CITY OF HUDSON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008

 

 

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Dean Knudson in the Council Chambers of City Hall at 7:00 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 and Alan Burchill.

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  Devin Willi, Cathy Munkittrick, Denny Darnold, Jim Frye, Jim Schreiber, Pat Sherley, Mike Wallace, Tom Zeuli, Gordon Conard, John Anfenson, Marc Putman, Aaron Sundeen, Al Gibbs, Kayla Scott, Tara Fisher, Brittney Meier, Mahaley Allen, and others.

 

COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FROM CITIZENS PRESENT:   Pat Sherley from the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau spoke about the Spirit of the St. Croix Days event.  She noted many of the activities that are planned and suggested that people visit the website:  www.hudson.wi.org for additional information.  She also shared information about the Taste of Hudson event and the need to purchase tickets.  Ms. Sherley also reported that many volunteers are still needed; people should call the Chamber office at 386-8411 to volunteer.

 

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

 

MINUTES:  Approve the Regular Meeting minutes of 9/22/08.

 

    Claims:  Approve the following claims for payment:

 

FUND

DESCRIPTION

PAYABLES

PAYROLL

TOTALS

100

General

213,784.23

154,860.88

368,645.11

280

Park Donations

10,610.02

0.00

10,610.02

450

Capital Projects

180,071.37

0.00

180,071.37

610

Sewer

90,608.69

10,653.72

101,262.41

620

Parking

945.01

1,008.91

1,953.92

630

Ambulance

9,423.25

24,664.08

34,087.33

 

               TOTALS

$505,442.57

$191,187.59

$696,630.16

 

  Approval for special signage for Spirit of the St. Croix Days event in Lakefront Park Oct. 15-18, 2008:  Approve the placement of 14 signs regarding vehicle parking sites and shuttle service, and 8     signs regarding boat trailer parking for the Spirit of St. Croix Days event, as presented.

 

Appointment of additional Election Inspectors:   Approve the appointment of the following City of Hudson residents as additional Election Inspectors for the Republican Party: Don Waalen, Donna Mueller, Barbara Harvey, Leonard Harvey, Connie Klecker, Barbara Bitterman, and Joanie Davenport.

 

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS:  Place on file the quarterly report of the Parks Dept., the Assessor’s Annual Report, the St. Croix E.M.S. Commission minutes of 9/24/08, and the Hudson Area Joint Fire Board minutes of 9/17/08.

 

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

 

Final Development Plans for Comfort Suites, 93 units, Lot 6 Ban Tara, 2620 Center Drive – Hudson Hotels, LLC/Aaron Sundeen:   denny Darnold reported that Staff and the Plan Commission recommended approval of the final development plans for the Comfort Suites 93-unit hotel on Center Drive.  He called attention to the Commission’s recommendations including the need for an agreement regarding the existing easement areas. 

 

MOTION by Burchill, second by O’Malley, to approve the final development plans for the proposed Hudson Hotels LLC, 93-unit Comfort Suites hotel at 2620 Center Drive, contingent on the following:

 

1.              Plans to be amended per the City Engineer’s recommendations.

 

2.              An agreement with the City of Hudson be entered into, with Hudson Hotels LLC being responsible for the restoration of private on-site improvements within the easement area for utility purposes, if the City needs to repair/maintain the utilities.

 

all ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Applications for Operator’s Licenses:  Mayor Knudson reported that the Finance Committee recommended approval for issuance of the Operator’s Licenses, as presented.  Morrissette recused himself.

 

 MOTION by Burchill, second by Brokaw to approve the issuance of regular Operator’s Licenses for the period 10/7/08 to 6/30/10 to:

 

     Anna E. Johannsen       1027 St. Croix Street N.     Hudson, WI

     Rodrigo E. Vega         675 Cottage Lane        Hudson, WI

 

Ayes (5), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Consider approval of 2009 Assessment Maintenance Contract with           Bowmar Appraisal:  mayor Knudson reported that Staff and the Finance Committee recommended approval of the 2009 Assessment Maintenance Contract.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to approve the 2009 Assessment Maintenance Contract with Bowmar Appraisal, Inc. in the amount of $21,500.  It was noted that the contract amount was similar to the 2008 amount. Ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.   

