CITY OF WATERLOO COUNCIL MINUTES

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

Thursday, May 17, 2007

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL.  Mayor Thompson called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at approximately 7:05 p.m.  Alderpersons present – Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent. Absent – Pieck and Hennessy.  Others present – Police Chief Tim Thomas, Katie Linder of the Courier, Crissy Brey of the Watertown Daily Times, Library Director Cecilia Wiltzius, Herb Lenius, Jill Oelke, Van Stenberg, Vern Butzine, Wes Benisch, Craig Strobel, Laura Cotting, Raynelle Butzine, Linda Joyce, Chris Abell, Craig Strobel, Pat Sayre, Videographer Gerald Baumann and Clerk/Treasurer Hansen.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF THE MAY 3, 2007 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Kent to approve the May 3, 2007 regular council meeting minutes as presented.  Voice Vote:  Motion passed.

  1. CITIZEN INPUT.  None.

  1. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS
    1. 2006 City Of Waterloo Tax Incremental District No. 1 – Financial Statements.  Noted.
    2. Mayoral Proclamation – Emergency Medical Services Week.  Noted.
    3. Notice of Public Notices: (1) To Cut Or Destroy Noxious Weeds; (2) Examination Of The 2007 Assessment Roll (Open Book); (3) Meeting Of Board Of Review.  Noted.

 

  1. COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS RECOMMENDATIONS
    1. Finance, Personnel And Insurance Committee

                                                              i.      Resolution #2007-28 Approval Of A Contract With Cotting Consultants For Creation And Delivery Of An Interactive Web-Based Map.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Van Holten to table Resolution #2007-28 until June 7, 2007.  Roll Call Vote:  Ayes - Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent.  Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent.  Motion passed.

 

                                                            ii.      Resolution #2007-21, A Resolution Amending the 2006 Budget.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve Resolution #2007-21 as presented. Roll Call Vote:  Ayes - Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent.  Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent.  Motion passed.

 

                                                          iii.      Resolution #2007-22, A Resolution Amending the 2007 Department of Public Works Budget.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Van Holten to approve Resolution #2007-22 as presented.  Roll Call Vote:  Ayes - Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent.  Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent. Motion passed.

 

                                                           iv.      Resolution #2007-23, A Resolution Amending the 2007 Budget Reauthorizing Changes Adopted November 16, 2006 And Directing The Clerk/Treasurer To Publish Said Changes.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve Resolution #2007-23 as presented. Roll Call Vote:  Ayes - Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent.  Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent.  Motion passed.

 

    1. Public Works And Property Committee

                                                              i.      Ordinance #2007-13 Amending Chapter 380-9 Removing A Requirement For A Developer To Contribute A Fee In Lieu Of A Parkland Dedication.  Discussion:  Alderman Kent requested a follow up with the City Attorney or League of Municipalities on the City’s options on this item.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Springer to adopt Ordinance #2007-13 as presented. Roll Call Vote:  Ayes - Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent.  Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent.  Motion passed.

 

  1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
    1. Transfer Of Accounting Functions From Fire Department To Clerk/Treasurer’s Office (tabled from January 18, 2007).  Discussion:  Fire Chief Vern Butzine distributed a draft ordinance.  Mayor Thompson stated that he had reviewed the draft and said that the Council should seriously consider adoption.  He said the draft maintains the status quo, allowing the Fire Department to operate in the manner that it has.  Thompson added that if the Council were to adopt the ordinance now, elected officials could use the period until year’s end to evaluate whether or not the Fire Department has lived up to the agreement.   Kent reviewed the ordinance stating that the Fire Department managing the volunteer or member funds was not of much concern.  Forman stated that the ordinance was not what he was looking for.  Chief Butzine commented that an attorney had been brought in to ensure that the draft met state requirements. Hansen read from a May 17, 2007 memo distributed at the meeting.  He noted that, due to a withholding error by the Fire Department, the Clerk/Treasurer’s office was in the process of issuing IRS W-2 forms to properly account for compensation paid to volunteers in 2006.  It was noted that the Clerk/Treasurer’s office was now writing payroll checks to Fire Department staff. The body discussed whether a committee referral should go to Public Safety or to Finance.  Perry said that because the issue originated in Finance it should go to Finance.  Perry asked if another joint Council/Fire Department meeting at the station had been scheduled.  Chief Butzine stated that one would be scheduled.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten to refer to Public Safety – motion withdrawn.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Perry to refer the matter to the next Finance Committee meeting.  Voice Vote:  Motion passed.

 

    1. Approval of Certified Survey Map For 114 N. Monroe Street, Tabled from April 19, 2007.  Discussion: Hansen stated that he had not heard from Van Stenberg’s attorney on the matter of a boundary agreement.  Jill Oelke, representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the property owner. Perry noted that all property owners adjacent to a map approval such as this one should be notified that a meeting is taking place.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Forman to table the matter to June 7, 2007. Voice Vote:  Motion passed.

