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December 14, 2010 Common Council Minutes
December 14, 2010
The City of Owen Common Council met in regular session on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Timothy Swiggum presided and City Clerk/Treasurer Terri Ernst served as secretary. Present Alderpersons: Tolzmann, Lulloff, Kiviko, Lorence, Riihinen, and Heggemeier. A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order. Also present were Deputy City Clerk/Treasurer Cindy Cardinal, DPW Gary Smith and Chief of Police Randy Poirier.
Approve Minutes
A Tolzmann/Lorence motion and subsequent vote approved the minutes for the 11/23/10 meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
A Heggemeier/Tolzmann motion and subsequent vote approved the Treasurer’s report for November 2010.
Police Report
A Lorence/Kiviko motion and subsequent vote approved the Owen-Withee Police report for November 2010.
Public Opinion
Present: Linda Wyeth-OW Enterprise, Rebecca Baumann-CWAIC Executive Director, Mike Voss-MSA Professional Services, Pam Jaffke and Brian Drexler. Rebecca Bauman reported to the Council that Bremer Bank has issued $100,000 grant to the CWAIC project with conditions. A Wisconsin Department of Commerce grant application has been submitted. Bauman will be doing a presentation to the United Farm Credit Services and is also looking into new market tax credits.
Stray Voltage
Resident Pam Jaffke of 206 E. 4th Street and Electrician Brian Drexler gave a presentation regarding electrical pollution. Jaffke reported that since November 1st 2010 her residence and all who live there have been impacted by an electro magnetic field (EMF) or transient flow of ultra high frequency waves of electricity that is not supposed to be there. Jaffke has had her residence tested for ultra high frequency pollution and all tests come back positive. It’s not something you can see or hear. The only way she knew something was wrong is that herself and household pets have become very ill experiencing severe leg pain (also known as restless leg syndrome) and other symptoms that are associated with electrical pollution, also known as stray voltage. Farmers normally experience stray voltage with loss of livestock and poor milk production. Jaffke has talked to Xcel Energy with no great concern on their part, false statements regarding residential electrical codes and just plain ignoring her pleas for the problem to be corrected by them. Electrical codes for farms are actually set at higher standards than they are for residential properties within any community. The electricity that is transmitted into her home is distributed through a smaller size cable than what is used within her home, thus causing an electro magnetic field which will transmit into any home that is in it’s path. Jaffke also recommends studies completed by Dave Stetzer on electrical pollution. This could be happening to any resident within any city and also that EMF may be transmitted into water mains thus affecting utility customers. Dave Stetzer’s study is available on a CD provided by Jaffke at City Hall and may be borrowed upon request. Jaffke wants residents to be aware of improper wiring occurring by electrical companies. Mayor Swiggum will begin by contacting Xcel Energy to investigate this problem. It was also recommended that the Citizens Utility Board be contacted for assistance.
Change Order #1
Mike Voss of MSA Professional Services reported that the E. 4th Street Sewer Main project is complete. Change Order #1 is for: extra breaker run stone that was needed at the intersection, having to core a 10” pipe into the manhole and to correct contract from bid quantities to actual quantities installed. Those changes increase the contract with Pember Companies from $39,842.40 to $45,033.00. A Lulloff/Heggemeier motion and subsequent vote approved Change Order #1 in the amount of $5,190.60.
Pay Request #1
Mike Voss of MSA Professional Services presented Pay Request #1 from Pember Companies for the E. 4th Street Sewer Project. A Lulloff/Tolzmann motion and subsequent vote approved the final pay request #1 for $45,033.00 to Pember Companies.
Sidewalk Shoveling
A Heggemeier/Kiviko motion and subsequent vote approved the City to not enforce the sidewalk shoveling ordinance due to the large amount of recent snowfall until further notice, per recommendation of DPW Gary Smith. Smith reported there’s no place to go with snow right now and if we get more we just can’t enforce the ordinance.
