Committee of the Whole Meeting

__________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 Mayor Greg Kubarski called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Committee members present at the time the meeting was called to order were: Liz Parish, Garth Hitselberger, Pat Moen, Randy Seeley, Darrow Novy, Rick Hanke, Mark Lankey, and Tom Hotek (via telephone). Others present included: City Administrator Adam Sonntag, Treasurer Lisa Johnson Police Chief Pat Clark, Tom Stowell, Rob Uphoff from MSA, and Nicolette Nauman of the HSE. Mayor Kubarski asked if this meeting received proper public notice to which Administrator Sonntag confirmed that the meeting did receive proper notice. A motion was made by Hanke, second by Hitselberger, to approve the February 9, 2021 Committee of a Whole meeting minutes. Motion carried. Registered Public Comment – None. Safety and Welfare Chief Clark presented the Police Chief’s Report, which detailed issues with truancies, officer training, and a house fire investigation. Chief Clark stated the Safety and Welfare Committee met to review police department policies and procedures. Moen stated the committee was able to review and recommend approval of 10 mandatory policies. The committee also recommended the remaining policies be subject to approval by the Police Chief. Chief Clark reported that Officer Kucinsky has taken over primary code enforcement duties for the city with oversight by the chief and administrator. With no other items, the Committee moved to the Improvement and Services report. Improvement and Services The Committee was provided an update on the Elm Ave. and FVM Trail projects, including reviewing plans for the new pier. Rob Uphoff discussed two pier design options from Port-a-Pier and Coulee Docks. Mayor Kubarski preferred the Port-a-Pier design, as it is more of a commercial pier. Seeley recommended a larger design option. After discussion, the committee recommended using the larger Port-a-Pier design with an additional $4,000 price. Sonntag provided an update on the dam project, including a discussion on filling the lake. The Committee discussed fish stocking and carp removal. DNR has committed a quota to stock the lake in 2021. Mayor Kubarski discussed working with a City Hall • 123 Mechanic Street • P.O. Box 447 • Hillsboro, Wisconsin 54634 Phone: (608) 489-2521 • Fax: (608) 489-3905 • www.hillsborowi.com Sportsmen’s Club to help remove carp. The Committee supported the idea of an annual event to help remove carp. The city will pursue options with the Sportsmen’s Club. Sonntag and Uphoff both noted that discussions with Terra regarding liquidated damages have been positive. Sonntag provided an update on the WWTP Upgrade, including a need to approve a contract for CDBG administration and hold a public hearing. Uphoff discussed following up with a couple issues at the plant and closing out the project in 2021. The Committee reviewed the WWTP capacity analysis completed by MSA as part of the ongoing Notice of Violation from the DNR. Sonntag summarized plant design limits and communications with Land O’Lakes and Whitehall. Sonntag reported the city did violate in January due to high industrial loadings. Uphoff discussed next steps, including completing a facility plan of the WWTP. After discussion, the committee recommended approving the facility plan agreement with MSA. Tom Stowell from the water utility was present to request permission to purchase a pipe freezer to assist with water shut offs. After discussion, the committee recommended approving the purchase and establishing a user fee. With no other items, the Committee moved on to Finance and Personnel. Finance and Personnel After reviewing the monthly bills, the Committee recommended moving the bills on to the Council agenda. Sonntag provided a report, including the plan to have the librarian present the library annual report. Sonntag also thanked the Common Council, Mayor, and staff, as it will be his last meeting for the city. The Committee was provided an update on the WEDC CDI Grant application for the Mr. B’s project, including an indication from WEDC that $180,000 will be awarded. The Committee discussed extending the Coronavirus Paid Sick Leave Policy. Seeley didn’t support the provision regarding vaccinations. Mayor Kubarski believed it was important to extend. After discussion, the committee recommended extending the policy through May. Sonntag provided an update on the dam and dredging construction loan refinancing, including restricting the principal and interest payments to reduce the tax levy. The Committee reviewed an update from PAA regarding the city administrator position search. New Business – Novy asked about federal stimulus money for the city and the train project. Sonntag discussed preliminary estimates for stimulus allocations for the city and the committee discussed possible projects to fund. It was recommended the Improvement and Services Committee take on the train project until the new city administrator is on board. With no other items, a motion was made by Novy, second by Hanke to adjourn at 9:01 p.m. Motion carried. City Hall • 123 Mechanic Street • P.O. Box 447 • Hillsboro, Wisconsin 54634 Phone: (608) 489-2521 • Fax: (608) 489-3905 • www.hillsborowi.com