PRESENT: Chairman Barr, Ald. Rackow, Molski, Walther and Moore

ALSO PRESENT: C/T Schlice; Mayor Wescott; City Attorney Molepske, City Clerk Kranig; Admin. Asst. Ostrowski; Directors Euclide, Gardner; Schrader, Halvorsen; Assessor Kuehn; Personnel Specialist Jakusz; Transit Manager Lemke; Fire Chief Barnes; Chief Morris; Capt. Dowling; Deputy C/T Wroblewski; Ald. Sowieja, Markham, Stroik, Wiza, Barber; Kelly McBride (Stevens Point Journal); Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette); Jami Gebert; John Moe; Jeff Wroblewski; Roger Trzebiatowski; Kathy Schwarz (2141 Main Street); Nancy Dulak (Country Springs); Tom Barrett (SPACVB); Sara Brish (SPACVB)

Index of these Minutes:

1. Assessor's report.
2. Request to increase room tax.
3. Consideration of claim - Jeff Soper.
4. Request for authorization to advertise for development proposals for the Southside Business District vacant property.
5. Allocate funds for purchase of property for Green Circle - CTH. HH at West River Drive.
6. Approval of the payment of claims.
7. Adjourn into closed session (approximately 6:25 P.M.) pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 19.85(1)(e) for purpose of negotiation of sale of 1528 West Pearl Street.
8. Reconvene into open session (approximately five minutes after adjourning into closed session) for possible action on above.
9. Adjournment.

1 - ASSESSOR'S REPORT

Motion made by Ald. Rackow, seconded by Ald. Walther to approve the report of the Assessor and place it on file.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

2 - REQUEST TO INCREASE ROOM TAX

C/T Schlice stated that the Convention and Visitors Bureau is requesting that the City increase the room tax rate 1% to an 8% rate.

Tom Barrett, Stevens Point Convention and Visitors Bureau, provided a list of room tax rates throughout Wisconsin. He stated that Wausau is already at 8% and Wisconsin Rapids just increased to 8%. Ten of the twenty five destinations are already at 8%, which is the cap, by law. He stated this is an opportunity to bring in more marketing dollars to advertise and bring in more tourism, especially with the new Country Springs and the new Holiday Inn East that is going up.

Motion made by Ald. Rackow, seconded by Ald. Moore to increase the room tax by 1%, making the total 8%.

Ald. Markham questioned what the additional 1% will be used for in the years to come, after this year.

Tom Barrett replied that out of the 25 CVBs listed, we are currently 19th in budget dollars, so it will be used now and in the future for marketing dollars, to advertise more and try to get more tourism to the area.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

3 - CONSIDERATION OF CLAIM - JEFFREY SOPER

C/T Schlice stated that Sentry has reviewed the claim and has recommended denial.

Motion made by Ald. Molski, seconded by Ald. Rackow, to deny the consideration of claim for Jeffrey Soper.

Ald. Rackow stated that he was glad to see the disallowance deadline date on the letter.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

4 - REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE FOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE SOUTHSIDE BUSINESS DISTRICT VACANT PROPERTY

C/T Schlice stated that we have had some interest in that property. The Southside Citizens Committee looked at this area and had different opinions on whether or not it should be park land or if it should be commercial. We are requesting authorization to advertise and see what other options are out there. It is just an informational gathering type of proposal, but we need authorization to offer it for some type of development.

Motion made by Ald. Molski, seconded by Ald. Barr to authorize advertising for development proposals for the south side business district vacant property.

Ald. Barber stated there is a church that is also interested.

C/T Schlice stated he will make sure they get a letter.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

5 - ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY FOR GREEN CIRCLE - CTH. HH AT WEST RIVER DRIVE

C/T Schlice stated information is in packet and funding would come from funds allocated from the room tax, not levy dollars. Director Schrader looked up in the appraisal today and it is all zoned conservancy.

Ald. Barr questioned who we were buying it from.

C/T Schlice stated Stora Enso.

Motion made by Ald. Rackow, seconded by Ald. Moore to approve the allocation of funds for purchasing the property located at CTH. HH at West River Drive for the Green Circle Trail.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

6 - APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF CLAIMS

Motion made by Ald. Barr, seconded by Ald. Molski to approve the payment of claims in the amount of $307,645.31.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

7 - ADJOURN INTO CLOSED SESSION (APPROXIMATELY 6:25 P.M.) PURSUANT TO WISCONSIN STATE STATUTES 19.85(1)(E) FOR PURPOSE OF NEGOTIATION OF SALE OF 1528 WEST PEARL STREET

Motion made by Ald. Molski, seconded by Ald. Rackow, at 6:39 P.M. to adjourn into closed session.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Barr, Rackow, Molski, Walther and Moore Nays: None
Motion carried.

8 - RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION (APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES AFTER ADJOURNING INTO CLOSED SESSION) FOR POSSIBLE ACTION ON ABOVE

Motion made by Ald. Barr, seconded by Ald. Molski to reconvene into open session at 6:45 P.M.

Roll Call: Ayes: Ald. Barr, Rackow, Molski, Walther and Moore Nays: None
Motion carried.

Motion made by Ald. Walther, seconded by Ald. Moore to sell the property at 1528 West Pearl Street for $4,000 with $2,000 down and $2,000 on land contract, which would be due by October 1st. The special charge on the property would be waived.

Ayes: All Nays: None Motion carried.

Adjournment at 6:45 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.