CITY OF RIVER FALLS: 2/12/13 Council Meeting Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS - February 12, 2013

Council President Tom Caflisch 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: Mayor Dan Toland

Staff Present: Scot Simpson, City Administrator; Bill Thiel, City Attorney; Julie Bergstrom, Finance Director/Assistant City Administrator; Sergeant Denton Anderson; Reid Wronski, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Tony Steiner, City Planner; Nancy Miller, Library Director; Karen Bergstrom, Human Resources Director; Cindi Danke, Parks and Recreation Coordinator; Caitlin Stene, Management Analyst; Buddy Lucero, Community Development Director

Others Present: Bob Hughes; Maranda Mahr; David Ostness; Katie Chaffee

The Pledge of Alliance was said.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

January 26, 2013, Regular Meeting Minutes

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

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

City Bills $1,766,116.29

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

PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Alderperson Morrissette noted the Chamber of Commerce annual dinner was held last week. He said Peggy Chukel was awarded the Chamber Champion for volunteering to manage the Chamber’s books and assisting in any way possible. The River Falls Library Foundation was nominated as Non-Profit of the Year. The Foundation helps the library remain strong by raising funds.

Bob Hughes and Maranda Mahr from Leadership River Falls gave a presentation to Council on their 2013 Leadership Project which is the Little Free Library. Hughes provided background information on the Little Free Library including the origin, design of the little libraries, and stewardship information. Mahr gave information on the timeline and founding. There will be a book drive in the spring. Alderperson Reese asked about design of the little library structure. Alderperson Nordgren asked about usage.

John Meyers from St. Croix Lanes came to speak to the Council about licensing the outdoor volleyball court. He would like to request an amendment to include the outdoor volleyball court at a future Council meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Resolution Approving City Administrator Recommendations Resulting from Consultant Review of Employee Classification and Compensation Appeals -- Pulled by Kusilek

Resolution No. 5676 - Confirming the Appointment of the Utilities Director

Resolution Regarding Machine Signed Signatures -- Pulled by Reese

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

Resolution No. 5677 – Resolution Approving City Administrator Recommendations Resulting from Consultant Review of Employee Classification and Compensation Appeals

Alderperson Kusilek asked about the Electric Meter Technicians market adjustment placement. City Administrator Simpson explained the situation noting their wages have been market adjusted and do not fall within the internal grid. MSC Kusilek/Morrissette to approve the resolution. Unanimous.

Resolution No. 5678 - Regarding Machine Signed Signatures

Reese asked for clarification of machine signed signatures. Finance Director/Assistant City Administrator Bergstrom explained the background of the resolution. Wells Fargo is being added to the list of the City’s banks. MSC Reese/Morrissette to approve the resolution. Unanimous.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution No. 5679 - Approving Electronic Signboard for Library – 2013 Budget Adjustment

Bergstrom explained the signboard was not included in the 2013 budget. Funding comes from the Library Foundation and Library Trust Fund. MS Nordgren/Morrissette move to approve resolution. The roll call vote unanimously passed the resolution 7-0.

REPORTS:

Quality of Life Designations Report

Community Development Director Lucero provided a brief introduction to the presentation. Recreation Coordinator Danke talked about Playful City USA designation and its benefits. The City has 16 playgrounds in 14 parks. Danke talked about how the public can help. River Falls is one of two Wisconsin cities with this designation.

Danke also talked about being a Bicycle Friendly community. There are eight designated cities in Wisconsin. She spoke about other cities with the designation as well as the benefits of bicycling. Danke talked about cycling clubs in the City and also the bike trails.

City Planner Steiner talked about the Bird City designation, its requirements and benefits. Steiner read a press release about Bird City. He mentioned the Migratory Bird Day Celebration on the first Saturday in May.

Steiner also talked about the Tree City USA designation, the requirements, learning opportunities and community involvement. He said Arbor Day was April 26. He invited the public to contact him with ideas.

Administrator’s Report

No comment.

CLOSED SESSION:

MS Nordgren/Morrissette move to recess at 7:12 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: collective bargaining – Baseball Council proposal” 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.”

City Administrator Simpson noted the Closed Session would take approximately 30 minutes. He did not expect action to be taken at this time.

The roll call vote to recess into Closed Session was unanimous.

Discussion had on topics Closed Session.

MSC Kusilek/Morrissette to move into Open Session. Unanimous.

Motion by Morrissette to adjourn meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristi McKahan, Deputy City Clerk

(Pub. 03/07/13) WNAXLP

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