The Meeting of the Common Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, August 14, 2007. It was noted
that the meeting had been announced and a notice posted at City Hall.
Roll call was taken, with the following members present: Mayor Jim Bialecki, Ald. Mike Giese, Ald.
Robert Muth, Ald. Tim Miller, Ald. Jim Olson, Ald. Kim Smith, and Ald. Clarence
Stellner.
Also Present: City Clerk Cari
Burmaster, Finance Director Fred Buehler, Land Use & Development Director
Jason Gilman, and City Engineer Jarrod Holter.
Item 2 - Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was declared.
Item 3 - Approval of minutes from previous meeting.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Olson, to approve the minutes
from the previous meeting as printed and on file in the City Clerk’s
Office. On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 4 - PUBLIC INPUT: (limited to 3 minutes/individual)
Mayor Bialecki turned the agenda item over to anyone wishing to provide
input.
Item 5 - REPORT FROM THE MAYOR.
Mayor Bialecki reported that it has been
recommend that David Frey, a retired engineer from Trane Company be appointed
to the Long Range Planning Committee to serve in Dan Hoch’s absence who had to
retire for personal reasons.
Motion by Ald. Smith, second by Ald. Stellner, to appoint David Frey,
Mayor Bialecki explained that the outside contractor’s name is Jim Strat,
who is an IT with Mathy Construction.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, to approve the mayor’s
appointment to the selection committee, in addition to Finance Director –
Liaison from Technology Committee (Chris Muller), Liaison from Finance and
Personnel Committee Jim Olson and outside liaison to review / recommend 2008
Information Technology Contractor.
On voice vote, motion carried.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROVAL
AND/OR POSSIBLE ACTION FROM THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS/BOARDS:
Item 6 – FINANCE COMMITTEE:
A. Vouchers.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee, to approve Vouchers No. 1607 through No. 1853,
expended since the last Common Council meeting of July 10, 2007 in the amount
of $3,295,455.37.
On voice vote, motion carried.
B. Acceptance of the 2006 Final Financial Audit
Report.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the acceptance of the 2006 Final
Financial Audit Report.
On voice vote, motion carried.
C. Promissory Note to Community Development
Authority (C.D.A.) –
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the promissory note to the Community
Development Authority not to exceed $65,000 and pay back on or before March 1,
2008.
On voice vote, motion carried.
D. GREAT Program continuation/funding in the
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee, to approve the GREAT Program
continuation/funding in the
Under discussion, Mayor Bialecki indicated that Chief Hauser is
recommending continuation of this program.
Due to circumstances, there was a grant opportunity that was missed, but
will be pursued in the future.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 7 – PERSONNEL COMMITTEE:
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the out-of-state travel request of
Firefighter Wayne Nagy to attend the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance
Program in
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the out-of-state travel request of
Firefighter Richard Molzahn to attend the Challenge for Local Training Officers
in
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the job description for the position
of Human Resource Specialist.
Under discussion, City Clerk Cari Burmaster noted that there was some
clarification under Point 4 containing further description of what the person
in this position actually does. Therefore,
Point 4 and Point 14 contain additional duties for clarification.
Ald. Giese thanked the F & P Committee, the Mayor, and the staff, for
entertaining his comments following the F & P Meeting and for making these
minor changes that Cari refers to. Ald.
Giese said, “With those changed, I enthusiastically support the job
description. I do want to add that I
would recommend to the F & P that they reconsider the lines of
responsibility. I’m not convinced that
this is the case, but at least I think it warrants looking into about possibly reporting
to another department head rather than directly to the mayor.”
Mayor Bialecki thanked Ald. Giese for his insight regarding these
comments.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to post the salary for the Human Resource
Specialist position between $37,000 and $40,000.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to post and advertise the job description for
the Human Resource Specialist position.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to post and advertise the job description for
the Utility Operator II position.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the Letter of Agreement with WPPA
(Wisconsin Professional Police Association).
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to accept the resignation of Deputy Financial
Services Director/ Treasurer Sara Stoner.
Ald. Olson indicated that the resignation of Sara Stoner is accepted with
sadness and Ald. Olson thanked her for all the great work she has done for the
city.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the Interim Deputy Financial Services
Director/ Treasurer position.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the salary for the Interim Deputy
Financial Services Director/ Treasurer in the amount of $37,000 to
$40,000.
Cari noted that the salary amount discussed at the F & P meeting was
$42,000 to $45,000 for the salary range for that position.
