Committee of the Whole Meeting Packets

COLUMBUS COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AGENDA - AMENDED TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024 – 6:40 PM COLUMBUS CITY HALL Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82341624426?pwd=V1RTZ2JBM3o0WmV Ud1JRY2tmR1Z0Zz09 Meeting ID: 823 4162 4426 Passcode: 819180 One tap mobile: 312 626 6799 1. Roll Call 2. Notice of Open Meeting 3. Approve Agenda 4. Citizen Comments 5. Committee / Commission minutes: 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 7. Discuss salaried sworn officers overtime pay eligibility for grant purposes 8. Discuss amending Utilities Chapter 102-61 of the Columbus Code of Ordinances 9. Discuss carry forward designated funds 10. Discuss CHLPC Water Tower Fund 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 12. Reconvene to open session 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 14. Reconvene to open session 15. Adjourn  CITY OF COLUMBUS Beautification Advisory Board Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 6:30PM 161 N. Dickason Blvd. 1. Roll Call a. Began at 6:30PM b. Ian Gray - present c. Amy Sandow - present d. Sherry Culhane - excused e. Patricia Boness - present f. Natalie Fowler - excused g. Paula Steiner - present h. Joe Hammer - present 2. Notice of Open Meeting 3. Approve Agenda a. Ian motioned to approve agenda; Pat second 4. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes a. Amy motioned to approve previous meeting minutes; Ian second 5. Citizen Comments a. No citizens in attendance 6. Banner Updates a. Banners were not located at CWL. Joe Hammer said he has seen only one and that was in Brandon’s old office and it was just a black “Welcome to Columbus.” A resident brought up to Paula about not using Charlie Cardinal throughout the downtown. Discussion again but using illustrations instead of actual pictures. Illustrations would include train stations, clocktower, Pavilion with fireworks, and a Red Bud tree. Natalie has expressed interest in finding the illustrations. 7. Mural Update a. Fundraising letter is ready. 8. Fundraising Letter a. Looks great. Only change is check should not be made out to Columbus City Hall. Possible alternatives City of Columbus Beautification Committee or Beautification Committee- City of Columbus. 9. Art Walk Fall 2024 a. Chamber bought up possibly combining with Red Bud, however, the discussion about space occurred. New date would be May 11th if we agree to combine with the chamber. Paula has the questions to ask chamber, such as does Red Bud date moving and space available to us. 10. Flower Baskets a. Emma, the FFA teacher is very excited to do this. She knows the budget and will buy the flowers in December. Amy will get a basket to her. Paula asked that Emma take progress photos to put on Facebook. B. New flower baskets have been tabled to 2024 due to the baskets not being in terrible shape and the brackets would have to be replaced. With a limited budget, we will make it work. Painted Crate has asked them to have a basket by them. 11. Fall Decorations 2024 a. Proposed having businesses decorate their area for fall and make a contest. Winner will get a gift card. 12. Christmas Decorations a. Civic organizations were approached by Columbus Rec to do a tree at the Pavilion. Ian and Paula both have a tree. We are going ahead with decorating and will be purchasing a yard sign that says “Sponsored by Beautification Committee.” 13. Next meeting November 20th, 2023 14. Adjourn a. Pat motion to adjourn; Ian second Columbus Public Library Library Board Meeting Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Phyllis Luchsinger Callahan Meeting Room Pete Kaland called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Roll Call: Present in person: Amanda Wakeman, Pete Kaland, Sue Salter, Jim Schieble, Shirley Berkley, Dana Pike, Nora Vieau, Deb Haeffner, Merry Anderson. Absent: Trina Reid Adoption of the Agenda: Jim moved and Shirley seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. Motion carried. Disposition of Minutes: Deb moved and Sue seconded a motion to approve the Minutes as revised. Motion carried. Financial Report: CDAR 2 renews 1/18/24 at 5.2%. SCLS Foundation account reflects loss of $6,901.11. Merry moved and Dana seconded a motion to approve the Financial Report. Motion carried. Approval of Bills: Bills of $7,373.22 submitted. Jim moved and Deb seconded a motion to approve the bills. Motion carried. Director’s Report: Preschool