CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL

MEETING MINUTES OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2007

UNAPPROVED

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: Cathy Munkittrick, Betty Caruso, Dennis Darnold, Devin Willi, Bill Wanner, Eric Atkinson, Linda Donaldson, Chuck Schwartz, Mike O’Connell, David Robson, Randy Hanson, Kim Heinemann, Colleen Wallin and others.

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT: Kim Heinemann, Executive Director of the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, was present and invited the community to participate in the Autumn Taste Walk being held on Saturday, September 29^th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in downtown Hudson. Heinemann noted some of the activities that would take place during this event. She also informed the Council and community of several other upcoming Chamber events.

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

MINUTES: Approve the Regular Meeting minutes of 9/4/07, and the Special Meeting minutes and Closed Session minutes of 9/11/07.

Final development plans for T-Mobile antenna and equipment installation on Carmichael Road Water Tower, 1000 Carmichael Road – T-Mobile: Approve the final development plans for the T-Mobile antennae and equipment to be installed at the Carmichael Road water tower, 1000 Carmichael Road.

CLAIMS: Approve the following claims for payment:

FUND	DESCRIPTION	PAYABLES	PAYROLL	TOTALS
100	General	260,419.63	135,406.49	395,826.12
350	Special Assessments	249.00	0.00	249.00
410	Tax Increment Financing	518.00	0.00	518.00
450	Capital Projects	2,574.67	0.00	2,574.67
490	Biosolids	0.00	0.00	0.00
610	Sewer	26,086.58	10,081.20	36,167.78
620	Parking Utility	759.88	895.60	1,655.48
630	Ambulance	4,969.88	8,355.42	13,325.30
	Total	$295,577.64	$154,738.71	$450,316.35

Applications for Operator’s Licenses: Approve the issuance of Regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 9/18/07 through 6/30/09 to:

William C. Mitchell 2341 Timberlea Dr. Woodbury, MN

Benjamin T. Rundquest 2634 210^th Ave. Deer Park, WI

And issuance of Temporary Operator’s licenses to be used October 12, 2007 at the CCH Foundation Wine Fest to:

BethAnn M. Richter 401 County Rd. MM River Falls, WI

Danny C. Goodier 617 Overlook Court N. Hudson, WI

APPLICATION OF CCH FOUNDATION INC. FOR TEMPORARY Class “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to sell wine on 10/12/07 at their Wine Fest event, 1320 Wisconsin Street: Approve the issuance of a Temporary “B”/”Class B” Retailer’s License to CCH Foundation, Inc. to sell wine on 10/12/07 at the Christian Community Campus Foundation Wine Fest Event at 1320 Wisconsin Street.

REQUEST TO CLOSE SECOND STREET FOR HOMECOMING PARADE ON FRIDAY, 10/5/07: Approve closing Second Street in the afternoon of Friday, 10/5/07 for the Hudson High School Homecoming Parade.

APPROVE VIDEO PROGRAMMING USE AGREEMENT WITH TOWN OF HUDSON FOR BROADCAST OF EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENT PUBLIC ACCESS CABLE TELEVISION CHANNELS: Approve and authorize Mayor Breault to execute the Video Programming Use Agreement with the Town of Hudson for a period of two years, pursuant to the terms and requirements as indicated in the Agreement.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS: Place on file the quarterly reports of Public Works, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the St. Croix E.M.S. Chief, the Public Utility Commission minutes of 9/05/07, and the St. Croix E.M.S. Commission minutes of 9/10/07.

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

Amendment to Conditional Use Permit for Red Cedar Canyon planned residential development to permit 88 senior housing units to replace 24 townhome units north of Hanley Road and east of O’Neil Road – Hans Hagen Homes/DMW Properties, Inc. Community Development Director Dennis Darnold discussed the location of the project and presented the Plan Commission’s recommendation for approval of the Conditional Use Permit. Colleen Wallin, one of the owners of the proposed project, was present and addressed questions related to the size of the living units and association fees. Morrissette questioned Darnold’s concerns related to density in the area. Darnold indicated that the Plan Commission discussed those concerns and voted to proceed with the project as presented.

Further discussion ensued between Council members and Ms. Wallin concerning building size, association fees, and EMS Service. Mike O’Connell, representing the Red Cedar Canyon Townhome Association, discussed the association fees and reviewed the current fee structure. The Association felt that the facility should pay association fees in an amount similar to the 24 townhomes that were originally planned for the site. The townhome owners aren’t opposed to the project, but want to make sure that the appropriate fees are paid. Wollan indicated that Hans Hagen hasn’t provided information on the fees and what services are included in return.

MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell to postpone action on the Amendment to the Conditional Use Permit until the October 1^st Council meeting, to allow all parties to resolve the association fees issue.

Ms. Wallin respectfully requested the Council to approve the Amendment with any necessary stipulations to resolve the association fee issue. Further discussion regarding the fees was held between Council members, the City Attorney, Ms. Wallin and Mr. O’Connell. Vote taken, all ayes (6), Motion carried.

Final development plans for parking lot expansion and sign for Grandview Professional Building, 400 S. Second Street – Robert/Marcia Hansen: Radermacher recused himself from the issue. mr. Darnold indicated that Plan Commission recommended approval of the development plans for the parking lot expansion and sign for the Grandview Professional Building, with the conditions noted. Darnold answered questions posed by the Council about the size and height of the sign.

