Roll Call: Present: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore

Excused: Ald. Pazdernik

Also Present: Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice, City Attorney Molepske, City Clerk Zdroik, Directors Van Alstine, Gardner, Schrader; Police Chief Carpenter, Fire Chief Barnes, Water/Sewer Administrator Disher, Administrative Assistant Marciniak, Kari Yenter, Mike Jacquart (Journal), Scott Krueger (WIZD), Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette)

2. Salute to the flag and Mayor’s opening remarks.

As our nation commemorates the life of Martin Luther King Jr., Mayor Wescott called for a moment of silence to reflect on our lives and the work we are doing for our community.

3. Approval of minutes of the Regular Common Council meeting of December 18, 2000.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Walther seconded, for approval of the regular Common Council minutes of December 18, 2000.

Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.

4. *Persons who wish to address the mayor and council on specific agenda items other than a "Public Hearing" must register their request at this time.

Reid Rocheleau Item #9 - Personnel Committee meeting
Village of Whiting Resident

Jon VanDeHey Item #10 - Board of Public Works meeting
2121 Norway Pine Drive
Plover, WI 54467

5. A look ahead at the year 2001 presented by Mayor Wescott.

Mayor Wescott briefly outlined a few of the City of Stevens Point’s major projects. The items reviewed were the City Master Plan, Long Range Project Planning, Downtown Strategic Planning, Southside Business District Plan and the Business 51 Plan, Highway 10 Corridor, Lincoln Center expansion, Solid Waste, Telecommunications, Phase II - Highway 10 construction, Parks renovations, new tower for the Water Department, and the Redistricting Committee.

Mayor Wescott also reviewed some of the success stories from the year 2000. We are making a difference and progress in the City of Stevens Point.

6. Public Protection Committee meeting of January 8, 2001.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, for approval of the Public Protection Committee minutes of January 8, 2001.

Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.

7. Ordinance - amending Section 12.00 - increasing fees for operator/bartender’s and taxicab driver’s license applications.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Seiser seconded, for adoption of the ordinance.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

8. Ordinance - amending Section 24.22 - Retail Theft/Shoplifting.

Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Sevenich seconded, for adoption of the ordinance.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Nealis, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Kedrowski, Seiser, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

9. Personnel Committee meeting of January 8, 2001.

Reid Rocheleau commented on item #5 - Discussion and possible action on implementation of a Preferred Provider Program effective 01-01-2001 for non-represented employees and retirees. Due to conflict of interest, Mr. Rocheleau suggested independent citizens listen to representatives from the Humana/Employer’s Health give an overview of the plan. Mr. Rocheleau questioned the implementation of the "silent PPO" which means the City would reimburse employees who seek services outside of the network.

Ald. Rackow pointed out the discounts the City would receive from the providers listed in the network. The discounts range anywhere from 7% to 10 % or even 12% from specialty clinics. The City of Stevens Point is self-insured so it serves the city’s interest financially to keep the claims at a minimum. The progress of the plan will be reviewed in November 2001.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Barr seconded, for approval of the Personnel Committee minutes of January 8, 2001, with item #5 pulled for further discussion.

Ald. Phillips asked if the "silent PPO" is included in the motion?

Mayor Wescott stated it is included in the motion as Ald. Rackow is approving the Personnel Committee minutes as presented.

Ald. Phillips asked where is the "silent PPO" stated in the Personnel Committee minutes of January 8, 2001.

Ald. Rackow said the City is using the expertise of that firm to check on the various legalities of the claim and then the claim goes to the city to pay it.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

Mayor Wescott asked if we are saving the tax payers money by implementing this plan?

Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice stated the City is looking at saving between $100,000 and $125,000 if we implement the PPO program.

We are saving money, asked Mayor Wescott?

Projected overall the City will have a net savings of about $100,000, said Comptroller-Treasurer Schlice.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Rackow seconded, to approve the implementation of a Preferred Provider Program for non-represented employees, with the following conditions: (1) that the out-of-pocket cap will be $2,500; (2) that the effective date is March 1, 2001; (3) that the City implement the plan as a "silent PPO" which means the City would reimburse employees who seek services outside of the network; and (4) that the progress will be reviewed in November 2001.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Nealis, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Kedrowski, Seiser, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

10. Board of Public Works meeting of January 8, 2001.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Nealis seconded, for approval of the Board of Public Works minutes of January 8, 2001, with items #4 and #6 pulled for further discussion.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

Item #6 - Superintendent of Services Report

Ald. Seiser would like to thank the Streets Department for all their hard work plowing the snow from the city streets. The alderperson would like the priorities for snow plowing in the City to be mentioned on CA-3.

Mayor Wescott said Superintendent Krieski reported last winter 1999-2000, the Streets crew plowed the streets twelve times and so far this winter season have plowed the streets sixteen times.

Director Van Alstine reiterated the snow plowing policy for the City of Stevens Point is the entire City is only plowed if the snow fall exceeds two inches. If less than two inches of snow fall, the Streets Department will plow and salt the most heavily traveled streets in the city.

Mayor Wescott asked Director Van Alstine to talk on the coordination between the Stevens Point Police Department and the Streets Department crews.

Director Van Alstine noted the Police Department Shift Commander makes the decision whether the salt routes need to be plowed or salted. The Police Department will call in the employees of the Streets Department who are on call. If the decision is made that every street in the City needs to be plowed, the entire Streets crew is brought in to do the work. The Police Department is careful when issuing parking tickets during those evenings.

Mayor Wescott asked how many lane miles are the crews plowing?

Director Van Alstine said the crews plow 110 center miles which is about 150 lane miles.

Mayor Wescott noted every time it snows, the Streets Department crew is plowing an equivalent
of here to Madison and half way back again.

