Minutes: Common Council: March 2007

Common Council
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 6:30 PM
City Hall, 31 S. Madison Street, Evansville, WI
MINUTES
Council President Cothard called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Present were: Alderpersons Wyse, Roberts, Hammann, Cothard, Sornson, Juergens, Braunschweig, and Wessels. Mayor Decker was excused. Staff present: Dan Wietecha, City Administrator; Mark Kopp, City Attorney; Scott George, Water Light Superintendent; Kathy Buttchen, Assistant EMS Coordinator; Scott McElroy, Police Chief; David Wartenweiler, Public Works Superintendent; and Jim Beilke, Clerk/Treasurer.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Hammann, seconded by Sornson, to waive the reading of the minutes of February 13, 2007, regular meeting and approve them as printed. Motion carried.
Citizen appearances - None
Evansville Community Partnership Report
A written report (Attached) from Heidi Carvin was distributed to the Council
SOLE Committee - None
Plan Commission Report
Motion by Hammann, seconded by Braunschweig, to adopt Ordinance #2007-1, amending Chapter 130 of the Municipal Code by allowing signs for nonconforming commercial land uses in residential zoning districts. Motion passed.
Motion by Hammann, seconded by Roberts, to adopt Resolution #2007-9, Adopting the City of Evansville Park and Outdoor Recreation Plan 2007-2011. Motion passed.
Motion by Hammann, seconded by Juergens, to adopt Resolution #2007-10, Designating Locations for Placement of Sandwich Board Signs during 2007 Main Street Construction Projects. They identified the locations as follows: (1) Main Street between Second Street and Union Street, (2) Madison Street between Water Street and US Highway 14, and (3) Union Street between Franklin Street and the northern city limits. Motion passed.
Finance and Labor Relations Committee Report
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to approve Water and Light bills and authorize their payments of $540,168.42. Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote.
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to approve the City bills and authorize their payments of $2,434,599.58. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to approve Tax Incremental District #7 Development Agreement between (1) City of Evansville and (2) North Prairie Productions, LLC and Landmark Service Cooperative. Mr. Wietecha reported Landmark asked for more time to review this agreement. He asked Council to table this motion and consider a preliminary agreement, so that the City may recoup soft costs for the work already done.
Motion by Hammann, seconded by Braunschweig, to table this motion. Motion passed.
Motion by Cothard, seconded by Roberts, to approve the preliminary agreement between (1) City of Evansville and (2) North Prairie Productions, LLC and Landmark Service Cooperative. Motion passed.
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to adopt Resolution #2006-8, amending the adopted 2006 city budget to increase the appropriation for the youth center for equipment. Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Public Safety Committee Report
Motion by Sornson, seconded by Roberts, to adopt Ordinance #2007-2, amending the Municipal Code relative to Truancy. Motion passed.
Public Works Committee Report
Ald. Hammann gave an update on connectivity agreement with Rock County regarding County Road M. The city will assume road maintenance responsibility for County Road M from the intersection of US Highway 14 to Landmark’s south boundary.
Motion by Hammann, seconded by Sornson, to adopt Resolution #2007-11, Authorizing Application for a Grant from the Safe Routes to School Program. Motion passed.
Hammann reported on Main Street Construction and distributed report from City Engineer Dave Sauer (Attached).
Water & Light Committee - None
Economic Development Committee Report - None
Evansville Redevelopment Authority Report - None
Parks and Recreation Board Report - None
Historic Preservation Commission Report
Ald. Wessels reported they will host the fall meeting of the Wisconsin Society of Historic Preservation Commission.
Fire District Report - None
Unfinished Business - None
Communications and Recommendations from the Mayor
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Juergens, to waive the seven-day notice requirement on mayoral appointments. Motion passed.
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Roberts, to approve the mayoral appointment of Carolyn Uren, 443 Meadow Lane., to the Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND)/Residential Design Committee. Motion passed.
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Roberts, to approve the mayoral appointment of Brad Fahlgren, 14016 W. North Ridge Drive, to the Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND)/Residential Design Committee. Motion passed.
Communications from the City Administrator
Mr. Wietecha gave an update on Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. State Statutes now allow electric vehicles to operate on local streets. Our Public Works and Water and Light Departments are interested in using electric vehicles to perform their jobs more efficiently. These electric vehicles will use county or state roads, and the city needs agreements with the County and State. Rock County will enter into an agreement, but the State Department of Transportation (DOT) will not sign an agreement because the electric vehicles cannot be registered under current laws. Legislators are reviewing this matter to change the current laws. The consensus was to wait until the laws change before pursuing an agreement with DOT.
Mr. Wietecha led the explanation of re-organization of Public Benefits Committee. Because the minutes and records that recorded the initial organization of the Public Benefits Committee are lost, he recommended starting over by having a re-organization meeting, which would set up their Charter and members. Mr. Wietecha raised this issue to answer any questions or concerns from Council.
New Business - None
Introduction of New Ordinances
Ald. Hammann read the first reading of Ordinance #2007-3, amending Chapter 130 of the Municipal Code by adopting a digital map as the official zoning map [sponsored by Ald. Hammann and Ald. Braunschweig]
Closed Session
Motion by Braunschweig, seconded by Roberts, to convene in closed session pursuant to Sec. 19.85(1)(c), Wis. Stats., considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governing body has jurisdiction or authority, and will not reconvene in open session. Motion passed unanimously on a roll call vote at 7:08 PM.
Adjournment
Motion by Cothard, seconded by Braunschweig, to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 PM. Motion carried.
Prepared by: