Apr 17, 2007: Common Council

CITY OF ANTIGO
COMMON COUNCIL
APRIL 17, 2007

Common Council of the City of Antigo met for reorganization on the above date at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Mayor Michael Matousek presiding.

Roll Call – Present:  Alderpersons Kapusta, Kassis, Cahak, Noskowiak, Eder, Larson, Hardin, Balcerzak, and Morse.  Absent:  None. 

Department Managers in attendance were:  Dale Soumis, Director of Administrative Services; Kaye Matucheski, Clerk-Treasurer; Robert Piskula, Street Commissioner; William Brandt, Police Chief; Sandy Falk, Parks, Recreation, and Cemetery Supervisor; Robert Donohue, Fire Chief; Jerome Wilhelm, Inspector/Assessor; and Charley Brinkmeier, Civil Technologist/ Surveyor.
    
Others in attendance were:  Michael Winter, City Attorney; Jeanne Jensen, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer; Debbie Igl, Antigo Daily Journal; Liz Hayes, WACD/WATK; Julie Zack; Dan Larson; Joe Potuznik; Aaron Kraft; Greg Mosher; Bob Stimac; Dan Zupon; and Bob Benishek. 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silent meditation.

Persons Wishing to Address Council

Bob Benishek, 901 Deresch Street, expressed concern regarding a rule change that would not allow citizens to speak at the Council meetings.  He noted the County allows anyone to speak as long as they ask.  He believes anyone should be able to come to Council and speak their mind.  

Upon inquiry by Alderperson Hardin regarding the County’s procedures, Mr. Benishek identified citizens need to ask ahead of time to speak at the County Board meeting.

Mayor Matousek commented that the County Board agenda states, “Citizen Delegations” and lists those who asked to address the Board.  

Dan Zupon, 503 Watson Street, advised he is interested in knowing all the appointments for the City committees as the City Plan and Broadband Commission appointments were not listed in the paper.  To which Mayor Matousek stated those memberships were not up for appointment at this time.

Mr. Zupon continued questioning the speed at which the dollars loaned to the Broadband Utility were expended and he expressed concern regarding the proposed rule changes.  

Bob Stimac, 413 Milton Street, also expressed concern regarding the proposed rule change restricting citizen comments.  He noted disappointment that the McMillian Hotel is still standing as it is a dangerous situation, and he stated four or five companies in Antigo have gotten bought out by companies outside of Antigo and he does not believe the City should keep increasing taxes, etc. or we will lose those businesses.

Dale Soumis, Director of Administrative Services, explained that he met with an engineer regarding bid specs for the demolition of the McMillian Hotel noting he is still awaiting a response from the Department of Natural Resources about development of a demolition landfill.  Creation of the landfill will save approximately $30,000 during the demolition of the McMillian.

There were no other individuals in attendance wishing to address Council.

NEW BUSINESS

Election of Council President

Alderperson Noskowiak nominated Alderperson Kassis for Council President.

Alderperson Kapusta nominated Alderperson Morse for Council President. 

Alderperson Noskowiak moved, Alderperson Balcerzak seconded, to close nominations.  Carried. 

Upon tabulation of the ballots, Kaye Matucheski, Clerk-Treasurer, announced Alderperson Kassis would serve as Council President.  

Election of an Alderperson to Serve on City Plan Commission

Alderperson Eder nominated Alderperson Kapusta to serve on the City Plan Commission.

Alderperson Noskowiak nominated Alderperson Balcerzak to serve on the City Plan Commission. 

Alderperson Hardin moved, Alderperson Noskowiak seconded, to close nominations.  Carried. 

Upon tabulation of the ballots, Ms. Matucheski announced Alderperson                                 
Balcerzak would serve as Council representative on the City Plan Commission. 

Resolutions

Resolution No. 063-07 re Designation of Official Newspaper

BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council, City of Antigo, that the Antigo Daily Journal be, and is hereby designated as the official newspaper for the ensuing year.
Alderperson Noskowiak moved, Alderperson Kassis seconded, to approve resolution no. 063-07. 

Upon inquiry by Alderperson Morse, Ms. Matucheski explained state laws do not allow the Shoppers Guide to be the official newspaper at this time. 

Upon the call of the ayes and noes, the motion to approve resolution no. 063-07 carried. 

Resolution No. 064-07 re Designation of Public Depositories

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL, City of Antigo, that Chase Bank, M & I Merchants Bank (M & I Bank), Banner Banks, Citizens Bank , CoVantage Credit Union, Local Government Investment Pool, and Wisconsin Investment Trust be authorized as the designated public depositories from the City of Antigo, as identified on the attached resolutions designating public depositories.
(Attachments on file in the Clerk-Treasurer’s office.)
Alderperson Kapusta moved, Alderperson Noskowiak seconded, to approve resolution no. 064-07.  Carried.

Resolution No. 065-07 re Approving Bid from Northwoods Stump Removal for Grinding and Clean-up Services

WHEREAS, bids were solicited for a company to complete stump grinding for the City of Antigo, and

WHEREAS, the commission believed the bid submitted from Northwoods Stump Removal of Tomahawk in the amount of $3 per inch including clean up to be the most advantageous bid, and

WHEREAS, the Parks, Recreation, & Cemeteries Supervisor received good recommendations for the company;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL, City of Antigo, the bid from Northwoods Stump Removal for stump grinding and clean up in the amount of $3 per inch is hereby accepted.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED funds were included in the 2007 budget for this purpose.

