Bloomer, Wisconsin
MAY 27, 2010

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a public hearing of the Common Council of the City of Bloomer was held at 6:00 p.m. on the above date regarding rezoning of property in the ETZ Zoning area in the Town of Woodmohr from (R-1) Single Family to (I-2) Heavy Industrial for Martin Loew property located at 17201 County Highway F.  No one from the public spoke at the hearing. The hearing was closed at 6:01 p.m.

Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Bloomer was called to order on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 6:01p.m. at City Hall – Mayor Summerfield presiding.   Roll call was taken:  Mayor Summerfield, Alderpersons Meinen, Hofmann, Steinmetz, Koehler, Clerk Stoik and Attorney Thiel.

All present gave pledge to the flag.

Alderperson Hofmann made a motion to approve the minutes from the previous meeting (May 12, 2010) as presented.  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Koehler made a motion to approve all claims against the City & Utilities as presented.  Alderperson Meinen 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 Ordinance 10-03 to rezone property in the ETZ zoning area in the Town of Woodmohr from (R-1) Single Family to (I-2) Heavy Industrial for Martin Loew property located at 17201 County Hwy F as approved by the Planning Commission.  Alderperson Hofmann seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to approve Resolution 1084 - Compliance Maintenance for WWTP – Report Year 2009.  Alderperson Hofmann seconded the motion and all present voted aye. Mr. Meindel stated that at the present time, no monies have been spent from the replacement fund.

Alderperson Koehler made a motion to approve purchase of a pressure washer for the Street Department for a not to exceed price of $2,700.  Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Hofmann made a motion to approve sale to the highest bidder for the 2008 Crown Victoria squad car for $6,008 to Friends of Auto Sales.  Alderperson Meinen seconded the motion and all present voted aye. Chief Carr reported he had received 4 bids.

Chief Carr reported in the past they took Safety Patrols to Valley Fair.  At the end of the school year it was difficult to find a date that would work for students. About two years ago, they decided to give each student $30 in Bloomer Bucks instead of the trip. It has worked well.  He estimated the cost to be $480.  Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to approve $480 for St. Paul Safety Patrol Awards.  Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Police Chief Carr reported that he had been forwarded a complaint from the District Attorney to review the possibility of illegal spending of campaign costs. Because it involved past and current City Officials, he felt he needed an outside agency to investigate.  He estimates the costs to not exceed $3,000.  The decision is up to the Council to hire the outside agency or to recommend an internal investigation.  Alderperson Hofmann questioned who had filed the complaint.  Chief Carr replied that is was Mayor Summerfield.  Alderperson Hofmann felt it should be up to the complainant to pay for the costs.  Attorney Thiel stated that wasn’t appropriate.  Anyone is able to file complaints.  Mayor Summerfield stated that after the election he has supplied information to Janet Thur regarding the costs he had spent on his campaign and the amounts of the contributions. He requested the information from her.  She was advised by Attorney Thiel that she did not have to provide it.  Alderperson Koehler reported that he had met with Kathy Bernier, Chippewa County Clerk regarding this complaint.  She had advised him to have a formal open records request submitted to Ms. Thur.  Attorney Thiel stated that those records were not part of the open records law. Alderperson Koehler doesn’t feel the City should spend money on the investigation. He thought the City should just ask her for the information.  Alderperson Steinmetz also felt that they should ask.  Janet Thur was at the meeting and stated she did not have to respond.  She also stated that Attorney Thiel had advised her that she did not have to respond to Mayor Summerfield’s request.  She wanted to know what evidence there was. More discussion was held about what was a public record and what could be requested as an open record request.  Alderperson Hofmann stated that he felt this was childish behavior.  Mayor Summerfield had won the election. Alderperson Meinen also stated that he felt it was childish behavior.  He questioned if Mayor Summerfield had any evidence.  Mayor Summerfield stated that he did not object to a formal public records request.  Chief Carr stated that he felt it was not in the best interest of the Police Department to investigate.  He thinks it will create hard feelings.  He would not put his officers in that position; therefore he will conduct the investigation.  The Council took no action to approve an outside agency to investigate; therefore it will need to be performed internally by the Bloomer Police Department.

Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to approve a Beer Garden license according to Bloomer Municipal Code 7-2-9 for Bobbi Caneff, Blue Moose & Steak House – 1628 Woodard Road effective July 1, 2010 as approved by Chief Carr. Carr also stated he needed to get information from the Fire Chief regarding a fire exit. Alderperson Steinmetz stated he would amend his motion to include the information from the Fire Chief. Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Koehler made a motion to approve a Street Use Permit for Midwest Physical Therapy for the 3rd Annual Scoot & Skedaddle race on July 30, 2010 for 16th Avenue from Smith Street to Priddy Street from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m as approved by Chief Carr.  Alderperson Hofmann seconded the motion and all present voted aye.

Alderperson Meinen made a motion to approve a Street Use Permit for Main Street Cafe – Don Stoik for a June Dairy Celebration on June 5, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as approve by Chief Carr. Alderperson Steinmetz seconded the motion and all present voted aye. Mayor Summerfield stated that the agenda was amended to include this request prior to the next meeting.  He stressed the need to get agenda items to the Clerk in a timely matter.

Alderperson Koehler made a motion to approve a rental agreement with Dean Ruff, CDR Farms, LLC for planting of crops on city owned land.  Alderperson Meinen seconded the motion and all present voted aye. Alderperson Koehler stated he has received calls on this in the past, but felt crops planted on City property were better than weeds.
           
Alderperson Steinmetz made a motion to appoint Abby Olson to fill the vacant position of Michelle Stiehl on the Library Board expiration of April 2011.  Alderperson Koehler seconded the motion and all present voted aye. Mayor Summerfield stated that there will be another position on the board opening soon.  If any Council member had any recommendations, please let him know.

Chief Carr stated that he needed to get a letter to Alia M. Hanson before approving her license to serve fermented malt beverages & intoxicating liquors. It was postponed until the next meeting.

DEPARTMENT HEADS

Mike Meindel, Street, Water & Sewer Administrator stated he was recommending sidewalk installation on Smith Street, where it dead ends, south to 17th Avenue.  They would then place a crosswalk to cross over to the connecting south side of 17th Avenue.  He feels it is a dangerous situation. He estimates the cost to be around $3,500.  This will be on the next agenda for approval.

Police Chief Carr reported that the police car had been in an accident with the ambulance.  The ambulance backed into it on a call.  He had received three bids for the repairs.  It will be submitted to the insurance company. He also stated that he and Sue Willi had attended a TIPS meeting for managing their records at the Police Department.  In the future, he may be recommending the purchase of their software package.  They needed to do some more research. He also will be participating in a Special Olympics relay on June 9th.  He will be riding bike from Bloomer to Chippewa Falls with other police officers.  He also will be working with Mike Meindel to place signs on Martin Bridge for no fishing.  It has become a dangerous situation with citizens fishing from the bridge.  The repairs to the siren should be finished soon.

Peter Paulson, Electric Administrator - had nothing to report.

Tony Rubenzer, Building Inspector – had nothing to report.

ALDERPERSON COMMENTS

Alderperson Koehler reported that he would be attending a Golf Course meeting later in the evening.  He will report at a later date the results of the meeting. He also stated that there was a problem with the old clubhouse and cars parked along the driveway.  The Street Department will be signing it soon as “No Parking”.

Alderperson Steinmetz reported he had attended the Grand Opening at the Bloomer Aquatic Center.  He stated it was a very nice building.

Alderperson Hofmann questioned if the floor had been repaired at the Electric Shop.  Peter Paulson stated they are still working on it.

Alderperson Meinen doesn’t like the idea of the City spending $3,000 to investigate a complaint whether the former Mayor spent too much money on her campaign.  He felt Janet Thur did a good job as Mayor.  As a community we need to go forward, not backwards.  The election is over, and Mayor Summerfield won.  Be happy. 

MAYOR COMMENTS

Mayor Summerfield reported the City had received a letter from DNR regarding the inspections of the dam.  The State still had the City’s dam rated has high hazard.  He is working with them to reclassify the dam.  This information had been submitted to the Eau Claire office and was never forwarded to Madison.  He also reported that he would be working with staff to develop a summarized report for the Utilities for the Council review.

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

Sue A. Stoik, CMC/WCMC
City Clerk