programs remain popular though with school in session elementary school level programs have lower attendance so staff looking at a different weeknight would be better. DINOvember centered on a dinosaur theme was a big hit. Staff planning for Holiday Train on 12/4. Adult programs well attended with a Badger Talk by Bob McGrath on meditation and a talk by Susan Running on mindfulness. We will host an arts and crafts swap meet in December. The Annex basement was cleaned for supplies. Huma Siddiqui will present a cooking demo on 12/16. On December 14 the Eric Cotter Agency will sponsor a photo with Santa event with photographer Kate Bender. Price is a new, unwrapped gift for the N.I.C.C. Foundation. Downtown businesses will donate cookies and milk. Photos will be taken by the fireplace. CPL received a $2,500 grant from Enbridge to update the conference room with a large screen TV plus cart and new tables. CPL also received a $1,000 grant from the UW Center for East Asian Studies for materials and programming focused on East Asian Culture. The smell in the Annex has continued to be a problem with Shirley reporting that some people left the Book Sale due to the odor. A plumber, WE Energies, DPW and TAS Heating investigated the problem. Apparently other downtown buildings have the same problem. This was determined most likely to be due to lack of water going through the sewer system. It is a wastewater problem out of the CPL’s control. Columbus Utilities will add a chemical to the line to help with the smell. It was suggested to invite someone from the utility to our January meeting to explain the problem and answer questions. Catherine, Helen and Amanda attended the WI Library Association Conference in Middleton. All-Directors meeting on 11/16 was in the new SCLS headquarters in Madison. Columbia County Board and Directors meeting was 11/14 in Randolph. Goals: Goal #1—Create new strategic plan. Draft plan presented for comment. Some suggestions including updating history section and some revisions to Objectives and Actions. President’s Report: None Friends of the Library: Sales going well. FOL made a lead donation of $1,500 and is now fundraising for a new cabinet in the meeting room. Literacy Council Report: Online tutor training now available from Wisconsin Literacy, Inc. Correspondence: None Committee Reports: Personnel Committee: The timeline for the annual Director Evaluation was presented. Jan.= Evaluation packet sent to Board members Feb.=Board members complete and return Feb./Mar.= Personnel committee reviews and discusses, Director submits goals, Board approves goals. Jim moved and Shirley seconded a motion to approve the timeline and evaluation instrument. Because Amanda started at CPL in the middle of the year her goals included some of Lindsey’s. November now marks the end of Amanda’s six-month probation period so a 6-month evaluation is due 11/30. As we are just beginning the next evaluation cycle in January the Board will provide this evaluation at the December meeting. Strategic Planning Committee: See Director’s Report and Unfinished Business Building and Grounds Committee: See Director’s Report Trustee Training: TE 20. Deb explained accessibility relative to ADA. Since the 1970s Wisconsin has followed higher standards in new buildings. The challenge has been assuring that older buildings comply. This includes everything from curb cuts outside to carpets, lighting and doors—handles only, no knobs—family and gender- free restrooms. Accessibility also includes paths and adequate turning radius spaces for walkers, wheelchairs etc. At CPL the tables have been replaced and we are planning to adjust the height of one end of the checkout counter. Note. The ends of our counter are not original to the building so making them lower does not affect the historical significance. Some libraries are going to 60” high shelving to accommodate people who cannot reach high shelves. This reduces shelf space and therefore requires more floor space. At CPL the women’s bathroom cannot accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Unfinished Business: 2024 Budget Update: City approved requested funds. Strategic Plan Draft: See Director’s Report. In addition, members recommended that monthly board meetings relate to Strategic Plan. Members should submit additional input to Deb and a final will be submitted for approval. Annex Leases/Rent: Tabled due to sewer smell; will assess if DPW treatment fixes the problem before increasing