Committee of the Whole Meeting s1

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING HELD ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011

Council as a Committee of the Whole met on the above date at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall, Mayor Bill Brandt presiding.

Roll Call – Present: Alderpersons Kapusta, Darling, Kassis, Bauknecht, Zelazoski, Dunn, Cahak, Balcerzak, and Turnbull.

Department Managers in attendance were: Dale Soumis, Director of Administrative Services; Kaye Matucheski, City Clerk-Treasurer; Charley Brinkmeier, Civil Technologist/Surveyor; Jim Pike, Communication and Technology Supervisor; and Robert Piskula, Street Commissioner.

Others in attendance were: Michael Winter, City Attorney; Jeanne Jensen, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer; Fred Berner and Lisa Haefs, Antigo Daily Journal; Rusty Mehlberg, WATK/WACD Radio; Jody Williams and Melanie Adams, Trio Hair Studio; Diane Kondrath, The Thirsty Soul; Ron Schisel, Smitty’s Bar; Rod Madeson and George Bornemann, City Gas Company; James G. Fischer; Gary L. Ourada, Ourada’s Dixie Lunch LLC; Bruce Kommers, McCormick Klessig; Lisa Neve and Gordon Neve, Neve’s Furniture & Flooring; and Rand Molle and Diane Molle, Molle Jewelry & Gifts.

NEW BUSINESS

MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT AGREEMENTS

Mayor Brandt explained the only order of business is the municipal parking lot agreements. He noted a lot of things change in ten years and there are some recommendations being made which will need to be acted on by Council.

There was a review of each section where there are parking lot agreements with individual maps shown to the audience.

Map 1 reviewed. Dale Soumis, Director of Administrative Services, noted the area by McCann Amusements and James Fischer does not have public use so the recommendation is to remove the agreements but Mr. Fischer and Mr. McCann could clear the area. Ron Schisel’s agreement is recommended to be changed to only the back 74’ because of the building being added to his property.

Kaye Matucheski, Clerk-Treasurer, commented that the current leases do not allow for changes. Michael Winter, City Attorney, noted that the City could authorize a change.

Mr. Schisel inquired on what he should do if he is going to fence in his dumpsters and Mr. Soumis recommended that be noted when the lease is drafted.

Melanie Adams, 226 Elm Street, stated she owns the Trio business. She further noted she knows Jon Gillespie changed the agreement from ten years to one year. Upon inquiry, Mr. Winter noted that the existing lease would convert to new owner. Mayor Brandt asked the audience about their feelings on having a ten year lease noting that the City would not want one year leases. Ms. Matucheski explained the reasoning behind the ten year lease.

Upon inquiry by Ronald Boettcher, Mr. Winter noted if an owner wanted an agreement amended it could be brought before Council and they could authorize changes.

Rand Molle commented regarding the City meeting their commitment. Mr. Zelazoski noted that the City needed the ten year commitment previously but asked if it would still be necessary.

Diane Kondrath, 305 Elm Street, stated she purchased the Fromstein property noting she had concerns with signing the contract with a ten year term. Mayor Brandt noted that if the City backs out of the contract it is null and void.

Mr. Winter explained that some of the agreements had been signed and then some property owners were bringing up some issues with additional issues coming forth so all were stalled for this meeting.

Map 2 reviewed. Removal of the agreement at Nick’s Tap tavern is being recommended. Mr. Soumis noted the spaces along the building do not serve a broad public purpose. Mayor Brandt noted the eight spaces are used often for people to go to additional businesses. Ms. Matucheski noted that there are issues with the area being used for public events for his private business.

Mayor Brandt recommended changing to only the back so many feet and the north so many feet to remove the area where the “smoking room” is. Discussion followed on public parking. The decision reached is to leave the agreement as is only with an amendment to account for his additional building.

Map 3 reviewed. Alderperson Darling inquired on the time it takes to clear the snow behind Berner Brothers and Neve’s. Fred Berner noted that he thinks it takes about ten minutes. Mr. Berner commented originally he would not sign the agreement as he parks a truck there overnight but he is no longer doing this so he would sign the agreement now. Mr. Berner noted concern with Neve’s having no where to go with their snow and the City giving up continuity in the parking lot. It will be very expensive to have Krueger & Steinfest or Duffek’s to come in and remove the snow. Mayor Brandt noted this needs to be left open for public use to which Mr. Neve noted the spots are open. Discussion followed on a trailer being parked in the back there. It was noted it cannot be parked there overnight. Mr. Berner noted he also removed the truck that was parked there. Mayor Brandt stated he felt the agreements could stay the same then. Ms. Matucheski noted that it is year round no overnight parking.

Ron Schisel commented on cars being left parked there rather than having drunk driving. To which Mayor Brandt commented if someone receives a parking ticket for this reason, they could talk to Police Chief Eric Roller or Police Captain Nate Musolff regarding the tickets being dismissed. Mr. Berner noted that they do not have any private parking signs. Mayor Brandt noted that the banks would have to remove their bank parking only signs in order for any changes.

Mayor Brandt noted Citizens Bank, Tom Koss, and M & I Bank will need to come in otherwise there would be no changes to the agreements.

Map 4 and Map 5 reviewed. Ms. Matucheski noted there are no changes proposed to any of these areas but all agreements were to be brought to the meeting.

Map 5 (area by Boettcher’s Bar and Galarowicz Electric) discussion followed on the areas plowed and why.

Mayor Brandt noted the following proposed changes based on discussions held tonight. Map 2 – amend Nick’s Tap to exclude the area where the building has been added. Map 1 remove agreements for James Fischer and McCann Amusements, and amend Ron Schisel’s to change to only the back 74’, Map 3 leave agreements with Berner Brothers and Neve’s as they are and complete new agreements for Citizens Bank, Thomas Koss, and M & I Bank. (After discussion, Ron Schisel brought up the idea he may want to fence in dumpsters and may need more of this area. Charley Brinkmeier, Civil Technologist/ Surveyor, reviewed with Mr. Schisel and the agreement will be for the back 44’ and The Cellar lot agreement will be terminated.)

Following discussion regarding the change Jon Gillespie made to his agreement, a new agreement will be sent changing the term back to ten years.

Alderperson Kassis moved, Alderperson Balcerzak seconded, to send parking lot agreements to Council with the changes made. Carried.

Any Other Business Authorized by Law to be Discussed

There was no other business to be discussed.

Adjournment

Alderperson Dunn moved, Alderperson Turnbull seconded, to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Carried.

______City Clerk-Treasurer