The Regular meeting of the City of Buffalo City Common Council was called to order by Mayor William Bruegger. Roll call: Briggs, McFarlin, Michaels, Pawlak. Also present: City Superintendent Wicka, and news reporter Dave Brommerich. The meeting was held as noticed.
Motion Pawlak, second McFarlin to accept the Budget Hearing minutes from November 8, 2004, and the minutes from the November 8, 2004 Regular meeting. All yes, motion carried.
The Council discussed a request from a resident to have the City submit a request to Riverland to install a light on the pole in the alley behind his residence. The resident will incur all initial and ongoing costs. The consensus of the Council was to deny the request, citing that the City does not want to get into the security light business. The Council feels that the resident has other options available for lighting the property.
Health & Safety: The final draft of the Property Maintenance ordinance was discussed. Motion Michaels, second Briggs to adopt the ordinance as written. Roll call, all yes. Motion carried. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force upon its passage and publication as provided by law.
Recreation: discussion of the recent vandalism in the park. Wicka will look into placement of motion sensor lights on the buildings in the park. Motion Pawlak, second McFarlin to accept the Recreation Committee’s recommendation of offering the skating rink positions to Mitch Serjogins (senior attendant) and Jason Treague. All yes, motion carried. The clerk will send letters to these young gentlemen.
Finance: Motion Pawlak, second Michaels to accept the mill rate (20.88) for 2004 taxes. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.
Cemetery: there has been an inquiry about someone wanting to sell their Buffalo City Cemetery lots to other people. The Council agreed that cemetery lots could only be sold back to the City, and for the amount paid at time of purchase.
Riverfront: Spring Lake project is in progress; the dredging grant (for Pool 5 drawdown) is being coordinated by Gretchen Benjamin from the DNR.
Building Committee: the clerk spoke with the City assessor and he informed her that portable carports would be included in property assessments. Building permits have not been required, however, since they will be assessed, permits may be required. McFarlin will speak with the City Attorney to find out if we need to include these structures in our zoning ordinance, and what the process is to do so. The Uniform Dwelling Code goes into effect on January 1, 2005. The City opted to let the state handle inspections. Wicka will contact the state to find out what is happening with this, and if the City needs to do anything at this time.
City Employees: Wicka brought up a request from a resident on north River Road between 27th and Blecha Lane for placement of an additional streetlight. This request will be considered for future budgets. The job description for the City Employee had been updated, and approved by the Council.
Clerk-Treasurer: the clerk will be attending a year-end payroll session sponsored by our auditing firm on Thursday, December 16 in LaCrosse. The clerk asked about the retention of old WI statues books; we have them dating back to the 1800’s and they take up a lot of space. The Mayor asked the clerk to contact local historical societies to see if they are interested in them. The clerk announced that the 2004 tax bills have been sent out.
Motion Pawlak, second Michaels to pay bills. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.
Motion McFarlin, second Pawlak to move into closed session to discuss personnel matters. All yes, motion carried. Summary of closed session: The starting wage for the City Employee position will be advertised at $10.50/hr. The ad will run in the Recorder for two weeks. Motion Michaels, second McFarlin to reconvene into open session. Motion Briggs, second Pawlak to adjourn, all yes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Jane Walczak/Clerk