CITY OF RIVER FALLS: 1/22/13 Council Meeting Minutes

CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

January 22, 2013

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, David Reese

City Council Members Absent: None

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; Tony Steiner, City Planner; Nancy Miller, Library Director; Karen Bergstrom, Human Resources Director

Others Present: others

The Pledge of Alliance was said.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

January 8, 2013, Regular Meeting Minutes

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

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

City Bills - $4,408,853.87

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

PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND

COMMUNICATIONS:

None.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Acknowledgement of the following meeting minutes:

Police, Fire and Ambulance Commission – 12/3/12; Library Board – 12/3/12; Park and Recreation Advisory Board – 12/12/12; Utility Advisory Board – 11/19/12; 12/17/12; POWERful Choices!–11/08/12; 12/13/12; BID Board–01/09/13

Resolution Requesting Noise Ordinance Exception for the Library on February 3, 2013 -- Pulled by Gagne

Resolution No. 5671 - Regarding Sale of City Equipment

Resolution No. 5672 - Regarding Cancellation of Taxes per Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 74

Resolution No. – 5673 - Referring to Plan Commission Vacation of East Park Street/ Part of Sycamore Street and Undeveloped Alley between East Park Street and Broadway Street

MSC Nordgren/Morrissette to approve the remainder of the Consent Agenda. Unanimous.

Resolution No. 5674 - Requesting Noise Ordinance Exception for the Library on February 3, 2013

Alderperson Gagne said it was awesome to see what the library was doing. He felt they were doing a great job.

MSC Gagne/Morrissette move to approve the resolution. Unanimous.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution No. 5675 - Approving Revised Agreement between the City of River Falls and Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the Radio Road Interchange

Director of Public Works/City Engineer Wronski noted the actual agreement was not in the packet so he handed it out to Council before the meeting. He referred Council to a table on page two regarding costs. Wronski said the only change in the costs was the addition of $140,000 which is 100 percent City share to cover sewer and water extensions into that area. MSC Nordgren/Gagne move to approve resolution. Unanimous.

REPORTS:

River Falls Economic Development Corporation

City Administrator Simpson gave a report to Council on the River Falls Economic Development Corporation. It is a volunteer, non-profit corporation that collaborates with the City, the State, and both counties to promote industrial growth in the city. It was established in 1988 and the City Administrator is the Executive Director. He noted a couple of agreements the corporation has with the City. Simpson talked about the EDC’s roles and named the current board members. He talked the role the EDC played in development of the industrial park. He said the EDC looks forward to a continued good relationship with the city and the council’s support.

Administrator’s Report

City Administrator Simpson reviewed the water main break for Council. He noted it was on the Capital Plan for reconstruction in 2016 but staff wants to find a way to move the project up to 2013. He said it is a $250,000 project. It is not budgeted for 2013 so it would come before Council for approval. He apologized for the inconvenience the water main break caused the school and residents. There was discussion about swapping of projects. Simpson talked about the good expenditure control the City has exercised which may allow moving the project up.

Alderperson Kusilek asked Simpson to address the garbage change over. Simpson said Veolia was purchased by Advanced Disposal at the end of last year. He said their communication to customers varied. He apologized to those in the community that were concerned and confused. Simpson expects Advance Disposal to do a better job communicating with customers now and in the future.

Comptroller’s Report

Reese read the Comptroller’s Report for December 2012:

Preliminary year end General Fund revenues were $8,375,314 with expenditures of $7,990,956 for a net of revenues over expenditures of $384,358. The majority of the surplus funds are related to departmental cost savings, particularly from Council Contingency, Fire Department savings, and savings in the Public Works Departments. Additional costs may be allocated to 2012 as final invoices and expenses are received and recorded.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Mayor the River Falls Reads 2013 Proclamation.

Motion by Cronk to adjourn meeting at 6:52 p.m.

Kristi McKahan, Deputy City Clerk

_______________________________ (Pub. 02/28/13) WNAXLP

Tags: public notices, meetings