5.13.2024 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 5/13/2024 The Common Council of the City of Park Falls met in regular session at 5:00 PM on Monday, May 13, 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 - Excused Dennis Wartgow Terry Wilson James Corbett Anthony Their Dixie Weidman Michael Mader Dina Bukachek City Attorney: Bryce Schoenborn - Excused City Administrator: Brentt Michalek Also present: Bill Hoffman, Becky Michels, Deb Hyde, Marvin Nevelier, Jeff Seamandel, Karen Langrehr, Gary Wollerman, Sean Tervort, Kortney Veitengruber Moment of Silence for Neil Hagman, former Clerk for the City of Park Falls. There was a motion by Alderman Mader and seconded by Alderman Wilson to adopt the agenda as revised. Motion carried. COMMUNICATIONS Alderman Weidman gave a report on the Northwoods Forum in Lac du Flambeau on May 7th. Mayor Tervort mentioned the need for a Special meeting due to the next Council meeting date landing on Memorial Day. Mayor will also be attending the Regional Round Table in Rice Lake on May 22, and she extended an invitation for Alderpersons to attend. Alderman Mader reported that the food pantry food drive that was conducted by the postal service was a great success. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment. NEW BUSINESS The Wednesday Night Live Committee requested installation of banners and the council agreed that the banners request should be approved by the zoning administrator. The committee also requested permission to use road barricades from the city to keep parking out of the seating area. Motion by Alderman Mader and seconded by Alderman Weidman to approve the use of road barricades. Motion carried. Discussed background checks for all liquor license renewals in addition to new licenses. After review, there was a motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Corbett to approve the Liquor License fees as presented. Reviewed an application from Old Abe Mercantile for a Class B Liquor License and Class B Fermented Malt Beverage License. Mayor Tervort excused herself from the discussion as the applicant is her husband. Motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Mader to approve the license. Motion carried, 6-0, with Alderman Wilson abstaining, COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance – Alderman Bukachek made a motion and seconded by Alderman Weidman to approve paying the bills in the amount of $295,396.88. Motion carried, 7-0. Board of Public Works - Reviewed the 3-year agreement with Howard Disposal, as they will be taking over JB Disposal. JB Disposal’s contract will expire at the end of 2025. Howard Disposal is proposing that they will honor the current rates through the end of 2024. The proposed increase would be approximately $6/home. There was a motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Weidman to approve the contract by Howard Disposal after our attorney drafts a letter for the removal of JB Disposal. Motion carried, 7-0. Public Services – Nothing to report. Personnel – There are only 2 applications for DPW summer help, Administrator Michalek is proposing that we increase the rate and decrease the number of positions hired. After discussion, Administrator Michalek proposed increasing the rate to $16/hour and only hiring 4 positions. Administrator Update to Committee of the Whole on General City Operations – City Hall Office Policy Discussion around setting up specific office hours for Alderpersons and residents to stop in for open discussions, as we need to be careful not to have a quorum. Updating on the Administrator position, there was discussion that the city would consider bringing on an interim Administrator if the position is not filled by the end of July. Looking at the 28th and 29th to physically move to the new City Hall location. Working with the Track Coach to have the track athletes help move items over to the library. Looking at closing City Hall one more day for packing and posting items for sale. Discussed the next steps for Lower Dam Road, as it does not exist as a road, however, we have been receiving gas tax. At 6:14 p.m. there was a motion by Alderman Wartgow and seconded by Alderman Wilson to convene into closed session, pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. (Regarding Former Paper Mill Office Building) Motion carried, 7-0. City staff Michalek and Michels were present. At 6:25 there was a motion by Alderman Wilson and seconded by Alderman Mader to reconvene into open session, for discussion and/or to take possible action on closed session items. Motion carried, 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m. Prepared by: Shannon Greenwood, City Clerk