March 9

COMMON COUNCIL – March 9, 2021 Page 1 CITY OF OCONTO FALLS COMMON COUNCIL Council Chambers – Municipal Building 500 N. Chestnut Avenue - Oconto Falls, WI 54154 TUESDAY - MARCH 9, 2021 - 7:00 PM MINUTES Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Brad Rice Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Present: Mayor Brad Rice, Aldermen: Marty Coopman, Devin Wirtz, Jeff McDonald, Mathew McDermid, Kevin Rusch, and Tim Holman Also present: Administrator Vicki Roberts, Deputy Clerk Nancy Brye, Police Chief Brad Olsen, Street Superintendent Terry Magnin, Fire Chief Tim Magnin, Utility Manager Greg Kuhn, and Library Director Joan Denis Absent: City Attorney Larry Jeske Others: Michelle Tester, Gail Yatso, Paul Shallow – Shallow Suveying, Stephanie Holman, and Chique Tousey-Tabar Approval of Minutes – Common Council Meeting on February 9, 2021 MOTION: Rusch / McDermid Motion to approve the minutes as presented for the Common Council Meeting on February 9, 2021. Voice Vote: All present voting aye - MOTION CARRIED Treasurer’s Report – January MOTION: Holman / Rusch Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented for January and place on file. Voice Vote: All present voting aye - MOTION CARRIED Bills Payable – February MOTION: McDermid / Coopman Motion to approve the Bills Payable as presented for February. Voice Vote: All present voting aye - MOTION CARRIED Reports: written reports submitted  Administrator Report Administrator added that she and the City Attorney have been in contact with Kevin Sutrick with regards to the upcoming flea market at Memorial Field. The City Attorney indicated that proof of COMMON COUNCIL – March 9, 2021 Page 2 insurance is required for the events. Administrator has been working with Sutrick as to what is acceptable. Sutrick will probably come before Council next month with an update.  Police Department Report  Municipal Court Report  Fire Department Report Fire Chief Magnin added the department needs to find a means for cold storage and wondered if they could look into getting a container until something more permanent can be found. Rusch commented a container would be more economical. Rusch asked Chief Magnin for a more in depth report on how the department is doing with regards to “getting its house in order”. Chief Magnin commented they have completed job descriptions for Assist Fire Chief and Captain and will be working on completing job descriptions for Lieutenants, Training Officers, Safety Officers, Equipment Officers, and Firefighters. He would like to meet with the Mayor and City Administrator to go over completed job descriptions to have them approved. Chief Magnin reached out to area fire departments in September and November and would like to discuss with the Mayor and City Administrator about possibly getting a committee together or bring back to Council. He would also like to meet with them to discuss a 10 year plan. The Assistant Interim Fire Chief has been helping out with the department’s workload and things are no longer falling behind. Many time sensitive grants have been applied for and the department is hopeful to hear something back in the next six months. Things are running much smoother and the department is doing well.  Street Department Report  Building Inspector Report  Utility Commission Report/Minutes MOTION: Rusch / Wirtz Motion to place monthly reports on file. Voice Vote: All present voting aye - MOTION CARRIED OPPORTUNITY FOR CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL - no citizen input DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: Old Business: A. Future Plans for Memorial Field. Alderman McDermid wanted to know if the Council was interested in pursuing any type of redevelopment at Memorial Field Park. Point of Beginning developed a detailed reconstruction plan for Panther Pride. Since Panther Pride has dissolved, McDermid wondered if the Council wanted to continue with their plan, change it up to have more event space, or use for multi- purpose? There was some discussion as to a hard ball diamond which was felt to be beneficial for older kids and possibly open the city up to having tournaments. There was also discussion as to receiving some help from the School District or possibly another club to help with fund raising. Holman mentioned that the city also has the additional property we purchased from Nelson to work with. City Administrator said she would reach out to School Superintendent Dean Hess to see what the School District’s thoughts are on this. Rusch mentioned that Point of Beginning has tools to assist with fund raising efforts. NO ACTION TAKEN at this