Official Site of the Government of Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Meeting Minutes
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Regular City Council Meeting
September 17, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, County-City Building
Mayor Andrew Halverson, presiding
Roll Call:
Ald. Myers, Walther, Hanson, Wiza, Heart, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Brooks, 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, Assessor Siebers, Personnel Specialist Jakusz, Kari
Yenter, Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette), Jason Zencka (Stevens Point Journal)
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 August 20, 2007. 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. Persons who wish to address the Mayor and Council for up to three (3) minutes on a non-agenda
item. 6. Consideration of minutes and actions taken at the Plan Commission meeting of September
4, 2007. 7. Public Hearing - Ordinance Amendment - Zoning - classify the following
property as "R-2" Single Family Zoning -172 West Clark Street. 8. Ordinance Amendment on the above. 9. Public Hearing - Ordinance Amendment - Zoning - amend the following territory
as "PD" Planned Development District #4: Schmeeckle Trails Subdivision and Outlots. 10. Ordinance Amendment on the above. 11. Consideration of minutes and actions taken at the Public Protection Committee meeting
of September 10, 2007. 12. Consideration of minutes and actions taken at the Personnel Committee meeting of
September 10, 2007.
2. Salute to the Flag and Mayor's
opening remarks.
Mayor Halverson stated he continues to work on the City's budget.
3. Approval of the minutes
of the Regular Common Council meeting of August 20, 2007.
Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, approval of the regular Common Council minutes of August 20, 2007.
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.
Jeff Morin Item #15 - Consideration of amendment to Traffic Ordinance
2101 Main Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Greg Diemer Item #15 - Consideration of amendment to Traffic Ordinance
University of Wisconsin
Stevens Point
David Schleihs Item #20 - Consideration of resolution opposing bill reducing
1026 Smith Street disciplinary power of the Police and Fire Commission
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Troy Durkee Item #15 - Consideration of amendment to Traffic Ordinance
2032 Main Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
5. Persons who wish to address
the Mayor and Council for up to three (3) minutes on a non-agenda item.
Ald. Myers read a letter from Tom Mallison announcing a First District cleanup will be held on Sunday, October
14, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
6. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Plan Commission meeting of September 4, 2007.
Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Hanson seconded, to affirm the minutes of the Plan Commission meeting of September 4, 2007
and place them on file.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
7. Public Hearing - Ordinance
Amendment - Zoning - classify the following property as "R-2" Single Family Zoning - 172 West Clark Street.
The public hearing was declared open by the Mayor.
As no one wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
8. Ordinance Amendment on
the above.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, approval of the ordinance amending the zoning for 172 West Clark
Street to "R-2" Single Family Zoning.
9. Public Hearing - Ordinance
Amendment - Zoning - amend the following territory as "PD" Planned Development District #4: Schmeeckle
Trails Subdivision and Outlots.
The public hearing was declared open by the Mayor.
As no one wished to speak, the Mayor declared the public hearing closed.
10. Ordinance Amendment
on the above.
Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Heart seconded, to approve the ordinance amendment to amend the Schmeeckle Trails Subdivision
and Outlots as "PD" Planned Development District #4.
11. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Public Protection Committee meeting of September 10, 2007.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Slowinski seconded, to approve the minutes and actions taken at the Public Protection Committee
meeting of September
10, 2007 and place them on file.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
12. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Personnel Committee meeting of September 10, 2007.
Ald. Hanson moved, Ald. Molski seconded, approval of the minutes and actions taken at the Personnel Committee meeting
of September
10, 2007.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
13. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Board of Public Works meeting of September 10, 2007.
Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Brooks seconded, to approve the actions and place on file the minutes of the Board of
Public Works meeting of September
10, 2007.
14. Consideration of Amendment
to Ordinance - Traffic: Creation of two hour parking: Both sides of Johns Drive from Second Street to First Street,
Monday through Friday.
Ald. Wiza moved, Ald. Moore seconded, to approve the amendment to the ordinance creating a two hour parking zone
on John's Drive from Second Street to First Street, Monday through Friday.
15. Consideration of Amendment
to Ordinance - Traffic: Repeal of one-way street: The four blocks of Reserve Street between Clark Street and Portage
Street.
Jeff Morin, 2101 Main Street, supports changing Reserve Street to a two-way street between Clark Street and Portage
Street.
Greg Diemer, UWSP, said one of the suggestions in the University's Master Plan is to change Reserve Street to two-way
traffic. He said visitors will have better access to the University. Mr. Diemer stated an information area will
be located in the University Center when it reopens and there will be parking directly across from the entrance
to this building. He said the University is proposing that Reserve Street from Main Street to Portage Street be
changed from one-way away from the campus to two-way traffic.
