CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES OF MONDAY, MARCH 1, 2010                                                                                                                                                                                  

     

 

    Meeting called to order by Mayor Dean Knudson in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:03 p.m.  Mayor Knudson led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Present:  Mayor Knudson and Alderpersons Randy Morrissette, Pam Brokaw, Lori Bernard, Lee Wyland, Scot O’Malley, Alan Burchill.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Catherine Munkittrick, Devin Willi, Denny Darnold, Betty Caruso, Tom Zeuli, Marty Jensen, Randy Hanson, Mary Yacoub, Gordon Conard, Chuck Schwartz, Kevin Hartman, David Robson, and others.

 

        Comments and suggestions from citizens present:  Mayor Knudson called for comments and suggestions from citizens present, none were given.

 

           Consent agenda:  MOTION by Morrissette, second by O’Malley to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

 

     Approve the Regular and Closed Session Meeting minutes of   2/17/10.

 

    Claims:  Approve the following claims for payment:

 

FUND

DESCRIPTION

PAYABLES

PAYROLL

TOTALS

100

General

163,860.46

161,852.44

325,712.90

280

Park Donations

15.00

0.00

15.00

450

Capital Projects

106,197.03

0.00

106,197.03

610

Sewer

9,998.02

11,132.48

21,130.50

620

Parking

455.33

1,185.54

1,640.87

630

Ambulance

9,076.56

27,383.04

36,459.60

860

Tax Agency

11,124,123.51

0.00

11,124,123.51

 

Totals

$11,413,725.91

$201,553.50

$11,615,279.41

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, and COMMISSIONS:  Place on file the quarterly report of the Parks/Public Works Director, and the Community Access Board minutes of 2/23/10.

 

     Roll call vote - all ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

          

     Applications for Operator’s Licenses:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Bernard to approve the issuance of Regular operator’s licenses for the  period 3/2/10 to 6/30/11 to: 

 

Jennifer E. Dashow        308 S. Winter St., Apt. C       River Falls, WI

Brittany K. Kohnson       1015 Sibley Mem. Hwy., Apt. 240 Lillydale, MN

Blaine M Schwerdtfeger     1083 Bush Avenue                     St. Paul, MN

 

     Alderperson Morrissette requested clarification from the City Attorney regarding the need to recuse himself from voting on operator’s licenses.  City Attorney Catherine Munkittrick stated he only needed to do that if an employee of his was being considered.  All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

  

          Changes to language in Employee Handbook re: sick leave and vacation:     MOTION by Bernard, second by Brokaw to approve corrections to the handbook language including:

  

          Section 11:  Vacation: (Add language at the beginning of the section    that reads) “Vacation shall be made available to full-time non- represented employees as follows:”

 

     Section 12:  Sick Leave:  (Add language at the beginning of the section    that reads) “Sick Leave shall be made available to full-time non-   represented employees as follows:”

 

   Mayor Knudson stated the Finance Committee recommended approval and the changes were to simply clean up the language.  All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Options for the 2nd and Vine Street Intersection Improvement Project:  Mayor Knudson provided information regarding the Second Street and Vine Street Improvement Project.  He noted the recommendation that the project be bid with three alternative options, and then Council could decide how to proceed. Bonestroo Engineer Chuck Schwartz presented information about the storm water, sewer, and sidewalk space, and also addressed the possibility of lowering the slope of the hill. 

 

     MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to authorize Bonestroo to (1) proceed with the plans and specifications and advertise for bids for all three options of the project, (2) to have an agenda item at the March 10th Public Safety meeting to discuss re-routing of traffic from Second Street to First Street and Third Street for the six to eight week length of the project, and

(3) to have a future Council agenda item discussing truck routes in the City.

