Jefferson City Council - Minutes - 1999

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MINUTES
city of jefferson common council
tuesday, february 2, 1999

The Tuesday, February 2, 1999, meeting of the City of Jefferson Common Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Brawders. Members present: Ald. Wagner, Ald. Coffman, Ald. Carnes, Ald. Wenzel, Ald. Johann, Ald. Tennyson and Ald. Beyer. Ald. Stevens was absent. Also present were City Administrator Schornack, City Attorney Scheibel, Police Chief Besel, City Engineer Ludwig and City Clerk/Treasurer Elford.

public participation

Mr. Roger Ware, 934 Garity Street addressed the Common Council with his concerns for school age kids and drinking and drugs and getting into trouble. Mr. Ware suggests that neighborhood watch groups should be formed.

Ms. Hilde Will, 324 N. Elizabeth, addressed the Council regarding item #3 on the agenda. Ms. Will stated that she doesn't like the wording of the agenda saying Transportation Facility instead of Milwaukee Street Bridge. Also Ms. Will stated that she thinks the city needs a bridge closer to the school across the Crawfish River. We already have links to the glacial drumlin trail via North Watertown Avenue and North Jackson Avenue. Ms. Will suggested a public hearing and table the topic for now.

Mr. Rick Lien, 514 Janesville St., Whitewater and owner of The Depot at 211 Gardner, and Hometown Flowers & Gifts, 122 S. Main addressed the Council in support of the Milwaukee Street Bridge. He stated that he has heard one or two people against the bridge, but the majority of the people say they would like to see it. If we don't use the grant, we will loose it. Mr. Lien stated that he thinks the Riverfront Park is one of the best riverfront areas he has ever seen and he sees the use that the park gets during the day. As far as businesses, not necessarily an addition to his business but a real draw for the overall community. A walk bridge will be more convenient for pedestrians, and he feels that the city needs to spend some money in this town for the downtown. Other communities are spending a lot of money to get people to come to their towns. Also need to study our downtown and bring business back to the downtown and the walk bridge will do nothing but help that.

Mr. Robert Kober, 900 E. Racine St. addressed the Council regarding handicapped parking facilities. He stated that he has seen a lot of wrong handicap parking signs around the city and everyone needs to follow the state statutes. There are several businesses that do not even have any handicapped parking available.

Ald. Beyer stated that the Regulatory Committee will look at this.

Mr. Ed Soleska, co-owner of Chickens Riverfront, 200 W. Milwaukee addressed the Council in favor of the walk bridge. He stated that he feels that it still is a safety issue, even with the new Racine St. Bridge. The walk bridge would be much more convenient for walkers, and users of the river, like the fishermen. It would tie in a neglected area of the city back with the downtown. As years go by, there will be only more opportunities and growth of the buildings and upgrade of the neighborhood on the westside.

Mr. Robert Mau, 207 E. Racine, addressed the Council against the walking bridge. He stated that he doesn't think that it will help the downtown at all.

Mr. Michael Baxter, co-owner of Miss Kitty's at 135 S. Main addressed the Council in favor of the walk bridge. He reiterated that the state is paying for $400,000 of a $500,000 bridge and he feels that the city cannot pass up an opportunity like this. It is going to build the equity of the town for now and in the future. He stated that the city has a responsibility to our businesses. This is a tool for all downtown businesses. We are banking on the City of Jefferson to make us more desirable.

Mr. Don Kraus, 702 Windsor Terrace, addressed the Council against the new walk bridge. He stated that he doesn't feel that it will be worth the cost to maintain the bridge, and is not in the best interest of the City of Jefferson. He feels that the City should let someone else have the money.

Mr. Dale Oppermann, 224 S. Wilson, addressed the Council in favor of the Milwaukee Street Walk Bridge. He stated that he doesn't want that $400,000 to go someplace else. Mr. Oppermann stated that this is not a necessary bridge, but it is a desirable project, an investment for Jefferson. It helps with safety. It is for the businesses, as well as school kids. It builds an economic bond with the downtown. It is a park over the river, not a bridge. It can let people have greater access to the river. This is for everyone in town, not just a few.

Mr. Steve Lewis, Jefferson Area Business Center, 218 Wisconsin Drive, stated that he feels the bridge is an important part to the downtown. However, he does want it understood that it is necessary for his business that truck traffic come in from Milwaukee Street to get to his business and that is not going to change.

water & electric superintendent report

The Water & Electric Superintendent Bruce Folbrecht reported that a small contingent from the Jefferson Water & Electric Commission will be leaving Sunday to go to Washington D.C. to discuss with our representatives and senators – the deregulation of the electric industry. He stated that their goal is to make our representatives understand that deregulation will effect their constituents.

consent agenda

Ald. Beyer introduced Resolution No. 138.

