Common Council Meeting

Common Council Meeting Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St., Whitewater, WI 53190 *In Person and Virtual Tuesday, October 15, 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/85183483921?pwd=2QXCtaFWNl5qGeP3lSlSOqPFW1rPGF.1 Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799 US (Chicago) Webinar ID: 851 8348 3921 Passcode: 245344 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 Patrick Singer called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. 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 Attorney Jonathan McDonnel City Manager John Weidl Public Works Director Brad Marquardt City Clerk Heather Boehm PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Common Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024 Page 2 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 Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen PROCLAMATION 1. 2024 White Cane Safety Day- City Manager City Manager Weidl read the 2024 White Cane Safety Day Proclamation. 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 Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen 2. Approval of Common Council Meeting Minutes from September 17, 2024 and October 1, 2024. 3. Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes from September 10, 2024 4. Appointment of Camden Harlan to the Library Board. 5. WE Energies request for 15 foot easement on City owned property just north of 162 W. Main Street and 110 N First Street (Parcel /OT 00013). 6. Amendment to Slater Development. 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, Fire, and Human Resources. STAFF REPORTS 7. Fitch & Associates WPD Organizational and Workload Study presentation- PD Common Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024 Page 3 Guillermo "G" Fuentes and Pat McCauley from Fitch and Associates went over the Organizational and Workload Study. 8. Reflecting on 2 years of Progress in Whitewater-City Manager City Manager Weidl gave an update on the Two years of Progress in Whitewater. 9. ATV/UTV Data update-PD Public Works Director Marquardt gave an update on ATV/UTV safety date stating there have not been significant amounts of accidents/incidents involving ATV/UTVs since they were permitted to be on City streets. 10. Update on Whitewater Middle School parking on Elizabeth Street-Public Works Public Works Director Marquardt gave an update on parking on Elizabeth Street by the middle school. 11. Mid Block crosswalks on Main Street by UW Whitewater-Public Works Public Works Director Marquardt gave an update of mid block crosswalks on Main St by UW Whitewater stating the the Public Works Committee decided that no action was needed at this time. 12. Public Works Update-turning radius on Franklin & Main-Public Works Public Works Director Marquardt gave an update on the turning radius on Franklin & Main Streets. He stated that Strand is in the process of developing a conceptual plan and an opinion of construction cost. Once the Public Works Committee reviews the information and determines a recommended course of action, this item will be brought back to the full council for consideration. 13. Common Council meeting at UW Whitewater-City Clerk City Clerk Boehm gave an update on the Common Council meeting held on UW Whitewater Campus on September 17, 2024. Overall, the meeting was a positive experience with some minor issues related to sound and room temperature. 14. Presentation and brief overview of draft 2025 budget-Finance Finance Director Blitch gave an update on the 2025 Budget and the process of approval. 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. No one stepped up to speak at this time. Common Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024 Page 4 ORDINANCES First Reading 15. Ordinance 2024-O-15 An ordinance revising Chapter 10 reference in Ordinances 2024-O- 05 Chapter 20- Municipal Code Enforcement Allison Swark from Municipal Code Enforcement explained that we no longer have a Chapter 10 in our code so this would correct Chapter 7.22 Motion made to approve the first reading of Ordinance of 2024-O-15, an ordinance revising Chapter 10 reference in Ordinances 2024-O-05 Chapter 20 by Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schanen. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen Motion made to waive the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2024-O-15 by Councilmember Schanen, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen CONSIDERATIONS 16. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the Beverage Operator's License for Kathleen Walz- City Clerk Motion made to uphold the Alcohol Committee's decision to uphold the denial of a Beverage Operators License to Kathleen Walz by Council President Singer, Seconded by Councilmember Dawsey Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen 17. Discussion and Possible Action regarding changing winter parking restrictions to start December 1 instead of November 1- Public Works Public Works Director Marquardt explained that the Public Works Committee recommended leaving the Winter Parking Restrictions in effect, effective November 1st. 18. Discussion and Possible Action regarding WE Energies request for 12-foot easement at 431 W Center Street (Whitewater Library) - Public Works Motion made to approve the easement request for WE Energies at 431 W Center St (Whitewater Library) by Councilmember Hicks, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Common Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024 Page 5 Councilmember Schanen 19. Discussion and Possible Action regarding WPD request for proposals-Public Safety Referendum Communications Firm-PD Motion made to approve WPD requests for proposals by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen 20. Discussion and Possible Action regarding US Department of Justice COPS Grant Award- Requesting Award Acceptance- PD Motion made to approve the acceptance of the COPS Grant Award by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen. 21. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the approval of a Utility Billing Contract- Finance Motion made to approve the Utility Billing Contract by Councilmember Brown, Seconded by Councilmember Schanen. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen 22. Discussion and Possible Action regarding changing Vendors for Fire/EMS Billing Services- Finance Motion made to approve the change in vendors for Fire/EMS billing services by Councilmember Smith, Seconded by Councilmember Schanen. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen 23. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the agreement for health insurance services with Carebot Health, Inc. (d/b/a Self Fund Health).-HR Motion made to approve the agreement for health insurance services with Carebot Health Inc, (dba Self Fund Health) by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen Common Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024 Page 6 24. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the proposal for dental insurance services with Delta Dental-HR Motion made to approve the agreement for health insurance services with Carebot Health Inc, (dba Self Fund Health), Delta Dental, and Associated Bank (for benefit account services) by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen 25. Discussion and Possible Action regarding the contract for benefit account services with Associated Bank-HR Motion made to approve the agreement for health insurance services with Carebot Health Inc, (dba Self Fund Health), Delta Dental, and Associated Bank (for benefit account services) by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen 26. Councilmember Requests for Future Agenda Items or Committee items. Questions Councilmember Schanen would like an update on Starin Rd pedestrian study. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 27. Financial Outcomes with Walworth County TLE. -Q4 28. WAFC year-end financial update.- Hicks Q4 29. Audio/Visual System Updated in Council Chamber-Hicks Q4 30. Resolution to raise Permit Fees - Economic Development Director Q4 31. Bird Scooters on sidewalks-Smith Q4 32. Look at traffic and pedestrians near Casey's, Walmart, & Aldi-Schanen Q4 ADJOURNMENT Motion made to adjourn at 7:52 pm by Councilmember Majkrzak, Seconded by Councilmember Smith. Voting Yea: Council President Singer, Councilmember Hicks, Councilmember Brown, Councilmember Dawsey Smith, Councilmember Majkrzak, Councilmember Smith, Councilmember Schanen Common Council Meeting Minutes October 15, 2024 Page 7 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.