 

     Discussion was held regarding the proposed detour route and that Mr. Schwartz would attend the Public Safety meeting.  Mayor Knudson also pointed out the right turn lane problems on west-bound Vine Street when turning right (north) to Second Street, and noted the desire to widen the road to allow for a turn lane.  Mr. Schwartz acknowledged the request and stated it would be taken into consideration.  All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

          

     Consider maintenance agreement with Honeywell for the 700 First Street building, and consider amending the existing agreement for the 911 Fourth Street building:  Mayor Knudson provided information regarding the  maintenance agreements with Honeywell for the 911 Fourth Street Building and 700 First Street Building.  He recommended reducing the full service maintenance plan for the Fourth Street Building to an as-needed basis, and to move the maintenance plan to the First Street Building. 

 

Information was shared regarding estimated costs and contract proposals.  Mayor Knudson also noted the Finance Committee recommended approving a three-year fixed cost agreement.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Bernard to approve the Finance Committee’s recommendation to accept the service agreement proposal from Honeywell for the building at 700 First Street and to modify the Honeywell agreement for the 911 Fourth Street Building with service only on an as-needed, emergency basis. 

 

Discussion was held regarding the need for the City Attorney to review some contract terms.  MOTION AMENDED to include clarification of some contract language with Honeywell and with the City Attorney’s approval.  Police Chief, Marty Jensen clarified that Honeywell has submitted a bid for the security system at the First Street Building that could be included with the maintenance agreement, and may need additional approval at some point.  Additional discussion was held regarding software upgrades, the security system, and contracts.  All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

    

     Consider Deer Control Program and amending Municipal Code to allow controlled archery-only deer hunts:  Mayor Knudson provided background information about the archery-only deer hunt program that was completed last year in North Hudson.  He recommended that the program be created and implemented in the City for the fall 2010 deer season, and referred to the Public Safety Committee for review of the proposed contract and ordinance change.  Additional information was provided about the hunting locations that may be included.

 

     MOTION by Morrissette, second by Wyland to refer to the Public Safety Committee the archery-only deer hunt concept and draft contract with RiverValley Deer Management, LLC.  ( Note: If the Public Safety Committee approves the concept, the issue should be forwarded to the Park Board for consideration of any Park property to be included in the program.  An ordinance amending the Municipal Code to allow a controlled archery-only deer hunt would need to be adopted, prior to implementation.) Discussion was held regarding costs and food shelf concerns.  All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR:  Mayor Knudson read the proclamations for Arts in Healthcare Month and 2010 Valley Reads Weeks.

 

     COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:  City Administrator, Devin Willi announced a Special Council Meeting would be held March 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. He also encouraged everyone to complete and return their Census forms.

 

CLOSED SESSION pursuant to §19.85 (1)(e), Wis. Stats. to deliberate regarding negotiating strategy for possible sale of public properties at 701 Second Street and 911 Fourth Street, Hudson, WI:  MOTION by Bernard, second by Wyland to convene into Closed Session pursuant to 19.85 (1) (e), Wis. Stats. To deliberate regarding negotiating strategy for the possible sale of public properties at 701 Second Street and 911 Fourth Street, Hudson, WI.  Roll call vote taken, all ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Reconvene in Open Session for possible action re: sale of public properties at 701 Second Street and 911 Fourth Street, Hudson, WI:  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to reconvene into open session.  All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED at 8:31 p.m. 

 

     MOTION by O’Malley, second by Burchill to direct the City Attorney to add the correct addenda to the contract offer for the 911 Fourth Street Building, and to add the additional verbiage to the offer for the 701 Second Street building, and to authorize City Administrator Devin Willi to quote a price of $349,000 for the building only (at 701 Second Street), and contingent upon approval from the Hudson Area Joint Library Board. All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED.

 

     ADJOURNMENT:  MOTION by Morrissette, second by O’Malley to adjourn the meeting.  All ayes (6) MOTION CARRIED at 8:33 p.m.

 

Nancy J. Korson, City Clerk

 

 I hereby certify that the City Clerk has submitted the foregoing minutes to me, and I hereby by my signature approve said minutes and all acts of the Common Council as set forth therein.

 

Dean R. Knudson, Mayor