 

  1. NEW BUSINESS
    1. Resolution #2007-29 Awarding A Contract For The 2007 Sidewalk Program.  Discussion:  A typing error in the title was noted.  Hansen said both he and the Public Works Director had reviewed the bids and recommended Rennhack Construction.  Thompson noted that Yerges was unable to attend due to an emergency.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Forman to approve Resolution #2007-29 Awarding a contract for the 2007 Sidewalk Program to Rennhack Construction of Reeseville Wisconsin in the amount of $49,916.82. Roll Call Vote:  Ayes - Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent.  Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent.  Motion passed.

 

    1. Resolution #2007-30 Amending The City of Waterloo Fee Schedule.  Motion:  Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Forman to approve Resolution #2007-30 as presented.  Voice Vote:  Motion passed.

 

    1. Ordinance #2007-14 A Technical Amendment To Chapter 383-3 Stating A Policy Of No Refund For Received Fees.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve Resolution #2007-14 A Technical Amendment to Chapter 383-3 Stating a Policy of No Refund for Received Fees.  Voice Vote:    Motion passed.

 

    1. Request To Stop Raze Order, City Of Waterloo vs. Derek Thurnbauer, 1204 Main Street.    Discussion:  Hansen noted that Mr. Thurnbauer had requested to be placed on the agenda, but was unable to attend and did not submit a written document.  Hansen proceeded to described a timeline starting with the first non-compliance notice and leading to the issuance of a raze order for 1204 Main Street.  He stated that the City was scheduled to go to trial to compel the razing of the building, but the case was bumped to a later date due to other matters before the court.

 

    1. Announcement Of Mayoral Taskforce – Waterloo Mapping Project.  Discussion:  Mayor Thompson said he had appointed a taskforce consisting of Garret Perry, Police Chief Tim Thomas, one representative from the Chamber of Commerce and one representative from the Waterloo 2000 group.  Hansen stated that the two organizations involved had been informed, but had not yet selected their representatives.  Kent said the project scope was a significant element to this project.  He suggested that the matter be referred to the Community Development Committee or that additional Council members be appointed.  Van Holten stated that several meetings might be needed to complete the scoping task.  Kent asked that a special Community Development meeting be scheduled for May 31, 2007 at 6 p.m. at which time the taskforce and the committee can work through issues related to the project scope.

 

  1.  REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
a.      Reports Of The Clerk/Treasurer
                                                              i.      Approval Of Payroll For April 2007 - $42,480.93.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve the Payroll for April 2007 in the amount of $42,480.93.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent. Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent.  Motion passed.
 
                                                            ii.      Approval Of Pay Vouchers From April 20, 2007 To May 17, 2007.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve the Pay Vouchers from April 20, 2007 to May 17, 2007 as presented.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent. Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessy absent.  Motion passed.
 
                                                          iii.      Approval Of Treasurer & Budget Reports For April 2007.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve the Treasurer & Budget Reports for April 2007.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Forman and Kent.  Noes – none with Pieck and Hennessey absent.  Motion passed.

 

                                                           iv.      Elected Official Briefing Book.  Discussion:  Hansen noted that he had yet to complete the document.  Thompson stated that this would be a recurring agenda item until completed.

 

b.      Report, Waterloo Active Fire Department For April 2007.  Noted.

 

c.      Report, Building Inspector - Building, Plumbing, And Electrical Permits For April 2007.  Noted.

 

d.      Report, Public Works Director Gary Yerges For April 2007.  Noted. 

 

e.      Report, Police Chief Timothy Thomas For April 2007.  Chief Thomas stated that a Kenosha officer had been killed in the line of duty.  He further noted that the in-car camera system from the GDL grant was installed.

 

f.        Report, Library Director Cecilia Wiltzius For April 2007.  Wiltzius stated that the library had received grant benefiting Spanish speaking library users.

 

g.      Report, Waterloo Water & Light Commission For May 1, 2007.  Noted.

 

  1. FUture agenda items and announcements.  ## Perry distributed a document and advocated for changing the ordinances to allow chickens to be kept in the City.  Mayor Thompson stated a concern saying that allowing chickens would in turn encourage other atypical pets.  The Mayor referred the matter to Public Safety.

## Herb Lenius was recognized and stated that he thought Alders, if appointed to fill vacancies, should attend meetings.

 

10. ADJOURN.  Motion:  Moved by Springer, seconded by Van Holten to adjourn.  Motion passed unanimously.  Time of adjournment was approximately 9:05 pm.

 

Attest:

 

 

 

Morton Hansen

Clerk/Treasurer