Committee of the Whole

CITY OF PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIN THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUBLIC WORKS & UTILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL, 128 SMITH STREET OFFICIAL MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Pohlman called the meeting to order. On the call of the roll, the following were present: Diane Gilson, Jeff Tauscheck, Dave Herrmann, Angie Matzdorf, John Nelson, Greg Hildebrand, John Binder and Mike Penkwitz. Also present: City Administrator/Utilities Manager Tim Blakeslee, Assistant Administrator/Community Development Director Jack Johnston, Director of Public Works Cathy Austin, Police Chief Ken Ruggles, Deputy Police Chief Matt Starker, Electrical Operation Manager Ryan Roehrborn, Finance Director Chris Russo, IT Manager Dave Augustin, HR Specialist Leah Federwisch and City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer Anna Voigt. 2. Approve the Minutes from January 28, 2025: Motion was made by Hildebrand/Tauscheck to approve the minutes from January 28. A unanimous aye vote was cast. Motion carried. 3. Discussion and Possible Recommendation of Tornado Sirens: Deputy Police Chief Starker explained currently there are five warning siren location: Douglas Dr., S. Milwaukee St., N. Pilgrim Rd., Sunset Dr., and City Hall. Four of the five sites are operational. The Sunset Dr. location has not been operational since 2016. The siren that has failed is located across the road from Quit Qui Oc Sports Complex. City-wide warning sirens play a critical role in ensuring public safety and preparedness during emergencies. To replace all controls, it comes to $10,600 and a full replacement is about $27,000. Blakeslee noted that this wasn’t included in the budget, but funding is currently available through the City’s Capital Improvement Fund after funds weren’t needed to the County Trail project. Mayor Pohlman asked if the Police get feed back from people being interested in having the sirens go off. Starker stated while smartphones and other devices have become popular tools for emergency notifications, not everyone has access to these devices all the time. Smartphones can also fail during power outages or network disruptions. Chief Ruggles added the siren that has failed is across from the sport complex and in close distance to the walking trail, aquatic center and City Park. All these places are where people exercise and may not have their phone on them. Hildebrand recalls past conversations being to replace the sirens as they die. Chief Ruggles added $6,000 a year is budgeted for maintenance on the sirens. 2024 maintenance exceeded the budgeted amount so the maintenance of them is increasing. Mayor Pohlman asked if one new siren would work on the same software as the old ones. Starker stated that it would be compatible. Matzdorf asked if this was the only place to get a quote. Starker stated that this is whole that have worked with in the past so they would have all the past records if they went with a new company they would have to start over. Matzdorf asked if there is enough money for the replacement option and repair option. Blakeslee stated that their would-be enough money for both. Tauscheck asked when they are coming to do maintenance are they giving an expected life on each siren. Starker stated that the one behind Orange Cross was just upgraded and that one should be good for a while. They do offer maintenance packages  where they come out and check them on a schedule. Penkwitz asked if there has to be so many sirens per capita. Chief Ruggles stated that the company has a radius that they provide warning to which when the City grows it would be another discussion. The committee came to the conclusion to advance it to Council for final decision. 4. Adjourn: Motion was made by Hildebrand/Tauscheck to adjourn the meeting. A unanimous aye vote was cast. Motion carried.