11.25.2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 11/25/2024 The Common Council of the City of Park Falls met in regular session at 5:00 PM on Monday, November 25, 2024. 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 Administrator: Scott Kluver Staff present: Shannon Greenwood, Chief Marvin Nevelier, Becky Michels, Judy Kraetke (for Deb Hyde) Also present: Jeff Seamandel, Tom LaVenture There was a motion by Alderman Mader and seconded by Alderman Weidman to adopt the agenda with revision. Motion carried. There was a motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve the minutes for the Common Council meeting on October 28, 2024, and the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 11, 2024. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS ‘Deck the Halls Park Falls’ will be in Old Abe Memorial Park on Saturday, November 30th. PUBLIC COMMENT None. NEW BUSINESS Alderman Greenwood made a motion and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve the Chicken Coop permit for 607 4th Avenue South. Motion carried. Alderman Bukachek made a motion and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget as recommended. Motion carried, 8-0. Reviewed the lease buyout offer for the cell tower on Park Lane. There would be no effect on the Police Department repeater or service. No action taken, willing to consider in the future. At 5:30 there was a motion by Alderman Weidman and seconded by Alderman Mader to open the 2024 Levy Public Hearing. Motion carried. Mayor Tervort called three times for public comments. Motion by Alderman Weidman and seconded by Alderman Mader at 5:31 to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried. The rate of growth forecast is not significant, and shared revenue is dependent upon the state’s economy, forecasted to increase by 1-2%. Motion by Alderman Mader and seconded by Alderman Weidman to increase the levy by 2%. Motion carried, 6-2 (Corbett and Wilson opposed). Motion by Alderman Weidman and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve Resolution 24- 014 Adopting the 2025 Municipal Levy. Motion carried, 7-1 (Corbett opposed). Motion by Alderman Mader and seconded by Alderman Wilson to approve Resolution 24-015 Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of up to $296,441 Sewerage System Revenue Bonds. Motion carried, 8-0. Discussed having only one meeting in December due to the Christmas holiday. Motion by Alderman Greenwood and seconded by Alderman Weidman to approve the December meeting Schedule and the 2025 Meeting, Election, and Holiday Calendar. Motion carried. Discussion on the employee holiday policy of 8-hour pay, versus the 9-hour workday. Motion by Alderman Greenwood and seconded by Alderman Wartgow to implement the 9-hour holiday pay for all departments, effective January 1, 2025. Motion carried, 6-2 (Mader, Weidman opposed). Finance – Alderman Weidman made a motion and seconded by Alderman Bukachek to approve paying the bills in the amount of $21,764.11. Motion carried, 8-0. Motion by Alderman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Weidman to approve the Contractors Application for Pay #5 to A1 Excavating in the amount of $295,947.30. Motion carried, 8-0. Personnel – Nothing to report. Board of Public Works – Jeff Seamandel gave the MSA updates report including the progress of the utility improvement project, which is at substantial completion. Next spring MSA will meet with City and complete a final punch list. Recently completed the certified Survey map for Lower Dam Road. ROW width is 55’, which is the maximum width available before encroaching into existing structures. Metal railings for the steps and ADA ramps have recently been fabricated for Old Abe Memorial Park. The building doors arrived on 11/18 and are being painted, and the light poles are expected to arrive around the end of December. Public Services – Nothing to report. CITY OFFICIALS’ REPORTS Mayor Tervort: Deck the Halls Park Falls will take place November 30th at Old Abe Memorial Park. Administrator Kluver: No report. City Clerk Greenwood: Declaration of candidacy, campaign finance and nomination sheets are available at the Clerks office. Treasurer Michels: The final draw for YMCA is approaching, ahead of schedule. The Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for December 4th. Library: December Calendar is in the packets. Chief of Police Nevelier: Early November there was a case of child pornography, subsequent search warrant found drug/paraphernalia. A search at Chequamegon School District with the canine had no drugs recovered. Working on a camera for Old Abe Memorial Park. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Prepared by: Shannon Greenwood, City Clerk