Bloomer, Wisconsin
APRIL 14, 2010

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Bloomer was called to order on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall – Mayor Thur presiding.   Roll call was taken:  Mayor Thur, Alderpersons Young, Hofmann, Steinmetz, Koehler, Clerk Stoik and Attorney Thiel.

All present gave pledge to the flag.

Mayor Thur presented Alderperson Young a gift of a watch from the Common Council, Mayor and department heads for his 18 years of service to the City.  She thanked him for his guidance over the years.  Mayor Thur also thanked everyone for helping her the past three years as Mayor and 9 years as Alderperson.  She stated that the City has been successful and she hoped everything would continue to be a success.

Alderperson Hofmann made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting (March 24, 2010 & March 29, 2010) as presented.  Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to approve all claims against the City & Utilities as presented.  Alderperson Hofmann seconded the motion and all present voted aye.  The claims were in the amounts listed below:

AUDIENCE COMMENTS

There were no audience comments.

Alderperson Koehler made a motion to approve the development agreement with Ruff Properties, LLC for phase 2 of his building project.  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.  Mark Ruff and Al Susedick were present.  They thanked Mayor Thur and the Council for the participation in his construction projects.  He appreciated the assistance they have received.  He will be starting the project this summer and expect completion in the winter.  They currently are reviewing construction costs and hope to break ground soon.  They have recently hired two more employees.  One of the employees is a Bloomer native that will be moving back to Bloomer.  Alderperson Young stated that he had been up to the manufacturing plant in the past week and was very impressed with the design and use of space in the building. 

Dan Masterpole from Chippewa County presented a handout regarding the ETZ and how it relates to AEA – Agricultural Enterprise Area in the Town of Bloomer.  He has corresponded with the State regarding this and would like the City to recognize this AEA area.  Attorney Thiel stated that this would have no negative impact on the City. Alderperson Young made a motion to adopt a petition of support to establish a Bloomer Area Agricultural Enterprise Area with the Town of Bloomer.  Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Discussion was held with Scott Kramer from Kramer Land Design.  Mayor Thur stated that she had given approval for his company to survey the area on the northeast end of Thompson Street for $1,970.  She felt it was important to complete the survey as soon as possible to review the water drainage problems in this area.  Mr. Kramer has completed the survey and presented his findings.  He reviewed elevation maps and topographical maps provided by the City.  His report showed a timeline, analysis of the site, analysis of the berm construction and conclusion.  John and Terri Luke were present and explained the problems they have had with water runoff in the past.  They would like a resolution to this problem. They would like some type of a drainage ditch installed. They feel that a major problem is due to the berms.  They feel that they were not constructed to what they were originally told.  They presented pictures of water issues in the past and this past March when they had flooding in their basement. They also have an engineer hired to review the findings of the City.  Attorney Thiel also requested time to review the findings of Mr. Kramer.  Alderperson Koehler requesting tabling this issue for further investigation.

Alderperson Young made a motion to approve submitting an application for Wisconsin Community Development Block Grant housing program.  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Discussion was held with Mike Vaughn to approve a Managed Service Agreement with DCS Netlink.  Chief Carr is recommending approving the Silver Package as described.  Questions were asked regarding the equipment to be serviced and the procedure to be followed.  Mr. Vaughn was not aware of some of the issues.  He will go back and review with his staff and submit to the Council at a later date for approval. No action was taken.

Dr. Mary Randall, Superintendent of Bloomer Schools was present.  She stated that she had been contacted by representatives of the Bloomer Aquatic Center and they had concerns of foul balls breaking windows on their building.  They requested the school/city to place a higher fence along the softball field to protect their building.  She is requesting the City to split the bill equally between the school and City.  She also stated she had concerns with the current lease between the school and the City.  The school and City will need to look into this in the future. Alderperson Young made a motion to approve fencing on the softball field – east side with Pro Fence & Fab for approx. $9,000 – split 50%/50% cost share.  Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Young made a motion to approve construction of a practice infield at the City’s baseball field on 4th Avenue for a not to exceed price of $2,500 with funds to be used from the reserved irrigation money. Alderperson Hofmann seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Koehler made a motion to replace the squad counsel for the new Explorer for a cost of $300.  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Chief Carr stated that an Officer’s firearm is malfunctioning.  They have tried numerous repairs to it and he continues to have problems.  He is recommending replacement of the firearm.  Alderperson Young made a motion to approve purchase of a firearm – approx. cost of $900 for the Police Department.  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Chief Carr reported that he had checked into programming of the fire siren and found that is a one time cost.  Alderperson Koehler made a motion to approve programming of the fire siren - $420.  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Koehler made a motion to approve purchase of tires for the Electric Department as described below.  Alderperson Young seconded the motion and all present voted aye.  Day’s Tire - $267.95 for the pick-up truck and Bloomer Tire - $1,144.64 for the large bucket truck.

