Link to:  May 23, 2011 Special meeting minutes

May 2, 2011                                      
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING                            
7:00 p.m  
  
           
Paul Beere called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with Gary Beck, Ed Chart, Chris Johnson, Bob Lancour, and Mike Weinkauf present.   Chris Bennett was absent.
 
Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer; Christopher Birkett, Public Works Manager; and John Tierney, Engineer; were also present.
 
Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Minutes.   Weinkauf, moved, 2nd by Johnson to approve the minutes from the April 11, 2011 meeting. Motion carried.
 
Period for Public Comment.   Pat Gerber, 412 N. State Street, addressed the Board regarding the Community Garden’s proposed installation of a point well for watering.   She stated concern over the village’s responsibility and liability for a point well and possible contamination of other wells, noting she had proposed alternatives to the garden group regarding possible use of a rain collection system or tank for watering.  Consensus of the Board was to refer this issue to the Public Works Committee for further consideration.
 
Department Reports: 
Sheriff.    Deputy Castillo read a written report showing the following statistics for April:  three accidents; ten speeding citations, four traffic citations, fifteen parking citations and ten warnings were issued.  There were two arrests.  Complaint statistics were as follows:  fifteen complaints originated through calls directly to the Sheriff’s Department;  Deputy Castillo assisted with six additional complaints, originated fifty-three on his own and performed follow up on thirty-two.   He reported twenty-one working days, 168 hours and 1,479 miles driven.  Twenty-five foot patrols were also conducted.  
 
Additionally, Castillo reported on several thefts from vehicles, most of which were unlocked.  An individual who was found looking in vehicles along Maryl Street was arrested.  He noted a request from the Memorial Day Parade Committee to close off traffic from Academy Road and Front Street was approved for the event.  Lancour reported a problem with several coon hounds barking on Oak Knoll Road and also noted several junk cars on the Lawrence property.  Castillo will follow up on these issues.
 
Public Works.    Christopher Birkett’s written report was reviewed follows:
 
Lift Stations/ Sewer:  Testing generators and maintenance of lift stations.  I am checking MH’s in our road project, compiling a list of repairs to be addressed in conjunction with our road project.  Wet well cleaning is scheduled for this week.
 
Roads:  Still working on specs and getting prices for maintenance and repairs on the 2nd half of our projects. Still working on sign upgrades and brush cutting. Potholes are caught up shoulder touch ups will be addressed over the next 2 weeks. I had a meeting with FEMA, went well. 
 
Parks:  Clean up is ongoing. Park fertilizing is completed, will be getting to mulching and planting
 
Animal Control:  Cat calls are still coming in, still working on kennel issue.  
 
Storm Sewer:  Sub-committee continues to meet.
 
Birkett reported no regular committee meeting this month.  The mowing contract with Forrest George has been finalized and he has cut a couple of times already.  Beck stated that Waterford High School will be locking the Case Eagle ball diamond fields after they are groomed and lined on game days (until the game begins).
 
Engineer.  Tierney read his written report as follows: 
Settlement of Rochester Condominiums:  Attended Special Village Board meeting.  Reviewed private road standards and easement widths.
 
Stoneridge Subdivision Construction Services:  Reviewed as-built detention basin plans and calculated volume.
 
Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study:  Wrapping up preliminary storm sewer and tile atlas.  Assigning customer classifications to properties.
 
2011 Municipal Engineering Services:  Coordination with Zoning Administrator and DNR regarding floodplain elevations along the Wind Lake Canal.  Met with DPW to review sanitary sewer manhole seal standards.
 
2011 Street Improvements:  Preparing bid documents/ project manual.  Tasks pending:  Obtain Digger locate for Rochester Street ditch and culvert work at drainage canal bridge.  Continue pavement measurements and project manual.
 
Sanitary Sewer GIS Atlas:  Collected sewer record drawings.  Tasks pending:  Prepare GIS base and incorporate past maps.
 
Application for Conditional Use to operate a therapeutic equine assisted riding center for children/ adults with disabilities at 2623 Maple Road
Owner/ Applicant:  Jennifer Pape/ Willow Creek Ranch, Inc.
Parcel #176031904002010

       
Weinkauf and Schattner reported on Plan Commission review and recommendations on this item.  Beck moved, 2nd by Weinkauf to approve the conditional use permit to operate a therapeutic equine assisted riding center for children and adults with disabilities at 2623 Maple Road subject to the conditions recommended by the Plan Commission and Zoning Administrator.  Motion carried.
 
