City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Horn presiding. On roll call: all members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Flynn reported on one burial at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance, mowing and weed eating cemetery and parks, watering flowers, mowing residential lawns, completed work on the walking path from the Arboretum to the Apple Valley Restaurant driveway, hauling brush and compost, cleaning storm drains, street sweeping, the Grand Avenue project is completed, the paving crew has completed the paving of the south lane of Division Street from Drescher Oil Company to Hardee’s, all but four of the city-wide patches, South Hewett Street by Kwik Trip, and the Grand Avenue project, the remaining city-wide patches and walking path to the Arboretum should be done next week. 6:50 P.M. – Chair Horn declared the Public Hearing on the Proposed Sewer Rate Increase now open. Chair Horn called for appearances. Jerilyn St. Amand, 221 Sunset Place, stated that the City local government can use the federal government contracted rate for just about everything – equipment, vehicles and supplies. There are grants available from the EPA, FEMA, etc. – look at grants.gov. She was told that the City tries to purchase locally when it can. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that many times when the City goes out for bids, we obtain a cheaper price than the contracted offer. Mayor Mabie stated the City never raises rates unless it is needed. St. Amand stated that no one cares, what’s going to be done. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that this rate increase is to meet operational needs, our system is 18 years old, maintenance and chemical costs, etc. have increased. Grant dollars cover new construction, not operational costs. Chair Horn called three times for further appearances, there being none. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the Proposal for Sewer Rate Increase as follows: SEWER RATE INCREASE The sewer rate increase is being sought to provide an estimated increase of 10%, or $61,164 per year in gross revenues. The proposed quarterly rates for sewage contributors discharging domestic strength sewage are: Category A Sewer Service Charge Existing Proposed % Increase Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 9.36 $ 10.30 10% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. $ 7.50 $ 8.25 10% Category B Sewer Service Charge Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 9.36 $ 10.30 10% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. $ 7.50 $ 8.25 10% Surcharge BOD/lb $ 1.39 $ 1.53 10% Suspended Solids/lb $ 0.90 $ 0.99 10% Phosphorus/lb $ 12.63 $ 13.89 10% Hauler Charges* Charge Per Trip $ -0- $ 25.00 100% Holding Tank Charge $ 19.72 $ 10.25 - 48% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. Septic Tank Charge $ 99.38 $ 69.57 - 38% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. *Notice all haulers shall provide baskets for waste rag and debris interception prior to disposal General Sewer Service – Unmetered Flat Rate $114.36 $125.80 10% This rate shall be applied only to single-family residential customers and approximates the cost for 1,400 cubic feet per quarter discharged to the sewer system. Definitions Category A: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge normal domestic strength waste water with concentrations of BOD no greater than 271 mg/L, suspended solids no greater than 265 mg/L, or phosphorus no greater than 10 mg/L. Category B: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge with concentration in excess of 271 mg/L of BOD, 265 mg/L of suspended solids, or 10 mg/L of phosphorus. Billing: Bills for sewer service are rendered quarterly and become due and payable on the first of the month following the period for which service is rendered. A late payment charge of 3%, but not less than $0.50 will be added to bills not paid within 20 days of issuance. This late payment charge is applicable to all customers. ______________________________________________________________________________ Conversion Factors Million Gallons X 8.34 X Pollutant Concentration (mg/L) = Pounds Cubic Feet X 7.48 = Gallons ______________________________________________________________________________ 7:01 P.M. – The Sewer Rate Hearing was declared closed. Chair Horn asked if the Commission members had any further questions. Motion Glassbrenner, second Mabie, to approve and recommend to the Common Council, the sewer rate increase effective for billings after December 1, 2014. On roll call: All members – Aye. Motion carried. Motion Quicker, second Weiers, that Water bills Nos. 195 to 213 in the amount of $151,629.86 and Sewer bills Nos. 170 to 192 in the amount of $101,268.63 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Mabie, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 7:03 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Mabie presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Mayor Mabie reported on the September 9, 2014 Finance Committee meeting regarding: 1) discussion on the budget process, state revenues, levy limit freeze, 9.9% health insurance increase, non-union and police union wages, 2) the directions to department heads and committees to hold the 2015 budget requests to the 2014 levels, and make cuts where possible, 3) discussed contracted services, 4) discussed and recommended approval of a one-year agreement with Paul Wiese Risk Management Services for insurance consultant services for 2015, 5) discussed a wage freeze – no action taken, and 6) set the budget meeting schedule. