Committee of the Whole

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024 1. Roll Call: Council President Roelke called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Present: Council President Roelke, Mayor Hammer, Alders: Finkler, Gray (via Zoom), Motiff, Reid (via Zoom), Steiner; Staff: Amundson, Goebel, Weiner, Larson, Meyers, City Attorney Johnson (via Zoom), City Engineer Lietha, interested citizens. 2. Notice of Open Meeting: Noted as posted 3. Approve Agenda: Motion by Finkler, second by Steiner to approve agenda. Carried voice vote. 4. Citizen Comments: Police Chief Weiner announced National Law Enforcement Officer Week this week, thank you his staff, they do a great job under difficult circumstances; updated on weather advisory – issued a few citations, but thank you to those who adhere to the advisory. 5. Committee / Commission minutes: Place on file: Beautification 10/26/23, Library 11/21/23, PFC 11/15/23, Recreation 11/13/23, Tourism 11/6/23, Utilities 11/16/23 6. Discuss agreement designating portions of Hwy 73 as a connecting highway: The agreement identifies a half-mile segment of HWY 73 within the City of Columbus from Hwy 89 to just west of Heritage Way as a Connecting Highway. This designation makes this segment of road eligible for State Aid programs that help local governments maintain this infrastructure to the State of WI standards. 7. Discuss salaried sworn officers overtime pay eligibility for grant purposes: Chief Weiner requested permission for salaried employees be granted overtime to participate in a grant available for law enforcement. The grant is 100% reimbursed so no cost to city except for fuel and wear on vehicles. The grant only allows for up to 4 hours of overtime per shift. Forward to 1/23 Regular meeting. 8. Discuss amending Utilities Chapter 102-61 of the Columbus Code of Ordinances: Amendment allows for the Vice President and/or Secretary to be signer on checks. Forward to 1/23 Regular meeting. 9. Discuss carry forward designated funds: Would like to designate specific funds for future use and move to LGIP for better interest rates. Council can reassign the funds as they wish, but if designated, would not be in the general cash. Forward to 1/23 Regular meeting. 10. Discuss CHLPC Water Tower Fund: Wanted to clarify $1500 dollars set aside each year for the water tower should be carried over each year. Forward to 1/23 Regular meeting. 11. 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, for purposes of discussing Public Works Superintendent coverage: Motion by Hammer, second by Finkler to convene to closed session. Roll call vote unanimous. 12. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Finkler, second by Motiff to reconvene at 8:11 pm. Carried voice vote. 13. 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, for purposes of discussing Recreation Director: Motion by Motiff, second by Gray to convene to closed session at 8:12 pm. Roll call vote unanimous. 14. Reconvene to open session: Motion by Motiff, second by Steiner to reconvene at 8:41 pm. Carried voice vote. 15. Adjourn: Motion by Finkler, second by Motiff to adjourn at 8:42 pm. Carried voice vote. Submitted by Pat Goebel, City Clerk