rents. December Holiday Party: Library staff, volunteers and city guests will be invited at 5:30 p.m. following abbreviated Board meeting. Jim moved and Deb seconded a motion to approve $420 for staff gifts. Gift based on hours worked and years of service. Motion carried. New Business: The previous Circulation Policy required people whose address is outside the SCLS area to get their library card from their System area. Because Columbus is in the corner of three counties, one of which is outside SCLS, this resulted in an inconvenience for some patrons who live in Columbus but had to get their card from the Beaver Dam Public Library in order to use CPL. (All library cards are free.) Therefore, the following Circulation Policy Revision was submitted for review and comment. This policy is based on wording from libraries in similar geographic situations. Wisconsin residents who live outside of the South Central Library System (Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk, and Wood Counties) may get a Columbus Library card at no cost. This card enables you to check out books, CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, magazines, and other physical materials held by the libraries in the South Central Library System. You may also request items through Outerlibrary Loan. This card grants remote access to our online databases. This card does not grant access to eBooks and other digital materials through Wisconsin’s Digital Library, including Libby. This is a policy of the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium and is not a decision made at the local level. We recommend visiting a library in your county of residence to obtain a card that will allow you to borrow materials from this resource. Jim moved and Dana seconded a motion to approve the policy revision. Motion carried. Additional agenda item: We currently have a volunteer page who is paid by the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). This person will now be considered a DVR hire and continue to be paid by DVR. Adjournment: Dana moved and Jim seconded a motion to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.. Next scheduled board meeting—November 21, 2023, at 5:00. Respectfully submitted. Merry Anderson, Secretary  MINUTES of COLUMBUS POLICE AND FIRE COMMISSION November 15, 2023 City of Columbus, City Hall, Council Chamber 105 North Dickason Blvd, Columbus, WI 53925 1) Meeting called to order at 6:02 p.m. by PFC Chair Olson. 2) Roll Call: PFC Members present: L. Olson, Z. Kianovsky, L. O’Donnell, M. Meier, R. Rule. (CFD Chief Hazeltine, CPD Chief Weiner, City Council Liaison T. Reid. also in attendance.) 3) Notice of compliance with Open Meeting law—Notice of Meeting and Posted Agenda by Olson. 4) Motion by Rule to approve agenda. Seconded by O’Donnell. Motion carried unanimously. 5) Motion by Meier to approve minutes of meeting of 08/23/2023. Motion seconded by O’Donnell. Motion to approve minutes carried unanimously. 6) Public Comments: None. 7) New Business. CFD Chief Hazelton provided oral quarterly report supplementing written report. CPD Chief Weiner provided oral quarterly report supplementing written report. No candidates were available for interviews by PFC. 8) Motion by Meier to adjourn. Seconded by Kianovsky. Motion to adjourn carried unanimously. PFC adjourned at 7:02p.m. The next regular meeting of the PFC is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., on Monday, February 12, 2024 at the City of Columbus Council Chambers. Special Meetings may be called in the interim as needed. Minutes submitted by Zev Kianovsky, Secretary, Columbus Police and Fire Commission, City of Columbus, Wisconsin. Minutes are drafted for approval. Minutes approved by PFC on ___12/19/2023___________ 1  Recreation Advisory Committee Monday November 13, 2023 The 161 Building 161 N. Dickason Blvd. 6:30 pm 1. Roll Call – Hoppe-Miller, Meyers, Lawson, Klomberg, Carthew, Steiner, Hart, Mayor Hammer. Absent – Voss, Agnew 2. Determination of Quorum - Met 3. Notice of an Open and Posted Meeting - Posted 4. Approve Agenda -Motion Hart, 2nd Lawson. Motion carried. 5. Approve Minutes from October 9, 2023 meeting – Motion Hoppe-Miller, 2nd Lawson. Motion carried. 6. Citizen Comments & Communications - None Old Business 1. Scout Cabin – No new update 2. Pickle ball / Basketball fundraising – Pickle ball players no longer fundraising. Rotary Club inquiring into noting their centennial with something big – looking into plaque. Flyers done and ready to be posted with Halloween done. 3. Pavilion contract – No new update. 