The Regular meeting of the city of Buffalo City Common Council was called to order by Mayor William Bruegger. Roll call: Briggs, Michaels, Pawlak. Excused: McFarlin. Also present: City employees: Wicka, Baker; citizens: Gerald Rolbiecki, Robert & Wanda Comero. The meeting was held as noticed.
Motion Briggs, second Pawlak to approve the minutes from the January 10, 2005 regular meeting. All yes, motion carried.
Citizen Comments: Mr. and Mrs. Comero asked if their metal carport (across the street from their home) had to be dismantled as they were told they did not need a permit when they put it up. Permits were not initially required for these steel structures. However, since these structures are assessed, permits are now required. These structures fall under the category of accessory buildings and therefore must conform to the ordinance for accessory buildings. The Council approved an extension to June 1, 2005 to remove the building.
Health & Safety: the Property Maintenance Ordinance is in effect as written; an amendment for penalty fees is not required per the City Attorney. Currently, the Mayor is the only person authorized to write citations. It was the consensus of the Council that a second person should be authorized, and this should be the President of the Council. Mayor Bruegger will talk to the City Attorney to find out how to get another person authorized to write citations.
Recreation: Michaels said that the skating rink workers did a great job this year and took care of everything.
Public Works: Wicka will begin the process to get bids to redo North Humboldt street this summer; the bid notice will be published in the paper.
Cemetery: Motion Michaels, second Pawlak to accept the Cemetery Committee’s recommendation of purchasing a new lawn mower from Arcadia Implement for $4750.00 which includes the government discount and trade-in of old mower. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.
Riverfront: the Riverfront Committee will meet sometime this spring/summer to review riverfront permits. Wicka presented a quote from Crest Co. for a new boat ramp at 10th Street; further investigation is needed.
Building Committee: discussion centered on Board of Appeal meetings. Motion Briggs, second Pawlak to convene Board of Appeals meetings on a quarterly basis (Jan, April, July, Oct.), and raise the fees to $150.00 per appeal; on-demand meeting fees to cover Board costs, currently at $400.00. Roll call, all yes, motion carried. The City Attorney will draft a resolution to be approved to the next meeting.
Mayor Update: Mayor Bruegger welcomed Cory Baker, hired as the new City Employee. His first day of work was February 7, 2005.
City Superintendent: Two sealed bids were received for labor on the City Shop. Motion Pawlak, second Briggs, to accept the bid from Blank Builders and JG Construction for $4375.00 plus materials that will be purchased from Cochrane Lumber. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.
Clerk/Treasurer: Motion Pawlak, second Michaels to grant sale of cemetery lot 308 N2/3 to Leo Ludwig and Kay LaDuke. All yes, motion carried. The clerk said $716,784.50 was collected in property taxes by the end of January 2005. The clerk announced that there is a February 15, 2005 primary election for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction seat; the spring election will be held April 5, 2005. Four names are on the ballot for two City Council seats: incumbents Terry Briggs and Brian Michaels; Nora Anderson and Marlene Kassel. Since voter registration will be mandatory starting in 2006, an exit table will be set up at the 2005 elections to start getting Buffalo City residents registered.
Motion Michaels, second Briggs to pay bills. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.
Motion Briggs, second Pawlak to adjourn. All yes. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Jane Walczak/Clerk