Alderperson Young made a motion to approve blacktopping the alley in Block 2 of Krenz Addition and Block 4 of Emmerton Addition (between 6th & 7th Avenue and Oak Street and Priddy Street).  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Hofmann made a motion to approve a rental agreement with Tim Seibel to allow farming of city owned land as described by Mr. Meindel, Street, Water & Sewer Administrator.  Alderperson Young seconded the motion.  Alderperson Young questioned #1 states that there would be “Exhibit A” attached.  Mr. Meindel stated he had the map of the described area and would attach to the lease agreement.   All present voted aye.

Alderperson Hofmann made a motion to approve an actuarial valuation of the City’s post employment benefits by Key Benefit Concepts for $4,500 to $4,800 as described by Clerk Stoik.  Alderperson Young seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Young made a motion to approve attendance at the Chippewa County Economic annual meeting on May 13, 2010.  Alderperson Hofmann seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to approve an application for a license to serve fermented malt beverages & intoxicating liquors for Lori L. Hanson, Denise E. Svitak and Caitlin Zeman as approved by Police Chief Carr.  Alderperson Hofmann seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Peter Paulson, Electric Administrator presented a pictorial demonstration of the two recent power outages in the City.  They were completely different outages and could not have been predicted.  He explained how they do everything possible to get the power back on, but stages must be coordinated with Xcel Energy.  He stated that the City has had very few outages in the past and it was unfortunate that these two outages happened so close together.

Michael Meindel, Street, Water & Sewer Administrator reported that the south side of the new clubhouse has a cement slab outside the door.  They have repaired damages to the siding due to the fact that the siding keeps rising.  He recommends checking into the costs of repair.  Alderperson Koehler stated that the carpet is in need of repair also.  It was recommended that the Golf Course Committee review and report back.

Police Chief Rick Carr questioned Attorney Thiel regarding the stop signs on the railroad tracks.  The railroad is not going to replace with lights, therefore, an ordinance needs to be adopted by the Common Council, so the Police Department can enforce the stop signs.  Attorney Thiel will draft language for consideration at a future meeting.  Chief Carr thanked Mayor Thur and Alderperson Young for all that they have done for the City.

Brian Bleskacek, Fire Chief and Kim Korbel, Library Director – nothing to report.

Tony Rubenzer, Building Inspector questioned the ETZ zoning map.  He introduced Steve Hilger who is interested in purchasing a piece of land bordering the City and in the Town of Woodmohr.  One of the parcels is located in the City and the building is located in the Town of Woodmohr.  The map adopted by the ETZ board is in conflict with the regular zoning of both municipalities.  Attorney Thiel stated that the ETZ board would need to rezone the parcel to correct the ETZ map.  He stated he would assist Mr. Hilger with the process.

Bob Seibel requested to speak.  Mayor Thur stated that the audience comments are at the beginning of the meeting.  He stated that someone in the Clerk’s office told him that the meeting was at 6:30.  Mayor Thur allowed audience comments to be reopened.  Mr. Seibel stated that he heard the City would be allowing a transfer station of chemicals in the South Industrial Park.  He stated that they had previously made application in the Town of Woodmohr and it had been turned down.  He thinks the City is making a big mistake.  He has had cancer surgeries due to the chemicals he was exposed to in the army.  He feels this will expose residents to bad chemicals.  He also stated that they railroad cannot handle this type of transportation on the rails.  The rails are in poor shape.  Mayor Thur thanked him for his comments.

ALDERPERSON COMMENTS

Alderperson Young thanked everyone that he had worked with over the past 18 years.  He sat down and figured out how many meetings he had attended and stated it was over 420 regular meetings.  He has enjoyed serving the residents of Ward 3.

Alderperson Hofmann thanked Alderperson Young and Mayor Thur for their service to the City.

Alderperson Steinmetz also thanked each of them.

Alderperson Koehler also thanked them for the service.

MAYOR COMMENTS

Mayor Thur stated it has been a great pleasure working first as a council member and then as Mayor.  She has made many accomplishments and hopes all of the good work will continue. 

Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to approve going into closed session under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1) (e) as read by Mayor Thur.  Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and a roll call vote was taken: Alderperson Young, aye; Hofmann, aye; Steinmetz, aye; Koehler, aye.

Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to approve coming out of closed session and report on action taken.  Alderperson Young seconded the motion and all present voted aye. No action was taken in closed session.

Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Sue A. Stoik, CMC/WCMC
City Clerk