Friendly amendment to the motion was noted.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to post and advertise the position of the
Interim Deputy Financial Services Director / Treasurer.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the job description for the Finance
Office Assistant Position.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Ald. Olson referred to Cari for the numbers associated with this salary.
Cari reported there are currently two permanent 1040 positions – one
individual in the Municipal Court who is paid $10 an hour and one individual in
the Police Department who is paid $10.50 an hour. Cari explained that those two job grades are
rated at a Grade 10; however, the Finance Office Assistant Position is a Grade
11. Cari explained, “We still have not
brought those particular positions onto the compensation study, which we will
probably be anticipating doing by the first of the year, but we would just like
to get a range now to hire this position.
We’re requesting a range of $10 to $12 an hour.”
Ald. Smith asked, “When we advertised for the Municipal Court position,
we did that in a range. Do you remember
what that range was?”
Cari answered, “I don’t believe that one was done in a range because when
that position started, we actually were paying on the old rate scale, and then
we asked for an increase in that position to that $10, so that individual
actually started at $7 an hour, and we did an adjustment with approval from
council.”
Cari noted that she is not completely sure, but is anticipating the
Police position job range to be possibly $10 to $11 an hour.
Motion by Ald. Smith, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of Ald.
Smith to set the pay range at $10 to $12 per hour for the Finance Office
Assistant Position.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to post and advertise the job description for
the Finance Office Assistant Position.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 8 - ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE:
A. Approval
of Operator’s Licenses.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Giese, to approve the Operator’s
Licenses as printed and on file in the City Clerk’s Office.
On voice vote, motion carried.
B. Review
of Section 7-1-1 regarding regulation and licensing of fireworks.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Administrative Committee to review Section 7-1-1 regarding regulation and
licensing of fireworks to approve a permit of $50 per firework stand along with
a $20 permit per person selling the fireworks.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Administrative Committee to approve run permit for Anderson Race Management
on behalf of Backroads Events for August 24-25, 2007.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Administrative Committee to remove
the pillars on
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 9 - BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Ald. Stellner reported Bruce Holmen from Ayres Associates was present at
the Board of Public Works meeting and gave a presentation on the assessment of
the district and requested a public hearing regarding this area.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to accept the report and establish a period for public
comments on Wednesday, August 29, 2007, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The appropriate property owners will be
notified in advance.
Mayor Bialecki indicated that this is a new concept to test for
residents’ input. Although there are a
number of the neighbors that are anticipating attending, Mayor Bialecki,
encouraged everyone that can attend this hearing to do so.
Ald. Giese reminded the council and the citizens that the presentation
that’s being made is a concept rather than a proposal in place to trigger a definitive
action. Ald. Giese said, “It’s a way of
explaining the process in using real numbers from a real intersection. Having said that, I still think it will be a
spirited input and we’ll learn probably more than just about traffic assessment
districts.”
On voice vote, motion carried.
Ald. Stellner explained that this project is a telemetry system for all
remote sites in the Utility System for lift stations, wells, booster stations,
and reservoirs.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to approve the bid to LWL in the amount of $444,350 for
the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) project.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Board of Public Works to approve the 2007 Utility Project change orders
which the City Engineer has identified regarding documents dated July 20, 2007,
in an amount not to exceed $3,599.00.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Ald. Stellner explained that City Engineer Jarrod Holter reported that he
received a letter from Robert Haynes, the Director of Public Works,
Ald. Stellner reiterated that this letter regards just a request for a
possible diversion and there presently are no plans made for it, but rather just
a letter of discussion for the potential of this to occur.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to acknowledge the correspondence received from the
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Board of Public Works to accept the new proposed modifications of Private
Well Abandonment Ordinance.
Upon further review due to staff recommendations at the Board of Public
Works meeting, the following additions are requested:
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to approve the authorization to bid out East Main Street
Right Turn Lane Project.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to approve the following change orders:
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to approve the change order for the 2007 Sliplining
Project in the amount of $2,230.00 to Insituform.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Muth, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to approve a public hearing to be held on September 4, 2007, at the next Board
of Public Works meeting and invite all parties to attend. The purpose is to discuss eliminating the
remainder of the parking restrictions on the north side of
Under discussion, Ald. Stellner noted that as a matter of clarity, this
item was proposed by Ald. Muth as there have been a number of safety concerns
during ball games. Members felt it was a
very worthwhile project to address to eliminate potential danger in this
area.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to approve the $800.00 change order which will be charged
back to the developer of French Valley LLC.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Ald. Stellner indicated this was an added item because the plans came in
too late for the Board of Public Works meeting.