4. Budget 2024 – Approved. 5. Fee schedule – No new update. 6. Holiday Parade discussion – 13 entrants so far. Rec committee members helping, along with Oddfellows, Scouts, and 4th of July committee. Also doing Sparkle in the Park with Christmas trees – starting small this year and city and civic organizations will take part. Decorating Pavilion and star showers on trees. New Business 1. CSA recommendation of travel team – Recommend agreement to allow a travel team to work under CSA for one year. Address with contract for next year and forward to Council. 2. Choose winners of Pet Costume contest – Very difficult decision! With donation, able to award 4 winners – Angus, Bella, Astronaut, Rowan Director Report 1. Basketball – Have had 2 tournaments so far. Will have another this weekend. 2. Pool Meeting 3. Week of 20 November – Meet with people to put trees up 4. Week after Thanksgiving – Amy Jo on vacation. 5. Holiday Train – With Rotary – Scouts in charge of fire. Port-a-potties donated. Julie’s Java food for sale. 6. Shelter by train station – Need to decorate before holiday parade Adjourn – 7:29 - Motion Hoppe-Miller, 2nd Klomberg. Next meeting date: TBD Respectfully Submitted by Kristen Hart City of Columbus Tourism Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, November 6, 2023 6:30 PM, Columbus City Hall • Join by Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88377273382?pwd=aldBSGE3V1BVV3VGdzZxK2YyVzIyZz09 • Meeting ID: 883 7727 3382, Passcode: 259545, One Tap Mobile: 312 626 6799 1. Call to order at 6:31pm 2. Roll call - Determination of quorum • Hammer, Famularo, Walker, Walcott, and Belschner were present. Staff member Bennett was also present. 3. Notice of open meeting • Meeting was properly noticed. 4. Approve agenda • Motion to approve agenda by Famularo, second by Belschner. Motion is approved 5-0. 5. Approve minutes • Motion to approve October 2, 2023 minutes as written by Hammer, second by Famularo. Motion is approved 5-0. 6. Comments of citizens present • None. 7. Financial Report • Bennett noted that $40 is from Two Rivers Signs for a pair of stickers for the wayfinding signs and anticipating $2,500 for room tax reimbursement to the Chamber of Commerce for the Wine Walk event pending final report. Bennett will look to use the materials and services line item along with the remainder of special events line item for holiday promotions. • Belschner asked if the Redbud Players could apply for room tax funding. Walcott responded that the mission of the Tourism Commission is to put heads in beds. Discussion included previous events that received funding since there was no overnight events that utilized the funding. Walcott suggested looking at the by- laws for next meeting. • There was concern that with as close to the end of the year, the $2,500 Wine Walk event might eat up 2024 Special Event line item. Bennett stated that the Wine Walk request, pending final report is planned to utilize 2023 funds, and the final report and possible approval should be in January’s meeting. 8. Old Business 105 N Dickason Blvd • Columbus WI 53925-1565 920-623-5900 • www.cityofcolumbuswi.com City of Columbus Tourism Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, November 6, 2023 6:30 PM, Columbus City Hall a. Staff updates on projects • Bennett announced the Tourism section of the City website is up and running. The main pages are Things to Do, Places to Stay, and Holiday Train. Collectively, they reside within the Visitors section of the City website. The Calendar is fully integrated into the Things to Do page. The domain, visitcolumbuswi.com is pointing to the Things to Do page and replaces the previous WordPress landing page. It may be repointed in the future if the Commission would like to have a separate landing page in CivicPlus. The Holiday Train page incorporates CPKC marketing along with aspects to the other tourism pages while promoting the donations to the food pantry. It serves a hub for all thing related to the Holiday Train and will be edited for past-tense once the event is over with. • Walcott asked about possibly getting signage for hotels, Airbnb’s, etc, to promote the website and events calendar. • Bennett shared the results from asking about signage for the EV charging station. Bennett was recommended to keep the project internal and have DPW put signage near the City Hall parking lot. Any attached signage to light poles would