Common Council Meeting

Common Council Meeting Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual Tuesday, February 06, 2024 - 6:30 PM Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84127184745?pwd=fFPAz0h792XvtIh6RN9vKEnqQvWDtg.ASTfp2 WDKzVyXT0l Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago) (Houston)Webinar ID: 831 9828 2604Passcode: 827617 Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual participation, unforeseen technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a quorum. Should you wish to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number: (262) 473-0108. MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Council President Neil Hicks called the meeting to order at 6:29 pm. ROLL CALL Present Council President Neil Hicks Councilmember Lukas Schreiber Councilmember Lisa Dawsey Smith Councilmember Brienne Brown Councilmember Jill Gerber City Manager John Weidl City Attorney Jonathan McDonell Public Works Director Brad Marquardt City Clerk Heather Boehm Chief of Staff Taylor Zeinert Common Council Meeting Minutes February 06, 2024 Page 2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF AGENDA A councilmember can choose to remove an item from the agenda or rearrange its order; however, introducing new items to the agenda is not allowed. Any proposed changes require a motion, a second, and approval from the Council to be implemented. The agenda shall be approved at each meeting even if no changes are being made at that meeting. Motion made to approve the agenda by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schreiber. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber. CONSENT AGENDA Items on the Consent Agenda will be approved together unless any council members requests that an item be removed for individual consideration. Motion made to approve the Consent Agenda by Councilmember Schreiber, Seconded by Councilmember Dawsey Smith. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber. 1. Plan and Architectural Review Commission Meeting Minutes from December 11, 2023. 2. Urban Forestry Commission Minutes from October 23, 2023. 3. Approval of Common Council Meeting Minutes from December 5, 2023 and December 19, 2023. 4. Library Trustees Meeting Minutes from December 18, 2023. 5. Library Board Special Trustees Meeting Minutes January 3, 2024. 6. Board of Zoning Appeals Minutes from December 7, 2023. 7. Park Board Minutes November 15, 2023. 8. CDA Meeting Minutes from December 21, 2023. 9. Police and Fire Commission Minutes from December 4, 2023. 10. Finance Committee Minutes from December 26, 2023. CITY MANAGER REPORT City Manager Weidl gave his bi-monthly update of City events and accomplishments, including reports from the following departments: Public Works, IT, Neighborhood Services, Library, Parks and Recreation, Police, and Human Resources. STAFF REPORTS Common Council Meeting Minutes February 06, 2024 Page 3 11. How an ordinance gets passed. -City Clerk/Gerber City Clerk Boehm gave an overview of how an Ordinance get passed and what steps are taken for the Ordinance to go into effect. 12. Ordinance on City Council and Committee Records -City Clerk City Clerk Boehm explained how long meeting minutes, audio and video of meeting need to be kept per the Ordinance. Councilmember Gerber would like to see audio to be kept for the current year plus one year. 13. Surveillance Camera Recording. - IT IT Director Neubeck explained the City's surveillance system comprises four DVR devices accommodating up to 20 cameras, deployed between 2013 and 2015. However, only 69 out of 80 cameras are in use, with three never operational due to technical issues at Main & Franklin Streets. Three more are currently out due to weather conditions. The devices operate either in continuous recording mode or alarm-triggered recording. Some devices extend data retention beyond specified limits if space allows. While most cameras are older, recording duration is determined by the DVR system. No clear rationale exists for varying data retention periods, likely due to departmental preferences, IT decisions, or system limitations. A comprehensive surveillance policy is being developed. The Police Department has separate policies for specific recordings. An upgrade to the system is expected before 2027, enabling consistent data retention policies. HEARING OF CITIZEN COMMENTS No formal Council action will be taken during this meeting although issues raised may become a part of a future agenda. Participants are allotted a three minute speaking period. Specific items listed on the agenda may not be discussed at this time; however, citizens are invited to speak to those specific issues at the time the Council discusses that particular item. To make a comment during