Common Council Meeting Minutes
City of Bloomer
Regular Meeting of the Common Council
1503 Main Street
Bloomer, WI 54724
December 16th 2020, 5:15 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 Wednesday, December 16th, 2020, at 5:15 p.m. at City Hall, 1503 Main Street – Mayor Koehler presiding.
Roll call was taken: Mayor Koehler, Aldermen Meinen, Bauch, Baribeau, Reischel, Administrator Frion and Attorney Gierhart were present.
All present gave pledge to the flag.
Reischel made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 2nd, 2020 regular meeting and the 2021 Budget Hearing. Baribeau seconded the motion and all present voted aye.
Bauch made a motion to approve all claims against the City and Utilities as presented. Meinen seconded the motion and all present voted aye. The claims were in the amounts listed below:
Checks Numbered: 86514 - 86574
General Fund: $ 88,797.28
Electric Fund: $ 301,397.32
Water Fund: $ 7,884.14
Sewer Fund: $ 3,173.67
Payroll $ 100,381.25
TOTAL $ 501,633.66
Alderman Reischel thanked the departments throughout the City for the services they provide. Mayor Koehler commented that he participated as a judge in the Chamber’s house lighting contest and thanked those that assisted in the park light up for the holiday season.
Rod Turner provided an update of improvements that were done by the Community Club at the Bloomer Fairgrounds. The horse corral update was the big project this year. There was a lot of community support to make this happen. Items such as roof repairs and painting need to be considered for upgrades in 2021.
Discussion took place regarding the Lead Action Level exceedance notice received by the Water Department from the DNR pertaining to high lead levels in a small area of the communities drinking water. The Utility has taken additional samples with little to no detection of lead. Ongoing testing will be done to ensure proper drinking water quality.
Tony Burgess, Street Department Manager, commented that we are seeing a decrease in opportunities for getting rid of recyclables locally. Items that we used to be able to get rid of for free are now costing the City. The City is required to have a recycling program for residential properties, but not commercial. The Council will have to put some thought in to the continued upward costs of the recycling program and how they would like to provide this service to the community.
Meinen made a motion to approve a conditional use permit with no additional conditions for Lynne Walter at 2639 Freeway Drive. Baribeau seconded the motion. Bauch and Reischel voted nay; Koehler, Meinen and Baribeau voted yay. Motion carried.
Meinen made a motion to approve Resolution #10-20 approving a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for the City of Bloomer. Baribeau seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Meinen made a motion to approve Ordinance #11-20 to repeal and recreate Section 10-1-46 of the City Code relating to Seasonal Parking Restrictions. Reischel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Meinen made a motion to approve the purchase of a new snowblower for the Street Department and start the process for receiving bids from local and regional banks for a GO Promissory Note in the amount of $144,084. Baribeau seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Reischel made a motion to flood the main skating rink, pending the weather, and not open the warming house due to the COVID pandemic. Bauch seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Meinen made a motion to approve a Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor License for the Queen of Clubs, LLC. pending publication in the December 23rd edition of the Bloomer advance. Baribeau seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Baribeau made a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wi. Stat. §19.85(g) – “Conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved.” (Notice of Circumstance Giving Rise to Claim – Shadick) Reischel seconded the motion. Roll call – Meinen-aye; Bauch-aye; Baribeau-aye; Reischel-aye. Motion carried.
Reischel made a motion to reconvene to open session. Baribeau seconded the motion. Roll call – Meinen-aye; Bauch-aye; Baribeau-aye; Reischel-aye. Motion carried. No action was taken.
Reischel made a motion to adjourn. Baribeau seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Sandra L. Frion
City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer