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Meeting Minutes
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Regular City Council Meeting
November 21, 2005, 7:00P.M.
Council Chambers, County-City Building
Mayor Gary W. Wescott, presiding

Roll Call: Present: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Robinson, Barr, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Barber, Moore

Also Present: City Attorney Molepske, City Clerk Moe, Comptroller/Treasurer Schlice, Directors Gardner, Schrader, Euclide, Halverson; Police Chief Morris, Fire Chief Barnes, Transit Manager Lemke, Personnel Specialist Jakusz, Fleet Maintenance Supervisor Laidlaw, Kari Yenter, Elizabeth LaRose, Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette), Heather Clark (Journal)

Index to these minutes:

2. Salute to the flag
3. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Common Council meeting of October 17, 2005.
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. Plan Commission meetings of Oct. 24 and Nov. 7, 2005.
6. Public Hearing - amending Zoning Ordinance which would classify property located at 135 Green Avenue North as "R-2" Single Family.
7. Ordinance on the above.
8. Public Hearing - request of Central Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity Inc., 835 Third Street, to construct a single family home as a conditional use.
9. Resolution on the above.
10. Resolution introducing vacation of a portion of Krembs Avenue - south of Coye Drive.
11. Resolution introducing vacation of a portion of Division Street - south of Maria Drive.
12. Public Hearing - Recodification of a portion of the Floodplain Ordinance.
13. Ordinance on the above.
14. Public Protection Committee meeting of November 14, 2005.

15. Ordinance - Keg Registration.
16. Personnel Committee meeting of November 14, 2005.
17. Board of Public Works meeting of November 14, 2005.
18. Traffic Ordinance: A. Stop signs in Whitetail Trail. B. No parking zone on the south side of Park Street between Strongs Avenue and Division Street. C. Revision of all night parking regulations and add parking spaces in Lot #21 in the reconstruction corridor of Church Street. D. Amendment to Truck Route.
19. Resolution - Creating Railroad Grade Separation at County Club Drive (Hoover Road).
20. Finance Committee meeting of November 14, 2005.
21. Resolution - Urban Forestry Grant Program.
22. Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners meeting of November 14, 2005.
23. Reports: Police and Fire Commission meeting of November 15, 2005.
Statutory monthly financial report of the Comptroller-Treasurer.
Transportation Commission meeting of November 3, 2005.
24. Resolution adopting the Portage County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
25. Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Marshfield.
26. Mayor's Appointments - Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners: Reappoint John W. Wandrey, 2827 Indiana Avenue (expires 10-01-10)
27. Persons who wish to address the Mayor and Council for up to three (3) minutes on a non-agenda item.
28. Adjournment.

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

Mayor Wescott is grateful for all the hard work and hours put forward into reducing the city's 2006 budget by over $1 million. The key employees for the City of Stevens Point deserve tremendous credit and recognition. The taxes in the City of Stevens Point continue to be stabilized.

Mayor Wescott stated the City of Stevens Point received a donation in the amount of $10,000 from Joseph and Wilma Pfiffner to set up and continue an account for Pfiffner Park improvements.

Mayor Wescott announced Arts Council Chair McKenna will be retiring from the Arts Council.

Mayor Wescott congratulated State Champion Pacelli Cardinals.

Mayor Wescott wished Comptroller/Treasurer Schlice a happy birthday.

3. Approval of the minutes of the Regular Common Council meeting of October 17, 2005.

Ald. Barr moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, for approval of the Common Council minutes of
October 17, 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.

John Charewicz Item #15 - Keg Registration Ordinance
4300 Windsong Place
Plover, WI 54467

Perry Ackert Item #15 - Keg Registration Ordinance
675 Fox Ridge Road
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Faye Tetzloff Item #15 - Keg Registration Ordinance
3255 Paradise Lane
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Anne Hoffman Item #15 - Keg Registration Ordinance
1745 Church Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Reid Rocheleau Item #18 - Traffic Ordinances
408 Cedar Street Item #27 - Persons who wish to address Mayor and
Whiting, WI Council

Courtney Ryan Item #15 - Keg Registration Ordinance
Student Government Association
Stevens Point, WI 54481

Ross Cohen Item #15 - Keg Registration Ordinance
Student Government Association
Stevens Point, WI 54481

George Hanson Item #15 - Keg Registration Ordinance
1901 Clark Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481

5. Plan Commission meetings of October 24, 2005 and November 7, 2005.

Ald. Wiza moved, Ald. Robinson seconded, for approval of the Plan Commission minutes of
October 24, 2005 and November 7, 2005.

