Official Site of the Government of Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Meeting Minutes
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Regular City Council Meeting
April 18, 2005, 7:00P.M.
Council Chambers, County-City Building
Mayor Gary W. Wescott, presiding
Roll Call: Present: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Markham, Wiza, Sowieja, Barr, Rackow, Molski,
Stroik, Barber, Moore
Also Present:
City Attorney Molepske, City Clerk Kranig, Comptroller/Treasurer Schlice, Directors Gardner, Schrader, Euclide,
Halverson; Police Chief Morris, Fire Chief Barnes, Administrative Assistant Ostrowski, Kari Yenter, City Forester
Ernster, Don Kissinger (DNR), Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette), Kelly McBride (Journal)
2. Salute to the flag and
Mayor's opening remarks.
Mayor Wescott led the salute to the flag.
3. Approval of the minutes
of the Regular Common Council meeting of March 21, 2005.
Ald. Barr moved, Ald. Sowieja seconded, for approval of the regular Common Council minutes of March 21, 2005.
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.
C. J. Robinson Item #20 - Finance Committee meeting of 04-11-05
1600 Fremont Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Joe Elia Item #15 - Public Protection Committee meeting of 04-11-05
Aces Food and Spirits
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Jim Guzman Item #20 - Finance Committee meeting of 04-11-05
Guzman Corporation
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Reid Rocheleau Item #6 - Plan Commission meeting of 04-04-05
Village of Whiting Item #20 - Finance Committee meeting of 04-11-05
Item #29 - Persons who wish to address Mayor and Council
5. Tree City USA and Tree
City USA Growth Awards.
City Forester Ernster said the City of Stevens Point will be receiving the Tree City USA and Tree City USA Growth
awards. Urban trees are very important and benefit our community.
Urban Forestry Coordinator Don Kissinger, Wausau, said this is the 24th year that the City of Stevens Point has
received the Tree City USA award. The City of Stevens Point was one of the first five cities to receive the award.
There are four standards a city is required to meet before receiving the Tree City USA award including; 1) a Park
Board, 2) tree ordinance, 3) $2 per capita for Forestry related items, 4) Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Tree City USA Growth award which the City of Stevens Point has received for the past six years is more difficult
to obtain. The City of Stevens Point has done an outstanding job.
Mayor Wescott congratulated City Forester Ernster, staff and Director Schrader for their great work.
6. Plan Commission meeting
of April 4, 2005.
Ald. Sowieja moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, for approval of the Plan Commission minutes of April 4, 2005.
Reid Rocheleau voiced his concerns about the Plan Commission minutes of the February 7, 2005. Mr. Rocheleau is
concerned that the minutes are not word for word.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
7. Public Hearing - rezone
548 Second Street North from "B-4" Commercial zoning to "R-2" Single Family zoning, was declared
open by the Mayor.
David A. Suchon, 318 West Casimir Road, plans to divide his lot on Second Street North into two parcels. The entire
lot is currently zoned commercial. Mr. Suchon would like to keep the south side portion of the lot commercial and
rezone 548 Second Street North to "R-2" single family so he can build a home.
As no one further wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
8. Ordinance on the above.
Ald. Sowieja moved, Ald. Moore seconded, for adoption of the ordinance.
9. Public Hearing - construct
a storage building at 540 Second Street North as a conditional use, was declared open by the Mayor.
Dave Suchon, 318 West Casimir Road, is asking to construct a storage building as a conditional use. The plans and
size of the building have yet to be determined.
As no one further wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
10. Resolution on the above.
Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Molski seconded, for adoption of the resolution.
11. Public Hearing - allow
consumption of alcohol in exterior volleyball court at 916 Maria Drive as a conditional use, was declared open
by the Mayor.
As no one wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
12. Resolution on the above.
Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Markham seconded, for adoption of the resolution.
14. Resolution - acceptance
of road dedication - Portage County Business Park.
Mayor Wescott asked that the Council consider granting the Mayor and City Clerk the authority to negotiate the
exact location of the road in the Industrial Park.
Director Gardner said the purchaser of the property is requesting to relocate the road slightly but the exact location
is not determined. The Portage County Planning office is the process of negotiations with the buyer and asked the
City to make this exception. The closing date for this property will be before the Council meets again.
Mayor Wescott said if the road deviation is not significant, the Council can grant the authority to the Mayor and
Clerk.
Ald. Rackow moved, Ald. Molski seconded, for adoption of the resolution with the provision that the Mayor and City
Clerk have the authority to negotiate the exact location of the street.
C. J. Robinson, 5th District Alderman Elect, said the neighbors are supportive of this development. Mr. Robinson
would like to see more green space incorporated with this development as well as a fence constructed at the rear
of the facility.
Mayor Wescott said these items are likely to be discussed as part of the conditional use.
Reid Rocheleau, Village of Whiting, noted the false information published in the Stevens Point Journal that the
southside city-owned property was already purchased by the Colligans. Mr. Rocheleau is concerned that the development
is too large for the area. There is not enough parking and the parking in the front of the development will block
the view.
Jim Guzman, Guzman Corporation, is here as a resource. As per city code for that size building, 27 parking stalls
are required. 37 parking stalls will be provided.
