CITY OF RIVER FALLS: 7/8/08 COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

July 8, 2008

Mayor Don Richards called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located in City Hall.

City Council Members Present: Alderpersons Wayne Beebe, Tom Caflisch, Dave Cronk, Bob Ebert, Joleen Larson, Jim Nordgren and Michael Woolsey

Staff Present: Bernie Van Osdale, City Administrator; Bill Thiel, City Attorney; Reid Wronski, City Engineer; Tony Steiner, City Planner; David Hovel, Building Inspector; Carl Gaulke, Utility General Manager

Others Present: Eric Anderson, Rosanne Bump

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

June 24, 2008, Regular Meeting Minutes

MSC Beebe/Nordgren to approve minutes as submitted. Unanimous.

June 26, 2008, Regular Meeting Minutes

MSC Cronk/Woolsey to approve minutes as submitted. Unanimous.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

City – $411,420.36

Utility - $435,558.01

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

PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS:

Eric Anderson, Kinni Coffee, Change of Premises

Anderson handed out a diagram of the area he wanted to license. He wants to create a place for outdoor seating and told Council his plans.

Nordgren asked about the fence height. Anderson said he was looking for input from the Council on what they wanted to see regarding a fence. He would like to maintain any view he has. There was discussion between Anderson and Council members regarding the fence. Larson wanted the Police Chief’s opinion about a fence.

Attorney Thiel said he was designated to speak for Chief Leque in his absence. He and the Chief looked at the site today. He asked Council to defer action until the next meeting. He and the Police Chief want proof of legal possession of the premises as some of it is behind the jewelry shop and under Statue 125, you cannot license property that is not in your possession. He asked that a copy of the lease be brought in before the next Council meeting.

Beebe reiterated the need for a fence. MSC Caflisch/ Larson move to table change of premises request. Unanimous.

Notification of Change of Trade Name – Bud’s Lanes

The Council acknowledged the requested name change from Bud’s Lanes to St. Croix Lanes.

Rosanne Bump, River Falls Chamber of Commerce, came to promote River Falls Days which is July 10-13, 2008. She thanked the City of River Falls, the Utility, Public Works, Police Department, Fire Department and the Ambulance Service for the assistance that is provided for this event. She went over the schedule of events.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Ordinance No. 2008-20 – Amending the Municipal Code for Housing, Definitions and Occupancy Limit – Second Reading and Disposition

Mayor Richards recessed Council at 6:47 p.m. and went into a public hearing. At 6:48 p.m. with no one wishing to speak to this issue, Council reconvened into Open Session for disposition. MSC Beebe/ Caflisch move to approve ordinance. Unanimous.

Ordinance No. 2008-21 – Official Parking Control Map (Remove No Parking Sign at 521 State Street) – Second Reading and Disposition

Mayor Richards recessed Council at 6:48 p.m. and went into a public hearing. At 6:48 p.m. with no one wishing to speak to this issue, Council reconvened into Open Session for disposition. MSC Beebe/ Larson move to approve ordinance. Unanimous.

Liquor License: Class B Liquor and Beer – RB & EH Inc. American Pie Pizza & Sports Bar & Grill

Mayor Richards recessed Council at 6:49 p.m. and went into a public hearing.

Richard Bengtson came before Council to see if they had any questions for him in regard to his liquor license application.

Robert Gust, Attorney, representing Holton Holdings which were investors in the previous American Pie business, stated that a foreclosure lawsuit had been filed in St. Croix County to recover any assets for his client. They have a security interest in the assets and not the building. They also have an interest in the name. He wanted the Council to be aware of this. Discussion continued clarifying the lawsuit.

Bengtston clarified that if the personal property was removed as a result of the lawsuit, they would be furnishing their own. He said the liquor license doesn’t have anything to do with the lawsuit. There was also discussion about the name of the business.

Larson asked Bengtson to discuss the request to license the parking lot. He said they were looking at possibly having a small beer garden during River Falls Days or other special occasions.

Gust discussed the rights to the name in regard to the lawsuit.

At 7:01 p.m. with no one else wishing to speak to this issue, Council reconvened into Open Session for disposition. MS Woolsey/Cronk move to approve license.

Beebe asked about a possible name change on the license. Thiel said they would have to notify the City of a name change within ten days.

Thiel recommended to the City Council that it license the facility itself.

MS Beebe/Larson move to amend motion to license inside of facility.

Nordgren asked for clarification on if a request to license the parking lot would be available at a later time. Thiel said it was.

Mayor asked for a vote on the motion as amended. It passed unanimously. A vote on the original motion as amended passed unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Resolution No. 5145 - Approving Final Plat of Stonebrook Townhome Community 3rd Addition

Resolution No. 5146 - Approve Release of Easement for Midwest Wireless Wisconsin, L.L.C., d/b/a Alltel and f/d/b/a West Central Cellular Limited Partnership, Grantor

Resolution No. 5147 - Regarding Purchase of Right-of-Way (S. Wasson Lane)

Resolution No. 5148 - Approving Street Closing (East Spring & Spruce) River Falls Chamber

MSC Beebe/Larson to approve Consent Agenda. Unanimous.

Caflisch made a request for a copy of the contract the City has with Frisbie Architects and asked an item be placed on the next Council agenda in regard to the process for selecting a project manager for the new City Hall.

Cronk moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 p.m. The Mayor adjourned the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Kristi McKahan, Deputy City Clerk

7/31/08

Tags: publicnotices, riverfalls, city_council, minutes