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

6. Public Hearing - amending Zoning Ordinance which would classify property located at 135 Green Avenue North as "R-2" Single Family, was declared open by the Mayor.

As no one wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.

7. Ordinance on the above.

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

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Barber, Stroik, Molski, Trzebiatowski, Barr, Robinson, Wiza, Hanson, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

8. Public Hearing - request of Central Wisconsin Habitat for Humanity Inc., 835 Third Street, to construct a single family home as a conditional use, was declared open by the Mayor.

Bob Woehr, 727 Second Street, is available for any questions.

As no one further wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.

9. Resolution on the above.

Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Barr seconded, for adoption of the resolution.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Robinson, Barr, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Barber, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

10. Resolution introducing vacation of a portion of Krembs Avenue - south of Coye Drive.

Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Walther seconded, to introduce the vacation of a portion of Krembs Avenue - south of Coye Drive.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Barber, Stroik, Molski, Trzebiatowski, Barr, Robinson, Wiza, Hanson, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

11. Resolution introducing vacation of a portion of Division Street - south of Maria Drive.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Moore seconded, to introduce the vacation of a portion of Division Street - south of Maria Drive.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Robinson, Barr, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Barber, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

12. Public Hearing - Recodification of a portion of the Floodplain Ordinance, was declared open by the Mayor.

As no one wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.

13. Ordinance on the above.

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

Mayor Wescott stated the recodification of the Floodplain Ordinance is a federal requirement that the city must comply with.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Barber, Stroik, Molski, Trzebiatowski, Barr, Robinson, Wiza, Hanson, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

14. Public Protection Committee meeting of November 14, 2005.

Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Sevenich seconded, for approval of the Public Protection Committee minutes of
November 14, 2005.

Ald. Sevenich noted the reason she voted against the second motion on the Keg Ordinance at the Public Protection Committee meeting was because of the extension of time, not because of the ordinance itself.

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

15. Ordinance - Keg Registration.

Sheriff John Charewicz reviewed a 2004 fatal traffic accident which involved a young man who was on his way home from an illegal beer party. Sheriff Charewicz is in favor of the Keg Registration Ordinance. The Sheriff will approach the surrounding areas to ask that they also adopt this type of legislation.

Perry Ackert, 675 Fox Ridge Road, has worked in the drug and alcohol field for the past 27 years. Mr. Ackert sees the devastation caused by binge drinking and substance abuse in our community. He feels the Keg Ordinance will help stem drinking problems.

Faye Tetzloff, Portage County Health Officer, said this is very good public policy. The ordinance will put safeguards in place for people who may make poor decisions. The intent is not to track people who are having parties.

Anne Hoffman, 1745 Church Street, said the Keg Ordinance will help hold adults in our community accountable for adult behavior.

Courtney Ryan said the Student Government Association passed a resolution to support the Administration's Keg Registration stance. The Student Government Senate feels this ordinance will promote a safer environment and community.

Ross Cohen, Executive Director of Student Government Association, wrote their resolution on the keg registration. The resolution was passed on the understanding that the police will not actively pursue those who register their kegs but only use it as a reference.

The Student Government Association's Resolution to support the Administration's Keg Registration Stance was placed on file.

Ald. Hanson stated this ordinance was developed in response to complaints he received from property owners in his district. He explained that the keg registration would work by holding the person who signs for the keg responsible.

Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Hanson seconded, for adoption of the ordinance as written to be implemented on January 15, 2006.

Ald. Sevenich hopes the Keg Registration Ordinance will help eliminate some of the house parties that cause damage in our community.

Ald. Walther is in favor of giving law enforcement the tool to help battle underage drinking. The alderman is concerned if the surrounding areas do not adopt this form of keg ordinance.

Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Barber seconded, to amend Section IV to read as follows; the ordinance will take effect March 1, 2006, only after the Villages of Plover, Whiting, Park Ridge and the Town of Hull have enacted similar keg ordinances requiring any keg purchased in the Villages of Plover, Whiting, Park Ridge and Town of Hull to be registered.

Ald. Stroik said the City of Stevens Point needs to be the trend setter. The reason for the extension to January 15, 2006 was to give those communities a chance to jump on board. The university is located within the city so the city needs to take leadership.

Ald. Robinson said the city is the largest community in the area with probably the largest problems with alcohol.

Mayor Wescott reminded the Council that Sheriff Charewicz and Portage County Health Officer Tetzloff have stated they will contact the outlying municipalities. The Mayor is not comfortable with the amendment to the ordinance. With the proposed amendment, if one of the municipalities decided not to adopt the ordinance, it would prevent our ordinance from taking effect.

The following is the vote on the motion to amend the Keg Registration Ordinance:

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Walther, Barber.
Nays: Ald. Sevenich, Hanson, Wiza, Robinson, Barr, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Moore
Ayes 2. Nays - 9. Motion failed.

Ald. Robinson is aware of the negative impacts of underage and binge drinking in our county. This is a community wide issue. The ordinance is an important tool for law enforcement. The alderman was assured by Police Chief Morris that the police department will not actively seek out individuals who are registering kegs.

Ald. Wiza believes the ordinance will do some good. There should be a better way of dealing with underage parties.

The following is the vote on the main motion:

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Stroik, Molski, Barr, Robinson, Hanson, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: Ald. Moore, Barber, Trzebiatowski, Wiza.
Ayes - 7. Nays - 4. Motion carried.

16. Personnel Committee meeting of November 14, 2005.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, for approval of the Personnel Committee minutes of
November 14, 2005.

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

17. Board of Public Works meeting of November 14, 2005.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, for approval of the Board of Public Works minutes of
November 14, 2005.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Robinson, Barr, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Barber, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

18. Traffic Ordinance:

A. Stop signs in Whitetail Trail.
B. No parking zone on the south side of Park Street between Strongs Avenue and Division Street.
C. Revision of all night parking regulations and add parking spaces in Lot #21 in the reconstruction corridor of Church Street.
D. Amendment to Truck Route.

Ald. Sevenich moved, Ald. Hanson seconded, for adoption of the traffic ordinances.

Reid Rocheleau supports the new truck routes but in order for the routes to work, compliance and enforcement are needed. Mr. Rocheleau also voiced his concerns relating to truck traffic.

Ald. Barber is concerned with a truck route running between two apartment buildings in which several young children reside. There are no sidewalks in front of the apartments making it dangerous for a truck route. The alderman does support removing truck traffic from Water and Wisconsin Streets. If the truck route ordinance is passed, the alderman would like to see improvements made in this new area.

Mayor Wescott stated it is time to take the truck route off of Water and Wisconsin Streets.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Robinson, Barr, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Barber, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

19. Resolution - Creating Railroad Grade Separation at Country Club Drive (Hoover Road).

Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, for adoption of the resolution.

Ald. Wiza noted creating railroad grade separation at Country Club Drive/Hoover Road has been a long time coming.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Barber, Stroik, Molski, Trzebiatowski, Barr, Robinson, Wiza, Hanson, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

20. Finance Committee meeting of November 14, 2005.

Ald. Barr moved, Ald. Robinson seconded, for approval of the Finance Committee minutes of
November 14, 2005.

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

21. Resolution - Urban Forestry Grant Program.

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

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Sevenich, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Robinson, Barr, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Barber, Moore.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

22. Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners meeting of November 14, 2005.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Robinson seconded, for approval of the Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners minutes of
November 14, 2005.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Moore, Barber, Stroik, Molski, Trzebiatowski, Barr, Robinson, Wiza, Hanson, Walther, Sevenich.
Nays: None. Motion carried.

23. Reports:

Police and Fire Commission meeting of November 15, 2005.
Statutory monthly financial report of the Comptroller-Treasurer.
Transportation Commission meeting of
November 3, 2005.

Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, to accept the reports and place them on file.

Ald. Walther pointed out the Transit Department's outstanding performance standards.

Mayor Wescott suggested that the Transit Commission prepare a formal report on activity for 2005 for delivery to the Council in January, 2006.

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

24. Resolution adopting the Portage County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

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

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

25. Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Marshfield.

Mayor Wescott explained the Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Marshfield is part of the expansion of services.

Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Moore seconded, to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Marshfield.

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

26. Mayor's Appointments - Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners

Reappoint John W. Wandrey, 2827 Indiana Avenue (expires 10-01-10)

Ald. Wiza moved, Ald. Robinson seconded, for confirmation of the Mayor's appointment.

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

27. Persons who wish to address the Mayor and Council for up to three (3) minutes on a non-agenda item.

Reid Rocheleau voiced his concerns on the lack of sand boxes located within the City this year and the safety issues. Mr. Rocheleau also voiced his concerns about the $20 surcharge charged for corrective action for not sanding sidewalks.

Mayor Wescott wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

28. Adjournment - 7:56 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.

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