CITY OF JEFFERSON
RESOLUTION nO. 138

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the consent agenda for February 2, 1999 is hereby adopted.

The consent agenda for tonight includes:

• Vouchers Payable for December, 1998, and January and February, 1999, in the amounts of $67,500.95, $37,774.54 and $77,830.75 respectively.
• Payroll Summary of January 15, 1999 in the amount of $74,643.85.
• Council Minutes for the regular and closed session meetings of January 19, 1999.

• Licenses as recommended by the Regulatory Committee.
  Operator's licenses to Kathleen Krause, N4704 Paradise Road, Helenville, WI, contingent upon bartender's awareness class; and Mr. Bruce Bowers, N4978 Hwy. N., Jefferson, WI – one year licenses.
  Special Class "B" license to Conquista Club, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Center on February 6-7, 1999; and Fort Atkinson Wisconservation Club, Inc. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Activity Center on March 15, 1999.

Ald. Beyer, seconded by Ald. Tennyson moved to approve Resolution No. 138. The motion carried unanimously.

accepting state/municipal agreement for beam guard shielding

Ald. Coffman introduced Resolution No. 139.

CITY OF JEFFERSON
RESOLUTION nO. 139

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the State/Municipal Agreement for Beam Guard Shielding on South Whitewater Avenue is hereby accepted. And,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Administrator is authorized to sign said agreement.

Ald. Coffman, seconded by Ald. Wenzel moved to approve Resolution No. 139.

It was discussed that there is a real safety issue in the area that needs to be addressed whether or not the rest of the Highway N project happens this year.

Roll was then called on Resolution No. 139. On call of the roll, Ald. Carnes, Ald. Wenzel, Ald. Johann, Ald. Tennyson, Ald. Beyer, and Ald. Wagner voted aye; Ald. Coffman voted no. The motion carried 6 to 1.

accepting right-of-way agreement with hardees

Ald. Wenzel introduced Resolution No. 140.

CITY OF JEFFERSON
RESOLUTION nO. 140

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the Right-of-way Agreement with Franchise Finance Corporation of America is hereby accepted. And,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is hereby authorized to sign said agreement.

Ald. Wenzel, seconded by Ald. Johann (for discussion) moved to approve Resolution No. 140.

Ald. Johann asked if every business owner along the Hwy. 26 reconstruction was receiving the same treatment.

The City Engineer stated that there are only two businesses being asked to relinquish some right-of-way at the corner of their property—that is Hardees and Super America, and the same offer was made to both. However, Super America has chosen to have us condemn the needed area, while Franchise Finance Corporation of America, (owners of Hardees) has worked up this agreement. Also, no property owner along the construction route will be special assessed.

Roll was then called on Resolution No. 140. On call of the roll, the motion carried unanimously.

accepting Federal/State/City project agreement for the Milwaukee Street Pedestrian/Bike Transportation Facility

Ald. Carnes introduced Resolution No. 141.

CITY OF JEFFERSON
RESOLUTION nO. 141

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the Federal/State/Project Sponsor Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program (TEA-21) Project Agreement for the Milwaukee Street Pedestrian/Bike Transportation Facility (Milwaukee Street Walk Bridge) is hereby accepted. And,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is hereby authorized to sign said agreement.

Ald. Carnes, seconded by Ald. Wenzel moved to approve Resolution No. 141.

Ald. Beyer stated that she has been reading about other communities who made improvements to their riverfront areas and their people have discovered their riverfront for the first time in many years of living in the area. She also believes that the bridge will be a wonderful asset to the city and a good answer to the safety issue. The DOT must think that this will be a great benefit for them and our city or they wouldn't have given us the grant.

Ald. Wagner stated that he will not support this resolution. The $100,000 could be better spent on the police department and the senior center.

Ald. Carnes stated that there are still many kids on the west side of the river that need to walk across to the east side and there will be other owners of the old middle school and the walking bridge would be a true asset and draw.

Ald. Wenzel stated that he feels that it will benefit the downtown business district.

Ald. Johann stated that she wanted to clear up a few questions she had received. There are some misconceptions with the public that she has gotten an answer for. Such as the concern that children would be coming up to an uncontrolled crossing at Milwaukee Street and Main Street. However, it was mentioned in Finance that a crossing guard could be hired for the intersection. Second, there are concerns about how many pilings are beneath the bridge, after the death of the man hitting the bridge piling on the glacial drumlin trail, however, this bridge will have only one piling in the center of the bridge.