need Utilities approval and possible State permits to be filed. The WI DOT’s information regarding signage for the freeway exits seem to not be available due to the specific requirements needed to be considered a gas station. Walcott would like Bennett to talk to ChargePoint about signage if available. • Bennett updated the Commission about the installation of the wayfinding stickers to fill blank spots on a couple of signs for Rotary Park additions. Bennett plans to look into getting vinyl coverings for the old wayfinding signs in order to repurpose them. b. Tourism Survey Update • Famularo shared that there were no new responses since last meeting. • Walcott asked if the hotel was utilizing the survey. Famularo had sent them the QR codes. Belschner asked about possible incentives to complete the survey. The Commission had discussed incentives at previous meetings. Walcott asked Walker about the status of the Chamber Bucks. Walker responded that they’re not in the system yet. Belschner suggested possibly using an Amazon credit or partner with local businesses for coupons. Walcott didn’t think the Amazon credit would promote local spending very well. The Commission likes the idea of partnering, but would need solid planning including how it will be implemented before rolling out. 105 N Dickason Blvd • Columbus WI 53925-1565 920-623-5900 • www.cityofcolumbuswi.com City of Columbus Tourism Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, November 6, 2023 6:30 PM, Columbus City Hall 9. New Business a. 2024 Action Planning • The Commission discussed the list of possible marketing activities for 2024. Hammer had contacted Universal Pictures about permission for use of “Public Enemies Day”, but received no response. Hammer stated the Commission could have an event named “John Dillinger Day” and not have to deal with copyrights. Belschner has not contacted her sources yet, but may contact Rod Melotte due his previous photos during the filming of Public Enemies. • The Commission discussed print marketing materials. Walcott asked about press releases. Bennett is using a modified version of CPKC’s press release. Belschner suggested an ad in WI Midwest Living and some other specialty travel publications. Bennett commented that flyers and other print materials can be handed out at events that promote the next event similar to what Fond du Lac does. Walker would like print to be included as part of a well-rounded campaign citing Prairie Ridge Health as an example. • Belschner updated the Commission regarding the market survey study. Belschner has two people interested in performing the study, but the Commission needs to decide how it will fund the study and for how much. The Commission discussed additional information to ask when pricing for the service that included budget, guidelines, questions, quantity of responses, portfolio of work, etc. Walcott suggested to finalize at the next meeting. Belschner was tasked as being the point of contact and ask about cost, referrals and where to find work they have done. Once the screening is done, the Commission will have a direct meeting with those interested in running the study. b. Holiday Train • Bennett presented updates regarding the Holiday Train. A comprehensive webpage has been built along with a News Flash article that has been posted. A second article scheduled will focus on the road closure portion of the Train webpage. Initial marketing includes a Holiday Ad in The Greater Valley Guide, creation of a Facebook event and multiple posts, creation of calendar event for DailyDodge and Events.com. Belschner asked if a billboard ad would be purchased. Walker responded that the Commission got a couple of billboard ads last year and since this year, the train is on a Monday night, it might not be worth the cost. 105 N Dickason Blvd • Columbus WI 53925-1565 920-623-5900 • www.cityofcolumbuswi.com City of Columbus Tourism Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, November 6, 2023 6:30 PM, Columbus City Hall • Belschner asked about the CPKC steam train tour in 2024. According to the CPKC website, one is scheduled to go through, but not stop in Columbus. Hammer added that past steam engines that came through town slowed down. c. Ad Buys for Holiday Events • Bennett presented a list of ad buys for the upcoming holiday events. Bennett highlighted a $500 ad credit promo from Google along with Facebook and Microsoft ads. Bennett included an ad buy from Events.com and Madison Media Partners. Bennett