The Meeting of the Common Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on
Tuesday, October 9, 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. Kim Smith, Ald. Tim
Miller, Ald. Mike Giese, Ald. Jim Olson, Ald. Robert Muth, and Ald. Clarence Stellner,
Also Present: City Clerk Cari
Burmaster, Finance Director Fred Buehler, City Engineer Jarrod Holter, and Land
Use & Development Director Jason Gilman.
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. Miller, 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 called three times for anyone wishing to address the
council.
Item 5 - REPORT FROM THE MAYOR.
A. Appointment to the Tourism Commission – Jeanne
Gilman,
Sheryl has submitted her resignation due to relocating to the Twin
Cities.
Motion by Ald. Smith, second by Ald. Olson, to approve the appointment of
Jeanne Gilman,
On voice vote, motion carried.
B. Resolution
30-3007 – Urban Forestry Grant Program.
WHEREAS, the City of Onalaska is interested in planning or developing
urban forestry management activities as described in the Wisconsin Urban Forestry
grant application; and
WHEREAS, financial aid is required to carry out the project;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of
HEREBY AUTHORIZES the Land Use and Development Director to act on behalf
of the City of Onalaska to submit an application to the State of Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources for any financial aid that may be available; sign
documents; and take necessary actions to undertake, direct, and complete the
approved project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Onalaska will comply with state
and federal rules for the programs; may perform force account work; will
provide or be responsible for 100% of updating plans or ongoing operations and
will obtain from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
approval in writing before any changes are made in the proposed project.
Dated this 9th
day of October, 2007.
CITY OF
BY: ______________________________
James
S. Bialecki, Mayor
______________________________
Caroline
Burmaster, City Clerk
Passed:
Approved:
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Muth, to pass Resolution 30-2007.
On roll call vote; Ald. Bob Muth – aye, Ald. Tim Miller – aye, Ald. Jim
Olson – aye, Ald. Mike Giese – aye, Ald. Clarence Stellner – aye, Ald. Kim
Smith – aye. Resolution passes.
C. Appointment to Library Commission –
Tom submitted his resignation due to employment reasons.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, to approve the
appointment of Sandy Musolf,
D. Proclamation – National Friends of Libraries
Week, October 21-27, 2007.
PROCLAMATION
NATIONAL
FRIENDS OF LIBRARIES WEEK
October 21-27, 2007
Whereas, Friends of the Onalaska Library raise money that
enables our library to move from good to great – providing the resources for
additional programming, much needed equipment, support for children’s summer
reading, and special events throughout the year;
Whereas, the work of Friends highlights on an on-going
basis the fact that our library is the cornerstone of the community providing
opportunities for all to engage in the joy of life-long learning and connect
with the thoughts and ideas of others from ages past to the present;
Whereas, the Friends understand the critical importance of
well funded libraries and advocate to ensure that our library gets the
resources it needs to provide a wide variety of assistance in research,
readers’, advisory, and children’s services;
Whereas, the Friends’ gift their time and commitment to
the library sets an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic
engagement and the betterment of our community;
Now, therefore, be it resolved
that, I James Bialecki, Mayor of
Onalaska, proclaim October 21-27, 2007 as Friends of the Library week in
__________________________________________
James
S. Bialecki, Mayor
City
of
Seal:
Attest:
__________________________________________
Caroline
Burmaster, City Clerk
Motion by Ald. Smith, second by Ald. Olson, to approve the Proclamation
for National Friends of Libraries Week to be October 21-27, 2007.
On voice vote, motion carried.
E. 2008 Executive Budget and set up public hearing
date/time.
Mayor Bialecki reported regarding the 2007 and Proposed 2008 Executive
Budget:
“To the Honorable Common Council and Onalaska Taxpayers”:
General Fund Operating Budget:
2007 = $7,315,722
Proposed 2008 = $7,618,235
Increase of 4.135%
State Restrain Funding:
2007 = $164,179
Proposed 2008 = $171,032
Increase of $6,863 or 4.17%
(The proposed budget puts the city under the State restrain cap.)
Tax Levy for the City’s General Operating Fund Budget:
2007 = $4,198,153
Proposed 2008 = $4,360,042
Increase of $161,889
Tax Levy for the City’s Debt Service Budget:
2007 = $2,715,713
Proposed 2008 = $2,896,783
Increase of $181,070
Tax Levy for the City’s Refuse and Recycling Budget:
2007 = $871,019
Proposed 2008 = $881,573
Increase of $10,554
Tax Levy for the City’s Onalaska/Holmen/West
2007 = $97,607
Proposed 2008 = $129,179
Increase of $31,572
(In addition, $11,000 will be used for the city’s special revenue shared
ride fund balance in 2007.)
Tax Levy for the City’s Equipment Replacement Budget:
2007 = $141,664
Proposed 2008 = $159,887
Increase of $18,223
Tax Levy for the City’s Joint Municipal Court Budget
2007 = $43,403
Proposed 2008 = $37,909
Decrease of $5,494
(The cost of operation is pro-rated and shared by six other towns and/or
villages.)
Tax Levy for the City’s Community Development Authority/Omni Center Budget:
Proposed 2008 = $280,193
Same Tax Levy Amount as Previous Year
Incremental Levy for the Community Development Authority Parking Ramp
2007 = $195,720
Proposed 2008 = $230,862
Increase of $35,134
(The incremental levy increase is due to a strong growth in the Gundersen
Campus area.)
The City’s Overall Tax Levy
2007 = $6.89%
Increase of 5.07%
Based upon the estimated assessed valuation and the projected tax levy
for various city funds for the year 2008, the projected estimated bill rate
would be 6 dollars and 58.93 cents per thousand of assessed valuation compared
to 6 dollars and 48.45 cents in 2007, an increase of 10.48 cents. Based on $100,000 home, this would equate to
an additional 10.48. In essence, this is
1.6% over the previous year.
Mayor Bialecki said, “I feel very strongly at this point that these
budgets carry out the wishes of the Common Council and will stay within the
expenditure restraints and demonstrate to the taxpayers that we’re showing
consistently strong financial operations while keeping pace with the solid
growth trends in the community”.
Discussion ensued regarding schedules and the next appropriate date for
the Finance & Personnel meeting for discussion and review of the Proposed
2008 Budget.
Motion by Ald. Smith, second by Ald. Miller, to hold the public hearing
regarding the budget on November 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Common Council
Chambers.
Under discussion, Ald. Olson indicated that he would be unavailable to
attend the meeting that evening, but would be available per teleconference if
necessary.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Discussion ensued regarding schedules and a possible date to hold the
Finance & Personnel Committee meeting regarding the budget.
Members decided the date for the Finance & Personnel Committee to
meet and discuss the budget would be Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.
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, to approve Vouchers No. 2103
through No. 2340, expended since the last Common Council meeting of September
11, 2007 in the amount of $3,344,119.37.
On voice vote, motion carried.
B.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the date/time for city auction of
bikes, etc. as October 29, 2007, at 3:30 p.m. at the old city garage at
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the submittal of two old City
vehicles to the Holmen Auction.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 7 – PERSONNEL COMMITTEE:
A. Applying veteran’s preference points to
full-time/part-time firefighter positions.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Stellner, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the applying of veteran’s preference
points to full and part-time firefighter positions with the disclaimer that the
veterans are cautioned to use careful discretion before using their points for
a part-time job.
On voice vote, motion carried.
B. Minimum Proposed Range for Assistant Municipal
Court Clerk.
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the minimum proposed range for
Assistant Municipal Court Clerk from Grade 10 to Grade 11 over 2008 and
2009. The cost of this position is
shared by three communities.
For clarification, Cari noted that the grade on the job would not change,
but the salary would be raised to what was proposed for the Grade 10.
