CITY OF WATERLOO COUNCIL MINUTES

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

Thursday, March 6, 2008

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 – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Cotting, Forman and Kent. Others present – Police Chief Tim Thomas, Gina Covelli of the Courier, Tammy Krueger of the Watertown Daily Times, Videographer Gerald Bauman, Bill Suick of the engineering firm D’Onofrio Kottke -  on behalf of DSH Real Estate, Don Esposito of DSH Real Estate, Fire Chief Vern Butzine, Wes Benisch, Bill Hogan and Scott Quimby representing the Chamber of Commerce, Utility Superintendent Gene Weihert and Clerk/Treasurer Hansen.  

2.       APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 21, 2008 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES. Motion: Moved by Springer, seconded by Perry to approve the February 21, 2008 meeting minutes as presented.  Voice Vote: Motion passed.

3.       CITIZEN INPUT. None.

            Motion To Take Up Agenda Item Out Of Order.  Motion:  Moved by Springer, second by Perry to take up             agenda dealing with the issuance of an operator’s license to Benjamin Gorder at this time.  Voice Vote: Motion             passed.

            - Approval To Grant Operator’s Licenses To Benjamin Gorder For The Period Ending June 30, 2009 (tabled from February 21, 2008).  Discussion: Springer noted that the application had been filled out incorrectly and  had been corrected.  Replying to a question from Cotting, Springer stated that an operator’s license can be used anywhere within the municipality and is not limited to the business listed on the application. Chief Thomas said that individually the applicant’s convictions were not grounds for denial, but that if considered a habitual offender, the applicant could be denied a license.  Perry stated that others have been disqualified and the Council  needs to be consistent. Pieck said it was important to uphold the law.  Benjamin Gorder said that he can’t change the past and that he wanted to serve citizens in a responsible way.  Springer asked if his past experiences could perhaps benefit the applicant in knowing how to serve bar patrons.  Gorder replied yes.  Gorder said he had been around the bar scene for a long time and that he knew when to cut people off.  In reply to a question from Kent, Gorder described one conviction.  Cotting asked if a conditional approval was possible.  Mayor Thompson replied that he thought not.  Pieck noted that Gorder’s license could be suspended or revoked at a later time. Motion:  Moved by Springer, seconded by Van Holten to grant an operator’s license to Benjamin Gorder for the the period ending June 30, 2009.  Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Cotting, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion carried.    

4.       MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS   

a.      Resignation Letter From Bill Sullivan, Parks Commissioner. Noted.

b.      Veolia Environmental Services Letter To Residents And Elected Officials. Noted.

c.      Mayoral Proclamation: 2008 Girl Scout Week.  Noted.

5.       COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS, AND BOARDS RECOMMENDATIONS & REPORTS

a.      Waterloo Water & Light Commission

                                                              i.      Resolution #2008-11 Awarding A Contract For 2008 Utilities Improvements – Madison Street Lift Station Force Main Replacement.  Discussion:  Hansen said the low bidder had requested that its bid be thrown out as that firm had missed items in arriving at the bid figure.  Hansen stated that the Utility Commission had recommended the 2^nd lowest bidder at its March 5, 2008 meeting.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, second by Kent to adopt Resolution #2008-11 awarding the contract to Capital Underground Inc. of Middleton, Wisconsin in the amount of $97,610. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Cotting, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion carried.    

b.      Finance, Insurance & Personnel Committee

                                                              i.      Resolution #2008-12 Amending The 2008 Budget To Allow For The Purchase Of A Public Works Department Wood Chipper For Brush Collection.  Discussion:  Forman said the amendment allowed for a 2008 purchase, and that the purchase had been budgeted for 2007 but had not occurred.  Forman said money was available.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, second by Van Holten to adopt Resolution #2008-12 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Cotting, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion carried.    

c.      Community Development Committee

                                                              i.      Ordinance #2008-04 Amending Section 223-9 Of The Municipal Code To Allow The City To Exceed Its Liquor License Quota As Provided For In Section 125.51(4)(v), Wis. Stats. Discussion:  Kent stated that the committee was attempting to work with a business owner that had stated an interest in a liquor license and that the committee has requested an ordinance draft from the City Attorney.  In reply to a question from Pieck, Kent stated that parking requirements for a restaurant seating 300 would likely be addressed during the Plan Commission’s review of any project plans.  Motion:  Moved by Forman, second by Van Holten to adopt Ordinance #2008-04 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Cotting, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion carried.    

d.      Public Works & Property

                                                              i.      Resolution #2008-13 Approving An Access Easement Agreement With The Property Owner At 127 East Madison Street.  Motion: Moved by Forman, second by Van Holten to table the item to the next night the Public Works Committee meets (April 3, 2008). Voice Vote: Motion passed.      