showed the holiday event ad that is running in The Greater Valley Guide. The ad is part of an annual ad buy in which a new ad is created every couple of months for $480 / year. • The Commission did not need to vote on the Events.com, Google, Facebook, or Microsoft ads since they would be purchased within Bennett’s purchasing authority. • The Commission discussed the ad campaign from Madison Media Partners for $4,000 with the Chamber of Commerce contributing $2,000 and Tourism to possibly contribute the other $2,000. Famularo motions to spend $2,000 with Madison Media Partners for the Holiday Train ad. Hammer seconds. Roll call vote: Famularo – aye, Walker – aye, Hammer – aye, Walcott – aye, Belschner – abstain. Motion carries, 4-0-1. • Belschner offered to include a free ad in the Agri-View pending approval by them. Bennett will work with Belschner on the ad if allowed to do so. Walcott would like Bennett to send invites to local media to cover the Holiday Train. Bennett stated that DailyDodge was there last year and will reach out to others. 10. Future agenda items • Fall Harvest Festival • Physical dates for 2024 events 11. Adjourned at 8:02 pm Submitted by David Bennett 105 N Dickason Blvd • Columbus WI 53925-1565 920-623-5900 • www.cityofcolumbuswi.com  COLUMBUS UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2023 Columbus Utility Commissioner Vice-President Thom called the Columbus Utility Commission meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Commissioners present-roll call: Thom, Rule, Andler, Beckman, Curtis, Hammer, Finkler. Also, present at the meeting was Business Manager Kaltenberg. It was reported that the City Clerk, as required by appropriate Wisconsin Statutes, had given proper public notice of the meeting. The Agenda for the meeting was approved on a motion by Curtis, second by Rule. Motion carried. The Consent Agenda, which consisted of the October 19th Commission Meeting minutes and the Outage Report. The Commission reviewed the October Cash Disbursements Report; checks numbered 23340-23379 and 44 wire and ACH transfers, totaled $1,046,908.91. The Commission reviewed the Accounts Payable Reports totaling $298,817.19 and the Purchase Order Register totaling $28,255.29. Motion by Beckman, second by Rule to approve the consent agenda with the change of wording in the minutes from tabled to postponed and to approve paying the requests from the AP Report and the Purchase Order Registers. Roll call vote: Beckman aye, Rule aye, Curtis aye, Finkler aye, Thom aye, Andler aye and Hammer aye. Motion carried. Reports were approved and placed on file. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: Jason Lietha from Ruekert & Mielke, presenting: 2024 Utility Projects Update: He discussed four projects for 2024: Wastewater Treatment Plant-Clarifier Deck Repair Rebid, Wastewater Treatment Plant-Sludge drying upgrade project, 2024 Water Quality Trading, 2024 Streets Project and Water Plant No. 1-Reservoir bidding. Election of Columbus Utility Commission Officers: Motion by Andler, second by Curtis of Michael Thom as President. Beckman requested to close nominations. Motion carried. Motion by Hammer, second by Andler of Sandy Curtis as Vice-President. Rule requested to close nominations. Motion carried. Motion by Hammer, second by Beckman of Brook Andler as Secretary. Curtis requested to close nominations. Motion carried. Check Signing Alternative: As per ordinance 102, all liabilities incurred by the commission shall be paid out of the appropriate utility fund by order check signed by the President of the utility Commission, City Treasurer and Utility Director of the public utilities upon auditing by the commission. The consensus of the Commission was to add the Vice-President as an alternate check signer to the bank paperwork. The Commission asked Kaltenberg to ask legal council if this is acceptable. 