City Council — Minutes

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024 1:00 P.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the special city council meeting to order at 1:50 p.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Patricia Wessel, and Robert Chaffee. Also present were Gordon O’Brien, Scott Williamson, Kasandra Thompson, Leslie LaRose, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Brian Leslin Vacant: Ward #2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Chaffee seconded by Wessel to approve the agenda. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER REPAIRS TO CITY OWNED BUILDING OCCUPIED BY THE COMMUNITY CUPBOARD Christine Beenken and Katie Warner were unable to attend the meeting on behalf of the Community Cupboard. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to Table until the next meeting. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER DOG KENNEL APPLICATION Leonard Nichols Jr. (524 S. Stone St.) applied for a dog kennel license. Mr. Nichols currently has a total of five dogs that are family pets. Three of the dogs have been frequently used as therapy dogs although they are not currently certified as such. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to approve issuing a kennel license to Mr. Leonard Nichols Jr. at 5224 s. Stone St. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER 2024-2025 DENTAL INSURANCE RENEWAL Motion by Troxel seconded by Wessel to approve the dental insurance renewal for 2024 -2025 with Delta Dental. Motion carried. BUDGET DISCUSSION ON 2025 GENERAL FUND, SEWER FUND, AND WATER FUND BUDGETS The City Council reviewed the budget concerns and requests submitted by the following departments: Police Department • Requests an inflationary budget increase of 1.5% for both records management software and general police supplies for the police department budget. • A wage increase of $0.25/hour for the School Resource Officer • Increase the protective vest budget by double. (increase to $2,600) Library • The City Council reviewed the Library Board’s 2025 Library Budget. The Council proposed the municipal appropriation to be $70,000 for 2025. This is approximately $25,000 less than their current request and $22,800 reduction from the 2024 appropriation. The Library Board will review and revise there 2025 budget accordingly and resubmit to the City Council Senior Center • Eau Claire County Board will meet on November 6 th to determine Eau Claire County’s contribution to the Augusta Senior Center. The County’s initial proposal for the 2025 contribution was a significant decrease from last year of $17,000. The Senior Center has requested that the County Board will reconsider the reduction and approve the same amount as awarded in 2024 of $32,000. Public Works • Increase parks budget due to increase of equipment added and maintenance • Increase garage supplies do to inflationary costs • List Public Works equipment and develop a replacement schedule budget for the CER equipment fund • Road repairs and chip sealing • Replace sewer lift station at N. Spring St. • Water Tower repainting Fire Department • Discussion on City’s portion of loan repayment for new fire department brush truck purchased in 2024. Total loan is $56,455.52, city’s portion is 40% of the total loan. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Wessel to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk