CITY OF WATERLOO COUNCIL MINUTES

COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING – 136 N. MONROE STREET

Thursday, January 18, 2007

1.  CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL.  Mayor Edward Klug called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at approximately 7:00 p.m.  Alderpersons present – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent.   Others present – Mayor Klug, Katie Linder of the Courier, Becky Thielke of the Watertown Daily Times, Police Chief Thomas, Videographer Herb Lenius, Gary Fassbender, Chris Abell, Vern Butzine, Gary Kniesel, Amanda Kurer, Claudia Butzine, Clifford Butzine, Tina Lange, Raynelle Butzine, Pat Sayre, Van Stenberg, Eric Cotting, Jason Butzine, Harold Hann, Dale Neupert, Fred Yerges, Dave Zastrow, Torey Allen, Wes Benisch, Pam Benisch, Chad Butzine, Kurt Dornacker, Dave Arians, Robert Lindsay, Wendy Clarke, Duane Olson, Nelly Vega-Torres, Tom Gates, Tama Griffin, Ron Griffin, Carrie Rothenboch-Besl, Corey Besl, Craig Strobel, Robert A. Scheel Jr., Charles Kuhl, Library Director Cecilia Wiltzius and Clerk/Treasurer Hansen.

Motion to modify agenda order:  Motion by Forman, seconded by Kent to change the order of the agenda, moving agenda item 8e immediately after item 2.  Voice Vote:  Motion passed unanimously. 

2.  APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE JANUARY 4, 2007 REGULAR MEETING.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Hennessy to approve the minutes as presented.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion passed.

8.  REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

e.   Report, Library Director Cecilia Wiltzius For December 2006.  Wiltzius stated that the year-end circulation was roughly even with last year’s circulation.  She further noted that the Library was now operating on the SHARE system, connecting the Waterloo to a broader consortium of Libraries.  Putzke thanked the Library for staying open during the software transition from the previous to current system.    

3.  CITIZEN INPUT.  None.

4.  COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS RECOMMENDATIONS 

a.  Shared Ride Taxi Committee

1.    Resolution #2007- 06 Approval of Contract To Allow For Lazers Bus Inc. To Act As Service Provider.  Discussion:  Van Holten noted that the committee met last night and unanimously voted to recommend approval on a one-year basis.  Putzke noted the absence of end-of-year ridership figures.  Van Holten summarized the available ridership figures through August and Putzke estimated that ridership was on pace for 3,000 rides.  Van Holten noted that the citizen group would be fundraising to support the program.  Forman and Perry noted that an insufficient amount was budgeted to cover the greater costs of the new provider.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Hennessy to approve Resolution #2007-06. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – Perry and Wolfgram.  Motion passed.

            b.  Public Safety & Health Committee

1.       Acceptance Of Official Notice Of Retirement, Effective April 16, 2007, From Lt. William G. Springer.  Discussion: Hennessy read Springer’s letter into the records and thanked the Lieutenant for his service.  Motion:  Moved by Hennessy, seconded by Forman to accept the notice of retirement.   

 Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None.          Motion passed.

            c.  Finance, Insurance & Personnel Committee

1.       Transfer Of Accounting Functions From Fire Department To Clerk/Treasurer’s Office – Clerk/Treasurer Summary Memo.  Discussion:  Hansen read from two memos presented. Vern Butzine asked if there were any ulterior motives at work.  Putzke stated the four proposals listed in the Clerk/Treasurer’s memo.  Hansen noted that Dale Neupert of the Town of Waterloo had forwarded a letter supporting the accounting process as it currently operated.  It was noted that Vic Imre, Chair of the Town of Milford, supported Neupert’s position.  Charley Kuhl noted that the Department had submitted documents for budgeting purposes to the City.  A number of the members of the Department spoke in opposition to the idea.  Nelly Vega-Torres spoke in opposition.  Kent noted that memos presented provide the legal framework for the change.  Van Holten stated that the Cable Board has operated with segregated funds for a number of years.  Perry referenced the state statutes in suggesting that the accounting function was the Treasurer’s role.  Mayor Klug asked if Waterloo charges the same for a rural run as it does a city run.  The reply was yes.  Pat Sayre noted that the City’s property tax value makes up was 63.42% of the total appropriation.  It was noted that Ron Griffin would not volunteer time for repairs if the accounting was transferred. 