2024 Columbus Utility Commission Meeting Dates: Motion by Rule, second by Finkler for the 2024 Columbus Utility Commission Meeting dates to be scheduled on the third Thursday of each month and the meetings will begin at 6:00 pm as Jan. 1st at City Hall at 105 N Dickason Blvd. The September meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th because WPPI Annual Meeting is Thursday, September 19th and Friday, September 20th. Motion carried. Review of Job Description for a Utility Director: On November 7th at the City of Columbus the Committee of the Whole the agenda item “Discuss Public Works Superintendent & Utility Director job descriptions” was discussed and moved forward to the next Regular City Council meeting on November 21st. City Administrator, Lisa Wilson’s packet memo stated: “The Municipal Services Director position has been vacant for a couple of months; and there is no clear permanent leadership for the Public Works Department. After taking into consideration comments/concerns provided by various staff members; and being more involved in the activities associated with public works, a recommendation is being made to separate the Utilities from Public Works. The proposal would result in a Utility Director, which would oversee Water, Light and Wastewater. Public Works would be overseen by a working Superintendent that is better able to serve the needs and provide support to the public works staff in the field. The change from Municipal Services Director to a Utility Director would require the Utility Commission to review and recommend approval as well.” A motion was made by Hammer, second by Curtis to approve the Utilities Director job description with the changes that were discussed on page 2. Motion carried. Motion by Finkler, second by Andler to adjourn at 7:31 pm. Motion carried. **Next Scheduled Meeting – Thursday, December 21st, 6:30 pm at Columbus City Hall** Respectfully Submitted, Brook Andler Columbus Utility Commission Secretary  AGREEMENT FOR CONNECTING HIGHWAY CHANGE NUMBER <#> PERTAINING TO 0.50 MILES WEST OF STH 89 TO 0.08 WEST OF HERITAGE WAY CITY OF COLUMBUS COLUMBIA COUNTY 1. Introduction The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DEPARTMENT) has proposed a Connecting Highway Change in the city of Columbus (CITY) in Columbia County, whereby: • A portion of STH 73 will be designated as a Connecting Highway. 2. Statutory Authority of State Highway Change All determinations and decisions herein and hereafter described are made in accordance with Section 86.32(1) of the Wisconsin State Statutes whereby the DEPARTMENT is proposing Connecting Highway Change Number <#> to add a segment of Connecting Highway in the CITY. 3. Determination and Description of Highway Segment To Be Designated A Connecting Highway The DEPARTMENT hereby finds, determines and makes this decision that the public good will best be served by designating as a Connecting Highway, the highway described as: Segment 1- STH 73 Beginning at a point on STH 73, 0.50 miles west of STH 89 to 0.08 miles west of Heritage Way. Said segment is depicted on Attachment 1 as Segment 1. The segment length of this addition is 0.99 miles. 4. Physical and Effective Date of Change The effective date for the determination action for the Connecting Highway designation described in Section 3 is the signature date shown on the bottom of this document. Page 1 of 2 STH 73 Connecting Highway Change  Approved for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation by: ____________________________________ ______________ Rebecca Burkel, Administrator Date Division of Transportation System Development Wisconsin Department of Transportation ________________________________________ ________________ Joe Hammer Date City Mayor City of Columbus Page 2 of 2 STH 73 Connecting Highway Change  2024 AGENDA ITEM Committee of the Whole Meeting date: January 9, 2024 _____________________________ January 23, 2024 Council Meeting date: ___________________________________________ Police Chief Dennis Weiner SUBMITTED BY: _______________________________________________ Overtime pay for salaried sworn members of the Columbus Police Dept ITEM: ________________________________________________________ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER: Each year the Columbia County Sheriffs Department writes and manages county wide traffic grant(s) for extra targeted enforcement efforts. The grant for this year is for $100,000 and includes OWI, speed and seatbelt enforcement. Every municipality in the county can participate. Per grant requirements set by the state, enforcement must be outside of the officer’s normal work hours and be compensated at an overtime (time and one half) wage rate. Wages and benefits are fully reimbursed as part of the grant. At the start of each grant, I provide loaded wage numbers (overtime wage + benefits per hour) to the county. When officers work grant time it is logged in a program that generates the reimbursement amounts. We have participated in this for many years and have never had issues. The Chief of Police and 2 Lieutenants are