City council minutes
City of Medford Common Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 7, 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 Knight 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/Public Works Director John Fales, Police Chief Chad Liske, Treasurer Kathy Tom, Street & Water Superintendent Joe Harris, and Abbie Bergman-Pool Manager. City Attorney Courtney Graff was an excused absence.
Visitors Present
Visitors present were Don Watson-Star News, Jessica Mudgett-Taylor County Housing Authority Director, Liza Daleiden & Mike Lindau-Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc., and Jenny Shipman & Elaine Hallgren- 8th Street Artisans.
Citizens & Delegations Comments No visitors or delegations addressed the Council.
Minutes
Michael Bub moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to approve the June 22, 2020 Special Council meeting minutes as presented, and to place the same on file in the Clerk’s Offi ce. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.
Pool Update
Pool Manager Bergman gave the following update on the pool: (1) The pool is running smoothly. (2) There is an average of 50 people per day. As of today, the maximum amount of people using the pool throughout the day is 170. (3) Pool patrons are practicing social distancing.
Discussion included the following: (1) Allowing the sale of daily pool passes. (2) Concern was expressed that if daily passes were allowed, the pool would see an influx of people from communities that did not open their pools. (3) Mayor Wellner would like to continue current pool operations and guidelines forthisyear. (4) Councilmembers indicated that they were getting complaints from individuals upset that the City did not open the pool to all Taylor County residents. Council members have been informing these people to contact their municipality to encourage them to contribute to the operation of the City pool in the future. No Action Taken.
Homeless Shelter
In the Spring 2018, Taylor County Housing Authority Director Mudgett saw a need to begin looking into what the community could do to help those experiencing homelessness after receiving many calls to her office from people in that situation. Director Mudgett organized a meeting and invited community members to attend to discuss the issues surrounding homelessness and possible solutions. By December of 2018, the Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc. was created with a nine-member Board of Directors. They applied for a federal identification number with the Internal Revenue Service, established bylaws, and articles of incorporation. The group met monthly to discuss how to move forward with housing for those who are homeless. In 2020, Taylor County Support Housing, Inc. was approved a 5013c3 nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service. They have applied for Community Development Block Grant funding. Grant fund, if approved, would cover the cost of a building and staffing for two years for a homeless shelter. The program is not fully developed, but will consist of goal setting with case management to help the homeless individuals to work towards securing affordable housing. While they are working on their goals, Taylor County Support Housing, Inc. will provide shelter, food, and support. The homeless shelter will serve Taylor County residents who have nowhere to sleep.
After receiving grant funding, Taylor County Support Housing, Inc. will pursue the purchase of a 4-bedroom home where there will be enough space to have an office and bedrooms to serve homeless individuals and families. Taylor County Support Housing, Inc. will develop a program to help these individuals be setting goals and connecting them with services in the community to help them become self-sufficient.
Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc. hopes to pursue a building in the City of Medford. Often the clients they serve do not have transportation and for that reason it is important that they can be self-sufficient and walk to shopping, clinics, day cares, and jobs in Medford.
In a memo to Council, Building Inspector/Planner Bob Christensen addressed the building located at 327 East Broadway Avenue as a potential site of the homeless shelter. On October 8, 1991, the Plan Commission approved a conditional use permit for the Taylor County Citizens Against Domestic Abuse to allow for a Taylor County Citizens Against Domestic Abuse to have a semi-public use in a R-2 One & Two Family zoned property located at 327 East Broadway Avenue. The conditional use permit expired (or was supposed to expire) at the time the property was sold. The wording of the expiration and the Building Inspector/Planner Bob Christensen’s understanding of who Stepping Stones’ is, is confusing. Is Stepping Stones a spinoff of the Taylor County Citizens Against Domestic Abuse (it appears to be that way as they both serve a domestic abuse center)?
Since the information in the file is very specific about the use as a domestic abuse center and the fact that the conditional use permit expires when the property is sold, it is Building Inspector/ Planner Christensen’s opinion that the conditional use permit would not apply to a homeless shelter. Should Taylor County Support Housing, Inc. wish to pursue a homeless shelter at 327 East Broadway Avenue, the existing conditional use permit would not apply to the new use as a homeless shelter, and they would have to apply for a new conditional permit.
