REGULAR MEETING—WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2004—7:00 PM—MUNICIPAL BUILDING
 

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 Wicka, Hund; news reporter Dave Brommerich; county representative Dan Jacquart; citizens: Dan Hess, Dave Becker. The meeting was held as noticed. Motion Michaels, second McFarlin to accept the minutes from the August 9, 2004 regular meeting. All yes, motion carried.

Dave Becker talked about the proposed Pool 5 drawdown scheduled for 2005. He is on the Citizens Advisory Committee, which favors the drawdown. He announced that a public meeting will be held on Sept. 23, 2004 at the C-FC School at 6:30 pm. He also asked if the City would be willing to work with Jeff Peck to possibly relocate his docks temporarily during the drawdown period. The Council indicated they would work with Mr. Peck in finding some temporary dock space, but the City would not be responsible for any expenses incurred. Mr. Hess asked about the status of finding out more information about Special Use/Conditional Use permits. The clerk will do some more research on this. Regarding cats, the clerk found out from the county that it is up to each municipality to put an ordinance into effect if they wish to do so. The City Attorney was consulted about a leash ordinance; the ordinance states that an owner must have control of the animal. The clerk was asked to go through the ordinances to find out if they are specific to dogs, or to any animals as pets.

Health & Safety: The Mayor reported that he met with the City Attorney who is working on a hybrid ordinance for junked vehicles. We hope to have a draft of this ordinance by the October meeting.

Finance Committee: Budget meetings are set for Oct. 12 & 14 at 6:30 pm.

Cemetery Committee: The Committee recommended a resolution to the Cemetery Constitution for cremation urns in cemetery lots. Motion McFarlin, second Pawlak to accept the recommendation to allow 2 cremation urns per grave. Roll call, all yes, motion carried. Motion Pawlak, second McFarlin to accept the recommendation from the Cemetery Committee that 2 walk-in gates, and one drive-in gate from the old cemetery fence are kept for historical purposes, and the remaining gates be offered for bid. All yes, motion carried.

Building Committee: the clerk presented an information sheet that discussed recent legislation dealing with new private wells.

Mayor Update: The Board of Appeals is looking for an alternate to replace the spot left open due to the resignation of Willard Blank. Two alternates would be ideal. The Mayor asked the Council if they had anyone in mind to please let him know. The Mayor attended a drainage ditch meeting. The committee is seeking a grant, however before they can proceed a study needs to be done which will cost the City approximately $734. Motion McFarlin, second Michaels to approve the spending for the study of the drainage ditch. Roll call, all yes, motion carried. The new Uniform Dwelling Code regulations will take effect January 1, 2005. We are waiting to hear from the state on this.

City Employees: Dan and the Mayor will look at rates offered by various propane companies for the 2006 budget process, and look into the cost to own tanks and liability insurance versus what we currently pay. The new weather sirens are here. The new sirens will blow once a week at noon; the old siren will blow everyday at noon.

Clerk/Treasurer: The clerk described a project she is working on to re-organize the ordinances and place in a book-binder format. Computer access to the ordinances may also be a future possibility. She is getting quotes from companies that do this kind of work. Motion Pawlak, second Briggs to grant operators licenses to: Janel Ebersold, Karla Klopp. All yes, motion carried.

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

Motion McFarlin, second Michaels to move into closed session to discuss employee performance evaluations. All yes, motion carried.

Summary of closed session: Effective January 1, 2005, City Superintendent to get $14.50/hour; City Employee to get $11.15/hour; proposed for the Clerk: $10.50/hour for 30 hour week, and health insurance (80% paid by City). Motion Briggs, second Pawlak to move out of closed session.

Motion Michaels, second McFarlin to adjourn. All yes, motion carried.

Jane Walczak, Clerk