke, second by Arnold to convene to closed session at 8:05 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 13. Reconvene to Open Session: Motion by Roelke, second by Arnold to reconvene to open session at 8:25 pm. Carried voice vote. 14. Adjourn: Motion by Albright, second by Roelke to adjourn at 8:25 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by: Pat Goebel, City Clerk