Official Site of the Government of Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Meeting Minutes
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Regular City Council Meeting
January 21, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, County-City Building
Mayor Andrew Halverson, presiding
Roll Call:
Ald. Walther, Wiza, Heart, Slowinski, Trzebiatowski, Molski, Stroik, Brooks, Moore
Excused:
Ald. Myers and Hanson
Also Present:
City Attorney Molepske, City Clerk Moe, Comptroller/Treasurer Schlice, Director Gardner, Director Schrader, Design
Engineer Saunders, Police Captain Dowling, Fire Chief Barnes, Transit Manager Lemke, Assessor Siebers, Personnel
Specialist Jakusz, Kari Yenter, Kelley Pazdernik, Gene Kemmeter (Portage County Gazette), Jason Zencka (Stevens
Point Journal)
2. Salute to the Flag and Mayor's
opening remarks.
Mayor Halverson received an invite from Governor Doyle's office to join him at the State of the State address to
represent the City of Stevens Point.
Mayor Halverson stated in the interest of intergovernmental cooperation, he has not placed the request for the
approval of the apartment units on Carol's Lane on tonight's agenda. The Mayor agreed to postpone this request
before the negative publicity because he wanted to provide additional time for neighbor and township discussion.
The Mayor stated the request is to construct five 16-unit buildings on seven acres of land. He noted the value
of the apartments would be between 3.5 and 4 million dollars. The Mayor understands where the neighbors are coming
from but he hopes the neighbors will understand how important it is for the City to grow.
3. Approval of the minutes
of the Regular Common Council meeting of December 17, 2007 and January 3, 2008.
Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Stroik seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular Common Council meeting of December
17, 2007 and January 3, 2008.
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.
Reid Rocheleau Item # 5 - Persons who wish to address Mayor and Council
408 Cedar Street
Whiting, WI
Mary Ann Laszewski Item # 5 - Persons who wish to address Mayor and Council
1209 Wisconsin Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Bill Schierl Item #6 - Presentation by the Arts Alliance
109 County Road E S.
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Cathy Dugan Item # 5 - Persons who wish to address Mayor and Council
615 Sommers Street Item #8 - Plan Commission meeting of January 7, 2008
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Ann Mosey Item #6 - Presentation by the Arts Alliance
700A Fifth Avenue
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.
Reid Rocheleau, 408 Cedar Street, is pleased that the development on Carol's Lane has been postponed. He is not
happy with several of Mayor Halverson's quotes recently in the newspaper. Mr. Rocheleau voiced his concerns on
the quotes and how the City is being managed.
Mary Ann Laszewski, 1209 Wisconsin Street, requested a market analysis for all Stevens Point apartments. Ms. Laszewski
contacted other communities for their procedures on handling requests similar to the request on Carol's Lane and
reviewed how they handle their requests.
Cathy Dugan, 615 Sommers Street, announced two programs will be held on neighborhood living and what makes a community
livable. She said it is wrong to use multiple-family housing as a buffer between the single-family homes and the
factory. Ms. Dugan suggested keeping the green buffer between the factory and neighbors.
6. Presentation by the Arts
Alliance.
Ann Mosey, 700A Fifth Avenue, provided background information on the Arts Alliance. She stated the Arts Alliance
started in 2000.
Bill Schierl, 109 County Road E S., explained the procedures for the Arts and how things are accomplished. Mr.
Schierl reviewed the granting organizations from the national, state and local levels.
Ann Mosey thanked the Council for the opportunity to introduce and provide information on the Arts Alliance.
7. Consideration of Amendment
to the base agreement between the City of Stevens Point and Portage County for the operation of a Rapid Response
Unit.
Ald. Wiza asked if the $10,000 donation will cover the cost for normal usage of the Rapid Response Unit.
Chief Barnes said the $10,000 is a private donation to support the Rapid Response Unit for special events in the
county. He stated the Fire Department is not committing any hard dollars. The Chief said on days when there is
a full crew, one person could be assigned to the unit.
Ald. Moore asked if they are comfortable with the county having control over this.
Chief Barnes is satisfied with the contract.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, approval of the amendment to the base agreement between the City
of Stevens Point and Portage County for the operation of a Rapid Response Unit.
8. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Plan Commission meeting of January 7, 2008.
Cathy Dugan, 615 Sommers Street, commended Commissioners Shannon and Steffen for voting against the Carol's Lane
proposal. She said the residents want some peace and quiet.
Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, to accept the minutes and place them on file and affirm the actions
of the Plan Commission from January
7, 2008.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
9. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Personnel Committee meeting of January 14, 2008.
Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, affirming actions and placing the minutes on file of the Personnel Committee
meeting of January
14, 2008.
Ald. Heart moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, to amend the motion to approve the actions and minutes of the Personnel Committee
meeting with the exception of agenda item #3.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
Ald. Heart is concerned with the consistency regarding comp time between departments and within departments so
that the employees are treated fairly. She asked if comp time is not on the books but still allowed, what is the
recourse for employees not being treated fairly.
