City Council

OFFICIAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Menomonie, Dunn County, Wisconsin, was held in open session on December 18, 2023, and called to order by Mayor Knaack at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The following members were present: Luther, Burstad, Sutherland, Yonko, McCullough, Schwebs, Gentz, Schlough, Erdman and Sommerfeld. Solberg was absent. SPECIAL RECOGNITION – A plaque was awarded to Greg Stai for his 36 years of service to the City in the Community Services Department, upon his retirement on January 5, 2024, presented by Mayor Knaack, City Administrator Eric Atkinson, and Public Works Director David Schofield. MOTION made by Erdman, seconded by McCullough, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes from the December 4, 2023 City Council meeting minutes. PUBLIC HEARING – None PUBLIC COMMENTS – Lorene Vedder spoke in favor of agenda item 6(b), regarding private wells and septic systems. Steve Hogseth spoke in favor of agenda item 6(b). Toby Ellison spoke in favor of agenda item 6(b). NO ACTION was taken on the presentation by Dr. Joseph Zydowsky, District Administrator, regarding the School District of the Menomonie Area’s upcoming Referendum. NO ACTION was taken on the presentation by Neil Koch, regarding private wells and septic systems in the Menomonie area. MOTION to approve the Stepping Stones Change Order #7 with Cedar Falls Building System for the Stepping Stones Homeless Shelter project for a deduct of $5,983.56 was made by Luther, seconded by Schlough, and carried unanimously on roll call vote. MOTION to waive the rules was made by Burstad, seconded by Sutherland, and carried unanimously to allow Bruce Freeland from Ansay & Associates to address council regarding the City’s liability insurance. MOTION made by Schwebs, seconded by Burstad, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, to approve the purchase of liability insurance for the City of Menomonie with Community Insurance Corporation (CIC), beginning on January 1, 2024. MOTION made by Burstad, seconded by Yonko, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, to approve the purchase of Civic Systems enterprise financial solution in the amount of $188,900, contingent upon legal review, and using ARPA funds. MOTION made by Schwebs, seconded by Sommerfeld, and carried unanimously to approve the 2024/2025 election inspector lists. MOTION made by Erdman, seconded by Sommerfeld, and carried unanimously on roll call vote, to approve the agreement with Rent.Fun to install self-service kayak rental kiosk in Lakeside Park at a cost of $18,000, using ARPA funds and contingent upon review by the City Attorney. MOTION made by Schlough, seconded by Sommerfeld, and carried unanimously to approve the updated lease agreement with the Christmas Miracle, Inc., as presented. BUDGET TRANSFERS – Motion was made by Luther, seconded by McCullough, and carried unanimously on roll call vote to approve the following budget transfers: $15,750 from the Contingency Fund to the Mayor’s Schools and Conferences account to cover the expense of professional legal training for city staff; $1,675 from the Contingency Fund to the Elections Custom Office Supplies account to cover the cost of six new ADA compliant voting booths for the City’s future elections. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Knaack gave his report that the lights and trees are up and on at Wakanda Wonderland and the Rassbach Museum as well as the light display at Wolske Bay. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – Administrator Atkinson thanked the council for their support in the City’s transition to a new insurance policy, and adoption of a new enterprise financial software. The City will be bringing forward changes in employee handbook, as well as how we’re going to address economic development in the city, in partnership with the county and GMDC. They Mayor reported that he has been attending the Business Retention Expansion (BRE) meetings, discussing the future needs of our local businesses and industries with business partners in the community. The Mayor also reminded council that the regularly scheduled meetings for January 2024 City Council meetings will be January 8 & 22, 2024 and the regular January Plan Commission meeting will be on January 29, 2024. Alderperson Yonko reported that the Federal Rail Association approved the first phase of the corridor between Eau Claire and Twin Cities. Alderperson Gentz spoke in support of the efforts that have been made to improve pedestrian visibility at Broadway and 12th Ave. Alderperson Sommerfeld commented that the Winterdaze parade was a fantastic event and had a great turnout. CLAIMS - MOTION was made by Erdman, seconded by Luther, and carried unanimously on roll call vote to approve payment of the following claims: December 18, 2023 Claims Andres Medical $6,526.95 Bartingale $9,599.75 Bob Cat $228.44 Bound Tree $895.49 Cedar Corp $65,419.28 Cintas $1,183.92 Diggers Hotline $280.32 EMC Insurance Co $10,355.13 Employee Reimbursement $105.42 Force $57.08 Gibson Aviation $1,181.99 Hawkins $5,270.86 Irvington Garage $14.27 Lincoln Contractors $46.26 MacQueen $1,080.45 Maug Cleaning Solutions $426.69 Mississippi Weld $110.11 Napa $116.38 Nelson Refrigeration $182.82 Northern Lake Service $71.38 Nuss Truck $28.58 Oak Ridge Chemical $314.20 Pitney Bowes $400.08 Pops Fuel Market $10,248.10 River States Truck & Trailer $159.71 Roland $128.15 Senn Black Top $395.00 State Lab of Hygiene $656.00 Streichers $705.87 The Uniform Shop $1051.55 TSI $1718.90 US Postal Service $731.78 Verizon $2,005.33 Viking Electric $318.66 Wisconsin Kenworth $311.54 Wolter $185.63 Xcel Energy $21,501.64 Total $144,013.71 2023 Parking Utility Claims City Treasurer $695.00 City Treasurer $125,000.00 IPS $2,136.11 Total $127,831.16 MOTION made by Luther, seconded by McCullough, and carried unanimously to approve the following licenses: LICENSES – December 18, 2023 TEMPORARY CLASS “B” BEER LICENSE: Menomonie Sunrise Rotary Club – PO Box 145 620 17th Street SE • Rotary Fest, 04/13/24 • Sadistic Century Bike Ride, 08/10/24 MOTION to adjourn was made by Gentz, seconded by Luther, and carried unanimously. Kate Martin, City Clerk