December 3

COMMON COUNCIL – Public Hearing – December 3, 2019 Page 1 CITY OF OCONTO FALLS PUBLIC HEARING Regarding the proposed 2019 Budget Council Chambers – Municipal Building 500 N. Chestnut Avenue – Oconto Falls, WI 54154 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2019 – 6:00 PM MINUTES Public Hearing called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Rice. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Present: Mayor Brad Rice, Aldermen: Devin Wirtz, Jeff McDonald, Marty Coopman, Mathew McDermid, and Tim Holman Excused: Alderman Kevin Rusch Also present: Administrator Vicki Roberts, Police Chief Brad Olsen, Deputy Treasurer Eve Wallace, and Fire Chief Tim Magnin Others: Samantha Doney, Warren Bluhm-Times Herald, Bart Magnin, Dave Alsteen, Cole Magnin, Carl Vowinkel, Jon Spice, and Bill Zietlow Notice was hereby given that on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Oconto Falls Municipal Building, 500 North Chestnut Avenue, Oconto Falls, Wisconsin, a Public Hearing will be held on the proposed 2020 budget. Immediately following the Public Hearing, the Common Council will meet to vote on the proposed budget during a special meeting called for this purpose. The proposed budget was made available for inspection in the business office at City Hall, the Oconto Falls Post Office, the Oconto Falls Public Library, Witt’s Piggly Wiggly, and the City’s website. The Public Hearing Notice was published in the Oconto County Times Herald on November 13, 2019. Mayor opened the floor to any questions or comments. Budget highlights were mentioned to include:  TIF closed early in 2019 which added the assessed value of the TIF back to the city.  New squad car for the Police Department.  Fund a full-time Fire Chief – will get a committee together to create the position.  Oakland Street – will bond this project.  New gator for the Street Department.  Garbage bag fee will be increased by 10%. Dave Alsteen, representing the Town of Oconto Falls wanted to let Council know that the Town of Oconto Falls supports a full-time fire chief. COMMON COUNCIL – Public Hearing – December 3, 2019 Page 2 The City advertised in the Times Herald, placed a notice on the City’s website, and posted notices informing citizens that a full-time Fire Chief position was being proposed in the 2020 budget. Alderman Coopman also placed a letter to the editor in the newspaper. City Administrator did not receive any feedback on the notice. Coopman received and read a letter from Howard Elliott supporting the full-time Fire Chief position. McDermid asked those in attendance, which were mostly members of the fire department, what kind of feedback they received. All replied they received positive feedback; nothing negative. Fire Chief Tim Magnin thanked the Council, Finance Committee, City Administrator, Mayor, and Police Chief for working with him over the years. Adjournment Having no further questions or comments, Mayor Rice declared the Public Hearing closed and adjourned at 6:15 pm. ______________________________ City Administrator Vicki A. Roberts *A quorum of the Common Council was in attendance of this Public Hearing