Ald. Nealis had received two snow removal complaints from citizens. Superintendent Krieski was notified and the complaints were quickly taken care.

Item #4 - Consideration of Quotes: Pick-up Trucks for City Departments

Jon VanDeHey, MidState Truck, would like clarification on the difference in quotes from Neuville Motors. The initial quote from Neuville Motors was $625,220.00 and the Board of Public Works at the January 8, 2001, meeting recommended accepting the low quote of $649,704.00 from Neuville Motors. Why is there an increase in the quote from Neuville Motors, asked Mr. VanDeHey?

Mayor Wescott stated no one is permitted under law to change a quote. The Mayor asked Mr. VanDeHey if he had contacted the Streets Department with his concern?

Jon VanDeHey said he had tried to contact Bruce at the Streets Department.

Mayor Wescott directed Director Van Alstine to talk with Mr. VanDeHey on this matter after the meeting.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Rackow seconded, to freeze all quotes as of 10:00 a.m. on December 28, 2000, and return this matter back to the Board of Public Works in February for further clarification.

Ald. Seiser asked why is this motion being brought forward?

Ald. Molski understood that some of the people giving the quotes for the vehicles included different vehicles. This information was not discovered until after the Board of Pubic Works meeting.

Mayor Wescott feels the staff would like more time to study the quotes that were presented. Postponing the quotes for 30 days will not have an impact on the daily operations.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Nealis, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Kedrowski, Seiser, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Seiser seconded, to accept item #6 - Superintendent of Services Report and place it on file.

Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.

11. Ordinance establishing governing body of Water and Sewage Utility.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Kedrowski seconded, for adoption of the ordinance.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

12. Ordinance - Traffic

9.06(a) 729. Install stop sign - west bound on Maria Drive at Forest Street North

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, for adoption of the ordinance.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Nealis, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Kedrowski, Seiser, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

13. Finance Committee meeting of January 8, 2001.

Ald. Barr moved, Ald. Walther seconded, for approval of the Finance Committee minutes of January 8, 2001.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

14. Board of Park Commissioners meeting of January 3, 2001.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, for approval of the Board of Park Commissioners minutes of January 3, 2001.

Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.

15. Resolution authorizing extension of the Stevens Point Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan 1996 - 2000 for one year.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Seiser seconded, for adoption of the resolution.

Ald. Nealis supports this resolution for one year.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

16. Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners meeting of January 8, 2001.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Kedrowski seconded, for approval of the Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners minutes of January 8, 2001, with item #7 and item #13 pulled for further discussion.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Nealis, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Kedrowski, Seiser, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

Item #7 - Consideration of Updating Water System Master Plan

Ald. Seiser asked if the bid of $26,000 from Earth Tech to update the water system master plan is a competitive bid?

Water/Sewage Administrator Disher said Earth Tech has provided the Water Department with the last two water system master plans. It keeps continuity.

Mayor Wescott said the Water and Sewage Commission unanimously agreed for continuity and knowledge of the system so it made sense to retain Earth Tech. The Mayor asked Water/Sewage Administrator Disher how long the study will take?

Water/Sewage Administrator Disher is unsure of the length of the study.

Item #13 - Report on Operation Needs Review

Ald. Seiser would like to know what the high loading of some of the waste water means.

Water/Sewage Administrator Disher stated at times the plant is overloaded. The problem is being taken care of. Some sampling had been done last fall in various parts of the city to try to determine where the heaviest loading is coming in from.

Mayor Wescott asked Water/Sewage Administrator Disher if it is fair to say this is work in progress?

Water/Sewage Administrator Disher replied definitely.

Ald. Seiser asked are we not talking about the demands of the residential users but of some of the commercial users putting food products into the waste water?

Mayor Wescott asked if we know that for a fact that the commercial users are causing the problem?

Water/Sewage Administrator Disher said we do not know that for a fact.

Mayor Wescott asked if the Water and Sewage Commissioners identified a time line for additional answers in this area?

Water/Sewage Administrator Disher replied at this time, we are just in the initial stage. It could take from six months to one year.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Nealis seconded, to approve item #7 - Consideration of Updating Water System Master Plan and item #13 - Report on Operation Needs Review as stated in the Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners minutes of January 8, 2001.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Seiser, Kedrowski, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Nealis, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

17. Telecommunications Commission meeting of January 10, 2001.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Walther seconded, for approval of the Telecommunications Commission minutes of January 10, 2001.

Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.

18. Various Reports:

Comptroller-Treasurer’s report - November 2000.
Police and Fire Commission Meeting of January 9, 2001.

Ald. Phillips moved, Ald. Moore seconded, to accept the reports and place them on file.

Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.

19. Persons who wish to address the mayor and council for up to three (3) minutes on non-agenda item, and time strictly enforced.

Mayor Wescott introduced alderperson candidates Matt Filipiak - Ward 3, Rhody Mallick - Ward 5, and Fred Hopfensperger - Ward 9.

20. Adjournment - 8:05 P.M.

The meeting minutes reproduced on this website are derived from the computer files used to produce the official minutes for the City of Stevens Point, but are unofficial. The minutes on this web site cannot be certified under s. 889.08, Wis. Stats., and cannot be considered prima facie evidence under s. 889.04, Wis. Stats. Certain tables, maps, and other documents that are a part of the official minutes are not included in the files reproduced on this website. Please consult the printed minutes, available in the City Clerk's Office, for the official text. The decisions made by City of Stevens Point boards, committees, and commissions (other than the Police & Fire Commission) are advisory only and are not binding on the city until affirmed at a meeting of the Common Council. Some of the minutes on this web site might not be approved by the Common Council as of today.