Ald. Johann also stated that she thought that the bridge was connected with the river walk trail and that would require acquiring river edge property from residents for the trail to continue. However, that is not true. The walkway corridor is on all public land.

The City Administrator explained that the Jefferson County Bikeway/Pedestrianway Plan is an approved plan by the County and the City and that path is entirely on public property.

The Administrator further explained that there have been several meetings at the Council level already where the Council has voted in favor of pursuing this project. The designers came before the Council some time ago. We are almost through the design, and at the bid letting stage.

Mayor Brawders stated that he believes a lot of information on this bridge has been to the people. There was a feature article in the Union in the past, and has been talked about a lot in the past year to two years.

The Mayor then called for the roll call vote to be taken on Resolution No. 141. On call of the roll, Ald. Wenzel, Ald. Beyer, and Ald. Carnes voted aye; Ald. Johann, Ald. Tennyson, Ald. Wagner, and Ald. Coffman voted no. The motion was defeated 4 to 3.

Approving 1999 TREE PRUNING and removal contract

Ald. Johann introduced Resolution No. 142.

CITY OF JEFFERSON
RESOLUTION nO. 142

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the City Administrator is hereby authorized to contract with Whitney Tree Service of Juda, WI to perform pruning and tree removal for 1999 for an amount not-to-exceed $8,800.

Ald. Johann, seconded by Ald. Tennyson moved to approve Resolution No. 142.

On call of the roll, the motion carried unanimously.

approval of amendment to recreation department late fee

Ald. Tennyson introduced Resolution No. 143.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that a late fee policy for the Jefferson Recreation Department is hereby authorized as follows:

• Any Recreational Program Registration that is received after 5:00 p.m. on the day designated as the deadline is classified as late.
• Determination of whether a late registration will be accepted will be made by the Recreation Supervisor.
• If the Recreation Supervisor determines that the late registration will be accepted a late fee of $5.00 will be assessed.

Ald. Tennyson, seconded by Ald. Wagner moved to approve Resolution No. 143.

Ald. Tennyson stated that the Parks & Recreation Board is recommending this resolution.

The resolution passed on a voice vote.

Ald. Wagner, seconded by Ald. Tennyson moved to adjourn to Closed Session pursuant to Section 19.85(1)(b) & (e) of the Wisconsin State Statutes Related to Discipline of a Public Employee, Deliberating Purchase of Public Property, and Bargaining of Service Contract.

On call of the roll, the motion carried unanimously.

Ald. Carnes, seconded by Ald. Wenzel moved to reconvene to open session.

On call of the roll, the motion carried unanimously.

WISCONSIN BUILDING INSPECTION AGENCY CONTRACT

Ald. Wagner introduced Resolution No. 144.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson, Wisconsin that the Mayor and City Administrator are authorized to sign a contract with Wisconsin Building Inspection Agency for building inspection and zoning administration services in the amount of $29,150.

Ald. Wagner, seconded by Ald. Carnes moved to recommend Resolution No. 144. On call of the roll, the motion carried unanimously.

CITY ENGINEER

City Engineer Dan Ludwig reported on the progress with the Hwy. 26 reconstruction project. Mann Brothers of Elkhorn was the winning bidder. Their plans are to start as early as possible this spring. Mann Brothers wants to start a sub-project and set up talks with the city and chamber to find the smoothest method of keeping everyone informed of the project's progress and any snags that come up along the way.

The Engineer also reported that the grant for the Hwy. N project was rejected for this year, however, the City may get it in the year 2000.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney Scott Scheibel stated that it appears that the Braun's Employee Cooperative settlement will be approved by the State Department of Commerce. Court is set for Thursday.

CITY CLERK/TREASURER

City Clerk/Treasurer Elford reminded the Council that the deadline was approaching for sign up for the Annual Chamber Dinner.

Elford also reported that the city employs the father of a world-class cyclist. WWTP Superintendent Mike Kelly's son Matt won the 1999 World Cyclocross Junior Championship in Slovakia this last weekend. Matt is the first American to win this event.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR

City Administrator Schornack reported that the City has hired Jaeckel Bros. and they have begun taking down the Quonset building behind City Hall.

The Administrator also reported that he has delivered an offer to purchase to the County for the parcel of land needed to extend Hyer Drive.

COMMITTEES

Ald. Johann reported that the Senior Center Committee will be meeting on February 10.

Ald. Tennyson, seconded by Ald. Carnes moved to adjourn the February 2, 1999, meeting of the City of Jefferson Common Council. The motion carried unanimously.

These minutes of the February 2, 1999, meeting of the Common Council are uncorrected. Any corrections made thereto will be noted in the proceedings at which time the minutes are approved.

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