Council Minutes April 5, 2023

CITY OF FORT ATKINSON REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 5, 2023

Mayor Paul Herold called the regular meeting of the Fort Atkinson City Council to order at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday,  April 5, 2023 at the Fort Atkinson Community Center.  Present:  Leuenberger, K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Schroeder, Glass.   Also present were: Tom Madden, Carl Schmitt, Brittany Schmitt, Lyndsay Vsetecka, Mary Schwamman, Rebecca Smith, Joan Busta, Ron Franzen, Steve Kelsey, Marta Kelsey, Jay Schwamman and for a portion of the meeting Scott Sindelar, Dave Nienhaus and Dan Dietzenabach.

Tom Madden stated that we were issued a Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Lagoon Project so we would not have to request an extension to the CDBG Grant.  The contractor is currently leveling  some of the old lagoon, some sludge still needs to be removed and land applied, the permanent generator needs to be installed, along with fencing , gravel and seeding.   The well contractor is due to move on site on April 6^th and be ready to test pump before the end of the month.  They will begin drilling on Monday and the anticipated depth is 875’. The engineer presented PPE# 3 for the well project in the amount of $ 10,844.44.   Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to approve PPE#3. Aye:  P. Schmitt, Glass, Schroeder, Leuenberger, K. Schmitt. Motion carried.

Greg Barta spoke regarding water and sewer extension to proposed building sites.  The water installation would be the city’s responsibility and the sewer the developer (Scott Sindelar’ s) responsibility.   The city  engineer stated there would be a DNR permit required and he would apply for that on the city’s behalf.  He will not be charging for this service and will provide the city with a cost estimate.  Mr. Sindelar stated he would definitely like to proceed with the work done this summer. Greg said there are many walnut trees on city owned property that he would like to look into selling.  There are some on city land by the lagoon and some on abandoned street property, he stated a survey would be needed to identify the city property lines for the abandoned street property. The council’s consensus was to proceed with the survey and sale of the trees.   The township trustees are interested in getting water to the new storage building on the lagoon site.  The engineer stated the cost would be upward of $ 250,000.   The trustees agreed this was not feasible  for them or the city due to the cost.

Ron Franzen addressed the council and stated that the Fire Department had obtained a Community Foundation Grant for $ 9,500.00 intended to install a generator that would power the fire department and the city shop/office in the event of a power outage. Discussed where to place the generator as the department was looking to add on to their building.  The reserve tanker storage was discussed, the city shed is not available until the project is turned over to the city. Ron stated that they were installing a trash pump on the reserve tanker and installing a radio.

Motion by Glass, second by Schroeder to approve the consent items (minutes from March 1, 2023, clerks reports, claims for March, cigarette permit for Huber’s Store and Alcoholic Beverage License for Lickety Split)  Aye: Glass, Schroeder, P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger.  Motion carried.

Township Trustee Carl Schmitt was present to discuss the distribution of bills between the city and the trustees. The fire department and trustees will consider installing a separate gas meter and electric meter for the fire department so the cost of lp gas and the electric bill  can be distributed appropriately. They requested the clerk send a quarterly statement of shared expenses. The clerk stated she would be sending a copy of each bill with the quarterly statement.

County Supervisor Steve Kelsay updated the council on the 175^th street project that started on March 5, 2023.  He stated that Mitchell County was interested in purchasing the bridge by the city park on 150^th. Street but that nothing has been finalized at this point.

The Fort Atkinson Library Board was present to discuss budget matters with the council.  There will be more communication between the board and the council when budgets are discussed and expenses allocated as they currently do not have a building maintenance expense in their budget and they are sharing the building with the museum.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by P. Schmitt to approve Resolution # 376 to fix a date for a public hearing of May 3, 2023 on the proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $ 1,000,000.00.  Aye: Leuenberger, Schroeder, P. Schmitt, Glass, K. Schmitt.  Motion carried.

Motion by P. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve Resolution # 376 updating the Community Center Rental Fees. Aye:  Leuenberger, Schroeder, P. Schmitt, Glass, K. Schmitt.  Motion carried.

Motion by Schroeder, second by Leuenberger to approve Resolution # 377 setting salaries for city employees effective July 2023.   Aye:  Leuenberger, Schroeder, P. Schmitt, Glass, K. Schmitt.  Motion carried.

There were no building permits submitted.

Items discussed were plantings in the boulevard, question of there would be fireworks in Fort Atkinson this year, notification that the yard waste site was open, the portable restrooms would be coming next week from Ness and complaints regarding the garbage nuisance, health hazard at 200 Main Street. The clerk stated she would call the homeowner to request  removal of the garbage.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to adjourn. Aye:  Leuenberger, Schroeder, P. Schmitt, Glass, K. Schmitt.  Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.

____________________________________                               ATTEST:  _______________________________

Paul Herold, Mayor                                                                                             Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk