Jefferson City Council - Minutes - 1999

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The Tuesday, November 16, 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. Oppermann, Ald. Wenzel, Ald. Johann, Ald. Tennyson, Ald. Stevens and Ald. Beyer. Also present were City Administrator Schornack, City Attorney Scheibel, Police Chief Besel, City Engineer Ludwig and Clerk/Treasurer Parlow.

Dave Carnes, 405 North Main Street, addressed the Council regarding the proposed tax increase. He could not believe that a 16% tax increase was being proposed, when a member of the Finance Committee at the November 2 meeting stated that we would not have an increase of double digits. Carnes asked for this individual to explain their comments. Mr. Carnes also encouraged the Council to move the Common Council Meeting to December 8^th. He felt that the election on December 7^th has too great of an effect on the budget to hold them both on the same day.

Finance Chairperson Johann stated that the Finance Committee was looking for direction/guidelines when they are approached by outside organizations for funding. She asked the Council if they were interested in setting up a set of criteria and if her fellow Councilpersons had any suggestions.

The Mayor then gave a run down of the organizations requesting funding and why the City should fund them. It was his opinion that the life of many of these organizations depend solely upon the Council's mercy.

Ald. Beyer felt that the concern rests with new organizations petitioning the City for funding, not with the organizations currently being funded. Ald. Beyer suggested bringing all new requests for funding back to the Council for their recommendation. She also questioned if the City should be making funding decisions solely based upon need.

Ald. Oppermann then gave some clarification on the request for funding for the new play structure to be constructed in Riverfront Park. Oppermann stated that the Playground Committee was not asking for funding, but a group of citizens-at-large involved with the playground project were. The Playground Committee was asking the City if they would maintain the structure (sealing) on a yearly basis. Oppermann stated that the Park & Recreation Commission delayed action on this request until the Committee can provide them with additional information and details.

Ald. Johann stated that the Finance Committee was looking for some basis to deny or award funding. She felt that bringing the requests to the full Council was a good idea.

Ald. Stevens agreed with Johann and Beyer. He encouraged all requests be submitted to the full Council. He did not feel that the burden of granting or denying these requests should be placed solely upon the Finance Committee.

Ald. Wagner introduced Resolution No. 111.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the consent agenda for November 16, 1999 is hereby adopted.

The consent agenda for tonight includes:

• Approval of Annual Contract with Municipal Software Inc. for accounting software services for $3,245 annually.

• Vouchers Payable for November 1999 in the amount of $199,971.72. Payroll Summary of November 5^th in the amount of $72,783.51.
• Council Minutes for the regular session meeting of November 2, 1999.

• Licenses as recommended by the Regulatory Committee.
  A. Operator's licenses.

2. Special Class B licenses.

Ald. Wagner, seconded by Ald. Tennyson moved to recommend Resolution No. 111. On call of the roll, motion carried unanimously.

Ald. Oppermann introduced Resolution No. 112.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the regularly scheduled Common Council and Committee meetings on December 7^th, 1999, will be cancelled and rescheduled for Wednesday, December 8^th, 1999.

Ald. Johann asked Clerk/Treasurer Parlow if moving the date to December 8^th would allow enough time to revise figures if needed. Parlow stated yes.

Ald. Wagner stated that he was originally against this resolution, but after consideration he felt it was a good idea to move the meeting.

Ald. Beyer stated that she felt the meeting should be kept at 7:30 p.m.

Ald. Oppermann, seconded by Ald. Johann moved to recommend Resolution No. 112. Motion carried on a voice vote.

Ald. Coffman introduced Resolution No. 113.

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson that the City Administrator is authorized to sign an agreement with Town and Country Engineering for the design of a replacement sanitary sewer interceptor from the wastewater treatment plant to Willow Street.

City Administrator Schornack indicated that this is for the project that would run from the Treatment Plant to the new Middle School.

Ald. Wagner asked how much the project would cost and when the City would start adjusting rates.

City Engineer Ludwig stated that project costs are still estimated but preliminary $850,000. Ludwig stated that the engineering on the project would run approximately $35,000, plus soils.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Kelly indicated that the rate study is almost complete. He stated that Virchow Krause is awaiting the Council's decision on the interceptor project before they finalize their rate projections. Kelly stated that he anticipated a new rate package to come before the Council in January of 2000.