Western Racine County Health Department Annual Report:   Cheryl Mazmanian, Director; and Andrea Jaeger, Public Health Nurse
                                                                 
Cheryl Mazmanian, Health Officer, reported the following information: 

In fall of 2008, the Wisconsin Student Immunization Law requirement began a phase in of an additional dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) and a second dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.   In 2008, our health department encountered a 76 percent increase in immunization clients, with the clinics remaining strong in 2009. Now in 2010, immunization clinics are beginning to level off with a19 percent decline in clients from 2009. The Wisconsin Student Immunization Law phase in will continue to include all grades by 2013. In 2010, a special limited time only adult immunization promotion was initiated featuring measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella, Tdap, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.   Prior to this promotion only hepatitis B and Tdap were offered to adults through the Health Department.
 
WEDSS (Wisconsin Epidemiological Disease Surveillance System) has been implemented with great success, improving efficiency and communication between primary care providers and public health. We are seeing a concerning rise in chlamydia which is also reflected in nationwide trends. Hepatitis C, which is a chronic liver disease transmitted through blood and body fluids, continues to be prevalent. Typically follow up with these clients includes extensive education on methods to prevent transmission and progression of the disease.
 
To help promote a healthy environment, the Health Department conducted two medication collections collecting 368 lbs of uncontrolled medications, 23 lbs of controlled substances; 232 residents were served.  Health Department staff also participated in a Clean Sweep for the Villages of Waterford and Rochester, and Towns of Burlington and Dover where 13 pounds of narcotics and 150 pounds of uncontrolled substances were collected. Also on July 5, 2010 the Smoke Free Air in Public Places law went into effect. A first annual, low cost, Pet Vaccination Clinic was held at Western Racine County Health Department in conjunction with Country Side Humane Society with 68 animals receiving immunizations and 21 dogs licensed.
 
A Racine County Childhood Death Review Team became firmly established in 2010, using reports and data to advocate for actions to prevent child deaths and to keep children healthy, safe and protected. The top three leading causes of death in western Racine county are malignant neoplasms (cancer), followed by diseases of the heart, and influenza/pneumonia.
 
The Health Department's 25th Anniversary was celebrated on September 25, 2010 with an open house health fair, prizes, and refreshments. Our community was invited to have free blood pressure, vision, hearing, BMI (body mass index), bone density, glucose, and AARP car fit testing completed. We feel privileged to serve the communities throughout the years and look forward to the future.
 
Additionally, Cheryl reported receipt of $430,000 in grant funds to offset operational costs of the department.  Rochester’s per capita cost for the health department was $5.46 in 2010.  The per capita average cost in Racine County was $6.37; and the per capita average cost for the State of Wisconsin was $13.64.  This year, the department is working towards meeting state accreditation requirements.

Andrea Yaeger, Public Health Nurse specifically assigned to Rochester, addressed the Board.  She reported on environmental complaints and communicable diseases particular to Rochester.  There were 24 births in Rochester in 2010.  The Board thanked Cheryl and Andrea for their report.
 
Consideration of an Initial Resolution Providing for the Issuance and Sale of General Obligation Bonds:  Resolution #2011-3 “Initial Resolution authorizing the borrowing of not to exceed $1,075,000 and providing for the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds”
                                                          
A “Pre-Sale Report” and the authorizing bond resolution were reviewed.  Todd Taves, Ehlers & Associates, reported the resolution is the first step towards competitive sale of the debt.  Bids will be available for review at the June 13th meeting; and funds are planned to be available the last week of June or first week of July.  Weinkauf moved, 2nd by Beck to approve Resolution #2011-3.  Motion carried.
 
Request for No-Parking Variance on Evergreen Drive for Memorial Day and 4th of July Activities: Steven Oschmann, Manager:   “The Bunker”, 29224 Evergreen Drive
 
Beck moved, 2nd by Chart to authorize suspension of  no parking requirements on Evergreen Drive as requested subject to the Public Works Manager‘s discretion in regards to keeping emergency vehicle access open.  Motion carried.
 
Work Order Amendment to the 2011 Street Improvement Project to add re-grading the roadside ditch and adjustment of driveway culverts at 303 N. Rochester Street:  Baxter-Woodman Engineers
                               
Tierney reported the referenced work was not included within the scope of the original engineering service proposal.   He reported an additional fourteen hours of work will be required for field survey, engineering, DNR coordination, and CAD drafting services to draw up plans and specifications for this work to be included with the 2011 project.  Chart moved, 2nd by Weinkauf to approve to the amendment to original engineering work order for total costs not to exceed $20,100.  Motion carried.
 
Amendment to Parking Lot Landscaping Plan:  201 & 203 W. Main Street;  Owners/ Applicants:  Community State Bank & Village of Rochester
 
Weinkauf and Schattner reported on Plan Commission review and recommendation on this item.  Beck moved, 2nd by Lancour to approve the amendment to the parking lot landscaping plan as recommended by the Plan Commission.  Motion carried. 
 
