11/21/2024

SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS November 21st, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Special Meeting Mayor Hauser, Presiding Present: Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Andrew Dannehy, Trempealeau County Times; Kaitlynn Koval, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer; Karen Witte, City Clerk-Treasurer The budget hearing was called to order at 6:00 p.m. No members of the public were present to speak on the 2025 proposed budgets. The hearing was closed at 6:01 p.m. by unanimous consent. The special council meeting was then called to order. Council Member Sendelbach made a motion at 6:02 p.m. to go into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statue 19.85(1) (c), “Considering employment, promotion, compensation and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the government body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility…”, specifically for the purpose of discussing 2025 employee wages. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Mayor Hauser brought the meeting back into open session at 6:14 p.m. by unanimous consent. Council Member Solsrud moved to approve 2025 wages as listed below. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Electric Superintendent 4 % Lineman 4 % Director of Public Works 4 % Assistant Public Works Director 4 % Operator 1 $2.00 per hour increase Operator 2 n/a Laborer (part-time) 4 % Brush Site Attendant 4 % Police Chief 4 % Officers (full-time) 4 % Officers (part-time) $3.00 per hour increase Police on call n/a Clerk-Treasurer 4 % Deputy Clerk-Treasurer 4 % Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the 2025 Electric Utility Budget. Council Member Johnson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The Whitehall Electric Utility will apply for a rate increase from the Public Service Commission in 2025. The last increase was in 2017. 2025 budgeted revenues do not reflect an increase in rates. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the 2025 Water Utility Budget. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The Water Utility will continue moving forward with pilot study to look at plate settlers, reducing the amount of water used to complete the backwash process, thus reducing chemical charges and the sewer charge paid by the water utility. Also included in the 2025 budget is painting the inside and outside of the water tower across from the TCHCC with an advance from the Development Fund. Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the 2025 Sewer Utility Budget. Council Member Sunday seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The 2025 operating budget includes the purchase of an AED for sewer truck and continuing to move forward with the Facility Plan which looks 20 years into the future and at the options we have to meet DNR limits, taking into account any cost effective alternatives. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the 2025 General City Budget. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday The following capital outlay items are included in the 2025 General Fund budget with the City borrowing the funds: new steel for the Melby Park shed; Depot maintenance; new City truck with lift gate, no plow; replacement of sidewalks; pool slide maintenance; Larson Park improvements including, new concession stand, sewer to be installed at the new concession stand for gray water only, fencing around the softball field, blacktop at the park entrance, and blacktop at new canoe landing. Engineering to be completed in 2025 for Sheila Blvd and Hopkins Street for consideration as 2026 Street Projects. Melby and Larson Park shelter rentals will increase in 2025 from $100 to $125 per day for non-residents. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the 2025 TID #2 and TID #3 Budgets. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the 2025 Development Budget. Council Member Morris seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Sendelbach made a motion at 6:41 p.m. to go into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statue 19.85(1) (c), “Considering employment, promotion, compensation and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the government body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility…”, specifically for the purpose of reviewing/discussing applicants for the City Administrator position. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Morris, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Mayor Hauser brought the meeting back into open session at 6:57 p.m. by unanimous consent. No action was taken. Upon motion by Council Member Morris and seconded by Council Member Sendelbach, the meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. The foregoing reports, resolutions, motions, ordinances, etc. contained in this are These minutes are the true and correct herewith approved by the undersigned. original and consist of three pages. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Jeff Hauser, Mayor Kaitlynn Koval, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer