Roll Call: Present: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Markham, Seiser, Sowieja, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Stroik, Phillips, Moore

Also Present: City Attorney Molepske, City Clerk Zdroik, Directors Gardner, Schrader, Euclide; Interim Director Halverson, Police Lieutenant Ruder, Fire Chief Barnes, Assessor Kuehn, Transit Manager Lemke, Administrative Assistant Gebert, Kari Yenter, Kate Garsombke (Journal), Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette)

Index to these minutes:

2. Salute to the flag and Mayor's opening remarks. 3. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Common Council meeting of January 19, 2004. 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. Those who wish to address the Common Council during a "Public Hearing" are not required to identify themselves until the "Public Hearing" is declared open by the Mayor. 5. Presentation of the National Parks and Recreation Association Partnership Award - Bev Laska. 6. Introduction of Portage Co. Teen Advisory Board - Mayor Wescott. 7. Plan Commission meeting of February 2, 2004. 8. Public Protection Committee meeting of February 9, 2004. 9. Personnel Committee meeting of February 9, 2004. 10. Board of Public Works meeting of February 9, 2004.

11. Preliminary Resolution levying special assessments for Assessor's Plat Number 6. 12. Finance Committee meeting of February 9, 2004. 13. Resolution - Main Street Program. 14. Joint Board of Public Works and Finance Committee meeting of February 9, 2004. 15. Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners meeting of February 9, 2004. 16. Special Police and Fire Commission meetings of January 22, 2004, January 27, 2004, January 31, 2004, and February 5, 2004, and Police and Fire Commission meeting of February 10, 2004. Transportation Commission meeting of February 11, 2004. 17. Mayor's appointment - Stevens Point Arts Council Appoint Pete Werner 1900 Polk Street, Stevens Point (Expires 02-16-07) 18. Persons who wish to address the mayor and council for up to three (3) minutes on non-agenda item. 19.Adjournment.

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

Mayor Wescott reminded everyone tomorrow is election day. The polls in the City of Stevens Point are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is a very important Presidential primary as well as locally the School Board race and 9th District County Board Supervisor.

3. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Common Council meeting of January 19, 2004.

Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, for approval of the regular Common Council minutes of January 19, 2004.

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. Those who wish to address the Common Council during a "Public Hearing" are not required to identify themselves until the "Public Hearing" is declared open by the Mayor.

Brian Doudna Item #13 - Resolution - Main Street Program
Portage County Business Council

Norman Barber Item #8 - Public Protection Committee
2400 Church Street meeting of February 9, 2004
Stevens Point, WI 54481

5. Presentation of the National Parks and Recreation Association Partnership Award - Bev Laska.

Bev Laska stated this past summer, the Portage County Green Circle was awarded the First Place Partnership Award by the National Parks and Recreation Association. This is the first time a Class III community ever won this award. The plaque is displayed at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center. The Green Circle Board strongly believes this is a partnership award. It really is to be presented to the thirty plus partners that make the Green Circle possible. Individual plaques were made for all the partners.

Bev Laska presented Mayor Wescott with a plaque for the City of Stevens Point's partnership in the Green Circle.

Mayor Wescott was honored to accept the award on behalf of the City of Stevens Point. The Mayor stated there is not a person in this community that is not aware of the wonderful community treasure and resource the Green Circle is.

6. Introduction of Portage County Teen Advisory Board - Mayor Wescott.

Mayor Wescott announced the City of Stevens Point has been working with the YMCA for over a year now on a project with the Portage County Teen Advisory Board. Mayor Wescott was proud to introduce the members of the Portage County Teen Advisory Board. These are our next generation of leaders. The Mayor thanked all the members of the Portage County Teen Advisory Board for attending this evening's Common Council meeting.

7. Plan Commission meeting of February 2, 2004.

Ald. Phillips moved, Ald. Rackow seconded, for approval of the Plan Commission minutes of February 2, 2004.

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

8. Public Protection Committee meeting of February 9, 2004.

Norman Barber, 2400 Church Street, would like to know what the two complaints were during the deer culling project.

Ald. Phillips responded one complaint was a deer shot with an arrow running in the Echo Dells area. The second complaint was trespassing on Channel Drive. There was a complaint from the bow hunters hired by the City of a private individual baiting deer.

Norman Barber would like to know if the Mayor's office received any deer culling complaints.

Mayor Wescott replied his office received one complaint.

Norm Barber reported a few additional complaints from the deer culling project in the City of Stevens Point. Barber added two additional deer were reported being seen with an arrow in them. Tom Jakusz, who is in charge of the deer culling, was seen 50 to 60 yards from a house shooting in the direction of the house. There was a complaint that the bow hunters were baiting deer and hunting at 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Barber said at the end of January, an individual observed three deer in his yard all with arrows in them. On Hoover Avenue, a dead deer fell off the back of the truck believed belonging to the person in charge of the city's deer culling project. According to Barber, Chief Carpenter found a corn pile in the area of the deer culling.

Mayor Wescott asked where did Chief Carpenter make this comment?

Norman Barber alleged at the well fields.

Mayor Wescott asked who did the Police Chief make that comment to?

Norman Barber stated the Chief made the comment to him. Mr. Barber said Chief Carpenter is definitely against the culling of deer in the City of Stevens Point.

Ald. Phillips noted some of the deer in the outlying areas could have been shot by bow hunters hunting during the regular bow season. The alderman was only aware of the three complaints from the calls that the Police Department received. Ald. Phillips said the City of Stevens Point only spent $3,000 on the hunt in which 60 deer were culled. This is the first year for culling of the deer within the City. Ald. Phillips feels this was a successful hunt.

Ald. Rackow requested that Barber put the information that he provided in writing and submit it to the City so the Mayor's office can follow up on it.

Ald. Markham would like to know what and where the information provided by Mr. Barber came from.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, for approval of the Public Protection Committee minutes of February 9, 2004.

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

9. Personnel Committee meeting of February 9, 2004.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Markham seconded, for approval of the Personnel Committee minutes of February 9, 2004.

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

10. Board of Public Works meeting of February 9, 2004.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Sowieja seconded, for approval of the Board of Public Works minutes of February 9, 2004, with item #7 pulled for further discussion.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Markham, Seiser, Sowieja, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Stroik, Philips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

Ald. Seiser said at the committee meetings last Monday, she believes this was the first time some of the information about the fuel leak at the airport was made public. The alderperson is pleased that the City is doing everything they can to deal with the fuel leak.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Moore seconded, to approve the action taken on item #7 of the Board of Public Works minutes of February 9, 2004.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Stroik, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Sowieja, Seiser, Markham, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

11. Preliminary Resolution levying special assessments for Assessor's Plat Number 6.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, for adoption of the preliminary resolution levying special assessments for Assessor's Plat Number 6.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Stroik, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Sowieja, Seiser, Markham, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

12. Finance Committee meeting of February 9, 2004.

Ald. Barr moved, Ald. Phillips seconded, for approval of the Finance Committee minutes of February 9, 2004.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Markham, Seiser, Sowieja, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Stroik, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

13. Resolution - Main Street Program.

Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, for adoption of the resolution.

Ald. Rackow said the Downtown Business Association seems to be enthused about last week's presentation. The City is doing their part by contributing funds. The alderman hopes the downtown will become a better place for the whole community.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Markham, Seiser, Sowieja, Barr, Rackow, Molski, Stroik, Phillips, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

14. Joint Board of Public Works and Finance Committee meeting of February 9, 2004.

Ald. Barr moved, Ald. Walther seconded, for approval of the Joint Board of Public Works and Finance Committee minutes of February 9, 2004.

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

15. Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners meeting of February 9, 2004.

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Sowieja seconded, for approval of the Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners minutes of February 9, 2004.

Ald. Seiser pointed out that she received calls regarding the raising of the water and sewage rates. The alderperson stated the Public Service Commission is the group that approves the water rates. There is a public time period where people can make their opinions known. The date and time for this meeting is March 9, 2004, at 2:30 p.m. at the Water Department.

