CITY OF HUDSON ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

MINUTES OF TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2008

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Knudson in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:00 p.m.   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

     PRESENT:  Mayor Knudson and Alderpersons Randy L. Morrissette II, Pamela K. Brokaw, Lee S. Wyland, Scot E. O'Malley and Alan D. Burchill.

 

     ABSENT:  Alderperson Lori S. Bernard was excused.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Devin Willi,  Betty Caruso, Tom O’Connell, Dale Willi, Jack Breault, Paul Larson, Joy Knudson, Reed Knudson, Brent Ellwanger, Jason Muenich, Bridget Muenich, Dick Muenich, Patti Muenich,  Brad Kusmirek,  Darlene Kusmirek, Glen Hartman, Yvonne Larson, Andy Brokaw, Brook and Katy Brokaw, Janet Nemmers, Eric Atkinson, Randy Hanson, and others.

 

     ADMINISTERING OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR, ALDERPERSONS AND MUNICIPAL JUDGE:  Clerk Nancy Korson administered the oath of office to Dean Knudson as Mayor, Pam Brokaw as Alderperson in District 2, Lee Wyland as Alderperson in District 4, and Susan S. Gherty as Municipal Judge.  (Note:  Lori Bernard’s signed Oath of Office is on file in the Clerk’s office.)

 

     OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY PROMOTED POLICE SERGEANTS:  Municipal Judge Susan Gherty administered the Oath of Office to Police Sergeants Bradley Kusmirek and Jason Muenich.  Mrs. Kusmirek and Mrs. Muenich pinned the star emblems to their husband’s uniforms.  Police Chief Marty Jensen shared information regarding the status of personnel.  He noted that the Police Department was now at full strength for all work shifts.  He also noted that Eric Atkinson would be Detective-Sergeant and two more Patrol Officers were recently hired to fill the vacancies created by the promotions.

 

     PURPOSE OF THE MEETING: MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:  Mayor Knudson announced that the purpose of the meeting was to appoint individuals to various committees, boards and commissions.  He noted that agenda items numbered 12 and 13 (appointments to Zoning Board and Park Board) would be moved up and considered with other items that needed Council confirmation.

 

     PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL:  O’Malley nominated Lee Wyland as President of the Common Council. Burchill nominated Randy Morrissette as President of the Council.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Morrissette, to close the nominations for Council President.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.   Discussion was held concerning the qualities of each candidate.  Mayor Knudson stated that the City Attorney had advised that a majority of the Council (4 votes) would be needed to elect the President of the Council.  Additional discussion was held regarding the option of suspending the rules to revise the number of votes needed, or to postpone until the entire Council was present.  

 

     MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to postpone the election of the Council until the April 21st Council meeting.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

PLAN COMMISSION:   Mayor Knudson stated that a 2/3 majority vote was needed to appoint a member to the Plan Commission.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Morrissette, to nominate Alan Burchill to the Plan Commission.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to close the nominations.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Vote taken to appoint Alan Burchill to a one-year term on the Plan Commission.  All ayes, (5) MOTION CARRIED.

 

     STANDING COMMITTEES:  Mayor Knudson distributed a two-page list and announced his appointments to the Standing Committees, as follows:

 

     Finance Committee:  Mayor Dean Knudson, Chairman, and Alderpersons Alan Burchill, Lee Wyland, and Lori Bernard.

 

     Public Safety Committee:  Alderperson Lee Wyland, Chairman, and Alderpersons Randy Morrissette and Lori Bernard.

 

     Public Works Committee:  Alderperson Scot O'Malley, Chairman and Alderpersons Pam Brokaw and Alan Burchill.

 

OTHER COMMITTEES:  Mayor Knudson announced the following Alderpersons were appointed as voting members of the respective boards and commissions:

 

     Community Access Board - Alderperson Pam Brokaw

     St. Croix EMS Commission – Alderperson Randy Morrissette

     Hudson Area Joint Library Board - Alderperson Scot O’Malley

     Park Board – Alderperson Lee Wyland

     Advisory Joint Fire Board - Alderperson Lori Bernard

 

       ALDERMANIC LIAISONS:  Mayor Knudson appointed Alderperson Pam Brokaw as liaison to the School Board, Alderperson Alan Burchill as liaison to the Tourism Bureau, and Alderperson Randy Morrissette as liaison to the Public Utility Commission.

 

     APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:  Mayor Knudson announced the following appointments:

 

     Hudson/North Hudson Community Access Board:  Mayor Knudson reappointed Elizabeth McCormick to another three-year term.

 

     Board of Zoning Appeals and Plan Commission:: Mayor Knudson suggested Council confirm his appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Park Board and Plan Commission, by using only one motion for approval.  O’Malley requested that the Park Board appointment be voted on separately. MOTION by Burchill, second by Brokaw, to confirm Mayor Knudson’s appointments of Gordon Conard as Chairman and Peter Post as 1st Alternate for three year terms to the Zoning Board of Appeals,  the reappointment of Fred Yoerg to a three-year term on the Plan Commission, and David Selissen to the Plan Commission for the remainder of a term through April 2009. Ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

     Park Board:   Mayor Knudson announced his desire to appoint Paul Radermacher to a five-year term as a citizen member, and requested Council confirmation.  MOTION by Burchill, second by Morrissette, to confirm the appointment of Paul Radermacher as a citizen member of the Park Board for a five year term.  Mayor Knudson called for discussion; none was held.  Ayes (4); O’Malley voted No, MOTION CARRIED. 

 

     Police and Fire Commission:   Mayor Knudson stated Bob Staebell was appointed for a five-year term on the Police and Fire Commission.  He noted that Mr. Staebell’s experience and background would be a great addition to the Commission, and he was pleased that the appointment was accepted.  He also noted that Tom O’Connell would remain as Chairman of the Commission. 

 

Mayor Knudson announced that he had a number of Police Department priorities and was directing that the number of Casual Call officers be increased from six to ten.  He also noted that the Casual Call criteria and training minimum requirements were being updated, and that no more than 599 hours of work per year would be allowed.  Information was also shared regarding 2007 Police Department budget carryovers, improving technical equipment immediately, and a future agenda item to consider the possibility of adding another patrol officer by June 1st.

 

     Intergovernmental Advisory Council:  Mayor Knudson stated that he would like to have the Mayor and Council President attending the Intergovernmental Advisory Council meetings on a regular basis.

 

     Advisory Joint Fire Board:   Mayor Knudson appointed Peter Post as a City of Hudson citizen member at large.

 

     Appointment to St. Croix Business Park Corporation Board of Directors:  Jack Breault was appointed to serve on the St. Croix Business Park Corporation Board of Directors.  Mayor Knudson reported that Mr. Breault has served on the Board since its inception and had done a fantastic job.  He thanked him for his many years of service.

      

     MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to adjourn.  MOTION CARRIED –  7:32 p.m.

 

Nancy J. Korson, City Clerk

 

     I hereby certify that the 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 Knudson, Mayor