(Commission Approved 7-0)

Alderperson Larson moved, Alderperson Balcerzak seconded, to approve resolution no. 065-07. 

Ayes were:  Kassis, Cahak, Noskowiak, Eder, Larson, Hardin, Balcerzak, Morse, and Kapusta.  Noes were:  None.  Carried. 

Communications

Proposed Council Rules for 2007-2008 Term

Mayor Matousek explained the reason he proposed the change regarding citizen comments is not to limit their ability to speak but to bring some sort of order to the agenda.  State law does not give citizens the right to speak but Council gives them the privilege of speaking.  He noted he is trying to clarify the rules.  In looking at the County, they request citizens be placed on the agenda to speak.  Ultimately, he believes it is more appropriate for citizens to speak at committee meetings rather than Council as that is where most of the discussion should occur.  He further stated that under Miscellaneous Business, he is requesting that only referrals should be allowed and no discussion should be allowed during this time as that is the ruling from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.  

Alderperson Noskowiak moved, Alderperson Larson seconded, to approve the proposed Council Rules for 2007-2008. 

Alderperson Morse suggested these two issues be looked at separately.  He questioned how the change under citizen comments would affect the person who has a problem on the Monday before a Council meeting.  To which Mayor Matousek advised no action could be taken anyway and that matter could be discussed at the committee level.

Alderperson Kassis noted that business should be done at the committee level and he would rather see more people come to those meeting so everything is cut and dried by the time it gets to Council.

Mayor Matousek added that he is only trying to clarify the rules and limit the authority of the Presiding Officer.  If a citizen wants to make comments regarding something on the agenda, they will have the privilege of doing so.  If an item is not on the agenda, he believes it would be more appropriate for the citizen to contact their Alderperson, the Mayor or City staff, or attend a committee meeting.    

Alderperson Morse moved, Alderperson Kapusta seconded, to amend the previous motion to vote on the two proposed rule changes separately. 

Ayes were:  Cahak, Eder, Hardin, Morse, and Kapusta.  Noes were:  Noskowiak, Larson, Balcerzak, and Kassis.  Carried.

Alderperson Hardin moved to amend the proposed rule for written requests to be received no later than the beginning of the Council session.  Motion lost for lack of a second. 

Mr. Soumis stated it would be necessary to receive written requests early enough to include them in the Council packets.  By having the information in advance of the meeting, it gives Council members an opportunity to review the situation and develop questions.

Alderperson Kassis moved, Alderperson Larson seconded, to refer the proposed Council Rules for 2007-2008 Term to the Finance, Personnel, and Legislative Committee.  Carried.     

Mayor – Appointments to Committees, Boards, and Commissions  

Alderperson Noskowiak moved, Alderperson Cahak seconded, to approve the Mayor appointments to committees, boards, and commissions.

Upon inquiry by Alderperson Kapusta, Mayor Matousek explained he divided the committees as he believes they will be most effective to the City and placed individuals on the committees where they would have the most to contribute.

Ayes were:  Noskowiak, Eder, Larson, Hardin, Balcerzak, Morse, Kassis, and Cahak.  Noes were:  Kapusta.  Carried. 

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

Payment of Bills

Mayor Matousek noted there were no bills to be considered.

Any Other Business Authorized By Law to be Considered

Alderperson Morse requested that a profit and loss statement for the Antigo Broadband should be provided to Council each month.  He is only asking for those details that are considered public information.

Mayor Matousek referred Alderperson Morse’s request for a monthly profit and loss statement to the Finance, Personnel, and Legislative Committee. 

Ms. Matucheski noted she is working to acquire the information that Alderperson Morse wants but there is not a custodian of records identified and some of those issues need to be addressed.

Alderperson Larson recommended Alderperson Morse should attend the Broadband Utility Commission meetings if he has questions. 

Mr. Soumis stated that the actual Broadband Utility went into operation April 2.  It is not possible to provide an accurate profit/loss statement because to date, we only have construction costs.  We do know that we have more customers already than ever anticipated.  

Alderperson Hardin requested additional information regarding AB253 referencing double taxation for police services.  To which Mayor Matousek referred this matter to staff.

Upon inquiry by Alderperson Eder, Mr. Soumis advised that Krueger & Steinfest was allowed time to move their materials from the landfill pit and it is hoped landscaping of the area will begin sometime this summer.  

Mayor Matousek reminded everyone of the annual Springbrook Cleanup being held Saturday, April 21, at 9:00 a.m. and encouraged everyone to assist with the clean up efforts.

Ms. Matucheski commented that Council members should have received information about the Ruder Ware seminars and if anyone is interested in attending they should contact Lisa Volkman, Administrative Assistant.

There was no other business to be discussed. 

Adjournment

Alderperson Noskowiak moved, Alderperson Morse seconded, to adjourn at 7:00 p.m.  Carried.

For more information, contact: Lisa Volkman