Ald. Rackow said the main reason for the increase in the rates is the new water tower being constructed. The water tower will help equalize the water pressure in the City.

Mayor Wescott clarified although the water rate increase is the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Public Service Commission, citizens have the right to testify at the public hearing or the City Council can withdraw the petition. During the month of March, there will be a formal public hearing scheduled for the City Council and an ordinance adjusting the sewage rate to vote on. The Mayor pointed out even if the three percent is approved, the City of Stevens Point will still have the most inexpensive water of any municipality in Central Wisconsin.

Ald. Sowieja asked what is the proposed water rate increase?

Mayor Wescott said the request is for three percent.

Ald. Sowieja said there is also a sewage rate increase.

Mayor Wescott replied that is correct. The Mayor stressed the Council is not approving either of the rates tonight.

Ald. Sowieja asked how many years since the last increase?

Interim Director Halverson said there was an average 12 percent water rate increase in January, 2003.

Ald. Sowieja asked what is the amount of the sewage rate increase?

Interim Director Halverson said the average will be four percent.

Ald. Sowieja asked if the four percent is per year?

Interim Director Halverson replied, no. For an average residential water user, the rate will go up about $1.23 every three months with this rate increase.

Ald. Sowieja asked if there is any way the Water and Sewage Commission can forecast what the increases will be in the future?

Interim Director Halverson said before the 2003 rate increase, the rates had not changed for ten years. The Water Department was not making the rate of return.

Mayor Wescott asked Interim Director Halverson to state what size increase the average residential customer should expect to see on their quarterly water bill.

Interim Director Halverson said on an average, the quarterly water increase will be $1.23.

Ald. Markham asked what the average increase will be for the sewage rate?

Interim Director Halverson stated the average sewage increase will be $3.97.

Ald. Seiser asked if it is correct that the sewer rate increase is actually an 8 ½ to 9 ½ percent increase?

Interim Director Halverson stated the average rate of increase added together for both water and sewage is 5.8 percent for an average residential customer.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Phillips, Stroik, Molski, Rackow, Barr, Sowieja, Seiser, Markham, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

16. Special Police and Fire Commission meetings of January 22, 2004, January 27, 2004, January 31, 2004, and February 5, 2004, and Police and Fire Commission meeting of February 10, 2004. Transportation Commission meeting of February 11, 2004.

Ald. Sowieja moved, Ald. Barr seconded, to accept the Special Police and Fire Commission minutes of January 22, 2004, January 27, 2004, January 31, 2004, and February 5, 2004, and the Police and Fire Commission minutes of February 10, 2004 and place them on file.

Ald. Rackow noted in the January 31, 2004 Special Police and Fire Commission minutes it states contingent upon receipt of the signed contract. This wording should be replaced with acceptance of the signed proposal for hire or something other than a contract.

Mayor Wescott responded that is correct, there are no more contracts.

Ald. Rackow asked if you are assuring the Council that this is not a contract but have offered employment to Mr. Morris?

Mayor Wescott does not think it was the intent of the Police and Fire Commission to use the wording "receipt of a signed contract". The Mayor believes the chief's appointment will be made as soon as possible after receipt of information concerning the employee physical and other background investigation work that is required by the Commission in advance of employment. The City is not extending an employment contract to Chief Morris.

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

Ald. Seiser moved, Ald. Markham seconded, to accept the Transportation Commission minutes of February 11, 2004 and place them on file.

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

17. Mayor's appointment - Stevens Point Arts Council. Appoint Pete Werner 1900 Polk Street, Stevens Point (Expires 02-16-07)

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Seiser seconded, for confirmation of the Mayor's appointment.

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

18. Persons who wish to address the mayor and council for up to three (3) minutes on non-agenda item.

Ald. Walther announced he will be hosting a 2nd District meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2004, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Stevens Point Parks and Recreation Department.

19. Adjournment - 7:45 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.