Employee Resignation
A Tolzmann/Lorence motion and subsequent vote approved the resignation letter from Deputy Clerk Cindy Cardinal. Mayor Swiggum read the letter aloud and the Mayor and Council thanked Cardinal for her time and effort while employed with the City. An advertisement is being published in the OW Enterprise and resumes are due by December 28, 2010 to the City Clerk’s Office.
Owen Jr. Fair Committee
Deputy Clerk Cindy Cardinal reported on the 2010 Annual Report of the Owen Jr. Fair Committee. The report shows a $2,219.24 profit for 2010. Mayor Tim Swiggum made the following appointments to the Owen Jr. Fair Committee for 2011: Phil Greschner, Sam Thornton, Cindy Cardinal, Bernie Shelton, Theresa Schindler, Mary Oelke, and new to the Board are: Lisa Barker, Rocky Lehr and Kim Sybers. A Lorence/Lulloff motion and subsequent vote approved the 2010 Annual Report and Mayoral appointments to the Committee.
A special thank you also goes out to Virginia Zaidel for her many years of service on the Owen Jr. Fair Committee.
E-Cycle
Clerk Ernst reported that all electronics are now banned from landfills and must be recycled by a State of Wisconsin registered recycler. Ernst inquired if the City could make available within the City a place for residents to drop off electronics and pay fees and that would make it more convenient for residents. Veolia would then pick-up the electronics on an as needed basis. Veolia is a registered recycler but electronics have to be delivered to their drop off sites and paid for. Ernst reported that in Clark County, Express Disposal in Thorp is the closest registered recycling drop off site. Tolzmann reported he is aware of someone who takes electronics for free and scraps them out but is not sure if they are now a required registered recycler. DPW Smith said there is possibly room at the City Garage for a small collection container.
Lease City Property
Clerk Ernst reported that a message was left for Steve Travis regarding his earlier inquiry about leasing City property near the City garage for his proposed repossession company, Mid-States Recovery Service. Director of Public Works Gary Smith reported that there needs to be a 1500’ radius from City drilled wells, so the property at the garage would not work. Council members also commented they would prefer that such a business not be located at that site and that it may possibly not look good to those traveling into Owen.
Energy Audit
Deputy Clerk Cardinal reported that an energy audit was conducted by a consultant at City Hall, Library and City Shop. The present light fixtures are being discontinued and bulbs are no longer available. Local contractors Baehr Electric and Shelton Electric will be contacted if they would like to submit a proposal.
Developers Agreement
Mayor Swiggum reported he is in contact with Tink who is a hired consultant for Gestamp. Tink has traveled to Spain to meet with Emilio from Gestamp. Gestamp has proposed bringing a biomass plant to Owen. Owen is now considered as the 1st preferred site to locate a new plant with Ladysmith having the 2nd preferred site. A developers agreement is being drafted and discussions continue to complete what is needed by Gestamp to ensure a new plant coming to Owen and locating in the 38 acre East Side Commercial Park. A telephone conversation is being planned for the CDA and special Council meeting to be held tomorrow at 6 pm.
12/28/2010 Meeting
A Tolzmann/Heggemeier motion and subsequent vote approved cancelling the 12/28/2010 Council meeting unless a need arises; then a meeting may be called at Mayor Swiggum’s discretion.
Disbursements
A question was raised and answered for check #42471. A Heggemeier/Lorence motion and subsequent vote approved paying the following checks, City Pooled 42385-42478: City Total $125,641.19; Water Total $16,522.81; Sewer Total $16,042.52 and for the Clerk’s office to issue checks for the remainder of the year.
Adjourn
A Riihinen/Kiviko motion and subsequent vote approved to adjourn the 12/14/10 open session meeting at 9:04 p.m.
Archive:
May 8, 2012 City Council Minutes
April 24, 2012 Common Council Minutes
April 17, 2012 City Council Minutes
April 10, 2012 City Council Minutes
March 27, 2012 City Council Minutes
March 13, 2012 City Council Minutes
February 28, 2012 City Council Minutes
February 21, 2012 City Council Minutes
January 24, 2012 City Council Minutes
January 10, 2012 City Council Minutes