time COMMON COUNCIL – March 9, 2021 Page 3 New Business: A. Registered sex offender appeal for residency location at 811 S. Main Street. A letter from registered sex offender Dennis Arendt was presented to the Planning Commission and to the Common Council for review. Pursuant to City Ordinance 392-6; the Planning Commission also submitted its decision in writing to the Council for its information and action. A written copy of the final decision shall be provided to the affected party. Planning Commission met prior to Council meeting to hear circumstances with regards to Arendt’s request to remain at his current residence. After reviewing the appeal, it is the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny Arendt’s request to continue his residency at 811 S. Main Street. The residence proximity is too close to the elementary school and high school. It was further recommended that Arendt be allowed two (2) months to relocate. MOTION: Rusch / Wirtz Motion to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny the appeal request being made by Dennis Arendt to continue his residency at 811 S. Main Street, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin due to the residency proximity to the elementary school and high school. Furthermore, Council is allowing Mr. Arendt two (2) months to relocate as he is currently residing at this location. Voice Vote: All present voting aye - MOTION CARRIED B. Certified Survey Map (CSM) for properties located at 413 S. Main owned by Tracy Cyr and 391 S. Main owned by Christine Sherman. Planning Commission met earlier to discuss and review the CSM presented from Paul Shallow at Shallow Surveying. It was a unanimous recommendation that Council approve the CSM as presented. MOTION: McDermid / McDonald Motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the Certified Survey Map (CSM) for properties located at 413 S. Main owned by Tracy Cyr and 391 S. Main owned by Christine Sherman as presented. Voice Vote: All present voting aye - MOTION CARRIED C. Oconto Falls Public Library requesting permission to host children events at the Eastside Beach in afternoons prior to Sunset Concerts on the following Fridays: o June 25, 2021 o July 23, 2021 o August 27, 2021 Library Director Joan Denis stated it is difficult to hold large group events indoors with the COVID pandemic still going on. She felt it would be the perfect time and location if she held youth library events on the same days that the Eastside Beach was set up for the Chamber of Commerce’s Sunset Concerts. She could hold her events in the afternoon and be done by 3 pm; plenty of time prior to the evening concerts. This would boost her programs and give the youth some exciting things to do this summer. Gail Yatso from the Chamber of Commerce commented COMMON COUNCIL – March 9, 2021 Page 4 that they were okay with the library holding their events and even offered them the use of the stage. Street Supervisor Terry Magnin also stated that his department will help with set up and work with everyone for both events. MOTION: Rusch / Holman Motion to allow the Oconto Falls Public Library permission to host children events at the Eastside Beach in afternoons prior to Sunset Concerts on June 25, July 23, and August 27, 2021. Voice Vote: All present voting aye - MOTION CARRIED D. Consideration of developing an ordinance for trees in the terrace. Alderman McDermid wanted to get Council’s input on potentially developing an ordinance with regards to trees in the terrace. Many trees were cut down in the terrace when the city did reconstruction on Adams Street and Oakland Avenue. Everyone agreed that having trees in the terrace would be a nice addition to many areas. There was discussion on what other communities around us have done with a Terrace Tree Ordinance such as: city issues permits for residents to plant trees; residents purchase trees and the city plants them; city determines specific type of trees for designated areas; and some cities designate certain areas and times in which trees can be purchased so the city is not overwhelmed with multiple areas planting at the same time. Street Superintendent mentioned DNR grants coming available for tree replacement due to destruction by the Ash Borer insect. It was agreed that we should entertain the idea of developing an ordinance for trees in the terrace. NO ACTION TAKEN at this time E. Adjournment. Mayor Rice asked if there was any further business before the meeting is adjourned. Having no further business, Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 7:28pm. ________________________________ City Administrator Vicki A. Roberts