 

Review and approve updated job description for City Administrator          position:   Mayor Knudson stated that the Finance Committee recommended the amendments to the job description for the City Administrator position, and he recommended approval.  MOTION by Morrissette, second by Bernard, to approve the 10/1/08 draft of the job description for the City Administrator position.  All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Review and approve updated City Administrator Performance Evaluation Form:   Mayor Knudson explained that the Finance Committee recommended that performance review forms be used as a tool for evaluations of the City Administrator and throughout the City staff in the future.  Information was shared on the ranking numbers 1 through 5.  It was strongly suggested that the definitions in each category be adhered to, and comments be provided to justify the ranking.  They also recommended adding a checkbox to indicate if the evaluator had no experience in the particular section of the evaluation. 

 

Discussion was held concerning changes to the form that could be needed for evaluations of different City positions.  Attorney Munkittrick stated it would be acceptable to change the evaluation form, as needed.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Burchill, to approve the updated City Administrator Performance Evaluation form, with the addition of a checkbox indicating no evaluator experience, and to change the wording at the beginning of section 11 to read “Has shown the ability to handle stress;”   Information was shared that the evaluation would be a form of a 360-degree process and would include the Finance Committee members and four to six staff members who are direct reports (Department Heads who report directly to the City Administrator).  All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.  

 

Recommendation re: consideration of a hiring freeze:  mayor Knudson stated that the Finance Committee recommended that when positions become available due to resignation or retirement, they be reviewed for funding of the replacement.  MOTION by Morrissette, second by O’Malley, to approve the Finance Committee recommendation that when a City position becomes available due to resignation or retirement, and prior to the position being posted or advertised, the position will be referred to the Finance Committee for review of the job duties and determination of funding for the position.  All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

UPDATE ON PROJECTS:  Tom Zeuli shared information regarding the Crest View Drive Mill and Overlay Project and noted that loop detector adjustments need to be made (to the traffic signals), and additional seeding and sod work needs to be completed.  He reported that the Lakefront Park picnic table issues should be resolved soon.

 

Request of Susan Haider for an Easement Agreement to erect a fence at 78 Meadowlark Drive:  MOTION by Burchill, second by O’Malley, to approve entering into an Easement Agreement with Susan Haider to erect a fence within a utility easement area at 78 Meadowlark Drive.  Discussion was held on the possibility of streamlining the approval process;  with staff approval, the easement agreements could be designated as “Consent agenda” items in the future.  All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

Authorization to apply for DNR Urban Forestry grants – Resolution No. 14-08:  mayor Knudson noted the Staff recommendation to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 14-08.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to suspend the rules toward adoption of Resolution No. 14-08.  Roll call vote, all ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.  MOTION by O’Malley, second by Wyland, to adopt the following:

 

RESOLUTION NO. 14-08

AUTHORIZATION TO FILE URBAN FORESTRY AND

URBAN FORESTRY CATASTROPHIC STORM GRANT APPLICATIONS

(Copy on file in Clerk’s office)

 

All ayes (6), MOTION CARRIED.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAYOR:  Mayor Knudson read the proclamations regarding Red Ribbon Week and Fire Prevention Week.

 

communications and items for future agendas:   Administrator Devin Willi reminded people to register to vote; he noted that Election Inspectors would be available at City Hall to help with absentee voting beginning October 13, 2008.

 

MOTION by O’Malley, second by Burchill to adjourn.  All ayes (6).  MOTION CARRIED at 7:30 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 sent forth therein.

  

 

                           Dean Knudson, Mayor