This is a small utility extension to serve the two lots just west of the
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Engineering Department to grant approval of the utility plan for
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 10 - PLAN COMMISSION:
A. Regarding a Conditional Use
Permit request filed by Gary Harter, 2850 Larson Street, LaCrosse, WI for the
purpose of constructing an open air structure (12’ x 60’) on the east side of
the structure located at 819 2nd Avenue Southwest (Parcel #
18-951-9).
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of the
Plan Commission to approve with 13 conditions the conditional use permit
request filed by Gary Harter, 2850 Larson Street, LaCrosse, WI for the purpose
of constructing an open air structure (12’ x 60’) on the east side of the
structure located at 819 2nd Avenue Southwest.
On voice vote, motion carried.
B. Regarding an amendment to
Section 13-8-52 of the Code of Ordinances to create Subsection (f) related to
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Plan Commission to approve the amendment to Section 13-8-52 of the Code of
Ordinances to create Subsection (f) related to Wisconsin ACT 317 Fees.
On voice vote, motion carried.
C. Regarding an amendment to
Chapter 9, Part 6, Section 13-9-74 (d) of the Code of Ordinances relating to
performance guarantees for infrastructure improvements.
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Plan Commission to approve the amendment to Chapter 9, Part 6, Section 13-9-74
(d) of the Code of Ordinances relating to performance guarantees for
infrastructure improvements.
On voice vote, motion carried.
D. Amendment to Chapter 6, Section
13-6-27 (a)(6) of the Code of Ordinances for the City of
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of the
Plan Commission to approve the amendment to Chapter 6, Section 13-6-27 (a)(6)
of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Onalaska related to electronic signs.
On voice vote, motion carried.
E. Regarding a conditional Use
Permit filed by Gerald Shepard, W6769 Hilltop Drive, Onalaska, WI for the
purpose of allowing private parties to sell their property located at 1443
State Road 35, Onalaska (Parcel # 18-2096-45).
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Plan Commission to approve with 10 conditions the conditional use permit filed
by Gerald Shepard, 6769 Hilltop Drive, Onalaska, WI , for the purpose of
allowing private parties to sell their property located at 1443 State Road 35,
Onalaska.
On voice vote, motion carried.
F. Regarding a conditional Use
Permit application filed by Rivers Harvest Church Inc., Andy LeFebre, 101
Quincy Street, Onalaska for the purpose of installing a digital sign on the
Church’s front lawn located at 1001 Quincy Street, Onalaska (Parcel #
18-697-0).
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Plan Commission to approve with 10 conditions the conditional use permit
application filed by Rivers Harvest, Inc., Andy LeFebre, 1001 Quincy Street,
Onalaska, for the purpose of installing a digital sign on the Church’s front
lawn located at 1001 Quincy Street, Onalaska.
Ald. Stellner questioned if this new sign conforms to the ordinance which
was recently passed.
Jason said that it was limited to 8 square feet which does conform to the
new ordinance.
On voice vote, motion carried.
G. Regarding a rezoning
application filed by Leo Bronston, French Valley LLC, 163 East Larkspur Lane,
Onalaska, for the purpose of rezoning from Interim R-1 to PUD (Planned Unit
Development) as defined by the French Valley Neighborhood General Development
Plan for land located off of STH 16 on French Road, north of Nathan Hill
Estates and Timber Crest Addition (Tax ID#’s 9-8-0, 9-8-1, 9-9-0, 9-10-1, and a
portion of 9-13-0).
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Olson, upon recommendation of the
Plan Commission to approve with 24 conditions the rezoning application filed by
Leo Bronston, French Valley LLC, 163 East Larkspur Lane, Onalaska, for the
purpose of rezoning from Interim R-1 to PUD (Planned Unit Development) as defined
by the French Valley Neighborhood General Development Plan for land located off
of State Highway 16 on French Road, north of Nathan Hill Estates and Timber
Crest Addition.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 11 - JUDICIARY COMMITTEE:
Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of the
Judiciary Committee to give Ordinance No. 1309-2007 its third and
final reading.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Judiciary Committee to give Ordinance
No. 1310-2007 its third and final reading.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Olson, upon recommendation of the
Judiciary Committee to give Ordinance
No. 1311-2007 its first and second reading.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Judiciary Committee to give Ordinance
No. 1312-2007 its first and second reading.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of the
Judiciary Committee to give Ordinance
No. 1313-2007 its first and second reading.