Ald. Sowieja moved, Ald. Walther seconded, to approve the sale of the southside property to Colligans Bakery for
$90,000 providing the project obtain a conditional use.
Ald. Sowieja feels the Colligan Bakery is a good fit for the neighborhood. The development requires a conditional
use which entitles the City to make specific requirements.
Ald. Rackow urged approval of the sale of land to Colligans Bakery. This development should be a good compliment
for this area and inspire other owners to improve their property.
Ald. Walther said the City has a chance to make some progress on the southside. This development is too important
to turn down.
Ald. Molski said the development will be an asset to the southside as well as the entire city.
Ald. Barber asked if the land is already sold and was told it is not.
Ald. Barber is concerned about trucks backing from the street into the loading dock at the bakery.
Director Gardner said a few site plans have been reviewed and the loading dock is in different locations. A final
decision has not been made.
Ald. Barber questioned the location of water drainage, dumpsters, fencing and lighting.
Director Gardner said the storm sewer will be located in the parking area. The latest site plan shows a dumpster
enclosure included with the building facade. The specifics will be up to the Plan Commission and Council to decide.
Ald. Barber asked if the truck route is known.
Director Gardner said the truck route is on Business 51. The deliveries would be off of either Madison Street or
Dixon Street.
Ald. Barber asked if the City contacted Colligans to purchase this property or did they contact the City.
Director Gardner replied, they contacted us.
Ald. Barber asked if they decide not to build, can the City take back the property.
City Attorney Molepske said as part of the conditional use provision, they would be required to build right away.
Ald. Sevenich said there are a couple of high priced properties in her district that have been up for sale for
a long time. The city's tax base does not increase if the land is not developed.
Ald. Wiza is glad to see a bakery in this area.
Ald. Moore said the City has had a bad rap as being difficult to work with in bringing new business. We have an
opportunity to show we can work with them.
Ald. Stroik said this is a potential $900,000 development once it is completed. It is equal or higher in value
than the buildings it replaces.
Mayor Wescott noted that the City does not have a public purpose for this property.
Director Euclide agreed that this land is not needed for construction staging.
Director Halverson agreed that the land is not needed.
Mayor Wescott is very supportive of this development. The City of Stevens Point's economy must grow in order to
maintain the broad variety of municipal services.
26. Board of Water and Sewage
Commissioners meeting of April 11, 2005.
Ald. Wiza moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, for approval of the Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners meeting minutes
of April
11, 2005.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
27. Reports:
Police and Fire Commission meeting of April
12, 2005.
Statutory monthly financial report of the Comptroller-Treasurer.
Transportation Commission meetings of April
7, 2005 and April 14, 2005.
Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Moore seconded, to accept
the reports and place them on file.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
28. Farewell remarks:
A. Ald. Markham.
B. Ald. Sowieja.
C. Ald. Rackow.
D. City Clerk Kranig.
Ald. Markham thanked her fellow council members for the privilege of serving with them. She thanked all the city
staff members who turn the Council's ideas into reality. The alderperson also thanked the citizens of the Third
District for the opportunity to represent them for the past two years. Ald. Markham reported on the importance
of safe drinking water. The City of Stevens Point has wonderful drinking water. To maintain the high quality of
our drinking water, we must continue to properly control the land uses near the well fields and the river.
Mayor Wescott presented retiring Ald. Markham with a plaque.
First, Ald. Sowieja thanked everyone for their help in the past four years. It was a pleasure to work with everyone.
Leadership and courage are exemplified in every decision you make. Ald. Sowieja wished Alderman Elect Christopher
Robinson the best of luck. The Alderman thanked his family and friends for their support. Lastly, Ald. Sowieja
thanked his constituents that believed in his leadership and were gracious enough to cast a vote for him.
Mayor Wescott presented retiring Ald. Sowieja with a plaque.
Ald. Rackow was thankful for the opportunity to address the Council. During his term in office as alderman, there
were three mayors and 26 alderpersons other than the ones currently in office. Ald. Rackow recited some of the
noteworthy projects that he had the pleasure of working on including the Water Street Study of 1995, Metropolitan
Bicycle/Pedestrian plan of 1997, annexation of Fairview Village, renewal of the Cable Communications Franchise
Agreement of June 17, 2002, Boundary Adjustment with the Town of Plover, and the Lincoln Center project. The alderman
thanked the residents of the Seventh District and his wife for all of their support. Ald. Rackow wished the new
Council the best of luck.
Mayor Wescott recited and presented retiring Ald. Rackow with a plaque.
City Clerk Kranig said it was a pleasure to return to City Hall to see old friends and meet new alderpersons and
staff. The city is in very capable hands of the Mayor, Council and dedicated staff. Clerk Kranig thanked everyone
for making this past year easy and enjoyable. The Clerk looks forward to retirement having the knowledge that all
is well in this wonderful city that she is proud to call home.
Mayor Wescott presented retiring City Clerk Kranig with a plaque.
29. Persons who wish to
address the mayor and council for up to three (3) minutes on a non-agenda item.
Reid Rocheleau, Village of Whiting, voiced his concerns on the sale of the city-owned land located on the southside
of the city. Mr. Rocheleau also voiced his concern on the make-up of the city's commissions and boards.
30. Adjournment - 8:25 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.