Recommended revisions and possible adoption: Village of Rochester Employee Manual
        
Atty. Nancy Pirkey’s review comments in her memorandum of April 11, 2011 were reviewed.  Novy reported amendments to the state’s collective bargaining law required that all municipalities have certain workplace policies in place by June 1, 2011.   Adoption of this handbook with the recommended changes meets those requirements.   Beck moved, 2nd by Lancour to approve the Village of Rochester Employee Manual subject to the recommendations of Attorney Pirkey, with exception to health insurance and COBRA policies which are not applicable.  Motion carried.
 
2011 - 2012  Committee Appointments
 
Beere indicated he will confirm committee appointments at the June meeting.
 
2011 – 2014   Zoning Board of Appeals and Plan Commission Appointments
 
Beere indicated he will have recommendations for zoning board and plan commission appointments at the June meeting.
 
Correspondence was read from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation including notice that PASER pavement ratings are due this year; and the Department of Natural Resources announcing 2011 Recycling Grant amounts.  It is estimated that the Village will be receiving approximately $3,000 less than last year. 
 
Committee Reports:
Public Works Committee:   Johnson reported the committee did not meet in May.  June 7th is their next meeting.
                                                      
Ordinance Committee:   Beck reported the committee is still working on business zoning requirements.  They will address signage issues at their next meeting on May 16th.
                                                                                                                          
Village Hall Building Committee:    Novy reported committee meetings are on hold until the contract with Anderson-Ashton is finalized.
 
Western Racine County Health Department:  Bennett, Health Department representative, was absent.
 
Honey Lake Protection and Rehabilitation Board:   Weinkauf reported on the April 19th meeting of the district board.  He indicated a replacement for previous Town of Spring Prairie Board member Bob McIndoe was appointed.  Don Trimberger will now hold that position.  Two other members were elected to the Spring Prairie Town Board in April:   Don Henningfield and Tom Bolfert.
 
Weinkauf reported on recently enacted DNR requirements that cause the district to submit dam failure analysis reports every five years.    The first was performed in 2008 and engineering costs were about $6,000.   The district fixed some ice damage that had occurred to the dam this past winter, which was followed by the DNR complaining that they had not consulted them or pulled a permit.  They are now requiring that a new dam failure analysis be submitted.  The district is working with the DNR on this. 

Finance Committee Report:  Beck reported the recommendations of the committee to approve all disbursements listed on the check detail dated April 12, 2011 – May 2, 2011.  They also recommended re-investing $20,000 of public site certificate of deposit proceeds at the best rate available at a term not to exceed six months; and to transfer the balance to the public site fund money market account to ensure fund availability to pay for the rip-rip project at Pioneer Park.  Weinkauf moved, 2nd by Chart to approve the finance committee’s recommendations.  Motion carried. 
 
Beck moved, 2nd by Johnson to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.  Motion carried
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
 
Betty J. Novy, MMC, CMTW, WCMC
Clerk-Treasurer
 
MAY 23, 2011                                  
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING                            
7:00 P.M.

 
Paul Beere called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with board members Ed Chart, Chris Johnson, Chris Bennett, Mike Weinkauf, and Bob Lancour present.   Gary Beck was absent.
 
Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer;  was also present.
 
Review contracts with Anderson-Ashton, Inc. for architectural and construction management services for the demolition of an existing building and construction of a new Village Hall, and authorize the President and Clerk-Treasurer to execute the Anderson-Ashton contracts
 
Board members were provided with copies of the contracts prior to the meeting.  Novy reported a petition for direct legislation had been filed that day, that had not yet been certified, with 361 signatures that read “Prior to the start of any physical construction of any municipally financed (in whole or in part) project requiring a Village capital expenditure of $500,000.00 or more, the Village Board shall submit to the electorate a binding referendum for approval of the project.   Failure of the binding referendum shall preclude the Village from proceeding with the project.  The wording of any referendum shall provide the specific purpose, location and cost of the project.  Nothing in this provision shall be construed to preclude the Village from exercising its role in planning or design of such publicly financed projects.”  
 
Novy explained there are likely enough signatures on the petition as the statute for this type of legislation requires 15% of the voter count at the last governor’s election, which she believed to be 254.  However, she noted the form of the legislation was not phrased as an ordinance or resolution.  This is not correct and will be directed to village attorney for review as far as validity.
 
Board members questioned whether this petition would restrict them from acting on the construction management/ architectural service contract.  Novy clarified the petition means there might be issues in the future requiring referendums for public construction projects.  However, nothing in the proposed legislation precludes planning or design.  Part of the contract before the Board is for architectural services.  The contract is written in such a way that it can be cancelled at any time.  If cancelled, the Village is only responsible for the work that had been done prior to that date.  The architectural part of the contract totals $28,500.
 
Novy continued state statutes dictate, if the petition is found valid, that the Village Board either adopt the legislation within 30 days of certification- in which case the Village Hall building project would have to be put to referendum- or, if the Board chooses not to adopt it, the language on the petition would have to be put to referendum at the next general election in April of 2012.
 
