CITY OF RIVER FALLS: 10/23/12 Council Meeting Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - October 23, 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, Randy Kusilek, Scott Morrissette, Jim Nordgren

City Council Members Absent: David Reese

Staff Present: Bill Thiel, City Attorney; Julie Bergstrom, Finance Director/Assistant City Administrator; Roger Leque, Police Chief; Reid Wronski, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Carl Gaulke, Utility General Manager; Mike Noreen, Conservation and Efficiency Coordinator

Others Present:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

October 9, 2012, Regular Meeting Minutes and September 25, 2012, Workshop Minutes

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

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

City Bills $1,658,337.95

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

PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Alderperson Gagne commented on a River Falls Journal article about local efforts to combat homelessness and hunger. He specifically recognized St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, Hope Lutheran Church, Assistance Resource Center, Our Neighbor’s Place, River Falls Community Pantry and Servant of the Shepherd Church. They are designating November as ‘compassion’ month and encouraging involvement. A food drive, sponsored by River Falls Community Pantry, is being held in Veterans’ Park on November 23.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Acknowledgement of the following minutes:

Police, Fire and Ambulance Commission – 9/10/12; Ambulance Commission – 9/10/12; Library Board – 9/10/12; Fire Department – 8/6/12; BID Board – 10/11/12; 9/12/12; Park and Recreation Advisory Board – 9/19/12; River Falls Utility Advisory Board – 9/17/12

Resolution No. 5642 - Approving Renewal of Mann Valley Lease

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

The Mayor said there would be a change in the agenda order, and the Council would move into Closed Session.

CLOSED SESSION:

MS Morrissette/Kusilek move to recess at 6:34 p.m. into Closed Session per Wisconsin State Statutes § 19.85 (1)(e) and (g) 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: riverfront property acquisition” and “conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to be become involved; to-wit: Timberwood; Martinsen Investment and Land Company - room tax.”

The roll call vote to recess into Closed Session was unanimous. Discussion was had on closed items.

MSC Nordgren/Morrissette move to adjourn into Open Session at 6:52 p.m. Unanimous.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution No. 5643 - Regarding POWERful Choices! Comprehensive Review

Noreen came to present a report on Power Choices. He highlighted some information from the packet report including the resolution creating the committee and also the resolution providing its financial support. Noreen said currently the funding is less than the one percent that was designated in the resolution. He talked about the four sources of funding, educational opportunities and the non-residential energy savings project. Noreen answered Council members’ questions and then moved onto program goals. Noreen talked about Focus on Energy and its return on investment. Caflisch asked a question about Minnesota Rubber’s bill which prompted clarifying discussion. Noreen noted the POWERful Choices! Committee is an advisory committee with no monetary authority. He continued to highlight areas of the report including the budget, committee size, the scope of the committee, and policies. Noreen said the Utility Advisory Board felt the report was a fair assessment of the POWERful Choices! Committee, and there were no changes recommended. He asked for questions.

Morrissette asked for copies of the minutes. Nordgren asked if the education piece covered conservation for future generations. Noreen said yes. Gagne asked about the funding approval process. Noreen said there will be a policy in place. City Administrator Simpson provided further clarification. Kusilek asked about the funding percentage. Morrissette had concerns about the cash balance and fund carryover. Caflisch expressed concern about the budget. Simpson provided clarification.

MSC Caflisch/Morrissette move to approve resolution noting the Mayor’s name needed to be corrected. Unanimous.

Ordinance 2012-12 - An Ordinance Appropriating the Necessary Funds for the Operation of the Government and Administration of the City of River Falls, Wisconsin for the Year 2013 Budget Ordinance – First Reading

Caflisch commented on the detail level of the budget and is looking forward to reviewing it at the next meeting. Simpson said the public could view his budget presentation on September 25 to Council online at the City’s website. He noted a public hearing would be held on November 13. Gagne asked a question about an average increase in taxes per household. Finance Director Bergstrom said she could provide that information at the next meeting.

REPORTS:

Administrator’s Report

Simpson noted dates City Offices would be closed in November. Caflisch invited the community to the Meyer Middle School Veterans’ Day program. It was noted the burning ban was lifted. Morrissette asked about the City’s fall clean up.

Comptroller’s Report for September 2012

Deputy Comptroller Nordgren read the report which stated: General Fund revenues through the end of the third quarter were $5,634,777 or 66 percent of budgeted. Expenditures for the same period were $5,564,438, for a net of revenues over expenditures of $70,339. Revenues received during the month include the $8,466 in interest revenue and $3,510 in building permits.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mayor’s Appointments:

DOWNTOWN DESIGN REVIEW AD HOC COMMITTEE

Reappointment of Jeanne Zirbel through July 2014

Reappointment of Mark Paschke through July 2014

Reappointment of Dave Dinteman through July 2015

Appointment of Rosanne Bump through July 2014

MSC Morrissette/Kusilek move to approve appointments. Unanimous.

CLOSED SESSION:

MS Caflisch/Gagne move to recess at 7:43 p.m. into Closed Session per Wisconsin State Statutes § 19.85 (1)(e) and (g) 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: riverfront property acquisition” and “conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to be become involved; to-wit: Timberwood; Martinsen Investment and Land Company - room tax.”

The roll call vote to recess into Closed Session was unanimous. Discussion was had on closed items.

MSC Nordgren/Morrissette move to adjourn into Open Session. Unanimous.

Motion to adjourn meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristi McKahan, Deputy City Clerk

(Pub. 11/22/12) WNAXLP

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