The Regular meeting of the City of Buffalo City Common Council was called to order by Mayor William Bruegger. Roll call: Kassel, McFarlin, Pawlak, Anderson. Also present: City Superintendent Wicka, City Employee Baker; citizens: Michele Quandt, Terry Leary, Laura Hajicek, Dave Landro, Tom Borkowski, Pat Hyzy. The meeting was held as noticed.

Motion Kassel, second Pawlak to approve the minutes of the June 13, 2005 Regular meeting, the minutes from the June 22, 2005 Riverfront Committee meeting, and the minutes from the June 23, 2005 Cemetery Committee meeting. All yes, motion carried.

Citizen concerns: Ms. Quandt addressed the Council about Camp Companion, a program that traps, neuters/spays, and returns cats as a solution to a cat problem. With cats being unable to reproduce, the population is reduced, and no new cats would move in. Council decided to try this program; the clerk will contact Ms. Quandt.

Health & Safety: the Committee has inspected properties for violations of the Property Maintenance Ordinance, and letters will be sent out to property owners in the near future. The Mayor will confer with the City Attorney regarding the issuance of citations.

Cemetery Committee: met on June 22, 2005 to discuss rates for lot sales and burials. Motion McFarlin, second Pawlak to approve the Committee recommendation to increase the rates for grave sales and burials beginning September 1, 2005, and to increase the rates for precast monument foundations beginning August 1, 2005. Roll call; all yes, motion carried. Beginning September 1, 2005 the following rates will be in effect:

To purchase a Single Lot with Perpetual Care:$525.00; Double Lot with Perpetual Care: $725.00.

Burial rates: $450.00 Monday-Friday
                   650.00 Saturday
                   850.00 Sunday & Holiday Weekends

Cremations: $200.00 Monday-Friday
                    300.00 Saturday, Sunday & Holiday

ADD A $50.00 WINTER RATE CHARGE FOR BURIALS/CREMATIONS DECEMBER 1 THROUGH MARCH 31. A notice of the rate increases will be published in the Recorder.

Beginning August 1, 2005 the following rates for precast monument foundations will be in effect:

24x24=$80; 24x36=$100; 24x48=$120; 24x60=$140; 24x66=$160; 24x72=$180; 24x78=$200;

24x84=$220; 24x90=$240; 24x96=$260.

Riverfront Committee: met on June 23, 2005 to discuss riverfront issues. A NO WAKE zone in front of Buffalo City will not be considered at this time. Motion Pawlak, second Anderson to approve the Riverfront Committee recommendation to raise the permit fees to $25.00 per 20 feet. Roll call, all yes, motion carried. This increase will be applied to permit fees beginning with the June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007 period. The Council agreed with the Riverfront Committee recommendation that penalties for late payment of riverfront permit fees will be enforced (beginning June 1, 2006) as set forth in Ordinance #49, approved in 1987. Permits expire May 31 of each year. Payments received on June 1 through June 6 will carry an automatic penalty of $25 per 20 feet (mailed fees must be postmarked no later than May 31). After June 6, the penalty is an additional $25 per 20 feet for every 72 hours that the permit is not paid. If the permit and penalty are not paid by June 30, the permit will be considered expired; the Riverfront Committee will exercise their authority to revoke expired permits. The City Superintendent, as well as any Riverfront Committee member, will monitor the riverfront for neglected docks and spaces. The Riverfront Committee has the authority to revoke permits that are in violation of the maintenance guidelines set forth by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

Building Committee: an update of the Zoning Ordinance booklets is in progress.

Water/Wastewater Committee: well testing may take place in July.

Mayor Update: an area assessor has been contacted and invited to attend the August Council meeting.

Clerk/Treasurer: the renewal of the ARAMARK contact was put on hold until we talk to a representative about line item costs. The clerk discussed the Voter Registration project, and the computer hardware recommended by the State Elections Board to be a self-provider instead of having the County manage our data. Since the present computer needs updating, an upgrade will be considered for the 2006 budget. The clerk will be away for training and vacation in July.

Motion Pawlak, second Anderson to pay bills. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.

Motion Pawlak, second McFarlin to convene into closed session per WI Statute 10.85(1) for employee review. All yes, motion carried.

Summary of closed session: 6-month performance review for City Employee Cory Baker. Superintendent Wicka presented a documented, item-by-item rating of Baker’s progress. Baker received an excellent review; his salary will be increased by $.75/hour starting August 7, 2005. Motion McFarlin, second Kassel to reconvene into open session per WI Statute 19.85(20). All yes, motion carried. Motion Pawlak, second Anderson to adjourn. All yes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 pm.

Jane Walczak, Clerk