City council minutes

City of Medford Common Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 15, 2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers, City Hall 639 South Second Street Medford, WI {Subject to Council Approval} Call to Order/Roll Call Mayor Mike Wellner called the meeting to order with the following members present: Dave J. Brandner, Laura Holmes, Greg Knight, Tim Hansen Christine Weix, Dave Roiger, Mike Bub, and Clem Johnson.

Pledge of Allegiance

Alderperson Laura Holmes began the meeting by leading the group in the reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance”.

Open Meeting Law Compliance Mayor Wellner announced that this was an open meeting of the Common Council. Notice of this meeting was given to the public at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting by forwarding the complete agenda to the official City newspaper, The Star News, and to all news media that have requested the same as well as posting. Copies of the complete agenda were available for inspection at the City Clerk’s Office. Anyone desiring information as to forthcoming meetings should contact the City Clerk’s Office.

City Personnel Present

The following City personnel were present: City Clerk Ginny Brost, City Coordinator Joe Harris, Office Manager Ashley Lemke, Wastewater Utility Superintendent Ben Brooks, and Public Works Employee Travis Gilles. City Attorney Courtney Graff was an excused absence.

Visitors Present

Visitors present were Brian Wilson-Star News, Judge Ann Knox-Bauer, and Sue Emmerich- Chamber of Commerce.

Citizens & Delegations Comments No citizens or delegations addressed the Council.

Minutes

Laura Holmes moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to approve the following minutes, and place the same on file in the Clerk’s Office: (1) December 1, 2020 Council meeting; and (2) December 7, 2020 Committee of the Whole meeting. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.

Mayoral Appointment -

Joint/City Rural Fire Commission - City Members Only

Mayor Wellner would like to re-appoint the following individuals to serve as the City’s representatives on the Joint City/ Rural Fire Commission for a one-year term that begins January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2021: Brenda Hedlund, Clem Johnson, Jeri Koester, Al Leonard, Scott Mueller, and Arlene Parent.

Greg Knight moved, Christine Weix seconded a motion to ratify the Mayor’s appointment of the following individuals to serve as the City’s representatives on the Joint City/Rural Fire Commission for a one-year term that begins January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2021: Brenda Hedlund, Clem Johnson, Jeri Koester, Al Leonard, Scott Mueller, and Arlene Parent. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Introduction of New Public Works Employee Mayor Wellner introduced new Public Works employee Travis Gilles. Mr. Gilles began his employment with the City of Medford Public Works Department on October 26, 2020.

Mayoral Appointment - Hotel/ Motel Room Tax Commission Mayor Wellner would like to re-appoint the following individuals to serve as the City’s representatives on the Hotel/ Motel Room Tax Commission for a one-year term that begins January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2021: Mike Bub-Council Representative, Gary Jensen-Hotel/Motel Industry Representative, James Stokes-Citizens Representative, and Jesse Lukewich-Citizen Representative.

Clem Johnson moved, Dave Roiger seconded a motion to ratify the Mayor’s appointment of the following individuals to serve as the City’s representatives on the Hotel/Motel Room Tax Commission for a one-year term that begins January 1, 2021 and ends December 31, 2021: Mike Bub-Council Representative, Gary Jensen-Hotel/Motel Industry Representative, James Stokes-Citizen Representative, and Jesse Lukewich-Citizen Representative. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes, Clem Johnson- Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Mayoral Appointment Spectrum Employer Business Cooperative Board Member On October 15, 2019, Council approved the City’s participation in the Spectrum Employer Business Cooperative for the purpose of health insurance. As a member, the City has one vote on any matters that come before the Board. Mayor Wellner would like to appoint the Mayor’s position to serve as the permanent City representative on this Board instead of Council making an appointment annually.

Laura Holmes moved, Christine Weix seconded a motion to ratify the Mayor’s appoint of the Mayor’s position to serve as the permanent City representative on the Spectrum Employer Business Cooperative Board instead of Council making an appointment annually. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Mayoral Appointment - City Clerk On August 4, 2020, Ashley Lemke was hired to replace retiring City Clerk Ginny Brost. With City Clerk Brost’s retirement date of December 31, 2020 approaching, Mayor Wellner would like to formally appoint Ashley Lemke to the position effective January 1, 2021.

Clem Johnson moved, Dave Roiger seconded a motion to ratify the Mayor’s appointment of Ashley Lemke to the position of City Clerk effective January 1, 2021. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen- Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Oath of Office - City Clerk

Judge Anne Knox-Bauer administered the office to Incoming City Clerk Ashley Lemke.