On voice vote, motion carried.
C. Letter of Agreement with
Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Finance and Personnel Committee to approve the letter of agreement with the
Wisconsin Professional Police Association.
On voice vote, motion carried.
D. Compensation for Mayor.
Upon recommendation of the Finance and Personnel Committee, this item was
deferred to the Common Council for discussion.
Motion by Ald. Smith, second by Ald. Olson, to increase the salary wage
for the mayor to $65,000 annually.
In response to a question from Ald. Giese, Ald. Smith indicated that the
motion made was in reference to salary only and not to include any other fringe
benefits.
Ald. Olson added that the salary range for this position has not changed
for 8 years from the original intent.
On voice vote, motion carried; five – yes, one – no.
Item 9 - ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE:
A. Approval
of Operator’s Licenses
Name Location Type of
Application
Rachel C. Anderson TGI
Friday’s New/Provisional
Tony M. Benson Coulee
Golf Bowl New
Alana M. Bilskemper American
Legion New
Jess A. Jones TGI
Fridays New/Provisional
David P. Krantz Stoney
Creek Inn New
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Administrative Committee to approve the Operator’s Licenses with changes
indicated above.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Giese, upon recommendation of the
Administrative Committee to approve the change of agent for Kwik Trip #822, 950
2nd Avenue North, Onalaska, to John Wahl.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Administrative Committee to approve the above-listed run/walk permits for
LaCrosse Area Family YMCA to occur from 8:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. on the
respective dates listed.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Smith, upon recommendation of the
Administrative Committee to approve the authorization for appraisal for the
proposed cemetery expansion in the amount of $2,500 which is required for the
appraisal.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 9 - BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS:
A. Final
Resolution 31-2007 - Regarding
Water Main assessments on
RESOLUTION 31 – 2007
FINAL RESOLUTION REGARDING
ASSESSMENTS
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works of the City of Onalaska, Wisconsin held a Public Hearing at City Hall in the City of Onalaska at 6:30 PM on the 6th day of February 2007, for the purpose of hearing all interested persons concerning the Preliminary Resolution and Report of the City Engineer on the proposed improvements to both sides of Monroe Street starting at Oak Avenue North and ending at 8th Avenue North,
Watermain improvements, such as six (6) inch main, etc. which shall be assessed on a front footage basis; this would mean all frontage of lots abutting street right of way would be divided into cost of installation, thus determining the cost on a front foot basis.
Water service improvements, such as one (1) inch copper service, etc., which shall be assessed on actual cost of installation for length of water service installed.
Water connection improvements such as curb box, curb stop, corporation connection, etc., which shall be assessed on actual cost for each installation.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by
the Common Council of the City of
1) That the report of the City Engineer and the Board of Public Works pertaining to the construction of the above described public improvements, including plans, specifications and cost estimates thereof, as modified, is hereby adopted and approved.
2) That the actual cost of the construction described above was $14,769.52 and that the cost and the public improvements provided for each cost are hereby accepted, adopted and approved.
3) That payment for said improvements be made by assessing the entire cost to the property benefited as indicated in said report.
4) That benefits and damages shown on the report as modified represent an exercise of the police power, are true and correct, and have been determined on a reasonable basis and are hereby confirmed.
5) That the assessments for all projects included in said report are hereby combined as a single assessment, but any interested property owner shall be entitled to object to each assessment separately or all assessments jointly for any purpose.
6) Special assessments for the improvements provided for in this section may be paid in equal installments, equivalent to the length of time of any bond issue that is issued for these said projects, together with interest at the rate determined by the Common Council, uniform with other City special assessments, normally one (1) percent over what the City borrows the money for.
7) The City Clerk is directed to publish this Final Resolution as a Class 1 notice under Chapter 985, in the Onalaska Community Life.
