2.24.2025 Common Council Meeting Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 2/24/2025 The Common Council of the City of Park Falls met in regular session at 5:00 PM on Monday, February 24, 2025. Mayor Tara Tervort called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM and the following members were present: Mayor: Tara Tervort Alderman: Dan Greenwood Dennis Wartgow Terry Wilson James Corbett Anthony Thier Dixie Weidman Michael Mader Dina Bukachek City Attorney: Bryce Schoenborn - Excused City and Zoning Administrator: Scott Kluver Staff present: Shannon Greenwood, Bill Hoffman, Becky Michels, Larry Reas, Marvin Nevelier, Deb Hyde Also present: Gary Wollerman, Pete Smith, Karrie Smith, Randy Hanish, Jason Enderle, Sara Enderle, Judy Reas, Mark Donner, Angela Sales, Justina Talek, Javier Latre, Jonathan Santiago. There was a motion by Alderman Weidman and seconded by Alderman Mader to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried. There was a motion by Alderman Bukachek and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve the minutes for the Common Council meeting on January 27, 2025, the Committee of the Whole on February 10, 2025, and the Parks & Recreation Committee on February 12, 2025. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS – Alderman Mader had tickets available for the Price Ice Figure Skating show at the Rec Arena. Alderman Bukachek noted the increased snowmobile traffic on Highway 182 and crossing the bridge instead of using Case Avenue, as well as using sidewalk in front of old Chiropractors office. Suggested that the City might have to add more signage. Alderman Weidman noted that the route moved behind the houses on 3rd South, and all have been very respectful going along the new route. PUBLIC COMMENT – None. NEW BUSINESS At 5:05 p.m. Mayor Tervort opened the public hearing. ESA Solar representatives discussed how the project would store excess electricity during low demand and deliver it during peak times, stabilizing the grid and reducing the risk of blackouts, noting that it supports clean energy, reduces emissions, and improves grid reliability. Public comments inquired about the proximity to the road, if there is noise pollution, how does it affect property values, can the batteries catch on fire, how will it be managed, what happens after the lease is up, if there is EMF danger, and zoning inquiries. It was noted by ESA that the batteries are built to contain any fire in the individual container, they are managed through Scada and there is offsite managing, the Fire Department will have key access to the property and rigorous training, the property will be fenced in and include a landscaping buffer of trees and native vegetation, when the project is decommissioned in 20 years the property is returned to the original condition, there is no additional EMF exposure than what exists with the transmission lines. The benefit to the community is that it will eventually decrease energy costs. Mayor Tervort closed the public hearing at 5:41. There was amotion by Alderman Greenwood and seconded by Alderman Wartgow to approve the lease agreement as written. Motion carried, 7-1 with Corbett voting no. Discussed the goal of the chronic nuisance ordinance is to get properties into compliance, and it will likely be used very infrequently. There was a motion by Alderman Weidman and seconded by Alderman Corbett to approve Ordinance 25-006 – Chronic Nuisance. Motion carried, 8-0. The Parks and Rec Committee met and discussed the low occupancy rates at the RV park and if the ordinance, and some of the language, might have contributed. They are recommending the changes in the new ordinance. Motion by Alderman Bukachek and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve Ordinance 25-007 – Hines Park Regulations. Motion carried, 8-0. Requested changes to the ambulance lease agreement include removing the mutual 90-day termination and include the ability for either party to terminate with an 18-month notice, and keep the auto-renewal but change it to 2 years. Motion by Alderman Mader and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve MMC-PF Ambulance Garage Lease. Motion carried, 8-0. A requested adjustment to the Administrators job description gives the authority to hire and fire below the department head level. Motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Weidman to approve. Motion carried, 8-0. Reviewed a resolution for a traffic study to address the speed limits on Highway 13 to be reduced to allow for ATV/UTV traffic in certain areas where currently prohibited due to speed limits, and to address concerns. Motion by Alderman Mader and seconded by Alderman Weidman to approve Resolution 25-003. Motion carried, 6-2 with Wartgow and Greenwood voting no. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance – There was a motion by Alderman Greenwood and seconded by Alderman Bukachek to approve paying the bills in the amount of $1,053,449.60. Motion carried, 8-0. Board of Public Works – No report. Public Services – No report. Personnel – No report. CITY OFFICIALS’ REPORTS Mayor Tervort: Have had conversations with some legislators about the penalties assessed by the DOT and the unfair process. Rob Summerfield is asking for a copy of the policy from DOT. Administrator Kluver: Seasonal hiring is underway. Received $144,000 for SS4A. Working on getting our reimbursement dollars from the Congressionally Directed Spending Request. City Clerk Greenwood: We 117 voters between in-person voters, in-person absentee, absentee and SVD with Underly and Kinser advancing to the April 1st ballot. Treasurer Michels: Still working through the Grant process with YMCA and waiting on the last funding draw. Reconciliation is completed the first 3 months in and I hope that the next months get easier. Library: March calendar is included in the packet. The Library now sponsors the blood drive every other month and are trying to help spread the word. Annual report done, circulation numbers are down about 5000 and to promote increasing numbers there is a drawing each month with entries for checking out 5 or more books. DPW Director Hoffman: Received the new plow truck on Thursday and the mechanic been working on retrofitting some equipment from the previous truck, the decals went on today, as well as training with chassis manufacturer today. The City will sell the old one on surplus. Couple crew members working on the remodeling of the new Mayors office at City Hall. Carpet tiles, trim, desk and phone installation are complete and should be finished by the end of the week. Had 2 additional water main breaks since the last meeting, making 3 total for the season. Currently ordering let runs now based on the history that we have had since 2021. Did have one on 1st Ave South in an area where we never had one before but located in the area of Phase 2 project. Chief of Police Nevelier: Start working on the ATV/Snowmobile route and possible modifying. If you have ideas or visions about how to operate in the City, please contact Chief. Fire Chief Reas: Hoping to get through the extreme cold before we had a structure fire, but there was one last Tuesday on Division Street, mostly confined to the attic. It was -14 degrees, and we appreciate the guys and the work they did. They had problems with air packs - they were ok inside building but froze up outside. There were a couple of small leaks that will be addressed soon. On scene for 6 hours and then a few hours of cleanup back at the Hall. Completed the sprinkler system in the YMCA. The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 Prepared by: Shannon Greenwood, City Clerk