CITY OF RIVER FALLS: 11/27/12 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

November 27, 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: David Cronk, Christopher Gagne, Randy Kusilek, Scott Morrissette, Jim Nordgren, David Reese

City Council Members Absent: Tom Caflisch

Staff Present: Scot Simpson, City Administrator; 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; Lu Ann Hecht, City Clerk; Kristy Treichel, City Engineer; Ken Thatcher, Library Aide

Others Present: Genevieve Rugo, Francis Ogden, Kipp Christianson

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

November 13, 2012, Regular Meeting Minutes

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

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

City Bills $1,341,902.20

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

PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Genevieve Rugo, asked how the cost of the stormwater utility was determined. City Administrator Simpson explained the size of the lot and impervious areas were used to factor costs. Reid Wronski, Director of Public Works/City Engineer provided further explanations. Rugo said a neighboring property’s stormwater runoff has damaged her property. Mayor Toland asked Rugo to make an appointment with City staff if she wished to further discuss her concerns.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Delinquent Accounts - Resolution No. 5653 - Authorizing City and Utility Delinquent Accounts to be Placed on the 2012 Tax Roll

Mayor Toland recessed Council at 6:39 p.m. and went into a public hearing.

Francis Ogden, 710 Valley View Drive – read his letter to the Council asking that the amount due not be levied as a tax on this property.

Kipp Christianson, 2065 Rushmore Drive – said he was unaware of the separate refuse billing for property owners.

At 6:47 p.m. with no one else wishing to speak for or against this issue, Council reconvened into Open Session. MS Nordgren/Morrissette move to approve resolution in order to get the resolution on the table for discussion.

Alderperson Cronk noted a large number of complaints in the Council packet. He felt the staff should look at streamlining this process. Simpson provided some background regarding the process and billing system. He said that if the Council doesn’t place the bills on the tax roll, it doesn’t mean that the bills are forgiven.

Alderperson Morrissette felt a review by staff was needed. He was disappointed that the Veolia representative wasn’t present at the Council meeting. He didn’t feel placing the bills on the tax roll were appropriate.

Alderperson Nordgren noted Veolia did a good job with the pickup of the trash but felt there was a problem in the office. He said if no one else had any other comments, he would amend the motion.

MS Nordgren/Morrissette move to amend motion to remove refuse bills from being placed on the tax rolls.

Alderperson Kusilek agreed with Ogden and felt the three month billing cycle was difficult for landlords. He said he would like the City to send out a letter to all licensed rental property owners reminding them they can call and find out amounts owed by renter so the landlord can hold that amount out of their check.

Alderperson Reese felt the occupant didn’t have any recourse if the bill was placed on the tax roll. He noted refuse bills are fixed, and he suggested landlords collect the fee with the rent.

Alderperson Gagne asked to relook at the requirement of refuse collection when the water remained on. Simpson noted that was a policy decision for Council. Nordgren asked that staff review and bring it back with a recommendation for Council. Reese noted Council was not forgiving the bills.

The Mayor asked for a vote on the amendment. The amendment passed unanimously. The Mayor asked for a vote on the original motion as amended. The motion passed unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Acknowledgement of the following minutes:

Plan Commission – 9/4/12; Utility Advisory Board – 10/15/12; POWERful Choices! – 10/10/12; BID Board – 11/14/12; Police, Fire and Ambulance Commission – 10/1/12

Resolution No. 5654 - Approving 2013 Fire and Ambulance Compensation

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

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

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 – Second Reading and Disposition

MSC Nordgren/Kusilek move to approve ordinance. Unanimous.

REPORTS:

Key Utility Partners Report

Carl Gaulke, Utility General Manager, gave a report to Council on the key partners. He talked about the key electric partners including American Public Power Association, WPPI Energy, and Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin. Gaulke talked about the water partners including Wisconsin Rural Water Association and Municipal Environmental Group Water Division. He talked about wastewater partners including West Central Wisconsin Biosolids, the Wisconsin Wastewater Operators’ Association and Municipal Environmental Group Wastewater Division. When finished, Gaulke fielded questions from Council.

Administrator’s Report

No comments.

Comptroller’s Report for October

Reese read the report which stated General Fund revenues through the end of October were $5,974,707 or 70 percent of budgeted. Expenditures for the same period were $6,294,824, for a net of expenditures over revenues of $320,117. Revenues received in October include fourth quarter transportation aids and $24,150 in insurance dividends. The shared revenue payment of $1.65 million was received in November.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Mayor’s Appointments

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

Reappointment of Jeanne Zirbel through January 2017

RIVER FALLS HOUSING AUTHORITY

Reappointment of Marylin Plansky through December 2017

MSC Cronk/Kusilek move to approve appointments. Unanimous.

Cronk moved to adjourn meeting at 7:29 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristi McKahan, Deputy City Clerk

(Pub. 12/20/12) WNAXLP

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