salaried based on 2080 hours and do not earn overtime. A lieutenant has expressed interest in working some time on the highway safety grants but is unable to do so. Other officers have taken very little, if any grant time in 2023 and I expect 2024 to be the same. I would like to have more involvement and enforcement in this part of the county to contribute to this county wide highway safety effort. This request for sworn salaried employees to earn overtime would be limited exclusively to grant opportunities where reimbursement is made for wages and benefits, and has no net cost to the city or impact on the city budget. LIST ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED: None. ACTION REQUESTED OF COUNCIL: Approve salaried sworn members of the Columbus Police Department be eligible to earn overtime exclusively for highway safety enforcement grant programs, where wages and benefits are fully reimbursed by the state and there is no net cost to the city.  2024 AGENDA ITEM January 9, 2023 Committee of the Whole Meeting Date: _____________________________ January 23, 2023 Council Meeting date: ____________________________________________ SUBMITTED BY: Michelle Kaltenberg _________________________________________________ ITEM: Amending Utilities Section 102-61 City Code of Ordinances __________________________________________________________ DETAILED DESCRITPTION OF SUBJECT MATTER: At the November 16th Columbus Utility Commission meeting alternative check signing possibilities were discussed. There are times where one of these positions is either unavailable or vacant. Checks are then signed with two signatures and an executive decision is made by the mayor to send out checks with only two signatures. It was recommended to ask legal counsel for an opinion. “As per ordinance 102, all liabilities incurred by the commission shall be paid out of the appropriate utility fund by order check signed by the President of the utility commission and city treasurer and countersigned by the director of the public utilities upon auditing by the commission.” The legal advice was to recommend to City Council to amend section 102-61 with adding “If the President is unable to act for any reason, the Vice-President may take any action allowed to be taken by the President.” The Columbus Utility Commission approved the recommendation to City Council to amend section 102-61 with adding “If the President is unable to act for any reason, the Vice-President or Secretary may take any action allowed by the President as designated.” at the Columbus utility Commission meeting on December 18, 2023. LIST ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION ATTACHED: 1. Section 102-61 from the Columbus, WI Code of Ordinances ACTION REQUESTED OF COMMISSION: 1. To Approve the recommended amendment to Section 102-61.  CITY OF COLUMBUS ORDINANCE NO. ______________ AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND RECREATE SECTION 102-61 OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS CODE OF ORDINANCES The Common Council of the City of Columbus, Columbia County, Wisconsin, does ordain as follows: 1. Section 102-61, Accounts, of the City of Columbus Code of Ordinances is hereby repealed in its entirety and recreated to read as follows. 102-61 Accounts. All liabilities incurred by the Commission shall be paid out of the appropriate utility fund by order check signed by the President of the Utility Commission and City Treasurer and counter-signed by the Director of Public Utilities upon auditing by the Commission. A certified schedule giving the name of the claimant or payee and the amount and nature of each claim shall be executed by the President and Secretary of the Commission and filed with the City Clerk. If the President is unable to act for any reason, the Vice President or Secretary may take any action assigned to the President pursuant to the terms of this section. 2. Severability. If any portion of this Ordinance or its application on any person or circumstances is held invalid, the validity of this Ordinance as a whole or any other provision herein or its application shall not be affected. 3. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage and posting, as required by law. CITY OF COLUMBUS By: ___________________________ By: __________________________ Joseph Hammer, Mayor Patricia Goebel, Clerk C:\Users\pgoebel\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.Outlook\X2D8RNX4\ord re utility accounts 010424 (A5087719x9DEB4).docx