City Council

March 24, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the City Council Meeting of the Prescott City Council was held on Monday, March 24, 2025, in the Prescott Municipal Building, 800 Borner St. Prescott, WI 54021. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor, Daugherty, called the regular City Council meeting to order on March 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members present for the roll call were Michael Gerke, Maureen Otwell, Adam Granquist, Dar Hintz, John Peterson and Lindsey Sorenson. Also present were City Administrator, Matt Wolf, Clerk, Rashel Temmers, Library Director, Carissa Langer and Police Chief, Eric Michaels. 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS There were no public comments. 4. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Health and Safety Committee Minutes – March 10, 2025 2. City Council Meeting Minutes – March 10, 2025 3. Parks and Public Works Committee Minutes – March 17, 2025 4. Special Event Permit – Freedom Park Birthday Party – May 18, 2025, from Noon to 4:00 PM 5. Special Event Permit – Prescott Fire Department Spring Fling – April 26, 2025, from 11:00 AM to Midnight Hintz/Otwell motioned to approve the consent agenda items 1-5. There was no discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 5. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS A. FINANCE COMMITTEE B. PLANNING COMMISSION – Next meeting – Monday, April 7, 2025, at 6:00 PM C. PARKS & PUBLIC WORKS – Next Meeting – Monday, April 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM – This meeting has been cancelled. City Administrator, Matt Wolf, reviewed the March 27, 2025, meeting minutes. Items discussed were the Ryden Road extension, Second irrigation meters and the proposals that were received from local plumbers, sewer connection fees, the Knowles-Nelson grant that we received, Magee Park bridge, and Freedom Park flooring updates.  G. HEALTH & SAFETY – Next Meeting – Monday, May 12, 2025, at 5:00 PM H. PERSONNEL – Next Meeting – Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM 6. COMMUNICATIONS AND NEW BUSINESS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS – The City Council will receive public comments on any issue(s) not related to agenda items. Limited discussion by the City Council may take place; however, no action will be taken on any items. This includes receiving written requests or documentation and possible action at a future meeting. There were no public comments. 2. Prescott Library 2024 Year-in-Review Library Director, Carissa Langer, gave a 2024 Library Annual Report. Carissa shared library highlights from 2024. The library has seen a 7% increase in the number of items being checked out, both physical and digital. They have welcomed 276 new card members and program attendance has increased by 3.9%. In 2024, the library held 365 programs with 4,042 people attending. There has been a 14% increase in visitors using the library for services such as checking out items, using the computers, wi-fi, copier-fax-printer, program attendance, tutoring, picking up tax forms, and using the meeting room. Carissa stated that the library has gone into the community to the daycares and schools for story time, guest reading, lunchtime visits, 3rd grade visits and attended the Malone Carnival. They collaborated on contests held through the Community Education programs and held story time and story walks at Freedom Park. In 2025, the library received the Teen Internship Grant, so they are able hire a teen intern to continue working in the schools, summer reading and homeschoolers’ hub. 3. Approval of Plans to go to Bid for the Magee Park Pedestrian Bridge City Administrator, Matt Wolf, gave an update on the Magee Park Pedestrian Bridge. The park project was recently awarded to Total Excavating. The construction of the pedestrian bridge will be carried out by an external contractor separate from Total Excavating. The bridge will ensure connectivity for park visitors as well as accommodating for seasonal flooding or heavy rainfall. The bridge is designed to not interfere with the waterway channel and sized for a 100-year flood event. Estimates place the cost of the 90-foot span bridge range from $75,000 to $100,000. The Parks and Public Works Committee reviewed all the funding resources and preferred to move forward with the least flexible fund first before other sources are considered. However, a final determination would be made after bids are received. Otwell/Hintz motioned to approve the Approval of Plans to go to Bid for the Magee Park Pedestrian Bridge. There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 4. Approval of Agreement with Cedar Corporation to Conduct a Preliminary Design of Ryden Road Business Park Extension  City Administrator, Matt Wolf, gave a background of the Ryden Road Business Park Extension. In 2021, the city purchased 150 acres for the expansion of our Business Park. In 2024, the city started a Tax Increment District (TID), in order to assist in paying for public infrastructure costs related to utility extensions, road improvements, business subsidies, and other improvements in the Business Park. In 2024, the city had a couple inquiries that were looking to purchase smaller sites (5-6 acres or less) for expansions of their businesses. A smaller development would not generate enough tax increment in order to pay for the full expansion of Ryden Road. Additionally, the expansion of the business park will need a lift station, determination of stormwater pond size and placement, and overall grading for utilities and the road. The city has asked Cedar Corporation to put together a proposal for looking at a preliminary design of Ryden Road along with a layout for a sewer lift station, and stormwater pond. The proposal was received on March 12, 2025, for a total of $15,800. Otwell/Granquist motioned to approve the Approval of Agreement with Cedar Corporation to Conduct a Preliminary Design of Ryden Road Business Park Extension. There was no further discussion on the motion. Mayor Daugherty called for a roll- call vote: Gerke – yes, Otwell – yes, Granquist – yes, Hintz - yes, Peterson – yes and Sorenson – yes. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 5. Resolution 22-25 Amending and Adopting a Revised Sewer Connection Fee Structure to a Meter-Size Tier System City Administrator, Matt Wolf, reviewed the updated Impact Fee Schedule that the Council approved at the February 10, 2025, meeting. As part of the approval, the City Council approved an updated ordinance to officially adopt the new impact fees for the first time since 2003. One of the development fees that was not reviewed and was last updated in 2000 is the Sewer Connection Fee. This fee is $4,750 and reflects on the updated impact fees as representing 57% of total fees that are required to be paid at the time of receiving a building permit. In Wisconsin, sewer connection fees are governed by the state statutes, specifically §66.0821, which allows municipalities to impose these fees to cover the costs of public facilities necessitated by new development. These fees are meant to be used solely for paying the proportionate costs of providing public facilities. Unlike larger communities that have a sliding scale based on meter size, our Sewer Connection Fee is a flat fee; therefore, no matter the size of the housing unit, everyone pays the same amount. One of the reasons we updated our impact fees is so that users pay a more proportionate amount based on their use. With this being the case, we would like to change our Sewer Connection Fee to a meter-sized tiered system to accommodate and remain competitive in the building market for residential units. Otwell/Peterson motioned to approve Resolution 22-25 Amending and Adopting a Revised Sewer Connection Fee Structure to a Meter-Size Tier System. There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 6. Resolution 23-25 to Adopt a Revised Fee Schedule for the City of Prescott City Administrator, Matt Wolf, reviewed the proposed changes to the City of Prescott’s Fee Schedule. The proposed changes are as follows: 1) Change the fence permit from $30 per 50 feet to $.60 per foot; 2) Removed all map fees  beyond 11’x17’ as the City has no ability to print beyond that size; 3) Added a Certified Survey Map fee to match other development fees of $500; 4) Reduced the special assessment fee to $10 to match utility tariff; 5) Added a $5 late fee for pet licenses per the City Code allowance; 6) Changed the publication fee to $25 as set by Wisconsin State Statutes 985.07; 7) Added a Kennel License per City Code 235-3 to $250 that matches the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Tourism and Consumer Protection fees for kennels of 0-25 dogs; 8) Removed Community Development Permit for manufactured and mobile home as this is covered under Development Fees; 9) Updated all utility fees to match new tariff as passed by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission that goes into effect on April 1, 2025; 10) Updated Storm Sewer charge to $15.30 per Residential Equivalent Unit that was approved on 11/11/24; 11) Updated all impact fees as approved at the March 14, 2025 meeting; 12) Removed all fees related to “Fees in Lieu of Parkland Dedication” as those fees are now incorporated into the impact fees; 13) Revised all Sewer Connection Fees to match the proposed Sewer Connection Fee schedule to be adopted at the March 24, 2025 meeting. Hintz/Gerke motioned to approve Resolution 23-25 to Adopt a Revised Fee Schedule for the City of Prescott. There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 7. Ordinance 02-25, an Ordinance to Repeal and Replace City Ordinance, Chapter 635 Zoning, Section 635-57 Off-Street Parking in Residential Areas City Administrator, Matt Wolf, reviewed the proposed amendments to Ordinance 635-57. Through discussion with the Plan Commission on amendments to 635-57 regarding the habitation of campers and RVs, the Commission has requested discussing storage of vehicles and recreational vehicles on residential lots. Staff has prepared a draft ordinance in line with similar municipalities to regulate the storage of vehicles and RVs on residential lots. Key elements of the proposed ordinance are as follows: 1) Setbacks and Surface Requirements; 2) Registration and Licensing; 3) Limiting Quantity (3); 4) RV Habitation and 5) Driveway Storage. The Plan Commission reviewed this iteration of the ordinance at their February 3, 2025, meeting and held a public hearing at the March 3, 2024, meeting in which they recommended approval to Council for review. The Council approved the 1st reading of the ordinance at the March 10, 2025, Council meeting. To date, there have been no comments or other issues that have been brought to the attention of the city. As a result, staff is recommending approving Ordinance 02-25 and not holding any additional readings of the ordinance. Peterson/Gerke motioned to approve Ordinance 02-25, an Ordinance to Repeal and Replace City Ordinance, Chapter 635 Zoning, Section 635-57 Off-Street Parking in Residential Areas. There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 8. Resolution 24-25 to Obtain a Cost-Share Grant from the Department of Natural Resources, State of Wisconsin The City is applying for Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support the Fairy Wonderland Park project. Staff will prepare and submit the grant application  by the May 1, 2025, deadline. The targeted grant is the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund which has an award timeline of 6-18 months. The city has allocated funding for this project for 2027. As a part of the grant application, the DNR requires City Council to pass a resolution authorizing the request for a cost-share grant. If awarded, the funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis. The resolution also authorizes the City Administrator to sign and act on behalf of the City of Prescott in any agreement with the DNR. The Parks & Public Works Committee reviewed the resolution and recommended approval at their March 17th, 2025, meeting. Mayor Daugherty asked if Cedar Corporation was applying for the grant. Wolf stated that yes, Cedar Corp. is doing the application. Hintz/Otwell motioned to approve Resolution 24-25 to Obtain a Cost-Share Grant from the Department of Natural Resources, State of Wisconsin. There was no further discussion on the motion. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. 7. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Organizational Meeting – Tuesday, April 15th at 5:30 PM 2. April 1, 2025, Spring Election. There are two official write-in candidates for Ward 1 3. The Parks and Public Works meeting scheduled for April 21, 2025, has been cancelled 8. CLOSED SESSION There was no closed session. 9. ADJOURNMENT Hintz/Otwell motioned to adjourn the Council meeting at 6:27 p.m. Motion passed without a negative voice vote. Respectfully Submitted, Rashel Temmers Rashel Temmers Clerk