City council minutes

City of Medford Common Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, December 17, 2019 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, Peggy Kraschnewski, Christine Weix, Dave Roiger, Mike Bub, and Clem Johnson.

Pledge of Allegiance

Alderperson 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, Coordinator/Public Works Director John Fales, Incoming Treasurer Kathy Tom, and Street & Water Superintendent Joe Harris. City Attorney Courtney Graff was an excused absence.

Visitors Present

Visitors present were Brian Wilson-Star News, Susan Dake, Carter Waldhart, Parker Crass, Matt Jensen, Lyza Brandner, Anya Apfelbeck, Gabe Felix, Colten Halopka, and B. Zick.

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

Minutes

Peggy Kraschnewski moved, Christine Weix seconded a motion to approve the following minutes, and place the same on file in the Clerk’s Office: (1) December 3, 2019 Council, and (2) December 3, 2019 Committee of the Whole. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.

Introduction of Resolution: Vacating the Platted Street, Originally Forest Street, Between Block 2 and Block 3 of the Morningside Addition to the City At the December 3, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting, Building Inspector/Planner Bob Christensen discussed the possible vacation of the platted Forest Street located between Block 2 and Block 3 of the Morningside Addition. As a reminder, the original plat of the Morningside Addition to the City laid out a street named Forest Street. The street was never constructed but was laid out as what is now known as Ogden Street. The never constructed platted portion of the street still exists today. Today, there are houses built in the right-of-way of Forest Street. To correct this issue, the City will need to vacate the platted Forest Street. In order to begin the process, a Notice of Pendency indicating the City’s intent to vacate Forest Street was filed with the Taylor County Register of Deeds Office. The next step is to introduce the resolution to Council at its December 17, 2019 meeting. The Council will need to refer the proposed resolution to the Plan Commission for their review recommendation.

Dave Roiger moved, Greg Knight seconded a motion to refer the proposed Resolution to vacate the portion of the platted street originally named Forest Street and located in the Morningside Addition between Block 2 and Block 3 to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Peggy Kraschnewski-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 $56.92 per hour to $58.63 per hour, and Internal/Within City Departments from $41.58 per hour to $42.83 per hour. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Peggy Kraschnewski-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes(8Yes;0No) MotionCarried.

Finance & Personnel Committee Update

November 2019 Financial Report - The November 2019 Financial Report was distributed and reviewed.

November 2019 Building Permit Report - The November 2019 Building Permit Report was distributed and reviewed.

Replacement of Emergency Sirens & Funding for the Same Greg Knight moved, Peggy Kraschnewski seconded a motion to authorize the purchase of three emergency warning sirens at a cost not-to-exceed $49,950.00 (sirens, poles, & installation) with monies for the purchase allocated from the City’s Undesignated Reserve fund. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Peggy Kraschnewski-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.

Mayoral Appointment: New Treasurer On September 30, 2019, Kathy Tom was hired to replace retiring Treasurer Kevin Doberstein. With Treasurer Doberstein’s retirement date of December 31, 2019 approaching, Mayor Wellner would like to formally appoint Kathy Tom to the position.

Greg Knight moved, Laura Holmes seconded a motion to ratify the Mayor’s appointment of Kathy Tom to the City Treasurer’s position effective January 1, 2020 and expiring April 30, 2021. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Peggy Kraschnewski-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 twoyear regular operator’s licenses for the period beginning December 4, 2019 and ending June 30, 2021 to Thomas Burt, Kari Eisner, and Rick Zenner. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.

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.

Communications from the Mayor Upcoming Meeting Schedule - The upcoming meeting schedule was reviewed.

Plan Commission - The January 6, 2020 Plan Commission has been canceled.

Council Meeting - The January 7, 2020 Council meeting has tentatively been canceled.

Taxi Contract Updated - The City’s Shared Ride Taxi contract expires on December 31, 2019. The City requested bids for the 2020-2025 contracts for service with the bids due November 11, 2019. Only one bid was received. On November 19, 2019, the Taxi Selection Committee met, reviewed, and scored the bid from Brown Cab Service, Inc. The Committee requested Brown Cab Service, Inc. submit their final and best offer. Brown Cab Service, Inc. responded that they decided not to adjust their offer. The Taxi Selection Committee then reviewed this response and an email sent by Brown Cab Service Inc. regarding the hours of operation on Monday-Friday. Based on the email, the Taxi Selection Committee decided to make the changes suggested by Brown Cab Service, Inc. to improve the effectiveness of the service by reducing hours of service and to lower the total operating costs. Building Inspector/Planner Bob Christensen is finalizing the contract with Brown Cab Service, Inc. to be the City’s service provider for 2020.

Adjournment

Dave Roiger moved, Dave J. Brandner 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 26)

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