Mayor Halverson said it is at the department head's discretion. He said if an employee is putting in a lot of hours
to accomplish their job, it is hoped that if that person asks for time off that they would certainly be granted
that level of flexibility. The Mayor said they are salaried employees but there are other requirements along with
the administrative policies that reference directly to a certain time frame that they must be here. He said granting
comp time to someone who is salaried goes against the grain of what it means to be salaried.
Personnel Specialist Jakusz said there was some discrepancy from department to department including some violations
of the policy.
Ald. Heart said then the City is getting rid of comp time for salaried employees.
Mayor Halverson said management employees will not be allowed to accrue comp time.
Ald. Heart asked if the City Attorney is comfortable with this.
City Attorney Molepske said he does not have a problem with this.
Ald. Moore moved, Ald. Walther seconded, to approve the amendment to the administrative policy.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
10. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Board of Public Works meeting of January 14, 2008.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Heart seconded, approval of the Board of Public Works meeting of January 14, 2008.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
11. Consideration of Ordinance
Amendment - Traffic:
Repeal Section 9.09(p)(9)(a) Fifteen Minute Parking
- on portion of Reserve Street.
Amend Section 9.05(g)(192) No Parking - on portion of Reserve Street.
Ald. Walther moved, Ald. Slowinski seconded, to approve the traffic ordinance and repeal section 9.09(p)(9)(a)
and amend section 9.05(g)(192).
Ald. Wiza said he is okay with taking the first step in allowing this provided the university lives up to their
expectations.
12. Consideration of Ordinance
Amendment - Traffic:
Creation of Sections 9.12 (q)(3),(4),(5),(6) Bicycle
and Motorbicycle- on portions of Patch Street, Industrial Park Road, Michigan Avenue, and Second Street North.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Brooks seconded, approval of ordinance amendment for traffic - creation of sections 9.12
(q)(3),(4),(5),(6) Bicycle and Motorbicycle on portions of Patch Street, Industrial Park Road, Michigan Avenue,
and Second Street North.
Ald. Wiza asked if motorcycles will be allowed on the bicycle lanes.
Captain Dowling said he has not seen a motorbicycle in many years.
Ald. Wiza asked for the definition of a motorbicycle.
City Attorney Molepske said the definition for a motorcycle is a motored vehicle which is capable of speeds in
excess of 30 mph. He said a motorbicycle is a bicycle with a powered unit which does not exceed speeds of 30 mph.
Ald. Wiza asked if a chain driven motor scooter that is less than 50 cc is qualified as a motorbicycle.
City Attorney Molepske said it would have to start out as a bicycle.
Mayor Halverson said the minutes will be placed on file and the actions are approved from the Finance Committee
meeting on January 14, 2008.
14. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Special Finance Committee meeting of January 21, 2008.
Clerk Moe read the minutes of the Special Finance Committee meeting of January 21, 2008.
Ald. Slowinski moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, approval of the minutes and actions taken at the Special Finance
Committee meeting on January 21, 2008.
15. Consideration of Resolution
Authorizing and Providing for the Sale and Issuance of $4,364,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2008A,
and All Relating Details.
C/T Schlice said this is the actual authorization instrument for the borrowing that was just approved.
Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Moore seconded, approval of the resolution authorizing and providing for the sale and issuance
of $4,364,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2008A, and all relating details - Chase Bank.
16. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Public Protection Committee meeting of January 14, 2008.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, approval of the minutes and actions taken at the Public Protection
Committee meeting of January
14, 2008 with the amendment that item #1C
- Change of Agent is contingent upon receipt of the original signed application.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
17. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Special Public Protection Committee meeting of January 21, 2008.
Clerk Moe read the minutes of the Special Public Protection Committee meeting of January 21, 2008.
Ald. Wiza moved, Ald. Brooks seconded, approval of the actions taken by the Public Protection Committee on January
21, 2008.
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 January 14, 2008.
Ald. Slowinski moved, Ald. Moore seconded, approval of the minutes and actions taken at the Board of Water and
Sewage Commissioners meeting of January
14, 2008.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
19. Appointment of Supplemental
Election Officials for 2008-2009.
Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Heart seconded, approval of the Supplemental Election Officials for 2008-2009.
Clerk Moe said the City of Stevens Point is always looking for good people that would be willing to serve as pollworkers.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
20. Consideration of minutes
and actions taken at the Police and Fire Commission meeting of January 15, 2008.
Ald. Stroik moved, Ald. Trzebiatowski seconded, approval of the minutes and actions taken at the Police and Fire
Commission meeting of January
15, 2008.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
21. Consideration of the
statutory monthly financial report of the Comptroller-Treasurer.
Ald. Molski moved, Ald. Wiza seconded, to accept and place on file, the monthly financial report of the Comptroller-Treasurer.
Roll Call: Ayes all.
Nays none. Motion carried.
22. Adjournment.
Adjournment at 8:00 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.