e.      Plan Commission

                                                              i.      Resolution #2008-14 Approving Final Plat Approval, With Conditions, Of The Saddle Ridge Subdivision As Submitted By D’Onofrio Kottke & Associates, Representative Of DSH Real Estate.  Note:  By consensus the body chose to take up items 5e(i) and 5e(ii) together.  Discussion: Replying to a question from Perry, Don Esposito of DSH Real Estate said his firm was considering a fence, berm and visual barrier along lots adjacent to the pallet company.  Replying to a question from Pieck, Bill Suick of D’Onofrio Kottke & Associates said the storm water management plan had been reviewed by the City Engineer.  Replying to a question from Van Holten, Esposito said he had no concerns with the additional conditions recommended by the City Attorney in a memo submitted by the Clerk/Treasurer. Gene Weihert stated that Town & Country Engineer was reviewing whether or not phase one water improvements would adversely affect the adjacent property owners. Motion: Moved by Springer, second by Van Holten to adopt Resolution #2008-14 amended to include the additional conditions recommended by the City Attorney and Clerk/Treasurer.  The motion further stated that the Council approves Ordinance #2008-05 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Cotting, Forman and Kent. Noes – None.  Motion carried.           

                                                            ii.      Ordinance #2008-05 To Allow A Change In Land Use From Existing R-1, Single Family Residential To R-2 For The Saddle Ridge Subdivision Lots 4-9 With The Remaining Lots 1-3 And 10-56 Remaining R-1. (see above.)

f.        Library Board

                                                              i.      Energy Audit Report (for informational purposes only).  Discussion: Perry noted that a newly installed replacement furnace had been identified as less efficient than the original.  He said the Library Board was looking into the matter.  Mayor Thompson noted that a similar audit is planned for the municipal building.    

6.       UNFINISHED BUSINESS

a.      Resolution #2007-67 Approving Development Agreements Between The City Of Waterloo And Briess Malt & Ingredients Company (tabled from January 3, 2008).  Discussion: Hansen and Thompson noted that the City Attorney was requesting flexibility regarding the final drafting.  Hansen stated that Briess would be obligated to employ a minimum of 15 fulltime employees for a period no shorter than December 31, 2017; that Briess would agree to renovate the plant and upgrade equipment at a cost of $1.4 million; and that Briess would be required to repay the City if it violated its obligations according to a formula detailed in the agreement.  Hansen said a wastewater agreement was being finalized for future Council consideration. Motion: Moved by Van Holten, second by Kent to adopt Resolution #2007-67 amended to include the understanding that minor revisions to form may be included in the final executed document. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Cotting and Kent. Noes – Forman.  Motion carried.       

b.      Approval To Grant Operator’s Licenses To Benjamin Gorder For The Period Ending June 30, 2009 (tabled from February 21, 2008).  (see above.)

c.      Resolution #2008-15 Approval Of The Placement Of Temporary Signs By The Waterloo Chamber Of Commerce During Road Construction As Provided For In Section 385-26(c)(7).  Discussion: Bill Hogan spoke in favor of the resolution stating that he was working with the Department of Transportation and that the plan was to erect signs along the detour route near Marshall and Columbus with a third sign or banner in the City.  Motion: Moved by Van Holten, second by Perry to adopt Resolution #2008-15 as presented. Voice Vote: Motion carried.       

7.       NEW BUSINESS

a.      Approval To Grant A Soda License To Thomas Hotmar, Waterloo Building Center, 151 West Madison Street For The Period Ending June 30, 2008.  Motion: Moved by Van Holten, second by Perry to grant the soda license to Thomas Hotmar for the period ending June 30, 2008. Voice Vote: Motion carried.  

b.      Approval To Grant Operator’s Licenses To Jason Berndt, 273 Edison Street, For The Period Ending June 30, 2009.  Motion: Moved by Springer, seconded by Van Holten,to approve the operator’s license to Jason Berndt for the period ending June 30, 2009. Voice Vote: Motion carried.

c.      Resolution #2008-16 Approving A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Agreement.  Discussion:  Chief Butzine said many communities in Jefferson County are signing on to the mutual aid box alarm system concept.  He said the agreement broadens the territory to which the Fire Department could provide mutual aid. Motion: Moved by Springer, second by Pieck to approve Resolution #2008-16 as presented. Voice Vote: Motion carried.

8.       FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

            # Pieck raised the issue of allowing chickens in town and asked how the matter was handled by the Public             Safety Committee.  Mayor Thompson said the matter died for the lack of a second.  #Pieck raised the issue of a             smoking ban in Waterloo seeking input from others.  He noted some of the benefits of a smoke free             environment. # Cotting presented a letter thanking the Wisconsin State Journal staff for a recent article and invited   Alders to sign.  She also asked if a procedure could be established for the City going on record for similar future             thank you situations.  The Mayor directed the Clerk/Treasurer to review what other communities do on this item.

9.       ADJOURN.  Motion: Moved by Springer, second by several others to adjourn. Voice Vote: Motion carried.  The Council adjourned at approximately 7:55 p.m.

Attest:

        Morton Hansen

       Clerk/Treasurer