Common Council Meeting

Common Council Meeting Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual Tuesday, September 03, 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 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87546240118?pwd=BamGominTLHFow41FQuGDowFyN4ZaF.1 Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago) Webinar ID: 875 4624 0118 Passcode: 721152 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 Singer called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. ROLL CALL PRESENT Council President Patrick Singer Councilmember Neil Hicks Councilmember Brienne Brown Councilmember Lisa Dawsey Smith Councilmember Greg Majkrzak Councilmember Orin Smith Councilmember Brian Schanen City Manager John Weidl City Attorney Johnathan McDonnel Public Works Director Brad Marquardt Deputy Clerk Tiffany Albright Common Council Meeting Minutes September 03, 2024 Page 2 ABSENT City Clerk Heather Boehm Council President Patrick Singer asked to take a moment of Silence in recognition of Kara Walsh before the Pledge of Allegiance. 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 by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith to approve the agenda. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. 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 by Councilmember Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schanen, to approve Consent Agenda. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen Council President Singer commented the last two items on the Consent Agenda are policies. 1. Approval of Common Council Meeting Minutes from August 6, 2024 and August 20, 2024. 2. Plan and Architectural Review Commission meeting minutes from July 8, 2024. 3. Finance Committee Meeting Minutes from July 23, 2024. 4. CDA Minutes from July 18, 2024. 5. Appointment of Joshua Kapfer to the Urban Forestry Commission. 6. Appointment of Sherry Stanek to Urban Forestry Commission. 7. Appointment of Kerry Katovich for an Alternate on the Urban Forestry Commission. 8. Resignation of Ben Adamitus from the Landmarks Commission. 9. Resignation of Jim Olm from the Landmarks Commission. 10. Resignation of Rose Mary Leaver from the Urban Forestry Commission. Common Council Meeting Minutes September 03, 2024 Page 3 11. Tablets for Elected Officials. 12. Security Camera Policy. CITY MANAGER REPORT STAFF REPORTS 13. Mill Rate Comparisons-Finance Finance Director Blitch gave an update on the Mill Rate Comparisons. During the comparisons, Whitewater is the median or below. Michael Smith (327 E Clay St Unit #29) commented on the mill rate, library construction and new housing project and the tax payer money. Larry Kachel (457 S Buckingham Blvd) commented on the mill rate. 14. 2024 Gala Update-HR HR Manager Marquardt thanked our intern Alyssa for organizing and putting together the 2024 Gala. Alyssa commented on the success of the 2024 Gala. She presented a slideshow of the winners, food, costs and the results from a survey she sent out to the guests in attendance. 15. Municipalities Perspectives on Spring Splash like events -Chief of Staff City Manager Weidl gave an update stating they did a follow up on the Spring Splash Events. Economic Development Director Zeinert commented she spoke with the University's Chancellor's Chief of Staff Gabby, she said the University would like to move forward with at the next Common Council meeting September 17th meeting which will be held at the University. 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. Common Council Meeting Minutes September 03, 2024 Page 4 RESOLUTION 16. Resolution acknowledging of the official City List of City Landmarks, Historic Districts and Historical City Owned Property -Economic Development Director Motion made by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schanen. To refer this resolution to the Landmarks Commission for review and elaboration for particularly items that may not have complete descriptions or locations affixed to them, to be presented to the Council not later than December 31st, 2024 Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. 17. Resolution to raise Permit Fees-Economic Development Director Councilmember Hicks wants to make an amendment to bring it back before the end of the year, to review adjustments or removals. Councilmember Schanen seconded this amendment. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. Michael Smith (327 E Clay St Unit #29) commented about the Council adjusting the fees now, so they can adjust them again in a few months. Motion made by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Brown, to approve the recommended permit fees. Voting Yea: Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. Voting Nay: Council President Singer. 18. A resolution clarifying jurisdiction over maintenance needs for historically significant public parks and facilities-Economic Development Director Motion made by Councilmember Schanen, Seconded by Councilmember Smith to approve the resolution clarifying jurisdiction over maintenance. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. Common Council Meeting Minutes September 03, 2024 Page 5 ORDINANCES Second Reading 19. Ordinance 2024-O-12 an ordinance regarding revisions to Chapter 12.22 Construction Standards Adopted, Sidewalk Ordinance-Public Works Motion made by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Hicks to approve the second reading of the Sidewalk Ordinance. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. 20. Ordinance 2024-O-13 an ordinance creating Section 16.04.255 Lead Water Service Replacement Program-Public Works Motion made by Councilmember Hicks, Seconded by Councilmember Dawsey Smith to approve the second reading of the Lead Water Replacement Ordinance. Councilmember Dawsey-Smith asked that staff educate the public on the why for this program. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. CONSIDERATIONS 21. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Repeal of Procurement Ordinance 2.12.020- Finance Motion made by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schanen to approve the Repeal of Procurement Ordinance as a first reading and bring back as a second reading on the 9/17 agenda. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. 22. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Commercial Code-Municipal Code Enforcement. Councilmember Dawsey-Smith asked for the Commercial Code item to come back as a first reading with a formalized ordinance on the next agenda 9/17, with a potential to waive the second meeting. Common Council Meeting Minutes September 03, 2024 Page 6 23. Library Construction Costs and Financing-Finance Finance Director Blitch updated that about $170,000 or so that will need to be provided in gap financing for next year. She stated she's not asking for action right now and will bring this item back in the future with a more formalized number. 24. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Permit Fees-Economic Development Director Larry Kachel (457 S Buckingham Blvd) commented that he doesn't believe anyone is going to apply for a permit to replace a furnace or a/c if it were to go out. Will go to the Finance Committee before coming back to Council as a Future Agenda Item. 25. Councilmember Requests for Future Agenda Items or Committee items. Questions Council has no new requests for future agenda items. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 26. Brown Cab update-Finance Q3 27. Review the reference to Chapter 10 in Ordinances 2024-O-05, 2024-O-06 Title 19 and 20.- Dawsey Smith Q2 28. Turning radius on Franklin and Main-Dawsey Smith 29. Comparison of Public Comments-City Manager Q3 30. Financial Outcomes with Walworth County TLE. 31. WAFC year-end financial update.- Hicks Q4 32. Audio/Visual System Updated in Council Chamber-Hicks Q4 33. Fitch & Associates WPD organizational and workload study findings.-Q4 ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith to approve adjournment at 7:55pm. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. 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.