8) The City Clerk is further directed to mail a copy of this Resolution and a statement of the final assessment against each property together with a notice of the installment payment privilege to every property owner whose name appears on the assessment roll, whose post office address is known or can be ascertained with reasonable diligence.
Dated this 9th day of October, 2007.
CITY
OF
By:
James S. Bialecki, Mayor
Caroline Burmaster, City Clerk
PASSED: 10/9/07
APPROVED: 10/9/07
PUBLISHED: 10/19/07
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Board of Public Works to approve Resolution
31-2007.
On roll call vote; Ald. Bob Muth – aye, Ald. Clarence Stellner – aye,
Ald. Jim Olson – aye, Ald. Kim Smith – aye, Ald. Tim Miller – aye, Ald. Mike
Giese –aye. Resolution passes.
B. Final water Main assessment costs on
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Board of Public Works to approve the final water main assessment costs on
On voice vote, motion carried.
C. Final
Resolution 32-2007 –
regarding Sidewalk assessments.
RESOLUTION 32 – 2007
FINAL RESOLUTION REGARDING
ASSESSMENTS FOR SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
WHEREAS, the Board of Public Works of the City of Onalaska, Wisconsin held a Public Hearing at City Hall in the City of Onalaska at 6:30 PM on the 28th day of June 2007, for the purpose of hearing all interested persons concerning the Preliminary Resolution and Report of the City Engineer on the proposed improvements listed below on the following streets or portions of streets:
The Concrete Sidewalk Improvements at various locations throughout the City, which will be assessed on a square foot basis.
1231 12th
Ave
2201 Krause
Rd 1501 East Ave
2313 Krause
Rd 2305 Krause Rd
331 Theater Rd 1291 PH
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by
the Common Council of the City of
1) That the report of the City Engineer and the Board of Public Works pertaining to the construction of the above described public improvements, including plans, specifications and cost estimates thereof, as modified, is hereby adopted and approved.
2) That the actual cost of the construction described above was $34,430.74and that the cost and the public improvements provided for each cost are hereby accepted, adopted and approved.
3) That payment for said improvements be made by assessing the entire cost to the property benefited as indicated in said report.
4) That benefits and damages shown on the report as modified represent an exercise of the police power, are true and correct, and have been determined on a reasonable basis and are hereby confirmed.
5) That the assessments for all projects included in said report are hereby combined as a single assessment, but any interested property owner shall be entitled to object to each assessment separately or all assessments jointly for any purpose.
6) Special assessments for the improvements provided for in this section may be paid in equal installments, equivalent to the length of time of any bond issue that is issued for these said projects, together with interest at the rate determined by the Common Council, uniform with other City special assessments, normally one (1) percent over what the City borrows the money for.
7) The City Clerk is directed to publish this Final Resolution as a Class 1 notice under Chapter 985, in the Onalaska Community Life.
8) The City Clerk is further directed to mail a copy of this Resolution and a statement of the final assessment against each property together with a notice of the installment payment privilege to every property owner whose name appears on the assessment roll, whose post office address is known or can be ascertained with reasonable diligence.
Dated this 9th day of October, 2007.
CITY
OF
By:
James S. Bialecki, Mayor
Caroline Burmaster, City Clerk
PASSED: 10/9/07
APPROVED: 10/9/07
PUBLISHED: 10/19/07
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of the Board of Public Works to approve Resolution 32-2007.
On roll call vote; Ald. Mike Giese – aye, Ald. Bob Muth – aye, Ald. Tim Miller – aye, Ald. Jim Olson – aye, Ald. Kim Smith – aye, Ald. Clarence Stellner – aye. Resolution passes.
D. Final Sidewalk assessment costs for 2007 sidewalk
project.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Board of Public Works to approve the final sidewalk assessment costs for
2007 sidewalk project.
On voice vote, motion carried.
E. Final 2007 Miscellaneous sidewalk assessment
costs.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Board of Public Works to approve the final 2007 Miscellaneous sidewalk
assessment costs.