Wolfgram asked if creating a Fire Department general fund in the budget would suffice?  Pat Sayre and Vern Butzine suggested solving the issues electronically, by identifying a computer solution coordinating software.  Kent noted that the state statutes employ command language -- that the Treasurer shall perform the duties. 

Vern Butzine provided background on the creation of the EMS stating that former Mayor Thompson was involved in appropriating $20,000 for the Auxiliary EMS.  Vern Butzine stressed that a self-supporting EMS entity was the objective.  Various attendees noted how little the Department pay was.  Various attendees noted that they had made sizable commitments of time and money to serve.  Mayor Klug stated that there was no trust between the Department members and the Council.  It was determined by consensus that further discussion was warranted.  Kent suggested tabling for less than 90-days.  Nelly Vega-Torres requested that the City Attorney review the matter.  Motion:  Moved by Wolfgram, seconded by Forman to table the item to April 5, 2007.  Further Discussion:  Charley Kuhl and David Arians raised the question of whether this discussion involves the Honorary Fire Department?  Wendy Clarke raised the issues of whether accounting functions means writing checks? Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion passed.       

Motion to modify agenda order:  Acting with the unanimous consent of the body, Mayor Klug moved item 7b. ahead of item 5 on the agenda. 

7.  NEW BUSINESS

b.  Resolution #2007-07 Confirmation of Mayoral Fire Chief Appointment Of Vern L. Butzine As Fire Chief.          Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Forman to approve Resolution #2007-07 as presented. Roll Call      Vote:  Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion passed.

5.  MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS.  None.

6.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS. 

     a. Ordinance #2007-01 Rezoning Lot 3 Of Certified Survey Map #5016, 242 Mill Street From C-1 To M-1.  Discussion:  Kent raised a concern that the ordinance represented spot zoning.  Hansen noted that an adjacent property to the east was also zoned M-1.  Motion: Moved by Putzke, seconded by Wolfgram to approve Ordinance #2007-01 as presented.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion passed.

7.  NEW BUSINESS

a.  Approval Of Operator’s License, Marina M. Chairez, 1311 Oak Street, Waterloo, WI, License Period Ending June 30, 2007.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Van Holten to approve the operator’s license for Marina M. Chairez as presented for the license period ending June 30, 2007.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion passed.

b.  See above.

8.  REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

a.  Reports Of The Clerk/Treasurer

-Approval Of Payroll For December 2006 - $57,229.32.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to         approve the December 2006 payroll in the amount of $57,229.32.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion passed.

-Approval Of Pay Vouchers From December 22, 2006 Through December 31, 2006.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to approve the pay vouchers as presented.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van   Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion passed.

-Approval Of Pay Vouchers From January 1, 2007 Through January 18, 2007.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to approve the pay vouchers as presented.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van   Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion passed.

-Approval Of Treasurer & Budget Reports For December 2006.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to approve the Treasurer & Budget Reports for December 2006.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Wolfgram, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion passed.

     b.   Report, Building Inspector - Building, Plumbing, And Electrical Permits For December 2006.  Noted.   

     c.   Report, Public Works Director Gary Yerges For December 2006.  Noted.

d.      Report, Police Chief Timothy Thomas For December 2006.  Noted.

e.      See above.

f.        Report, Waterloo Water & Light Commission For January 3, 2007.  Noted.

g.      Report, Waterloo Active Fire Department For December 2006.  Noted.

9.  Future agenda items and announcements.  # Hansen noted that the Public Informational Meeting for the Knowlton Street Phase 3 project was scheduled for Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  # Van Holten noted a Skateboard subcommittee fundraiser for February 3, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mode Theater.

10. ADJOURN.  Motion:  Moved by Wolfgram, seconded by Van Holten to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously.  Time of adjournment was approximately 8:45 pm.

Attest: 

Morton Hansen

Clerk/Treasurer