MOTION by Morrissette, second by O’Malley to approve the final development plans for the parking lot expansion and sign for the Grandview Professional Building, 400 S. Second Street, with the sign to be limited to 18 feet in height, and the parking lot plans to be revised to address the recommendations of the City Engineer. Ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

Request for amendment to Ban Tara Master Sign Plan – Ban Tara, LLC: Radermacher recused himself. Denny Darnold noted that the Plan Commission recommended approval of the Ban Tara Master Sign Plan with the conditions noted. Discussion ensued concerning the size and height of the sign. Darnold and developer David Robson addressed the Council’s concerns.

MOTION by Morrissette, second by Wyland to approve the amendment to the Ban Tara Master Sign Plan to allow freestanding signs on lots 7, 8 and 9 in Ban Tara for a maximum of 120 square feet in area and a maximum of 15 feet in height, with the condition that if the hospital does not purchase and develop the property, the sign area and height would revert back to the 40 square feet and 6-foot maximum standards. Ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

Application of Gary Anderson d/b/a Twin States Music for Amusement Device Operator’s License and permits for 89 amusement devices: MOTION by O’Connell, second by Radermacher to approve issuance of an Amusement Device Operator’s License and permits for 89 amusement devices to Gary Anderson, d/b/a Twin States Music. O’Malley noted that he had received inquiries from citizens concerning possible illegal gambling related to machines at some establishments in the City. He noted that no complaints had been filed with the Police Department, but he encouraged concerned citizens to file such complaints if they are aware of specific violations at any establishment in which these machines are located. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

Agreement with Village of North Hudson for salt storage: MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland to approve the Agreement with the Village of North Hudson for salt storage. O’Malley explained the Agreement and that a 5% increase was in line with the increase in the equipment usage fees for 2008. City Attorney Munkittrick indicated that the price increase should specifically be included in the Agreement, and that she would contact the Public Works Department to clarify this. All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

request for a stop sign at 8^th and oak streets: Radermacher reviewed the request by citizens in the area for a stop sign at 8^th and Oak Streets. O’Connell and O’Malley noted that this sign request had been rejected twice before. MOTION by Radermacher, second by Morrissette to approve installation of a stop sign at 8th and Oak Streets. A discussion ensued between Council members concerning the merits of the sign installation. Ayes (3): Burchill, Morrissette, and Radermacher. Noes (3): O’Connell, O’Malley, and Wyland. Mayor Breault voted yes. MOTION CARRIED, 4 TO 3.

Update on projects: bonestroo Engineer Chuck Schwartz updated the Council on three major construction projects. The Nye/Aldrich Storm Sewer Project had started and completion was expected by late October. The 11^th and Coulee Project was due to begin September 19^th and was expected to last about three weeks. He noted that the contractor was aware of peak traffic times and indicated that only short-term detours might occur. The Carmichael and Crest View Drive turn lane project is scheduled to start September 24^th.

Schwartz also reviewed a letter from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation notifying the City that the State was withdrawing funds from the previously approved Walnut Street Bridge Repair Project. Mayor Breault indicated that staff and Bonestroo would be meeting Tuesday morning to discuss potential responses to the letter, including forwarding a request to the State for reimbursement of $70,000 in engineering fees that the City had invested in the project, based on the former commitment of the State to fund the project.

Update on health insurance options: It was noted that the Ad Hoc Committee continues to work on issues related to the annuitants included in the health insurance plan.

VACATING A PORTION OF BARSTOW STREET – RESOLUTION NO. 17-07: motion by Radermacher, second by O’Malley, to approve the following:

RESOLUTION NO. 17-07

VACATING A PORTION OF BARSTOW STREET

(copy on file in Clerk’s office and attached)

All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

review bids and consider awarding contract for lakefront park seawall project: Chuck Schwartz reviewed the bids received for the Seawall Project. He reported that Pember Companies had submitted the lowest bid at a cost of $257,390. There was brief discussion about the alternate bid.

MOTION by O’Malley, second by O’Connell, to approve the bid and award the Lakefront Park Seawall Project contract to Pember Companies, Inc. at $257,390, with an anticipated total project cost of $330,198.

Caruso noted that the funding sources should be approved prior to awarding of the contract by the Council, as the cost was higher than the amount designated in the bond issue. She provided possible funding sources for the project from cost savings on other Park projects, noting that the Park Board had concurred with her recommendation.

MOTION AMENDED by O’Malley, second by O’Connell to also approve the funding sources identified by Caruso to fund the Lakefront Park Seawall Project. Burchill expressed concern that the cost of the project would now reach nearly $500,000, and asked if the project could be finished as originally designed by City staff. Warranty issues were discussed.

Morrissette asked whether any of the available funds could be used for other City Departments. Caruso indicated that the funds would have to be used for Capital Projects, and that the Park Board anticipated the funds would be used for Park projects. Ayes (5); Burchill voted No – MOTION CARRIED.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR: None.

COMMUNICATIONS AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS: Radermacher indicated that the Park Board had received preliminary approval of a $525,000 grant for renovation of the former hospital site, which is now part of Prospect Park. Final approval was dependent on the final budget appropriations in Madison and the Governor’s approval.

MOTION by O’Connell, second by Wyland, to adjourn at 8:08 p.m. All ayes (6). MOTION CARRIED.

Devin J. Willi, City Administrator

I hereby certify that the City Administrator 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