She noted the true impact of the petition will not be known until the Village Attorney has the opportunity to review it; and the Clerk’s office can certify the signatures.
 
It was clarified that the wording of the petition applies to any project costing $500,000 or more and is not specific to the Village Hall building project.
 
Several Board members expressed concern in investing funds in design services for the village hall with the potential of the project requiring a referendum to proceed.  Others were concerned about the impact this legislation would have on the Village’s ability to fund any projects and questioned whether the majority of people in the Village really felt that a binding referendum should be necessary before the Village Board can invest in any project- including roads. 
 
Board members indicated they would not willingly pass this legislation because they felt it would bind their ability to perform necessary work in the future.  They then discussed holding off on the building project and putting it to a referendum next April.
 
It was questioned whether Anderson-Ashton would offer the same contract terms a year from now.  Consensus was, if an April 2012 referendum was positive, the Village would have start with a secondary request for proposals at that time.  It was then noted that waiting for a referendum would delay the project for two or three more years- maybe indefinitely.
 
Novy asked, if the Board chooses to delay the project, that they consider investing in the current building to install handicap accessible restrooms.  She cited difficulty scheduling use of the library community room for meetings- and the obvious sound issues in the room that effect the ability to hear while operating the heating or cooling system during meetings.    She presented information on a previously solicited quote to install restrooms in the current municipal building.  The cost was approximately $31,000 but noted this amount did not involve dealing with asbestos in the roof deck.  She noted environmental services would be needed to supervise penetration of the decking to make sure the air pressure is right, etc., when securing new walls.  But, she also noted several of the deck tiles are cracked and broken- at least one in an area where it is exposed (with no drop ceiling).   This portion of the roof is 60 years old.  Another quote of $38,400 was received for removing the roof decking material that contains asbestos.  This does not include the cost of replacing the roof deck.  
 
Consensus of the Board was that they don’t want to put money into the current municipal building. 
 
There was question on whether residents who circulated and signed the petition were familiar with the facts surrounding building issues.   Bennett noted the individual who stopped at his house did not know he sat on the Village Board; or even how many members are on the Village Board.
 
It was noted that the original advisory referendum question was put to a vote without an option to “do nothing” because the Village Attorney had advised the Board that something must be done to address public meeting/ handicap accessibility issues.  And, the reason the option of remodeling the existing village hall was not on the ballot was because the cost of remodeling the existing facility for the Village’s long term use was considered unacceptable by the Board.
 
Beere stated he understands concerns about the current economy, but residents have never been able to agree that there is a good time to spend the money.    The Village has been trying to build a new facility for decades- there must have been some good times in there.
 
Weinkauf moved, 2nd by Bennett to delay consideration of the contract with Anderson-Ashton until the petition for direct legislation is reviewed by the Village Attorney.  Motion carried.
 
Appoint primary contact and discuss size and structure of ad hoc Building Committee in relation to village hall building design phase with possible consideration of appointing a subcommittee or specific individuals to that task           
 
Consensus of the Board was to table this issue until the contract issue is decided.
 
Discuss acceptance of condominium association and bank preferences regarding infrastructure improvement options for completion of “The Settlement of Rochester” condominium development.
 
Novy reported on her and Beere’s attendance at the condominium association annual meeting for “The Settlement of Rochester”.  Options for completing the development until another developer takes over the project were presented to condominium owners and Equitable Bank representatives as follows: 
 
·         Option #1 was to address only what is needed to finish the areas of the development that have already been improved with roads and utilities.
 
·         Option #2 included what is needed to finish the improved areas of the development; and improvement of road and drainage facilities adjacent to platted condominium units 83 & 84. The road was not paved far enough to serve these units. This creates a cost concern for the condominium association because they are responsible for roads within the platted condominium area.
 
·         Option 3 included what is needed to finish the improved areas of the development; and installation of the remaining public sewers.
 
·         Option 4 included what is needed to finish the improved areas of the development; and improvement of road and drainage facilities to connect Oak Hill Circle to Millgate Drive. This was listed as an option because the Village initially required that connection to provide alternate access for both Millgate and Settlement.
 
·         Option 5 required installation of all outstanding improvements.
 
Novy reported subsequent communication between herself, the association president, and a representative from Equitable Bank indicated agreement to complete option #2.   The Village would only require written acceptance of this option and release of any financial liability, as far as the financial guarantee goes, from both parties. 
 
Bennett moved, 2nd by Chart to accept the condominium association and bank preferences to complete option #2 contingent on written acceptance of the improvements and release of any financial liability by the Village.  Motion carried.
 
Bennett moved, 2nd by Johnson to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.  Motion carried.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
 
Betty J. Novy, MMC, CMTW, WCMC
Clerk-Treasurer
 
Return to top of page