Present: Chairman Niedbalski, Alderpersons, Sevenich, Walther, Nealis, Phillips
Also
Present: Directors Gardner, Schrader, Van Alstine; Mayor Wescott, C/T Schlice, Clerk Zdroik, Alderpersons Pazdernik, Perlak, Kedrowski, Rackow, Aldinger; Police Captain Dowling, Mayoral Assistant Bumgarner, Susan Kampmeier (Journal), Scott Krueger (WIZD), Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette)

1. License list.

Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, to approve the new operator, renewal operator, manager's, taxicab driver, transfer of “Class B” beer, and temporary special Class “B”/“Class B” retailer's licenses

Ayes, all, nays, none. Motion carried.

2. WIC Food Program at the Stevens Point Farmer's Market.

Suzanne Oehlke, WIC Project Supervisor Nutritionist, Portage County Health and Human Services Department, addressed the sample seller's guidelines presented to the Public Protection Committee. Currently, Portage County has two operating projects. The first project is specific to the WIC population, which is a federal program targeting women, infant, and children. The second project is for those people that are not eligible for WIC services, who do not have young
children and who might be a single household. Portage County is unique because it is the only county in the State that has these two operating programs. Portage County received some grant funding last fall, which is going to be used this summer. These programs are very beneficial to the participants because the programs provide vouchers to people who would like to go down to the Stevens Point Public Square to purchase fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The people will then eat healthier food and have a better defense against chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. There are 450 Portage County market vouchers and 350 vouchers have been used. For the WIC program, there are about 550 sets of vouchers to go out and the program is half way through.

Chairman Niedbalski stressed two things regarding these programs. First, the City has no
involvement on any of these programs. The Health and Human Services Department will administer the programs. Second, Chairman Niedbalski stressed that it is not mandatory for the sellers to participate in these programs because of some rules they have to abide by.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Nealis seconded, to adopt the WIC program for the Stevens Point Farmer's Market.

Ayes, all, nays, none. Motion carried.

3. Request to keep pigeons - 1916 Welsby Avenue.

Ald. Rackow said the request to keep pigeons is in his ward and that he sees no problem.

Lance Cheng, speaking on behalf of Chue Yang, the requestor, stated having pigeons for pets are just like having cats, dogs or birds. Mr. Cheng feels pigeons are not harmful to society if kept nice and tame and will not pose a problem to the neighborhood.

Ald. Phillips questioned the number of pigeons Mr. Yang intends to keep at his residence? Mr. Cheng said Chue Yang would keep two pairs of pigeons only.

Ald. Phillips moved, Ald. Walther seconded, to approve the request to keep pigeons at 1916
Welsby Avenue.

Ayes, all, nays, none. Motion carried.

4. Appeal - parking in a non-permitted area - 1619 College Avenue.

Stacy O’Reilly was present at the meeting. She stated that in the morning of Thursday, June 24, 1999, she moved her car halfway on the driveway and halfway on the grass to wash it. While she was inside the house getting the materials ready to wash her car, Inspector Curless tagged her car for parking in a non-permitted area. Director Gardner stated the property does not have much parking and is licensed for ten people. This particular house has been a problem last year. Ms. O’Reilly said the landlord did not inform her where she can or cannot park.

Chairman Niedbalski noted it is the responsibility of the landlord to inform tenants about parking, garbage pickup, recycling, etc.

Ald. Nealis moved, Ald. Niedbalski seconded, to rescind the ticket issued to Stacy O’Reilly for parking in a non-permitted area at 1619 College Avenue.

The Chairman stated it is very seldom the Committee forgives violations on garbage pickup or snow removal. He felt that Ms. O’Reilly was a victim of circumstances by just a few minutes.

Ald. Sevenich advised that Ms. O’Reilly contact her landlord for specific rules in the City.

Ayes: Chairman Niedbalski, Alderpersons Walther, Nealis, Phillips
Nays: Ald. Sevenich. Motion carried.

5. Request to close section of Church Street from the east ShopKo entrance to Main Street - 3 on 3 Tournament - July 31 and August 1, 1999.

Angela Micucci, Assistant Director, 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, stated that ShopKo is extending their lawn and garden season until September, which will create a loss of about eight courts to the tournament. The request was to close a section of Church Street from the east ShopKo entrance to Main Street. The Police Department opposes the closure of Church Street northbound from the courthouse. It is a major travel route for emergency vehicles responding to the north side of the City. Any other route is time consuming.

An alternate plan presented by Ms. Micucci is to close a portion of Main Street. The east entrance to the ShopKo parking lot will remain open and will take traffic west, then south to Strongs Avenue.

Chairman Niedbalski said this is a new development because the original request was to close a
section of Church Street from the east ShopKo entrance. The Chairman asked Police Captain Dowling if the Police Department heard anything about changing the request from closing a section of Church Street to closing a portion of Main Street? The Captain said the Police Department has not heard of the change.

George Seyfarth, General Manager, CenterPoint MarketPlace, said closing a portion of Main Street was proposed to them by somebody from the City.

Captain Dowling said a major concern is the detour through a parking lot because of safety hazard. As far as emergency vehicles, it is a minor inconvenience to the Police Department. There will be an inconvenience to the public to get to the downtown area. Captain Dowling said the Police Department would not support closing a section of Church Street from the east ShopKo entrance or closing a portion of Main Street.

Mr. Seyfarth said they do not intend to inconvenience anybody. If the Police Department is against the proposals, then they do not want to go against the Police Department’s recommendation. Mr. Seyfarth stated they would probably take 100 parking spaces away from the ShopKo parking lot and not inconvenience the City.

Captain Dowling stated the Police Department can get the police vehicles through but the Captain’s concern is the Fire Department’s equipment.

Ald. Phillips asked the possibility of holding the basketball tournament somewhere else like the SPASH parking lot or at the airport? Mr. Seyfarth said it not feasible to move the tournament someplace else since this is sponsored by the downtown merchant’s association.

Mr. Seyfarth said CenterPoint MarketPlace 3 on 3 Basketball is also requesting the use of the electrical power box located on the southeast corner of the ShopKo parking lot (corner of Church and Main Streets).

Ald. Phillips moved, Ald. Sevenich seconded, to take the recommendation of the Police Department not to close any streets dealing with this tournament.

Ayes, all, nays, none. Motion carried.

Ald. Phillips moved, Ald. Walther seconded, to accommodate CenterPoint MarketPlace 3 on Basketball Tournament to use the electrical power box on the corner of Church and Main Streets, per Director Van Alstine’s recommendation.

Ayes, all, nays, none. Motion carried.

6. Inspection Report.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, to accept the Inspection Report and place it on file.

Ayes, all, nays, none. Motion carried.

7. Adjournment - 6:35 P.M.

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