CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2007

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Jack Breault in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:03 p.m.

 

Mayor Breault led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

 

 

PRESENT:   Mayor Breault and Alderpersons Dennis O’Connell, Randy Morrissette, Paul Radermacher, Lee Wyland, Scot O’Malley and Alan Burchill.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Devin Willi, Catherine Munkittrick, Gordon Conard, Linda Donaldson, Eric Atkinson, Randy Hanson, Mark Crimmins, Sue Gherty, Brooke Brokaw, Pam Brokaw, Tony Pasquale, Corrie Briggs, and others.

 

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:   Mayor Breault called for comments three times; none were given.

 

     CONSENT AGENDA:   MOTION by Morrissette, second by Radermacher, to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

 

MINUTES:  Approve the Regular Meeting minutes and Closed Session minutes of 8/20/07, and the Special Meeting minutes and Closed Session minutes of 8/23/07.

 

     CLAIMS:  Approve the following claims for payment:

 

FUND

DESCRIPTION

PAYABLES

PAYROLL

TOTALS  

100

General

134,966.28

160,068.08

295,034.36

410

Tax Increment Financing

80.44

0.00

80.44

450

Capital Projects

777.84

0.00

777.84

490

Biosolids

0.00

0.00

0.00

610

Sewer

9,607.10

11,016.80

20,623.90

620

Parking Utility

159.22

1,021.41

1,180.63

630

Ambulance

13,449.17

23,367.86

36,817.03

 

      TOTALS

$159,040.05

$195,474.15

$354,514.20

 

Applications for Operator’s Licenses:   Approve the issuance of Regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 9/05/07 through 6/30/09 to:

 

Gregory A. Ellstrom     921 B Meadowood Lane    Hudson, WI

     Erin C. Kenney          N7661 Cty Rd. O              River Falls, WI

 

St. Croix E.M.S. write-offs:  Approve the St. Croix E.M.S. write-offs in the amount of $30,588.17, as recommended by LifeQuest following Phase III of their collection procedures.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS:  Place on file the Hudson/North Hudson Community Access Board minutes of 8/28/07 and the St. Croix E.M.S. Commission minutes of 8/27/07.

 

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

 

Proclamation re: Youth Court Month:  Mayor Breault announced that September was Youth Court Month.  Youth Court member Brooke Brokaw read the Mayor’s proclamation.  Tony Pasquale shared the Youth Court system’s mission statement and noted that they appreciated being able to use the courtroom in the Municipal Building.  Mayor Breault thanked them for their efforts and noted that the Municipal Judge also approved the program.

 

Update on projects:   Mayor Breault noted that the Update on Projects report was provided in the Council packets.  He stated that if there were any questions, Chuck Schwartz at Bonestroo could be contacted.

 

Update on health insurance options:   City Administrator Devin Willi reported that the 2008 rates for health insurance premiums through the State have been received.  He noted that one of the amounts went down.  Mr. Willi also stated that the Ad Hoc Committee and Council members would be given a spreadsheet with different scenarios of possible ways to proceed, plus their effect on the budget.

 

Procedures for possible referendum election:  Administrator Willi reviewed information gathered by staff and the City Attorney regarding a possible levy limit referendum.  Attorney Munkittrick advised that there is currently no levy limit law, since it expired January 1st of 2007.  She cautioned that if the City proceeded under last year’s law, the budget could be void if it was different than that authorized by the State.

 

Discussion was held regarding the time frame required for a referendum election and the City and State budgeting process.   It was noted that after the budget process is complete, the need for a referendum would be known.  The possibility of no levy limit in 2008 was also noted. 

 

Mayor Breault reminded that there would be a Special Council meeting on September 11th at 6:30 p.m. regarding the Police Department’s budget issues.  He reported that the budgets from other City Departments are due by September 24th.

 

Application of Footwedge Partners, LLP to rezone River Ridge Professional Center at 1200 Hosford Street from I-1 Light Industrial to B-2 General Business District:    Burchill recused himself.   Denny Darnold explained that the staff recommendation was to refer the rezoning application to the Plan Commission and schedule the public hearing date.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to refer to the Plan Commission the application of Footwedge Partners, LLP to rezone the River Ridge Professional Center at 1200 Hosford Street from I-1 Light Industrial to B-2 General Business District, and to schedule a public hearing for October 15, 2007 at 6:55 p.m.  All ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR - Appointments to Public Utility Commission and Park Board:  mayor Breault requested confirmation of the reappointment of Robert Brown to the Public Utility Commission, and the appointment of Tammy Erskine to the Park Board.  MOTION by Morrissette, second by Radermacher, to confirm the reappointment of Robert E. Brown, 134 Hoyt Street, to another five-year term on the Public Utilities Commission through September of 2012, and the appointment of Tammy Erskine, 1019 Crest View Drive, to a five-year term on the Park Board through April of 2012.  All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS:    None.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to adjourn at 7:16 p.m.  All ayes (6).  MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

 

   Nancy 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 sent forth therein.

  

 

 

                           Jack D. Breault, Mayor

                                                                         

                                                          Date approved

                                                     by Council