Troy Durkee, 2032 Main Street, opposes two-way traffic on Reserve Street. Mr. Durkee has young children and is
concerned with the increased traffic if Reserve Street is changed to a two-way street. He suggested using Fourth
Avenue as the main entrance to the campus.
Director Euclide reviewed the traffic counts for Reserve Street, Fremont Street, Phillips Street and Illinois Avenue.
The Director does not feel changing Reserve Street to two-way traffic will significantly impact the neighborhood.
Ald. Stroik asked why Reserve Street was changed from a two-way to a one-way street.
City Attorney Molepske believes the University requested the change because it is a narrow street.
Ald. Heart asked if a lower speed limit was considered for Reserve Street.
Director Euclide said it was not considered.
Ald. Wiza said currently the parking across from the University Center is permit only and some metered stalls.
The Alderman said there are also some meters on Reserve Street in front of the University Center. He asked what
the specific plans are for parking in this area and how the spaces will be made available to the public.
Greg Diemer replied that the plan is for 15 minute parking in the lot for visitors only. He said the lot will be
aggressively patrolled for violators.
Ald. Wiza said parking will be eliminated on the street in front of the University Center. The Alderman asked how
many spaces will be available for visitor parking.
Greg Diemer said the intent for visitor parking is to the west side of the building. He said parking to the north
will be considered if it is feasible.
Ald. Stroik said the University Center will have restaurants and other business that will draw visitors longer
than 15 minutes. The Alderman does not know what 15 minute parking will accomplish for these visitors.
Greg Diemer said the University Center will have restaurants and retail business. Mr. Diemer said there will be
additional metered parking available to the west of the Center. He added the University acquired additional property
which they hope to develop into more parking.
Ald. Stroik asked why the street changes need to take place now.
Greg Diemer replied so an Engineer can be contracted so the appropriate development can occur.
Ald. Myers would like all the parking plans for the University addressed.
Ald. Hanson would like the University to use the funds from widening the street to hire an extra patrol officer
to work Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to assist with problems with vandalism and loud parties.
Ald. Walther agrees it is confusing to get onto campus. He said changing Reserve Street to two-way traffic is a
good way to promote the University. The Alderman also noted the University is willing to pay for the improvements
to the street.
Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Brooks seconded, to approve Traffic Study TS-12-07 which would repeal the one-way street
on four blocks of Reserve Street between Clark Street and Portage Street.
Ald. Wiza is concerned that the University is taking parking off the University and pushing it out further into
the city. The Alderman said parking is his primary issue with the entire University Master Plan. He asked if anyone
looked at making Reserve Street a one-way street going north.
Mayor Halverson replied not that he is aware of but it could be considered.
Ald. Stroik asked if the road is in need of repair.
Director Euclide is not aware of Reserve Street being on the list for next year's repairs.
Ald. Myers said the University should provide information on how to get to the University on their web-site and
send out literature to incoming visitors.
Ald. Stroik asked where it is stated that the University needs to make the improvements.
Mayor Halverson said it is an understanding between the City and University.
17. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Board of Park Commissioners meeting of September 5, 2007.
Ald. Wiza moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, approval of the actions taken and place the minutes of the Board
of Park Commissioners meeting of September
5, 2007 on file.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
18. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Board of Water and Sewage Commissioners meeting of September 10, 2007.
Ald. Slowinski moved, Ald. Myers seconded, approval of the minutes and actions taken at the Board of Water and
Sewage Commissioners meeting of September
10, 2007.
19. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the:
Police and Fire Commission meeting of September
11, 2007.
Transportation Commission meeting of September 6, 2007.
Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Slowinski seconded, to
affirm the actions and place on file the minutes from the Police and Fire Commission meeting of September 11, 2007
and the Transportation Commission meeting of September 6, 2007.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
20. Consideration of Resolution
- Opposing bill reducing disciplinary power of the Police and Fire Commission.
David Schleihs, 1026 Smith Street, said this policy item would be detrimental to the disciplinary procedures for
protective services. He said the proposed state legislation weakens local control. Mr. Schleihs urged the Council
to pass the resolution supporting that this issue be removed from the budget bill prior to the Governor's signature.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Molski seconded, approval of the resolution opposing the bill reducing disciplinary power
of the Police and Fire Commission.
21. Statutory monthly financial
report of the Comptroller-Treasurer.
Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, to accept the statutory monthly financial report of the Comptroller/Treasurer
and place it on file.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
22. Adjournment.
Mayor Halverson announced the Water and Wastewater Department was awarded a state award by the Wisconsin Waterworks
Association. The Mayor thanked the Director and congratulated all the employees from the Water and Wastewater Department.
Adjournment - 7:50 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.