this period, or during any agenda item: On a computer or handheld device, locate the controls on your computer to raise your hand. You may need to move your mouse to see these controls. On a traditional telephone, dial *6 to unmute your phone and dial *9 to raise your hand. Orin Smith (901 W Starin Rd) stated they are a a third-year student at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater, is deeply involved in the local community as president of the Alpha Delta Phi Society's chapter and IMPACT, the LGBTQ student organization. They emphasize the interconnectedness of the university and the Greater Whitewater community, advocating for mutual recognition and support. On January 21st, 2024, the Blood Tribe, identified as Neo-Nazis, targeted the campus, projecting a swastika and inciting violence. Smith highlights the group's connection to a council meeting and urges the city to acknowledge and address the incident, stressing that it impacts the entire community. They emphasize the need for solidarity and action to combat such hateful acts and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. RESOLUTION 14. 2024 Salary Resolution Amendment 2. - Finance Common Council Meeting Minutes February 06, 2024 Page 4 Finance Director Blitch explained that a comprehensive review of the salary resolution has led to several updates: Lifeguards are now classified alongside Desk Staff, with salaries already aligned. Certain positions such as Bailiffs, Chief Election Inspectors, and EMS/Fire All Call remain at flat rates. Sports Officials' salaries remain unchanged, including WIAA Sports Officials at $70.00 per game. The EMS Chief and Fire Inspector EMT/Firefighter roles will transition to variable pay ranges from fixed rates. The Programming and Makerspace Librarian position will shift to exempt status, aligning with the Youth Educational Services Librarian, resulting in a $700 wage increase for 2024. Neighborhood Services Director and Officer positions, as well as Program Attendant roles, are being eliminated. The Desk Staff Lead will merge with the Head Lifeguard range. EMT Basic/Advanced/Paramedic/Firefighter lower range remains at $16.00 to accommodate those with firefighter credentials. Motion made to approve the 2024 Salary Resolution Amendment by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Brown. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber CONSIDERATIONS 15. Discussion and possible action regarding Interviewing and Appointing of Common Council Applicants for At Large/Even position.- City Manager There were 5 applications for the At Large/Even open Council seat. They were, Michael Smith, Keith Staebler, Carol McCormick, Greg Majkrzak, and Joseph Kromholz. Councilmembers asked all 5 applicants for the At Large/Even position a series of 8 predetermined questions that the applicants had been given prior to the meeting. At the end of all of the interviews, the council voted via paper ballot. Carol McCormick had the majority of the votes. 16. Discussion and possible action regarding Interviewing and Appointing of Common Council Applicants for District 1 position. - City Manager There were 3 applications for the District 1 open Council seat. They were Thomas Marrari (who did not live within the city limits and was not interviewed), Patrick Singer, and Curtis Knull. Councilmembers asked both applicants for the open District 1 position a series of 8 predetermined questions that the applicants had been given prior to the meeting. At the end of all of the interviews, the council voted via paper ballot. Patrick Singer had the majority of the votes. 17. Oath of Office of Newly Appointed Council Members- City Clerk City Clerk Heather Boehm gave the Oath of Office to Carol McCormick for the At Large open Council seat. City Clerk Heather Boehm gave the Oath of Office to Patrick Singer for the District 1 open Council seat. 18. Immigration Letter from Common Council.- City Manager Common Council Meeting Minutes February 06, 2024 Page 5 City Manager Weidl stated there was a request from the council for Dan and the Council to send a letter, which was done. There was an understanding that if the letter didn't achieve its intended effect, there would be an opportunity to revisit the issue. There has been progress in drawing attention from legislators across the political spectrum to the issue, but there have also been negative experiences, including mistreatment of Dan, his staff, and your Chief of Staff. The attention brought both positive and negative reactions, with some comments on social media being particularly divisive and harmful to the city's image. 