Common Council of the City of Onalaska Tuesday, August 8,

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1 The Meeting of the was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 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 Joe Chilsen, Ald. Jim Binash, Ald. Jerry Every, Ald. Ron Gjertsen, Ald. Jim Olson, Ald. Harvey Bertrand, Ald. Bob Muth Also Present: City Administrator Eric Rindfleisch, City Clerk Cari Burmaster, Financial Services Director/Treasurer Fred Buehler, City Engineer Jarrod Holter, City Attorney Sean O Flaherty Item 2 Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Item 3 Public Input: (limited to 3 minutes/individual) Mayor Chilsen called for anyone wishing to provide public input. Dick Gilmore, Pastor of Christ Is Lord Free Lutheran Church th Avenue North Onalaska I m on the Executive Committee for our Mayors Prayer Breakfast, and we would just like to lift up a prayer for our Mayor and for the Council, in general: Lord God, we ask that you bless our Mayor, Joe Chilsen. Bless him now with the strength, energy, wisdom, understanding, and good judgment. We thank you, Lord, and we pray for all the [Council] members and all the work that is necessary for our city. May they be blessed with good health, and [may they be] able to perform the things that are needed to keep our city healthy and growing. Thank you for keeping them. We ask that you guide them, protect them, protect their families, keep them healthy and able to do the work that needs to be done to make our city a great city. In Jesus name, Amen. Cindy Thompson 1420 Green Bay Street Onalaska We [husband John and I] have done a lot of walking since we moved into this fine city. [On Monday] we had a little incident. We were walking up by Festival [Foods], and there at the bus stop across from Tires Plus It s not a marked crossing at all, but there are slopes down so that a wheelchair could get down and across. We were trying to get to the path across there. We look both ways and make sure [it is safe to cross the road]. We had plenty of time coming down from Kwik Trip. That curve that comes around, there was a car that came around. Well, I don t

2 know if she really wanted to stop, but she finally stopped [and] she let us through. When we got through When she got up to us, she said, You people don t have the right-of-way at all. Well, I haven t been here. I wasn t born in Wisconsin, but I think pedestrians have the right-ofway no matter what. What can we do for driver awareness at crosswalks? We cross many crosswalks, and we look and make sure [it is safe to cross]. We try to get [motorists ] attention before we step out, [but] they just go through. I thought that if a pedestrian is there and they want to cross, I thought people were supposed to stop. So what can we do? What can be done for driver awareness to make it safer? We have school starting here before too long. Those poor kids That s all. I just would like to know if there is something that can be done. Thank you. Cari read into the record the following from Diane Oldani Wulf, 910 Orchid Place, Onalaska: I won t be able to attend in person this evening, but wanted to ask for your support for Item 8A under Board of Public Works, [which is] Final Resolution Regarding Assessments for Sidewalk Improvements Along Emerald Valley Drive. I have appeared before the Board of Public Works and and again this evening, asking for your support of this item. One woman has appeared twice before you asking for your support, [and] another two women each appeared once for your support. Jarrod Holter mentioned at the August Board of Public Works meeting that he has spoken with the owner of this parcel, and it was my understanding that the owner understood the reasoning for this and chose not to appear at City Hall to speak against it. The City of Onalaska has had, in my opinion, a sensible citywide sidewalk plan in place for many years. I ask that you vote yes to support this assessment. Thank you. Mayor Chilsen called three times for anyone else wishing to provide public input and closed that portion of the meeting. Item 4 REPORT FROM THE MAYOR: A. Library statistics for July Mayor Chilsen said he had not received statistics from the library for the third consecutive month. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROVAL AND/OR POSSIBLE ACTION FROM THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS/BOARDS: All items listed under the consent agenda are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a council member requests removal, in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in the order of business in the non-consent agenda. Item 5 Consent Agenda

