Minutes October 5, 2022

Fort Atkinson City Council Minutes

October 5, 2022

Mayor Paul Herold called the meeting of the Fort Atkinson City Council to order at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the Fort Atkinson Community Center.  Present were:  Glass, P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger and Schroeder.  Also present were:  Greg Barta, Michele Elsbernd, Tom Madden, Jacqueline Schmitt, Aubrey Hoffert, Steve and Marta Kelsay.

Mayor Herold opened the public hearing on the Status of Funded Activities for the City of Fort Atkinson Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project.  Ashley Christiansen from Upper Explorerland read

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

To comply with the participation requirements of Section 508 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, local government applicants and recipients must do the following:

1. Conduct at least one public hearing on the status of funded activities. The hearing on the status of funded activities must include a review of:
   1. a general description of accomplishments to date:
      As of September 30, 2022, 90% of the dirt work is done, the liner installation has started, effluent piping is in and tested, and all equipment has been ordered.
   2. a summary of expenditures to date:
      The latest pay estimate is current through September 30, 2022 and indicates that CDBG reimbursable construction expenditures are at $136,245 in terms of work completed and engineering/administrative expenditures are at $11,890. The total CDBG construction/engineering expenditures requested-to-date are at 45%. Local match expenditures since September 30th have been $1,487,654.
   3. a general description of remaining work:
      Remaining work includes the following:  lagoon liner, internal piping, structures, lift station, uv system and building, accessory building and influent force main.
   4. a general description of changes made to the project budget, performance targets, activity schedules, project scope, location, objectives or beneficiaries:
      There have been three change orders to address some unforeseen circumstances. The project schedule, scope, location and other contractual items are unchanged. Project completion is anticipated for early March 2023.

For more information on this project, feel free to contact Ashley Christensen, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, 563-382-6171, ext. 1201.

Mayor Herold closed the hearing at 7:04 P.M.

Tom Madden presented pay estimate # 6 for the WWTP in the amount of $ 488,822.35.  Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Schroeder to approve pay request # 6.   Aye:  P.Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Glass, Schroeder, Leuenberger.  Motion carried.    Mr. Madden stated they were anticipating pumping water from the river and testing the lagoon lining by the end of October.  The water would need to stay in the lagoons for 7 days to test for leaks.  He also stated the request to include the tree removal between the old and new lagoons was denied by the DNR.  A quote was received from JB Holland in the amount of $ 16,750.00.   The council consensus was to seek additional quotes from other local contractors.

Mr. Madden stated he has scheduled a pre-construction meeting for the Well # 2 project for October 11, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at the city shop.   At that time the contractors should furnish a construction schedule.   He stated that options for the building at the well site will need to be discussed and a decision made because the pre-cast building in the plan was no longer available.

Steve and Marta Kelsay addressed the council.  He is a city council member in Spillville and stated that small towns face many challenges and they needed to work together.  Spillville is developing a new web page and asked for information from Fort Atkinson to add to their site.

Mr. Kelsay is also running for Winneshiek County Supervisor.

Dale Leuenberger also addressed the council regarding the 80’ street in front of his and his neighbors home.  The street comes within 2’ of his front porch.   He requested that a portion of this street be vacated and deeded to the homeowners.   Mayor Herold stated this would require a survey to get proper land descriptions for the deeds and that he should contact the other property owners involved to see if they were willing to pay the cost of the survey and attorney fees to prepare the deeds.

Motion by K. Schmitt, seconded by Glass to set  November 2, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at the Fort Atkinson Community Center as the time and place for a public hearing on the 2022-2023 budget amendment.   Aye: P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Schroeder, Leuenberger and Glass.  Motion carried.

Motion by Glass, second by Leuenberger to set November 2, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at the Fort Atkinson Community Center as the time and place for a public hearing on vacation of a parcel of city alley right-of-way and conveying a portion of said right-of-way.  Aye:  Leuenberger, Glass, P. Schmitt,  K. Schmitt and Schroeder.  Motion carried.

Motion by Glass, second by Schroeder to approve the consent items (minutes from September 7, 2022, clerks reports and claims for September).   Aye:  K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Schroeder, Leuenberger and Glass.  Motion carried.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve Resolution #  355 adopting an investment policy for the City of Fort Atkinson.  Aye:  P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Schroeder and Glass. Motion carried.

Motion by Schroeder, second by Leuenberger to approve Resolution # 352 for a local credit card application.   Aye:  P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Glass and Schroeder.  Motion carried.

Motion by P. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve Resolution # 352 naming depositories for the City of Fort Atkinson.   Aye:  Glass, Leuenberger, P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt and Schroeder.  Motion carried.

Greg Barta stated he had been patching streets and the hydrant had been installed where the water line was installed for Kriener.  The company doing the boring his the main and a bill has been sent for reimbursement.

There were not building permits submitted.

Motion by Glass, second by Leuenberger to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance # 29 which changes the monthly improvement fee for all water users to $ 8.00 monthly.  Aye:  P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Glass, Leuenberger and Schroeder.  Motion carried.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Glass to approve the second reading of Ordinance # 30 which would charge the monthly improvement fee for sewer by the dwelling unit (or apartment). If the building has three units (for example a business downstairs and two apartments upstairs the monthly improvement fee would be $ 55.00 X 3 or $ 165.00 monthly).  Aye:  K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Leuenberger, Glass and Schroeder.  Motion carried.  The third and final reading will be held at the November 2, 2022 regular city council meeting.

The date of the December meeting was changed to November 30, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. at the Fort Atkinson Community Center due to a conflict with the annual “Supper with Santa”.

Trick-or-treat in Fort Atkinson is October 31, 2022 from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M.

The Workman’s Comp Audit was presented for review, a copy of the expiring contract for the Community Center use with St. John’s Parish was discussed.  An agreement will be drafted to be presented to the parish before the current agreement expires. The update of the heating and cooling system at the community center is scheduled for October and the quote from Marv Smith Electric was available to review.  The clerk informed council she had transferred $ 100,000 from the local option fund to the HiFi account to gain a better interest rate.  The cost of Mediacom Internet at the Community Center was discussed and we will be checking with Acentek to compare costs.  It was noted that they are many locations in Fort Atkinson that do not have house numbers displayed.

Motion by K. Schmitt, second by P. Schmitt to adjourn.  Aye:  P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Glass, Leuenberger and Schroeder.  Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 8:20 P.M.

ATTEST:

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Paul Herold, Mayor

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Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk/Treasurer