Ald. Beyer asked if this project would utilize the Clean Water Fund money. City Administrator Schornack said yes. He also stated that any of the project that would not fall under the Fund would most likely be paid for out of reserve cash.

Ald. Coffman stated that this item was unanimous at Street Committee, Coffman also stated that Doskocil and Friskies had been contacted regarding the project.

City Administrator Schornack clarified that the project had been mentioned to the industries, but full-length discussions had not taken place. Schornack also noted that the project would not effect Doskocil at all.

Ald. Coffman, seconded by Ald. Wenzel moved to recommend Resolution No. 113. On call of the roll motion carried unanimously.

Ald. Beyer introduced Resolution No. 114.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson, Wisconsin that the City Administrator is authorized to purchase a 20 KW trailer mounted generator from Lincoln Contractors Supply for $12,995.00.

City Administrator Schornack indicated that this item was added to the agenda at the "eleventh" hour and apologized for not amending the Finance Committee agenda to include this item. Schornack also noted that the City did receive several quotes and that the expenditure is budgeted.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Kelly indicated that this type of generator would help the treatment plant sustain services in the event of a prolonged power outage.

Ald. Stevens asked if staff had contacted Generac.

City Engineer Ludwig stated that he had contacted Roger Schauss of Generac, who gave him the name of an individual in the sales department, the individual in the sales department gave him another name. Ludwig noted that he had tried several times over a three-week period to get in touch with this individual and his calls were not returned. Ludwig also stated that Schauss had indicated that Generac was sold out of generators and would not be able to supply a generator until after the new year.

Ald. Oppermann felt that the City should give Generac another chance.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Kelly stated that it is the department's long-term plan to purchase two generators and that Council member concern prompted Kelly to pursue the purchase before year-end. Kelly stated that when it comes time to bid out for the other generator, Generac would definitely be contacted again.

Ald. Beyer recommended that the City call Roger back and tell them that we want a generator and that no one had gotten back to us.

Ald. Johann stated that she felt at this time of the year it was a matter of supply and demand.

Ald. Beyer asked why we were purchasing a budgeted item so late in the year. If this is such a crucial purchase it should have been made in January 1999.

Ald. Wenzel stated that he felt that a weak link in Generac's sales staff was unfortunate for them and that is the nature of business. He encouraged the Council to purchase the equipment from Lincoln Contractors Supply because they offered the City the low bid and they could provide the product to the City. In addition, if Generac was allowed to rebid they would be privy to the bid amounts from the other suppliers, which would be unfair.

Ald. Oppermann, seconded by Ald. Beyer moved to table Resolution No. 114. On call of the roll, motion was defeated by a vote of 5 to 3.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Kelly stated that this is a piece of emergency equipment. The Treatment Plant staff can sustain a short-term outage, however, if the City is faced with a long term outage the staff would not be able to continuously service all five lift stations. The purchase of this generator would go a long way towards sufficiency during a sustained power outage. Kelly also noted that staff had made every attempt to acquire competitive bids from multiple sources, including Generac.

Ald. Stevens asked if electric pumps would be run by the generator. Kelly stated yes.

Ald. Beyer added that all staff should purchase essential equipment at the beginning of the year in which it is budgeted for. Ald. Oppermann agreed with Beyer's sentiments.

Ald. Coffman, seconded by Ald. Wenzel moved to recommend Resolution No. 113. On call of the roll motion carried by a vote of 5 to 3.

Ald. Johann introduced Resolution No. 115.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Jefferson, Wisconsin that the City Administrator is authorized to purchase a 6 inch self priming trash pump from Furey Filter & Pump for $10,274.00.

City Administrator indicated that this item was not budgeted for, but adequate funds exist in the Treatment Plant fund reserves to purchase the equipment.

Ald. Tennyson asked what a lease would cost.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Kelly noted that he had not investigated a lease price. He indicated that he felt a lease was not practical because the equipment would be used during "emergency" situations. Kelly also noted that in a storm situation they would be difficult to rent.

Ald. Beyer asked if the pump and generator were bid together. Kelly noted that were separate line items on the same bid.

Ald. Johann, seconded by Ald. Tennyson moved to recommend Resolution No. 115. On call of the roll, motion carried unanimously.

Ald. Beyer, seconded by Ald. Johann, moved to adjourn the November 16, 1999, meeting of the City of Jefferson Common Council. The motion carried on a voice vote.

These minutes of the November 16, 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.