City Council — Minutes

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2024 9:00 A.M. Mayor Jason TePaske called the special city council meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were council members Sue Troxel, Patricia Wessel, Robert Chaffee, and Brian Leslin. Also present were Gordon O’Brien, Scott Williamson, Kasandra Thompson, and Cynthia Anderegg. Absent: Leslie LaRose Vacant: Ward #2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Wessel seconded by Chaffee to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPOINT MEMBER TO THE PLAN COMMISSION TO FILL VACANCY Motion by Troxel seconded by Chaffe to appoint Patricial Wessel to the Plan Commission. Motion carried. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER REPAIRES TO CITY OWNED BUILDING OCCUPIED BY THE COMMUNITY CUPBOARD Christine Beenken and Katie Warner spoke to the Council about the much-needed repairs to the city building the Community Cupboard currently occupies. The non-profit organization recently received ARPA grant monies that can be used toward repairs to the windows and façade. This will help make the building more energy efficient. They would like a commitment from the Council that the Community Cupboard may have occupancy of the space for a minimum of five years in order to use some of the grant funds to help with the cost of the building repairs. Motion by Chaffee seconded by Troxel to approve giving the Community Cupboard a five-year commitment to occupy space in the city owned building on N. Stone St. for the purpose of using the space a food pantry. Roll call vote: Ward 1, yes; Ward 2, Vacant; Ward 3, yes; Ward 4, yes; Ward 5, yes. Motion carried. BUDGET DISCUSSION ON 2025 GENERAL FUND, SEWER FUND, AND WATER FUND BUDGETS The anticipated General Fund Revenues for the 2025 Budget. Shared Revenue: $530,742.29; Levy Limit: $462,866; Personal Property Tax Aid: $9,515.87. General Transportation aid estimate will be posted in October. Exempt Computer aids (General Fund) will be certified by the DOR on October 1st. The Senior Center aid requests from Eau Claire County are as follows: ADRC Title III-C: $7,758.00. County Senior Center aid: $34,000 (these numbers have not been awarded by the county at this time). Council members spoke to the City Department Heads about each of their respective needs. Police Department • Requests an inflationary budget increase of 2% - 3% for the police department budget. • CER Police Equipment Fund $14,000 • Increase the protective vest budget by double. (increase to $2,600) Public Works • Senior Center and Library roofs need repair. • Increase parks budget due to increase of equipment added and maintenance, such as fuel for mowing disc golf course/walking path and added port-a-potties. • Increase the sidewalk budget to 1.3 miles of sidewalk each year for a 5-year plan to bring up to good conditions. • Replace the front of City Hall with new siding and structural repairs estimated at $82,000. • Additional monies for street repair • New streetlights for Industrial Dr. • Water tower painting • Replace sewer lift station at N. Spring St. • Chip sealing streets. • Repairs to front of public work’s shop (food pantry) • CER equipment fund increase Senior Center • Increase to meal program supplies. • Senior Center made a request to Eau Claire County to increase the County’s contribution by $2,000 for 2025. City Hall • Standing desk riser ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chaffee seconded by Leslin to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned. Cynthia Anderegg, City Clerk