CITY OF WATERLOO COUNCIL MINUTES

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

Thursday, March 15, 2007

1.  CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL.  Mayor Edward Klug called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at approximately 7:05 p.m.  Alderpersons present – Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent with Wolfgram absent.  Others present – Mayor Klug, Katie Linder of the Courier, Police Chief Thomas, Videographer Gerald Baumann, Library Director Cecilia Wiltzius and Clerk/Treasurer Hansen.

2.  APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE MARCH 1, 2007 REGULAR MEETING.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Kent to approve the minutes as presented.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

3.  CITIZEN INPUT.  None.

4.  COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS RECOMMENDATIONS 

a.      Plan Commission and Public Works & Property Committee

1.  Ordinance #2007-04 Providing For Approval Procedures For Condominium Developments.  Discussion: Hansen referenced the City Attorneys letter on the subject.  Motion: Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Kent to adopt Ordinance #2007-04 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

2.  Ordinance #2007-05 Revising Outdated Code Provisions Relating To Planning And Land Use.  Discussion:  Kent stated that a time deadline should be stated in Section 12 of the ordinance.  He said a specific time period should be added for recording a certified survey map.  Motion: Moved by Kent, seconded by Van Holten to adopt Ordinance #2007-05 with the amendment as follows:  Section F is to have a final second sentence reading – The certified survey map is to be recorded within 30 days after being signed by the Clerk-Treasurer.  Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

     b.    Finance, Personnel and Insurance Committee

1.        Ordinance #2007-06 Revising Outdated Code Provisions Relating To Finance, Personnel and Insurance.  Discussion:  Alderman Kent stated that the term of positions in 85-3 being listed as indefinite cause him concern.  He stated that amending 85-4 by adding was a remedy.  Putzke noted that revising 85-4 was not a specific agenda item.  Kent noted the comments and asked that the issue be placed on the next Council agenda.  Motion: Moved by Putzke, seconded by Kent to adopt Ordinance #2007-06 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

2.    Ordinance #2007-07 Establishing A Formal Fund Balance Policy For The City Of Waterloo. 

Discussion: Kent raised a concern over legal difficulties in taxing in one year for services in future years.  Putzke stated that undesignated, unreserved fund balances are the result of expenditures coming in under budget and the excess funds reverting to the General Fund at year-end.  Kent stated that he would research the matter and bring the topic up again if he identified a legal problem.  Hansen stated that the policy provides a range in which to manage idle funds and noted the provision require the Clerk/Treasurer to report to the Council on this topic.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to adopt Ordinance #2007-07 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

3.    Ordinance #2007-08 Establishing A Formal Debt Policy For The City Of Waterloo. 

Discussion:  Hansen noted that Alderman Wolfgram regularly inquired about City debt and that this policy created a structure to use in evaluating municipal indebtedness in addition to a comparison against the maximum amount of debt allowed by state law.  Kent cautioned against adopting the policy in the ordinance that states, total general obligation debt for the City of Waterloo shall not exceed 3.75 percent (3.75%) of TID-Out equalized valuation.  He stated a preference for amending to may, rather then shall.  Motion: Moved by Putzke, seconded by Kent to adopt Ordinance #2007-08 with the presented ordinance being amended to state that 53-12(B)(1)(b) is to read: Total general obligation debt for the City of Waterloo may should (corrected 4/10/07 per Council action) not exceed 3.75 percent (3.75%) of TID-Out equalized valuation.  Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

4.         Ordinance #2007-09 Establishing A Formal Investment Fund Policy For The City Of Waterloo.  Discussion:  Hansen noted that the diversification provision of the ordinance would require moving some funds out of F&M Bank to another financial institution.  Van Holten asked how that could be accomplished given that F&M Bank is the official depository.  Hansen replied that multiple official depositories could be named.  Kent raised an objection to sending municipal funds out of town.  Putzke stated that diversification is in the best interest of the citizens.  Hansen summarized the agreement the City has with F&M Bank for idle funds noting that the bank matches the Local Government Investment Pool rate offered by the state with a one-month lag, and that F&M Bank allows for full liquidity, much like a money market fund.  Hansen stated that he would attempt to match that arrangement with a second financial institution for a portion of the idle funds to achieve the stated policy objective.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to adopt Ordinance #2007-09 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

5.   MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS

a.      Mayoral Proclamation: 2007 Girl Scout Week Proclamation.  Noted.

 b.   Notice Of Published Notices  -- (1) Voting By Absentee Ballot In The April 3, 2007 Spring General Election;          (2) Public Test Of Voting Equipment.  Noted.

6.  UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.   Treasurer & Budget Reports For January 2007.  Motion: Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to approve the Treasurer & Budget Reports for January 2007 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

7.  NEW BUSINESS

a.   Appointment To Fill The Council Vacancy Of An At-Large Alderperson Position Created By The Resignation    Of Kevin Putzke, Vacancy Effective April 1, 2007.  Discussion:  Hansen stated that Bill Springer and Chris Pieck expressed interest in the filling the vacancy.  Hansen noted that filling the vacancy is the responsibility of the Council.  Putzke spoke in support of Pieck stating that he was skilled at organizing people, had a good personality and was responsible for being the trail boss in charge of the Trek bike trails.  Putzke referenced several items from the Pieck letter of interest.  Putzke also spoke favorably of Bill Springer.  Van Holten noted that Springer was on vacation and hadn’t formally retired from City employment.  Kent commented that Springer could be appointed effective the day his retirement takes effect.  Van Holten noted that if Springer were appointed three Council members would be from the same ward (Springer, Van Holten and Wolfgram).  Van Holten inquired on Wolfgram future status given his communication to the Council stating that he may have to resign due to a conflict with a new job.  Hansen stated that Wolfgram said he would take another week or so to decide on his intentions.  Van Holten suggested tabling the matter until Wolfgram’s intention was known.  Kent stated that given that the Council would be reorganizing itself soon, he would prefer to act now so the Mayor could fill committee positions due to the Putzke resignation.  Motion: Moved by Van Holten to table the matter to next meeting.  Motion failed due to the lack of a 2^nd.

Motion: Moved by Putzke, seconded by Perry to appoint Chris Pieck to fill the vacancy of Alderperson Kevin Putzke effective April 1, 2007. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

b.  Resolution #2007-17 Amending The City Of Waterloo Fee Schedule To Include Video Tape Purchases From     The Police Department.  Discussion:  Kent commented that the fee was generous at $35.  Motion: Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Forman to approve Resolution #2007-17 amended to add text describing the fee charged description on the Fee Schedule as being specifically for Police Department records. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

c.   Resolution #2007-18 Authorizing Change Of Signature Cards For A Waterloo Active Fire Department Account.  Motion: Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Perry to approve Resolution #2007-18 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

d.   Approval Of Operator’s Licenses For Michael T. Castellini, 319 N. Watertown Street, Johnson Creek, WI, And  Jennifer S. Zimmermann, 270 Knowlton Street, Waterloo, WI License Period Ending June 30, 2007.  Discussion:  Van Holten asked why the new forms approved months ago were not being used.  Motion:   Moved by Kent, seconded by Van Holten to approve the Operator’s Licenses for Michael Castellini and Jennifer Zimmermann as presented. Roll Call Vote: Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

8.  REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

a.  Reports Of The Clerk/Treasurer

-Approval Of Payroll For February 2007 - $38,131.86.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to approve the February 2007 payroll in the amount of $38,131.86.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

-Approval Of Pay Vouchers From February 16, 2007 Through March 15, 2007.  Motion:  Moved Putzke, seconded by Forman to approve the pay vouchers as presented.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.

-Approval Of Treasurer & Budget Reports For February 2007.  Motion:  Moved by Putzke, seconded by Forman to approve the Treasurer & Budget Reports for February 2007.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Putzke, Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman, and Kent. Noes – None with Wolfgram absent.  Motion passed.