3 A. Approval of minutes from the previous meeting(s) FINANCE COMMITTEE B. Accept Omni Center Financials for 2017 C. Accept General Fund Financials for 2017 D. Approval of Renewal of Cities and Villages Mutual Insurance Company (CVMIC) Option 1 regarding the City of Onalaska Self Insurance Retention for 2019 and 2020 E. Approval of transfer of funds from the Restricted Fund Account in the Equipment Replacement Fund to purchase additional parking hardware/software not to exceed $8,500 F. Accept Gundersen Health System Parking Ramp Financials for 2 nd Quarter 2017 PERSONNEL COMMITTEE G. No Report JUDICIARY COMMITTEE H. Approval of Ordinance to amend Title 10 Chapter 1 Section 27 of the City of Onalaska Code of Ordinances related to Parking Restrictions (East Avenue/Spruce Street/Green Bay Street) (First and Second Reading) I. Approval of Ordinance to amend Title 10 Chapter 1 Section 27 of the City of Onalaska Code of Ordinances related to Parking Restrictions (Green Street) (First and Second Reading) J. Approval of Ordinance to amend Title 10 Chapter 1 Section 27 of the City of Onalaska Code of Ordinances related to Parking Restrictions (Riders Club Road) (First and Second Reading) K. Approval of Ordinance to rezone property located in Section 11 Township 16 Range 7 in the City of Onalaska, La Crosse County, Wisconsin from Light Industrial (M- 1) with an I-90 Economic Overlay to Multifamily Residential (R-4) (First and Second Reading) ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE L. Approval of Operator s Licenses as listed on report dated August 2, 2017 M. Approval of Class B Picnic License for Clearwater Farms for Taste of Summer event on September 9, 2017 from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. N. Approval of Special Events Permit for St. Patrick 5K/1-mile Fun Run on October 7, 2017 at 9 a.m. starting from St. Patrick s BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS (START HERE WHEN YOU COME BACK!!!)

4 O. Accept petition received from Deer Creek Condominiums Homeowners Association in regard to bridge at intersection of French Road and Emerald Drive East P. Approval of termination s agreement with Zelie s Tree Service and approval of agreement with Today s Tree Service for view shed enhancement along State Trunk Highway 35 between Poplar Street and Troy Street, not to exceed $20,000 PLAN COMMISSION Q. Accept Conditional Use Permit (CUP) filed by City of Onalaska, 415 Main Street, Onalaska, WI to allow the construction of a park shelter located at 111 Riders Club Road/255 Kramer Road, Onalaska, WI (Tax Parcel # ) R. Approval of a Certified Survey Map (CSM) submitted by Steve & Deb Nordyke, 519 Troy Street, Onalaska, WI on behalf of River of Life Assembly of God, Inc County Road PH, Onalaska, WI for a 2-lot land division (7.64) acres at 1214 County Road PH, Onalaska, WI (Tax Parcel # ) S. Approval of a Certified Survey Map (CSM) submitted by Colin Klos of MBA Architects, Inc., 3823 Creekside Lane, Holmen, WI 54636, on behalf of Windyridge C, LLC, th Avenue South, Suite 600, La Crosse, WI 54601, for a 2-lot land division (3.68) acres at 9417 State Road 16, Onalaska, WI (Tax Parcel # ) T. Approval of a non-substantial alteration/change to the Greens Coulee Community Park Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow beekeeping as a permitted use in Zone 1, submitted by Shari Collas, on behalf of Clearwater Farm Foundation, Inc., 760 Green Coulee Road, Onalaska, WI (Tax Parcel # ) UTILITIES COMMITTEE U. Accept Shared Ride Transit Financials PARKS AND RECREATION V. No Report Motion by Ald. Binash, second by Ald. Olson, to approve the Consent Agenda. Non-Consent Agenda Item 6 RECAP ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA As there were no items removed from the Consent Agenda, Item 7 was addressed next.

5 Item 7 FINANCE COMMITTEE A. Vouchers Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Olson, to approve the vouchers expended since the last meeting on July 11, 2017, in the amount of $2,285, Item 8 BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS A. Resolution Final Resolution regarding Assessments for Sidewalk Improvements along Emerald Valley Drive Jarrod said the Board of Public Works had recommended on a 4-1 vote to pass Resolution on to the. Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Bertrand, to approve Resolution Final Resolution regarding Assessments for Sidewalk Improvements along Emerald Valley Drive. Ald. Bertrand said, There are a couple of items that probably have not come forth to you. If you know the street, it bends back in there and it s a really nice area by the [La Crosse Country Club] golf course. There are a lot of people who come from the outside of the subdivision. In other words, the people who have come to speak in favor of this resolution happen to live right there and see the activity. But that s obviously open to the public, and a lot of people from the outside enjoy coming back there. They have to literally walk around this area that currently has grass on it. Another point is, if anybody goes out there [they will see that] there is usually a fair number of beer bottles at the end of this area, and it looks like it s frequented by people who could be speeding along there. I think it s a fairly compelling point that we move along on it. Another thing is that there was not anybody at the hearing who objected to it. I would appreciate, though Ron, you voted no for it [at the August 1 Board of Public Works meeting]. Would you mind letting us know your reasoning on that? Ald. Gjertsen said, The reasoning behind that is, when you have a lot that s not developed and you ask the owner to put a sidewalk and an apron on that lot, when they come in to develop that property, no matter how many years it is from now, they re going to have to damage that sidewalk and approach. There is no way around it. It is going to be 100 percent of the time. What you re asking that landowner to do is to pay for at least a portion of sidewalk more than once. That s my position, and I think it is on the record that I have said that. This individual had the opportunity to contact any of us, and he hasn t. He had an opportunity to come speak, and he didn t.

6 Ald. Bertrand noted the subdivision opened in 2004 and told Ald. Gjertsen he understands his point of view. However, Ald. Bertrand also said, There are a lot of people who make use of that sidewalk, so it s really to the public good to have that piece of sidewalk available to us. Ald. Every said, All that being said, I guess the vote was 4-1, and I think at this point I would call for the vote. Mayor Chilsen asked Sean how to proceed if someone in the queue calls for the vote. Sean said, There s a vote on the call, and if there is no discussion on it and a majority vote yes, then you call the question. Vote on calling the question. Vote on the motion to approve Resolution Final Resolution regarding Assessments for Sidewalk Improvements along Emerald Valley Drive. Item 9 UTILITIES COMMITTEE A. Resolution Shared Ride Taxi Program for the City of Onalaska for 2018 Motion by Ald. Olson, second by Ald. Binash, to approve Resolution Shared Ride Taxi Program for the City of Onalaska for Item 10 TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT A. Review and consideration of changes to the Technology Advisory Committee s Mission Statement The Technology Advisory Committee s Mission Statement has been revised to read as follows: The mission of the Onalaska Technology Advisory Committee is to provide guidance and recommendations to our City Administrator and Onalaska regarding ways the City can provide effective technology usage for employees and citizens. Ald. Every said he opposed to making changes to the mission statement as he does not see a need

7 for it. Mayor Chilsen told Ald. Every that a motion needs to be on the floor. Motion by Ald. Every, second by Ald. Binash, to adopt the changes to the Technology Advisory Committee s Mission Statement. Ald. Every reiterated he does not see a need to make any changes as there is a mission statement in the code that every subcommittee member is required to take. Ald. Every said, Secondly, it was in 2016 and it hasn t gone through the Technology Committee that I know of. I m Chairman of that committee, and I think with a new Council it should start again and at least go through the Technology Committee and let us discuss it there, but I bow to your wishes, gentlemen. The other thing is, are we going to have a mission statement for every committee and subcommittee that we have? I really think it s redundant. Thank you. Ald. Binash noted he had previously served on the Technology Advisory Committee and said the committee had discussed the mission statement while he was serving. Ald. Binash said, I think it was brought forward that we needed to update it a little bit. It gives a better idea, as it states in the mission statement, and a better identity of where the Technology Committee is going. I think it is important. It doesn t have to be with every particular committee, board or commission. I think it is important for this particular issue. It was important enough for us to discuss it when I was on the committee, and I think it is a good thing. I don t see it as redundant. Ald. Muth said he agrees with Ald. Binash and stated, This is updating the mission statement, which makes sense to me because we have now added a City Administrator. I like that they were willing to update this and keep it current. I see no problem whatsoever on approving this. I commend the Technology Committee for keeping an eye on that and updating it. On voice vote, motion carried, 5-1 (Ald. Every). Item 11 CLOSED SESSION To consider a motion to convene in Closed Session under Section 19.85(1)(e) of the Wisconsin Statutes for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competing or bargaining reasons: Consideration, development and approval of negotiating strategy regarding Town of Medary Fire Contract Joint Municipal Court Agreement

8 And under Section 19.85(1)(g) of the Wisconsin Statutes for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved: Great River Landing Claim regarding window damage to a commercial building If any action is required in Open Session, as the result of the Closed Session, the Common Council will reconvene in Open Session to take the necessary action and/or continue on with the printed agenda. Motion by Ald. Muth, second by Ald. Gjertsen, to convene in Closed Session. On roll call vote: Ald. Harvey Bertrand aye, Ald. Ron Gjertsen aye, Ald. Jerry Every nay, Ald. Jim Olson aye, Ald. Jim Binash aye, Ald. Bob Muth aye. Motion carried, 5-1. In Closed Session. Recorded by: Kirk Bey