The Regular meeting of the Common Council of the City of Buffalo City was called
to order by Mayor William Bruegger. Roll call: Briggs, McFarlin, Michaels,
Pawlak. Other attendees: City employees Dan Wicka, Chris Hund; Dave Brommerich,
news reporter. The meeting was held as noticed.
Motion McFarlin, second Michaels to accept the minutes as written for the 2nd Regular meeting of April 22, 2004 and the Reorganization meeting of April 22, 2004. All yes, motion carried.
Health & Safety: McFarlin reported that he is still waiting to hear from the City Attorney regarding a new ordinance, but he will have a report at the next meeting. A citizen has asked about clearing out the alleyway between 1st and 2nd streets. The Mayor instructed City Employee Wicka to investigate what it would cost to do this, and asked the clerk to call the citizen and report that we are looking into it.
Recreation: Michaels announced Little League coaches: Chris Hund will be the Program Director; Jesse Cyrus and Dustin Beseler: 12-14 year-olds; Karl Hoffman: 10’s;
Hank Koening & Becky Auer: Girls; no coach announced for T’s.
Public Works: complaint of a limb hanging over a road on Pond Hill. Technically, the road is not part of Buffalo City. The Mayor gave his approval for the City Employees to cut the limb.
Finance Committee: the Council looked at an article on statewide user fees, but all fees will stay the same for now. The Mayor asked the Clerk to find out what fees Fountain City, Alma, and Cochrane collect for liquor and beverage operators’ licenses.
Cemetery Committee: there is a chance that the new fence will be in by Memorial Day. The Clerk announced that a citizen has inquired about the old fence, as they would like some of it. The City cannot give away public property; however the fence could be up for bid. A sealed bid notice will be placed in the newspaper once the dimensions are known. The City will take down the old fence.
Building Committee: Michaels reported that we are letting the state handle the UDC inspection and enforcement. The Clerk presented a Wisconsin Administrative Building Permit Application 3-part form that the state wants filled out for any new homes being built. A copy is sent to the state, the municipality keeps a copy, and a copy is for the applicant. This form will become part of the paperwork required for new homes; the clerk will send the copy to the state.
Water/Wastewater Committee: the Mayor will talk to Davy Engineering regarding a letter recently received from them concerning the land Buffalo City has reserved for a lagoon. The Mayor will report back at the next meeting.
Mayor Update: There is a lot (Shorewood Plat, Lot 1, approximately 25ft x 100 ft) owned by the City that adjoins property owned by Fred Maule. Mr. Maule has indicated that he would be willing to buy this lot. The City Assessor has been contacted to determine the value of the lot. Once this is completed, the sale of this lot will come before the Council for a vote. In the meantime, the Clerk will send a letter to Mr. Maule indicating that the City plans to sell him the lot once we have the assessed value.
The Mayor commented that the Board of Review session attended by himself, McFarlin, Roger Loretz, and the Clerk, was worthwhile, and that the City is doing everything in accordance with Board of Review regulations.
Four out of six BOR members are now certified. The Clerk will send a Board of Review meeting notice to the C-FC Recorder by 10:00 a.m., May 11 to meet publishing timeline requirements. The meeting will be held June 1, 2004 at 4:30 p.m., however since the assessment will not be completed by this time, the meeting will be adjourned until a later date. The meeting will fulfill the state’s requirement for Board of Review to meet within 30 days after the 2nd Monday in May.
The Mayor announced that a Quit Claim Deed is being drawn up to sell a small piece of City property to Duane Becker. This property is behind his home.
Dan Jacquardt, Buffalo City County Representative, dropped off some flyers on the Grand Excursion. The flotilla will be going through Alma on June 30th.
City Employees: Motion McFarlin, second Briggs, to raise the mowing rates from $40/hr to $60/hr effective May 10, 2004. All yes, motion carried. Weather sirens: there is not enough money in the Weather Siren Fund to purchase sirens this year. There are options for siren placement; having three sirens is ideal. The estimated cost to purchase and install sirens is $10,000 to $15,000. Monies will be worked into the 2005 budget for another siren. Briggs suggested that monies from the general fund be used to make up the difference (from the Siren Fund) and get the sirens purchased and in place. More investigation of cost and options for placement is needed before a decision can be made. Dan Wicka presented a summary of a session he attended on Wisconsin Height Moderation Program, which uses a GPS system to measure elevations. Such a system would be useful for determining flood zones.
Clerk: Motion Briggs, second Pawlak to accept the contract from Scenic Valley Emergency Services. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.
Motion McFarlin, second Briggs to grant Trust to Beautify Graves to: Gerald Cody (Lot 222, Grave 7), and Erna Schaffner (Lot 318 N1/2, Graves 1& 2). All yes, motion carried. Motion Michaels, second McFarlin to grant sale of cemetery lot 102 S1/2, Graves 1 & 2 to John & Sue Fandrey. All yes, motion carried.
The clerk has been offered an appointment to represent Buffalo County on the Winding Rivers Library Board. The clerk asked for the Council’s approval to close the office earlier one Wednesday every other month when the Library Board meets so she can attend the meetings. The Council and Mayor approved.
Motion McFarlin, second Michaels to pay bills. Roll call, all yes, motion carried.
Motion Pawlak, second Briggs to adjourn. All yes, motion carried.
Jane Walczak
Clerk