19. Discuss and possible action regarding increase Share Ride taxi agency fares. -Finance Finance Director Rachelle Blitch explained the current rates for Share Ride Taxi Agency fares have not been update since 2019, they are looking to increase the Agency fares to better align with the actual cost of the ride. Other fares will be reviewed at a late date. City Manager Weidl wants a future agenda item to explore using Brown Cab for the Share Ride taxi. Motion made to approve the increase to Share Ride taxi agency fares by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schreiber. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber, Councilmember Singer, Councilmember McCormick. 20. Discussion and possible action on Items E) Facilitated Discussions and F) Individual Goal Setting, of the Council Action Plan. -HR HR Manager Marquardt went over items E) Facilitated Discussion and F) Individual Goal Setting of the action plan. She highlighted opportunities for goal setting, conflict resolution, and retreats through items E and F. She provided two potential agendas for council retreats, one in Wisconsin and one elsewhere, emphasizing the benefit of gathering outside of regular council meetings to discuss city priorities and identify common ground. Motion made a motion to approve setting a separate meeting to discuss items E and F of the Action Plan by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Singer. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber, Councilmember Singer, Councilmember McCormick. 21. Councilmember Requests for Future Agenda Items or Committee Items. Questions Councilmember Gerber would like a review of records retention and destruction. Councilmember Brown would like Brown Cab come to council and present. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 22. Staff update on Procurement Policy. - Finance 23. Special Assessments for Mobile Home Parks. - City Manager/Hicks - Q2 Common Council Meeting Minutes February 06, 2024 Page 6 24. Ordinance 2063 Ordinance amending Chapter 11.16.15, adding No Stopping, Standing or Parking on east side of Elizabeth Street at Court Street and Laurel Street. - Public works 25. Salary Compensation Survey. - Gerber/Hicks Q2 2024 26. Ordinance 2079 an ordinance regarding revisions to Chapter 12.22 Construction Standards Adopted. - Public Works March 2024 27. Update on 2024 Gala.-Chief of Staff Q2 28. Update on WAFC contract.- City Manager/Hicks 29. Review of Staffing Study proposals received by the Police Department.- PD CLOSED SESSION Adjourn to closed session, to Reconvene in Open Session, Chapter 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. Items to be discussed: CS-30. 1.Review and discuss Transmission Facilities Agreement with Whitewater Solar, LLC for an easement across the Wastewater Facility property. 2. Review and discuss Agreement with our building inspector, Kahube,LLC d.b.a Municipal Zoning and Inspection Services. Chapter 19.85(1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. 3. City Manager's Performance Evaluation. Motion made to go into Closed Session at 8:35 pm by Council President Hicks, Seconded by Councilmember Singer. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber, Councilmember Singer, Councilmember McCormick. Motion made to reconvene from Closed to Open session at 9:31 pm by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schreiber. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber, Councilmember Singer, Councilmember McCormick. CONSIDERATIONS 31. Discuss and possible action regarding Transmission Facilities Agreement with Whitewater Solar, LLC for an easement across the Wastewater Facility property. No Action Taken. Common Council Meeting Minutes February 06, 2024 Page 7 32. Discussion and possible action regarding agreement with Kahube, LLC. Motion made to accept the resignation letter dated January 31, 2024 by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember McCormick. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber, Councilmember Singer, Councilmember McCormick. 33. Discuss and possible action regarding City Manager's Performance Evaluation. No Action Taken. ADJOURNMENT Motion made to Adjourn at 9:36 pm by Council President Hicks, Seconded by Councilmember Singer. Voting Yes: Council President Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Gerber, Councilmember Schreiber, Councilmember Singer, Councilmember McCormick. Anyone requiring special arrangements is asked to call the Office of the City Manager / City Clerk (262-473-0102) at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. 2023-2025 City of Whitewater's 5 strategic goals: Build single-family homes, Communicate with the community without the newspaper, Support a thriving business community, Recruitment and retention efforts with a focus on diversity, and Prioritization of expenditures with available resources.