Designating a Property for a Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Housing (WHEDA) Tax Credit Program Development Dave Roiger moved, Laura Holmes seconded a motion to designate the 4.4 acres of City-owned land on Progressive Avenue for development for the Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Housing Tax Credit Program, and to authorize the City Coordinator to proceed with the request for proposals for interested developers. Motion included that if a developer is successful in obtaining the tax credit, the City will install sidewalks to the development. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen- Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Adjustment to the Public Works Policy for Labor & Equipment Charges Clem Johnson moved, Laura Holmes seconded a motion to approve the 2020 Public Works Policy for Labor & Equipment Charges’ rates as follows: Private/ Outside Party from $58.63 per hour to $60.10 per hour, and Internal/Within City Departments from $42.83 per hour to $43.90 per hour. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes(8Yes;0No) MotionCarried.

Suspend the Chamber of Commerce 2021 Rental Fee for the City-owned Property Located at 104 East Perkins Street Laura Holmes moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to suspend the Chamber of Commerce monthly rent payment of $270 for the City-owned property located at 104 East Perkins Street for calendar year 2021 due to the impact COVID-19 has had on small businesses that are majority members of the Chamber. All other terms of the contract will remain the same. The City will then review the matter in December of 2021. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner- Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Update - November 2020 Building Permit Report The Committee reviewed the November 2020 Building Permit Report.

Project Crosswalk Medford & Funding for the Same City Coordinator Harris spoke with Medford Morning Rotary Club President Nathan Bilodeau. Mr. Bilodeau indicated that the Rotary Club is planning to apply for a grant for the crosswalk project. This is a matching grant, and the Rotary Club plans to raise the matching funds. If the Rotary Club is successful, they would like to sponsor at least one intersection, and possible more depending on the grant award. The Rotary Club would like to continue its involvement in this community project by education awareness and financial funding.

Laura Holmes moved, Christine Weix seconded a motion to approve the installation of AC Powers Systems at the following crosswalk locations along Highway 64 – Fourth Street, Whelen Avenue, Washington Street and Joan Street at a cost of $5,500 per system plus the cost of installation for a total not to exceed $30,000 with the cost allocated from the Undesignated Unreserve account. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Authorization for City Coordinator and Electric Utility Manager to Explore Future Capacity with Great Lake Utilities Laura Holmes moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to authorize the City Coordinator and Electric Utility Manager to continue exploring the City’s option regarding future capacity with the Great Lakes Utilities and to report back to Council with a recommendation on how to proceed. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.

Wastewater Utility Purchase of a One-Ton Service Truck & Funding for the Same The Wastewater Utility solicited quotes for a new one-ton service truck with a crane and utility box. The current one-ton truck will be sold on the Wisconsin Surplus Auction site. Three quotes for the truck were received. They are as follows: Dealer - Model - Cost Wheeler Chevrolet - 2021 Chevy 3500 HD - $31,187.80 Medford Chrysler Center -2020 Dodge Ram 3500 (Projected 2% price increase for a 2021 model.) - $31,521.00 Medford Motors- 2021 Ford F350 - $32,590.00 The Monroe FX brand service body with a Venturo ET8KX Crane is an additional $36,714.00.

Clem Johnson moved, Dave Brandner seconded a motion to authorize the Wastewater Utility purchase of the 2021 Chevy 3500 HD truck from Wheelers Chevrolet at a cost of $31,187.80 and the Monroe FX brand service body with Venturo ET8KX Crane at a cost of $36,714.00 for a total cost not-to-exceed $68,000.00 with the monies allocated from the Wastewater Truck Replacement Fund (account #66-103746). Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner- Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Tim Hansen-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Issuance of Operator’s (Bartender’s) License(s) Clem Johnson moved, Dave Roiger seconded a motion to approve the issuance of a regular operator’s licenses for the period beginning December 16, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 to Casey Brost. All in favor: All Aye. MotionCarried.

Coordinator’s Report

The Coordinator’s report was as follows: (1) An update on the Public Works projects was given. (2) An update on the Electric Utility projects was given. (3) An update on the Wastewater Utility projects was given. (4) On December 11, 2020, Police Lieutenant Rob Horenberger notifi ed the City that he will be retiring on February 28, 2021. (5) The City’s pre-audit is scheduled for January 12-13, 2021, and the audit for the week of February 22, 2021. (6) Maxx Handel has been selected as the new Library Director. She will begin her employment with the Library on December 21, 2020.

Communications from the Mayor - Upcoming Meeting

December 21, 2020 Committee of the Whole Meeting - The December 21st Committee of the Whole meeting has been canceled.

Adjournment

Dave Roiger moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 PM. All in favor: AllAye. Motion Carried. Meeting Adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted, Virginia Brost City Clerk, WCPC/MMC (One ins. December 24, 2020)

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