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the September 10, 2014 meeting of the Tourism Committee regarding: 1) presentation of and discussion on grant application for the 70% Room Tax – Tourism Promotion and Development Funds, and 2) the recommendation to approve a $500 grant to the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for Travel Host Magazine advertising project. Mayor Mabie reported on the September 15, 2014 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session on filling the Chief of Police position, pay range for Chief of Police, advertising, Officer in Charge, and Officer in Charge pay rate, and 2) reconvening into open session to authorize the posting of the Chief of Police position internally for ten days, beginning Tuesday, September 16, 2014, with submissions to be received by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, September 25, 2014. Mayor Mabie reported on the September 17, 2014 meeting of the Economic Development Commission regarding work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Economic Development budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Neville reported on the September 18, 2014 meeting of the Airport Commission regarding: 1) discussion on airport improvements – runway construction for 2015 is currently in the design phase with MSA Engineering, the construction will be funded 90% federal/5% state/5% city, the city’s share will be about $50,000, and the committee thanked Clark County for the $10,000 contribution towards the capital improvement project, and 2) work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Airport operating and capital budgets to the Finance Committee. Council Member Weiers reported on the September 18, 2014 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and authorizing fall decorations, 2) discussion on and authorizing winter decorations, 3) discussion on and authorizing spring baskets and planters, and 4) work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Beautification budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the September 18, 2014 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) current activities, and 3) work on the 2015 operating and capital budgets. Council Member Quicker reported on the September 22, 2014 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding: 1) current activities, and 2) work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Cemetery budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Horn reported on the September 3, 2014 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) a public hearing on the proposed sewer rate increase was held, with one appearance, 3) approval and recommendation of the proposed sewer rate effective for billings after December 1, 2014, and 4) payment of bills. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Finance Committee item (4). Motion Horn, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve a one-year agreement with Paul Wiese Risk Management Services for insurance consultant services. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Tourism Committee item (2). Motion Neville, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to approve a grant in the amount of $500 to the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for Travel Host Magazine advertising project. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (3). SEWER RATE INCREASE The sewer rate increase is being sought to provide an estimated increase of 10%, or $61,164 per year in gross revenues. The proposed quarterly rates for sewage contributors discharging domestic strength sewage are: Category A Sewer Service Charge Existing Proposed % Increase Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 9.36 $ 10.30 10% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. $ 7.50 $ 8.25 10% Category B Sewer Service Charge Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 9.36 $ 10.30 10% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. $ 7.50 $ 8.25 10% Surcharge BOD/lb $ 1.39 $ 1.53 10% Suspended Solids/lb $ 0.90 $ 0.99 10% Phosphorus/lb $ 12.63 $ 13.89 10% Hauler Charges* Charge Per Trip $ -0- $ 25.00 100% Holding Tank Charge $ 19.72 $ 10.25 - 48% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. Septic Tank Charge $ 99.38 $ 69.57 - 38% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. *Notice all haulers shall provide baskets for waste rag and debris interception prior to disposal General Sewer Service – Unmetered Flat Rate $114.36 $125.80 10% This rate shall be applied only to single-family residential customers and approximates the cost for 1,400 cubic feet per quarter discharged to the sewer system. Definitions Category A: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge normal domestic strength waste water with concentrations of BOD no greater than 271 mg/L, suspended solids no greater than 265 mg/L, or phosphorus no greater than 10 mg/L. Category B: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge with concentration in excess of 271 mg/L of BOD, 265 mg/L of suspended solids, or 10 mg/L of phosphorus.  Billing: Bills for sewer service are rendered quarterly and become due and payable on the first of the month following the period for which service is rendered. A late payment charge of 3%, but not less than $0.50 will be added to bills not paid within 20 days of issuance. This late payment charge is applicable to all customers. ______________________________________________________________________________ Conversion Factors Million Gallons X 8.34 X Pollutant Concentration (mg/L) = Pounds Cubic Feet X 7.48 = Gallons ______________________________________________________________________________ Motion Quicker, second Weiers, to accept the recommendation to approve the sewer rate increase effective for billings after December 1, 2014. All Aye. The City Clerk presented the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Funding Assistance Programs SFY 2015 Grant in the amount of $4,680.72 from the State of Wisconsin – Department of Health Services. Motion Weiers, second Glassbrenner, to accept and appropriate the $4,680.72 EMS Grant funds to Account No. 52300 Ambulance Service. All Aye. The City Clerk requested permission to submit the 2015 taxi grant application jointly with Clark County to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support. Motion Glassbrenner, second Horn, to approve submission of the 2015 taxi grant application jointly with Clark County, and to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth reported that Detective Pokallus contacted her stating that the Police Union is prepared to start contract negotiations. Their union representative is preparing two proposals, however he will not appear at the meeting, but will be available by phone. Council Member Horn reported on the September 23, 2014 Clark County Tax Deeded Land Sales Committee meeting regarding opening of bids on City Parcel No. 261.1021.000, the former Wesley and Donna Buttke property at 606 E. Eighth Street. Two bids were received. The winning bid was for $12,251. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Susan L. Caacbay and Cynthia M. Simpson Motion Neville, second Quicker, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Quicker, second Weiers, that City bills Nos. 924 to 973 in the amount of $665,196.70 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account bill No. 18 in the amount of $6,111.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Glassbrenner, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************