On voice vote, motion carried.
F. Oak Avenue South consultant selection for street
design.
Jarrod reported that after review of all bidders, there were two very
close bids between Strand Associates and S E H of within $860 showing almost
identical scores. Although Jarrod would
be satisfied if the award was given to either of these bids, he said, “The only
thing I would point out with S E H is they had a design engineer in their
resume that actually had more experience than what Strand was offering and a
little more expertise in the railroad specialist, which there will be a lot of
railroad interaction on that project due to storm water issues”.
The hours were also within 4% - one consultant was at 833 hours and the
other consultant was at 803.
Jarrod indicated that he would be happy with either bid, but his
recommendation would be S E H for $79,160.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, upon recommendation of
the Board of Public Works to approve S E H as the
On voice vote, motion carried.
G.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, to approve the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation I-90 alternate route study.
On voice vote, motion carried.
H. Consideration of
I. Consideration of Amendment to Development Agreement
with Bethany Lutheran of LaCrosse, Inc. (includes acceptance of cash
contribution to
Jason reported, “The Abbey Road Agreement came originally from the
obligation that Bethany Lutheran Homes had to pay for a portion of
So we’ve been working with the various parties involved and thanks to a
lot of the good work of Bethany Lutheran Homes in getting these partners
together, we’ve arrived at some preliminary terms for this agreement. Sean has placed those terms in draft agreements,
and those have been sent to all three parties.
We have an agreement with Bethany Lutheran Homes – they did drop off a
signed copy of that agreement today, which I put in the city clerk’s
mailbox. And then, Mike Tooke, the
second party – we received tentative approval from him this morning with the
addition of three (what I would refer to as minor items) that I e-mailed to our
city attorney. And the last party, L.B.
White, has agreed conceptually to the substance of the agreement as well,
although they would like a week for their attorney to review the legal language
to insure everything is per their liking.
The importance of getting these agreements signed in the next couple of
weeks is that a payment on
City Attorney Sean O’Flaherty said, “I think Jason summed up both the
agreements and the discussion regarding the agreements quite well, and Jason
had laid out three possibilities of what the council could do, and I know the
one I recommended to him was the one that he has suggested”.
Motion by Ald. Stellner, second by Ald. Miller, to approve the
consideration of Abbey Road Development Agreement with Anthony Wilson and
Michael Tooke.
For clarification, Jason noted that there are two separate agreements involved
– one between the City and Bethany Lutheran Homes; and one between Mike Tooke,
L.B. White, and the City. Jason
explained, “The one between the City and Bethany Lutheran Homes, we’ve both
agreed to the terms and that has been signed - So the one that we’re
tentatively or conditionally approving is really the one between the City, L.B.
White, and Mike Tooke”.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Ald. Smith thanked Jason for his work on this item.
J. November Board of Public Works meeting
date/time.
Motion by Ald. Smith, second by Ald. Olson, upon recommendation of the
Board of Public Works to change the November Board of Public Works meeting date
and time to October 29, 2007, at 6:30 p.m.
On voice vote, motion carried.
Item 10 - PLAN COMMISSION:
A. Regarding Conditional Use Permit
application filed by Father Patrick Umberger, St. Patrick’s Church, 1031 Main
Street, Onalaska, for the purpose of installing a new electronic identification
sign located at 1031 Main Street (Parcel #18-1500-0).
Ald. Giese noted that this item comes forward with no recommendation from
the Plan Commission as there was no quorum after members abstained from the
vote because of membership with the church at issue.
Motion by Ald. Giese, second by Ald. Miller, to approve the Conditional
Use Permit application filed by Father Patrick Umberger, St. Patrick’s Church,
On voice vote, motion carried; five-yes, one-abstention.
C. Preliminary Plat application filed by David
Evenson, 1025 Riders Club Road, Onalaska for the property located at South
Kinney Coulee Road, east of Mary Drive (Parcel # 18-3405-002).