CITY OF RIVER FALLS: 10/9/12 Council Meeting Minutes

CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

October 9, 2012

Mayor Dan Toland 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, David Cronk, Christopher Gagne, Scott Morrissette, Jim Nordgren

City Council Members Absent: Randy Kusilek, David Reese

Staff Present: Bill Thiel, City Attorney; Julie Bergstrom, Finance Director/Assistant City Administrator; Roger Leque, Police Chief; Lu Ann Hecht, City Clerk; Reid Wronski, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Carl Gaulke, Utility General Manager; Scott Nelson, Fire Chief

Others Present: Margaret Smith, Joleen Larson, Gene Groebner

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

September 25, 2012, Regular Meeting Minutes

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

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

City Bills - $1,096, 439.93

MSC Nordgren/Cronk to approve bills subject to the comptroller. Unanimous.

PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND

COMMUNICATIONS:

There were no public comments.

The Great River Confluence Project

Margaret Smith, Executive Director of the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center, and Gene Groebner, Manager Afton State Park, came to give a presentation to Council. Smith said the project began in June 2009. She gave a history of the project and talked about partners and similar goals. She talked about the natural resources and promoting the area as a regional destination. Smith invited the Mayor and Council to the upcoming conference on Friday.

Groebner spoke about the website. He showed the map of the project and highlighted its special features. He talked about using a Smartphone to access the map. Smith talked about ways that the City could partner with and help support the project. Groebner and Smith stood for questions from the Council. Smith invited Council to the symposium.

Alderperson Cronk thought they were doing a great job.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Ordinance 2012-11 – Ordinance to Amend § 1.16.040; To Amend § 8.20.010 and To Create § 8.20.010 A. of the City Code; Fire Department Enforcement Provisions-Second Reading and Disposition

Mayor Toland recessed the Council meeting at 6:53 p.m. and went into a public hearing. At 6:54 p.m. with no one wishing to speak for or against this issue, Council reconvened into Open Session for disposition. MSC Cronk/Morrissette move to approve ordinance. Unanimous.

Final Resolution No. 5639 - Authorizing Special Assessments and Levying Special Assessments Against Benefitted Property - River Falls Business Improvement District

Mayor Toland recessed the Council meeting at 6:54 p.m. and went into a public hearing.

Joleen Larson, BID Board Member, came to give a presentation. Larson thanked the Mayor, the Council, Julie Bergstrom, Scot Simpson, Reid Wronski, and the City staff for their support. The BID was formed in 1989 and was approved by Council. The businesses pay an assessment which is how the board is funded. Larson explained the boundaries of the district. She talked about the board’s mission statement which is really about helping the businesses make their buildings look better. Larson talked the 2012 highlights which include hanging flower baskets in the downtown. She talked about sign grants and showed photos of some completed projects. She said they have run out of money for 2012. Larson fielded questions from Council.

At 7:08 p.m. with no one else wishing to speak for or against this issue, Council reconvened into Open Session for disposition. MSC Nordgren/Gagne move to approve resolution. Unanimous.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Resolution No. 5640 - Regarding Selection of Information Technology (IT) Consultant

Resolution No. 5641 - to Approve Weights and Measures Assessment Schedule

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

REPORTS:

Water System Report

Carl Gaulke, Utility General Manager, gave a presentation to Council on the City’s water system. Gaulke said the water utility was established in 1894, and it currently serves approximately 5,000 customers. There are five wells. Gaulke talked about the storage systems, the three pressure reducing stations and the three booster stations. He talked about water distribution, water mechanics, irrigation meters, and regulations. Gaulke covered water treatment and water testing. He also talked about the consumer confidence report, public fire protection, impact fees and the odd/even watering. Gaulke fielded questions from the Council.

Comptroller’s Report for August 2012

Deputy Comptroller Nordgren read the report which stated: General Fund revenues through the end of August were $5,397,444 or 64 percent of budgeted. Expenditures for the same period were $4,988,840 or 59 percent of budgeted for a net of revenues over expenditures of $408,604. Revenues received during the month include the August property tax settlement from Pierce and St. Croix counties and $5,280 for the bulletproof vest grant program for the Police Department.

Motion by Cronk to adjourn meeting at 7:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristi McKahan, Deputy City Clerk

_______________________________ (Pub. 11/01/12) WNAXLP

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