REGULAR MEETING-MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2005-7:00 PM-MUNICIPAL BUILDING

The Regular meeting of the City of Buffalo City Common Council was called to order by Mayor William Bruegger. Roll call: Anderson, Kassel, Pawlak. Absent: McFarlin. Also present: City Superintendent Wicka; Citizens: Dave Landro, Laura Hajieck, Charlotte and Donna Schively, Warren Barth; news reporter Dave Brommerich, and invited guest Eric Kleven. The meeting was held as noticed.

Motion Kassel, second Anderson to approve the minutes from the July 7, 2005 Regular meeting. All yes, motion carried.

Citizen comments: Landro and Hajieck gave an update about the TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) program designed to control the cat population in the City. They stated that the program has been successful so far in one heavily cat-infested neighborhood, and have received cooperation from most of the property owners in that area. Twelve cats have been trapped to date; some were kittens and too young to be neutered/spayed. Three of the cats have been adopted, and there is a possibility that three to five more of the cats will be adopted. Over one-half of the cats trapped were female which is a high success rate. The next trapping period will be in four to six weeks. Landro and Hajieck will keep the City updated on activities. Since the traps that were used belong to the Camp Companion Program based in Rochester, the City will look into purchasing live traps to use as needed for other problem areas of the City. Laura Hajieck has information about TNR workshops being held in Wisconsin; please contact her if interested.

Eric Kleven, an assessor from Eleva, WI was introduced to the Council. Since the resignation of Edmund Hagen, the City is without an assessor. Mr. Kleven was invited to this meeting to share with the Council his background, assessment experience, and to find out if he would be interested in assessing the City. Mr. Kleven presented an assessment proposal, but will send a follow-up letter with more specific details and estimates. The Clerk will contact surrounding cities and find out what they currently are paying for assessment. Other assessors may be invited to talk to the Council.

Health & Safety: Twelve Property Maintenance Ordinance courtesy letters were sent to property owners on August 8, 2005.

Building Committee: there is a new UDC Inspection service for Buffalo County: Edwards Inspection Services, based out of Ellsworth, WI. The Clerk has information packets available.

Water/Wastewater: the water testing has been completed; property owners with high nitrate levels have been contacted.

Mayor update: because of conflicts, the September meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2005 at 7:00 pm. Mowing of private lots: the City would like some property owners to take responsibility for the mowing of their lots. The City is not in the weed mowing business. Motion Pawlak, second Kassel that starting in 2006, the charge to mow weeds on private property will be $60.00 per LOT each time the lot is mowed. Roll call, all yes, motion carried. Property owners who have let the City mow their lots in 2005 will be notified of this change.

Clerk: Motion Pawlak, second Kassel to grant a Temporary Class B Picnic Beer License to Tri-Community Fire Department for the Buffalo City Bash on September 4, 2005. All yes, motion carried. Motion Pawlak, second Anderson to grant sale of cemetery lot 104 S1/4 to Dottie Lorenz. All yes, motion carried. The Memorandum of Understanding from the County to provide voter registration data input and maintenance for all 2006 elections was approved and signed. The contract with General Code Publishers was signed; this will begin the project to re-codify the City ordinances into a format that is more user-friendly.

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

Motion Kassel, second Anderson to adjourn. All yes, meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.

Jane Walczak, Clerk