City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL OCTOBER 8, 2024 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: all members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on three burials at the Cemetery, mowing and weed trimming, finishing up the Prock Park bridge project, brush mowing, the Gazebo project has been completed, leveling dirt around sidewalks, hauling brush, mowing the Industrial Park, street sweeping, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, meter reading, replaced a curb stop on E. Ninth Street, utility locates, large meter testing, repaired a main break on Center Street, adding hydrant and valve information into Diamond Maps, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, brush mowing along O’Neill Creek sewer main, repaired influent flow meter, general plant cleaning, washing down scum tank, effluent channel and clarifier. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that he contacted Jason Thornton, Clark County Emergency Management, the “Noon” siren is totally up to the City. The current siren can only do the whistle in one-minute increments, if we want it less than that a new programmable timer is needed. Upon contacting the siren company, the cost with installation would be about $870 and the City could set the timer for one power up and down cycle, about 10 to 15 second increments. Angel Gebeau, AECOM Technical Services, Inc., Stevens Point, WI presented sewer rate increase proposals. The Wisconsin DOT will be redoing US Hwy 10 through the City in 2027 (Water main replacement cost estimate is $429,250.00 and sewer main replacement cost estimate is $583,090.75). Gebeau presented a summary of sewer revenues from 2000 to 2023, showing a downward trend in water usage, due to water saving measures, also affecting sewer revenue. A sewer utility rate analysis used for revenues and expenses. Gebeau discussed efforts to improve efficiencies long term, inflow and infiltration (I & I) issues, capital needs (RAS/WAS control panel, basin mixers, chemical building, Black River lift station upgrade, generator, etc.), the US Hwy 10 project and phosphorus removal. Gebeau presented projected expenses and revenues for 2024 through 2029. Expenses include a 3% operating increase, capital expenses for the period, a $20,000 set aside for US Hwy 10 and a debt service payment of $65,000 in 2028 and after. Revenues if no change is made will decrease 1.9% per year. Gebeau presented rate increase summaries for: 1) Singular Rate Increase - 20% rate increase - a $180 a year increase to the average user 2) Two Year Increase - 12% rate increase each year - a $49.12 a year increase in Year 1 - a $55.00 a year increase in Year 2 $104.12 increase over the two years 3) Five Year Increase - options were presented for 5%, 7%, 8% and 9% - under the 9% rate increase option - a $36.84 a year increase in Year 1 to start and re-evaluated in the future years Gebeau recommended a 7% or 9% rate increase with future review. Council Member Neville asked if rates would ever go down. Gebeau replied only with growth – like a large industrial user. I & I work helps a lot. Council Member Counsell asked if we were to close our sewer capacity. Gebeau stated on most days your plant is operating at about 50% capacity. Discussion continued on rate and starting the March, 2025 quarterly billing period. Motion Poeschel, second Petkovsek, to recommend to the Common Council to proceed with the process for a 9% sewer rate increase. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Third Quarter 2024 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 8, 2024 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meetings were declared approved. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the September 24, 2024 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) reviewed and updating the list of grants in progress, 2) discussion on Cemetery Columbarium options, 3) discussion on Region Resources meeting in Greenwood and 4) discussion on the City’s current Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Poeschel reported on the September 30, 2024 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation that there be “No Parking” on the East side of East Street, 2) discussion on and recommendation to approve the requested changes to the Backaus Subdivision Certified Survey Map Plat of tax Parcel No. 261.0728.729, be divided into Lot 1 and Lot 2 with access to Lot 2 from E. Second Street and 3) discussion on and recommendation to change the Zoning Code for 118 Clay Street (Parcel Nos. 261.045.000 and 261.0047.000) from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-3 Multi-Family Residential. Mayor Poeschel reported on the October 1, 3 and 7, 2024 meetings of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) presentation of department budgets; 2) work on the 2025 budget; 3) adoption of the Wage Schedule for 2025, 4) reviewed major areas of revenues and expenditures changes and 5) recommendation of budget categories and levy amount of the 2025 budget to the Common Council for Public Hearing Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 7:15 P.M.. Total budget $3,852,961 – Proposed Levy including Tax Incremental Districts - $1,421,539 – a decrease of $19,577. Council Member Clough reported on the October 8, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) presentation by Angel Gebeau, AECOM, of the Sewer rate study, 3) the recommendation to proceed with the process for a 9% sewer rate increase and 4) reviewed the Third Quarter 2024 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Planning Commission items (1 and 2). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation that there be “No Parking” on the East side of East Street. Council Member Counsell abstained. All other members – Aye. Motion carried. Motion Counsell, second Rochester, to accept the recommendation to approve the requested changes to the Backaus Subdivision Certified Survey Map Plat of tax Parcel No. 261.0728.729, be divided into Lot 1 and Lot 2 with access to Lot 2 from E. Second Street. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities (item 3). Motion Rochester, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to proceed with the process for a 9% sewer rate increase. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Vibrant Spaces Grant CDI-VS23-53547 – O’Neill Creek Trail Head project payment of $18,432.27. Motion Neville, second Rochester, to accept and appropriate the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Vibrant Spaces Grant in the amount of $18,432.27 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Third Quarter 2024 City Financial Statements and Autumn Harvest Fest this Saturday, October 12, 2024. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Danielle M. Heath, Arlan D. Hinkelmann and Amy L. Janicki Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that City Bills Nos. 903 to 956 in the amount of $340,398.33 be paid. All Aye. Motion Rochester, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************