CITY OF RIVER FALLS: 10/25/11 Council Meeting Minutes

CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

October 25, 2011

Mayor Richards called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in City Hall.

City Council Members Present: Tom Caflisch, Randy Kusilek, Scott Morrissette, Jim Nordgren, David Reese

City Council Members Absent: David Cronk, Bob Hughes

Staff Present: Bill Thiel, City Attorney; Scot Simpson, City Administrator; Carl Gaulke, Utility General Manager; Julie Bergstrom, Finance Director/Assistant City Administrator; Angel Smith, Management Analyst; Reid Wronski, Director of Public Works/ City Engineer; Buddy Lucero, Community Development Director; Ryan Miller, Patrol Officer

Others Present:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

October 11, 2011, Minutes

MSC Morrissette/Kusilek move to approve minutes as submitted. Unanimous.

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

City – $519,190.89 Utility – $1,035,702.88

MSC Caflisch/Nordgren move to approve the bills subject to the comptroller. Unanimous.

PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND

COMMUNICATIONS:

Angel Smith, Management Analyst, updated the Council on the cigarette litter prevention program. Pocket cigarette ashtrays will be distributed as a part of the program. She provided Council with distribution dates and times. The ashtrays were paid for as part of a grant. There were further questions.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Acknowledge Receipt of the following minutes:

Police and Fire Commission – 9/12/11;

Ambulance Commission – 9/12/11;

Fire Department – 9/12/11;

Plan Commission – workshop 9/6/11; regular meeting 9/6/11;

Housing Authority – 9/13/11;

Historic Preservation Commission - 9/14/11;

Library Board – 10/3/11; 9/12/11;

Utility Commission – workshops 10/3/11 and 9/19/11;

regular meeting 9/19/11

Park and Recreation Advisory Board – 9/21/11

Resolution Approving Human Resources Director Job Description -- Pulled by Nordgren

Resolution No. 5522 - Approving City Investment Policy

Resolution No. 5523 - Regarding River Falls Cable Television Policy and Procedures Manual

Resolution No 5524 - Approving Request for City Assistance for River Dazzle Event

Resolution No. 5525 - Amending Personnel Policy (Section 10 – Employee Discipline and Discharge)

Resolution No. 5526 - Approving Release of Recorded Flowage Rights

MSC Caflisch/Morrissette move to approve remainder of Consent Agenda. Unanimous.

Resolution No. 5527 – Resolution Approving Human Resources Director Job Description

Nordgren asked which health care plan was figured in the costs for the Human Resources position. Bergstrom said it was the family plan.

With no other discussion, MSC Nordgren/Morrissette move to approve resolution. Unanimous.

The Mayor asked about flowage rights. Attorney Thiel said flowage rights are a form of easements. He explained the history of flowage rights. He said the flowage rights the City had were the ability to build a dam and overflow someone else’s land and they could not object to it because they had previously been paid for it.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Ordinance 2011- 11 - Rezone Property from (TND) Traditional Neighborhood Develop to (I) Industrial for Sterling Ponds – First Reading

No comment.

Ordinance 2010-12 - An Ordinance Appropriating the Necessary Funds for the Operation of the Government and Administration of the City of River Falls, Wisconsin for the Year 2012 Budget Ordinance – First Reading

No comment.

REPORTS:

City Administrator’s Report

City Administrator Simpson said a copy of the budget is on the City’s website and is also at the library. City staff is available for questions from the public on the budget.

Comptroller’s Report for September 2011

Comptroller Reese read the report as follows: general fund revenues through the end of September were $5,927,113, or 71 percent of budgeted. Revenues include $4,316 reimbursement for mutual aid at the State Capitol earlier this year, and $26,792 in revenue as a dividend in Worker’s Compensation Insurance plan. Expenditures for the same period were $5,266,116 for a net of revenues over expenditures of $660,997.

CLOSED SESSION:

MS Caflisch/Nordgren recess into Closed Session per Wisconsin State Statutes § 19.85 (1)(e) for the following purposes: “Deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session; to-wit: right of way offer – Cascade Avenue Phase I.”

The roll call vote to move into closed session was unanimous.

Discussion on item for Closed Session consideration.

RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION:

MSC Caflisch/Reese to adjourn into open session. Unanimous.

MSC Reese/Morrissette to adjourn. Unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristi McKahan, Deputy City Clerk (Pub. 11/17/11) WNAXLP

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