10.28.2024 Common Council Meeting Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES 10/28/2024 The Common Council of the City of Park Falls met in regular session at 5:00 PM on Monday, October 28, 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 - Excused James Corbett Anthony Thier Dixie Weidman Michael Mader Dina Bukachek City Attorney: Bryce Schoenborn – Excused City Administrator: Scott Kluver Staff present: Shannon Greenwood, Bill Hoffman, Chief Marvin Nevelier, Becky Michels, Deb Hyde Also present: Jeff Seamandel, Gary Wollerman, Maryann Brown, and Stephanie Hammond There was a motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Mader to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried. There was a motion by Alderman Weidman and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve the minutes for the Common Council meeting on September 23, 2024, and the Committee of the Whole meeting on October 14, 2024. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Alderman Mader noted that the Trunk or Treat event was a success and lots of children were enjoying the new playground equipment in the Park. He also shared information on the Blue Line Club fundraiser to replace the chiller. Mayor Tervort stated that the 2-hour parking signs for Old Abe Parkway have been ordered, and there will be 4 spots on the West side reserved for Forward Bank employees, as per a previous agreement. Forward Bank will purchase signs to designate those spots. PUBLIC COMMENT Maryann Brown expressed concerns about equipment and activity still happening at the former Mill location, as well as smells. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Tervort opened the public hearing to approve an amendment to the Park Falls Comprehensive Plan Future Use Map as recommended by the Plan Commission. The amendments include changes to four separate locations including: changing a housing development project location parcel from C-1 to R-2, adding a City owned property that was not indicated on the map and making it Industrial, changing a school district owned property to Conservancy to be consistent with other school properties, and changing a property that is a proposed housing project location from I-1 to R-2. There was a motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Greenwood to approve Ordinance 24-005. Motion carried, 7-0. Administrator Kluver presented the proposed 2025 General Fund Operating, Debt, and Refuse Fund budgets. The mill rate is proposed to be the same. The budget is able to balance largely due to the TID 3 closure, or it would have needed additional reductions. There were adjustments calculated for employee deductions, a couple structural changes to get the truest reflection of costs. There is no CIP budget proposed at this time. Utility budgets will be presented at the next meeting and the hearing to approve the levy is scheduled for November 25. Motion by Alderman Greenwood and seconded by Alderman Weidman to accept the refuse budget increase to 22.1% effective January 1, 2025. Motion carried, 7-0. There was a motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Bukachek to publish the budget for the tax levy hearing scheduled for November 25, 2024. Motion carried. Finance – Alderman Weidman made a motion and seconded by Alderman Bukachek to approve paying the bills in the amount of $127,873.38. Motion carried, 7-0. Motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve the Maintenance and Market Revaluation Contract from Bowmar Appraisal for $78,000 to be split over two years. Motion carried, 7-0. Motion by Alderman Weidman and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve the Contractor’s Application for Pay #4 to A1 Excavating in the amount of $955,515.70. Motion carried, 7-0. This price reflects 89% of the project, which is expected to be below the bid price. 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 almost to substantial completion. Recently paved the binder layer and are currently completing the restoration items including leveling topsoil, seeding, hydro mulching, and installing mailboxes. MSA has established the right-of-way boundaries along the Lower Dam Road, including the old right of way. Old Abe Memorial Park progress includes the completion of the metal soffit trim, gypsum board, and treated lumber installation on the stage. The pavilion building had the completion of gypsum, cast stone and stone veneer and associated metal flashing work has been started. All concrete work has been completed. The landscaping crew is currently waiting for the final oak trees to arrive. Public Services – Nothing to report. CITY OFFICIALS’ REPORTS Mayor Tervort – The League Conference was very educational, and the City was well represented. Deck the Halls Park Falls is scheduled for November 30th at Old Abe Memorial Park. Donations for new lights were received. Administrator Kluver: The primary focus is currently on the Budget but will continue to work on the Zoning matters. City Clerk Greenwood – Election turnout was very good, record high same day registrations. Will be prepping for the April Election next. Treasurer Michels – Open Enrollment ended Friday and not a lot of changes. Just finishing up the CWF fund loan and Baldwin dollars. Library – November Calendar is in the packets. Circulation numbers are important because of funding, but also focusing on the Library being a community center and serving the community members. We had to order a new book drop for the outside of the building. DPW Director Hoffman – Fall cleanup started on October 21st and sweeping this week. Ordered the metal roofing for the open-air pavilion in the Park. The Mill started pumping the liquid from the 2nd Ash basin. Crew is preparing for the cold months by winterizing the hydrants and parks. Chief of Police Nevelier – The end of September had increased activity, including a drug endangered child incident on 9th Avenue, where drugs were found in the house and the child was removed. Officer Hilgart was injured while taking a student into custody that was talking about suicide. Have been working out a few technical details in order to get a security camera for the new park. Fire Chief Reas – DPW Director Hoffman reported that the Department had the Fire Prevention Open House in October and that was successful. There was a 2-car collision just north of town that resulted in a single fatality. The meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m. Prepared by: Shannon Greenwood, City Clerk