City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 7, 2018 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Quicker presiding. On roll call: all members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Flynn reported on two burials at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance, mowing and weed trimming cemetery and parks, watering flowers, preparing ballfields, repaired the Schuster Park tennis courts, trimming and pruning trees, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, cleaning up brush and compost sites, street sweeping is ongoing, the FEMA house at 822 Grand Avenue will have the power, gas lines and asbestos removed within the next two weeks-once these items are done the contractor can schedule the demolition, fixing storm sewer inlets and adjacent sinkholes, the Water Department has completed flushing hydrants and the new electric panel that controls the water filter plant has been installed and is operational, the Sewer Department has begun flushing and jetting sewer mains, the milling and paving project on W. Division Street (Hewett Street to Grand Avenue) is complete, we still have a small area to pave on W. Sixth Street to St. John’s Church/School, working on the pump and motor for the O’Neill Creek floating fountain, removed the old large Arborvitae trees, light poles and fixtures from the south entrance of Schuster Park, changed signs, cleaned up the area and planted grass seed-future plans are for new decorative lights, the stop-and-go light on the Southwest corner of Hewett Street and Division Street was knocked down again this afternoon and the 15 mile per hour signs have been installed on Fairground Avenue from E. Division Street to Rock Road for the duration of the Clark County Fair. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 7, 2018 7:00 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. Council Member Counsell reported on the July 26, 2018 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding discussion on and approval to send out bid requests for the 2019 season flowers. Mayor Mabie reported on the July 30, 2018 meeting of the Commission of Economic Development regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to reinstate the annual contribution from the City to the Highground in the amount of $2,000 based on receiving a notice as to how the monies will be utilized, 2) discussion on and recommendation to allocate $5,000 as a grant for the Bob Venne retaining wall project-Mayor Mabie stated that he had recused himself, due to his relationship with Merlyn Kroll, 3) discussion and recom- mendation to approve the amount of $595 for the ad in the Clark County Visitors Guide. Council Member Counsell stated that Mayor Mabie’s recusement was not in the Economic Development Commission meeting minutes. City Attorney Waschsmuth stated that the minutes should be corrected. Council Member Quicker reported on the August 7, 2018 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Mabie called for appearances. Jon Counsell, 603 East Street, questioned if Mayor Mabie actually abstained on the Economic Development Commission vote or just changed the minutes. Mayor Mabie stated that he had abstained. Council Member Clough, also an Economic Development Commission member, stated that Mayor Mabie had abstained. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Economic Development Commission items (1, 2 and 3). Motion Quicker, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to reinstate the annual contribution from the City to the Highground in the amount of $2,000 based on receiving a notice as to how the monies will be utilized. Council Member Counsell stated that her position is these monies should be coming out of Tourism dollars not Economic Development dollars. Council Member Clough stated that The Highground brings in a lot of economic development to the City. Mayor Mabie stated that the Highground had a long time partnership with the City and the City had always given support money in the past. That money has been removed and they are force to come in begging for money. Council Member Counsell stated that The Highground should tell us what they are doing with the money. The Highground has become more of a partner with the City, since Jon Weiler has taken over-the City is now on their website. This is more of a Tourism decision that an Economic Development Commission decision-it should be put in the right group. Council Member Glassbrenner stated that the Room Tax Tourism dollars are not an unlimited pit. The Highground has an economic impact on this City. Council Member Counsell stated the purpose of the room tax monies is to put heads in beds. Council Member Neville stated he is okay with using economic development funds at this time and we can take a look at this again at budget time. Mayor Mabie called the vote. Council Member Counsell-Nay. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to deny the recommendation to allocate $5,000 as a grant to the Bob Venne retaining wall project. Council Member Neville stated that he does not see how this project impacts economic development. Council Member Clough stated that the Commission members had a lot of discussion on this. This retaining wall benefits multiple owners and businesses, impacting business store fronts and apartments. Council Member Counsell stated that this is maintenance for two business owners. This does not bring in business or more people. Council Member Glassbrenner asked if the dollar amount could be adjusted by the Council. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated it would have to be sent back to the Commission and you have to draw a fine line in distinguishing how this project differs from to others in the future. Mayor Mabie called the vote. On roll call: Council Member Neville-Aye, Council Member Counsell-Aye, Council Member Glassbrenner-Aye, Council Member Clough-Nay, Council Member Quicker-Aye. 4-Aye, 1-Nay, Motion carried. Motion Quicker, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to approve the amount of $595 for an ad in the Clark County Tourism Guide. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Security Health Plan contract renewal notice for 2018-2019. The Family active plan premium is going from $1,878.44 to $2,019.32 per month-a 7.5% increase. The Single active plan premium is going from $867.36 to $932.41 per month-a 7.5% increase. The current deductible is $2,500/$5,000. The deductible will increase to $3,000/$6,000 effective January 1, 2019. Discussion followed on looking at other carriers, employee health issues, partial deductible reimbursement and Police Union contract negotiations. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, to accept the health insurance contract renewal with Security Health Plan with a deductible increase to $3,000/$6,000 effective January 1, 2019. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on a call from Clark County Clerk Christina Jensen asking if the City would be interested in the Kay Christie property at 514-518 Hewett Street-Parcel No. 968. The City has a 2014 special charge against the property in the amount of $14,179.92 for property remodeling. The County will be taking action on the property on August 16, 2018. They want to know if the City would be interested in the property. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to advise Clark County that the City is willing to accept the Kay Christie property-Parcel No. 968. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a $100 donation from Tony Trunkel for the Police Department Canine Fund. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $100 to Account No. 52100 Police Department Administration and to thank Mr. Trunkel for his donation to the City. All Aye. Mayor Mabie recommended the appointment of Melissa Hemp as a member of the Heritage Days Committee. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to accept the Mayor’s recommendation to appoint Melissa Hemp as a member of the Heritage Days Committee (2019). All Aye. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on a Memorial Medical Center Finance Committee meeting. Everything is moving forward on the new hospital project and a public hearing was held on it in Milwaukee. City Clerk Roehl presented Chief of Police Klueckmann’s report for July, 2018 and a copy of a Police Incident Report on a complaint alleging election violations that Mayor Steve Mabie is not a resident of the City. Council Member Counsell presented communications between Lynette Mueller, Council Member Clough and City Attorney Wachsmuth regarding residency of Mayor Steve Mabie. Mayor Mabie stated that at some point he will address this. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Tracey A. Steffen Motion Neville, second Glassbrenner, to grant. All Aye. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, that City Bills Nos. 753 to 809 in the amount of $102,928.29 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Bills Nos. 11 to 14 in the amount of $14,590.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ____________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************