The following discussion was held: (1) Currently, vouchers for a two-night stay in a hotel are available from the Salvation Army. (2) The homeless shelter will serve both men, women, and families. (3) Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc. would like to purchase a vacant four-bedroom house in the City. Purchasing a house with occupant(s) would require additional costs that could better used for the homeless shelter. (4) The property purchased by Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc. would be tax exempt, and would not consider a payment in lieu of taxes. (5) It is not Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc.’s intent to house homeless from other parts of the state. However, it would work with neighboring counties to provide housing. (6) Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc. is currently awaiting a decision on their funding grant. As soon as grant funding becomes available, Taylor County Supportive Housing will begin to look for a property. (7) Depending upon the chosen property, rezoning may be necessary. Regardless of the zoning, a conditional use will be needed. (8) Issues Taylor County Supportive, Inc. will need to address to potential neighbors include security, parking, depreciation of property value, and traffic flow. (9) When asked about the need for law enforcement around a homeless shelter, Taylor County Supportive Housing, Inc. did not know. No Action Taken.
Agreement with Bond Counsel Regarding the Proposed Issuance of $4,490,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2020B Quarles & Brady LLP, the City’s bond counsel, has provided the City with an agreement for their services with regards to the proposed issuance of $4,490,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series, 2020B. The fees for this service are $7,735 for disclosure counsel and $11,900 for bond counsel for a total of $19,635. Monies for these services will be allocated from the proceeds of the note.
As a reminder, on May 19, 2020, Council approved Quarles & Brady LLP’s (the City’s bond counsel) agreement for their services with regards to the proposed issuance of $2,500,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2020 with said fees in the amount of $10,500 allocated from the proceeds of the note.
Greg Knight moved, Laura Holmes seconded a motion to approve Quarles & Brady LLP’s (the City’s bond counsel) agreement for their services with regards to the proposed issuance of $4,490,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2020B at a cost not-to-exceed of $19,635 (bond counsel @ $11,900 and disclosure counsel) @ $7,735) with said cost allocated from the proceeds of the bonds. 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 Class B Beer License to Medford City Baseball, Inc. for the Jaycee Field Concession Stand Located at 701 Centennial Parkway The Medford City Baseball, Inc., Kimberly Wojcik, Agent, has applied for a six-month Class B beer license for the premise located at 701 Centennial Parkway for the period beginning July 8, 2020 and ending February 7, 2021.
Clem Johnson moved, Laura Holmes seconded a motion to approve the issuance of a sixmonth Class B beer license to The Medford City Baseball, Inc., Kimberly Wojcik, Agent, for the premise located at 701 Centennial Parkway for the period be- ginning July 8, 2020 and ending February 7, 2021. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.
Issuance of a Class A Liquor License to EJ The Business of Arts LLC d/b/a 8th Street Artisans Located at 345 North Eighth Street EJ The Business of Arts LLC d/b/a 8th Street Artisans, Elaine Hallgren, Agent has applied for a Class A Liquor license for the premise located at 345 North Eighth Street for the period beginning July 8, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. EJ The Business of Arts LLC meets all necessary requirements.
Tim Hansen moved, Greg Knight seconded a motion to approve the issuance of a Class A liquor license to EJ The Business of Arts LLC d/b/a 8th Street Artisans, Elaine Hallgren, Agent, for the premise located at 345 North Eighth Street for the period beginning July 8, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.
Issuance of Operator’s (Bartender’s) License(s) Michael Bub moved, Dave Roiger seconded a motion to issuance of a regular operator’s license for the period beginning June 23, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 to Marianna Cascanet and Kaleb Voight. All in favor: AllAye. MotionCarried.
Coordinator’s Report
The Coordinator’s report was as follows: (1) An update on Public Works projects was given. (2) An update on Electric Utility projects was given. (3) An update on Wastewater Utility projects was given. (4) On June 26, 2020, the City was notified that it had received a Wisconsin Election Commission’s Cares Subgrant award in the amount of $2,631.00. This grant is for additional costs associated with the national emergency related to COVID-19. Additional costs are those incurred outside the City’s budgeted costs for the 2020 federal elections.
Communications from the Mayor
Upcoming Meeting Schedule
- The upcoming meeting schedule was distributed.
Zoning Board of Appeals -The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet July 20, 2020 at 5 PM.
Finance & Personnel Committee Meetings - Negotiations with the Police Union are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th and Thursday, November 19th. The times are still to be determined.
Senior Flags - Flags with pictures of the Medford Senior High School seniors were hung this week.
Francis L Simek Memorial Library Re-opening - The Francis L Simek Memorial Library will be re-opening on Monday, July 13th. No appointments are necessary, and there are procedures that must be followed. The library hours will be Monday-Thursday from 9 AM to 8 PM.
Adjournment
Dave Roiger moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 PM. All in favor: AllAye. Motion Carried. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted, Virginia Brost City Clerk, WCPC/MMC (One ins. July 16)
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