MONROE - On Tuesday, the Monroe Common Council:
• Appointed Amanda King to the Business Improvement District Board from Jan. 1 through 2019.
• Re-scheduled the next council meeting due to a primary election for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the old EMS building downtown because of a scheduling conflict at the westside fire station.
• Heard updates from Cara Carper, executive director of Green County Development Corporation, who presented a plaque to Alderwoman Brooke Bauman for her years of service with the GCDC board. "I've not been with GCDC for long, but I have heard many stories from board members about Brooke's dedication and I've seen it myself," Carper said. Carper also announced that Amy Brandt, GCDC project and marketing manager, will be leaving and is currently training her replacement, Mary Jane Grenzow, and noted the organization's new facility the Enterprise Center in Blackhawk Technical College for entrepreneurial training and other endeavors as part of a newly secured grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
• Split in favor of a new policy to allow staff to pay bills without council approval if the due date precedes a council meeting to avoid late charges. City Administrator Phil Rath said the measure simply ensures "we're in a position where we're not paying more than we need to."
• Approved a final change order for the 8th Street Project in the amount of about $4,650. Director of Public Works Al Gerber said even with the decrease, the city still came out roughly $9,600 ahead of estimated costs. He said the change order included grinding of pavement to remove markings and modifications for two storm sewer inlets in a parking lot.
• Heard a request from Boyce regarding complaints he has received about the timing of traffic lights along 8th Street. Gerber said the department welcomes any feedback to adjust for traffic flow as time passes to aid vehicle identification technology.
• Amended a sewer and water service agreement from residential to a commercial connection for the Dave and Rena Koning, who wish to operate a previous meat market and catering business from Brennan's Market at their home along Wisconsin 81, though Gerber said specific business plans are still being developed.
• Approved the routine hazard mitigation plan as requested by Green County Emergency Management Director Tanna McKeon and recommended by Monroe Fire Chief Dan Smits.
• Heard an announcement from Utilities Director Mike Kennison, who announced that the Board of Public Works had agreed to allow the department to apply for a Simplified Rate Case to increase water rates by 3 percent as part of an adjustment in line with inflation rates rather than large jumps at bigger intervals. Kennison said if approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the increased revenue of roughly $52,000 for the department would be at an additional cost of $5 per year for homeowners.
- Bridget Cooke
• Appointed Amanda King to the Business Improvement District Board from Jan. 1 through 2019.
• Re-scheduled the next council meeting due to a primary election for 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the old EMS building downtown because of a scheduling conflict at the westside fire station.
• Heard updates from Cara Carper, executive director of Green County Development Corporation, who presented a plaque to Alderwoman Brooke Bauman for her years of service with the GCDC board. "I've not been with GCDC for long, but I have heard many stories from board members about Brooke's dedication and I've seen it myself," Carper said. Carper also announced that Amy Brandt, GCDC project and marketing manager, will be leaving and is currently training her replacement, Mary Jane Grenzow, and noted the organization's new facility the Enterprise Center in Blackhawk Technical College for entrepreneurial training and other endeavors as part of a newly secured grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
• Split in favor of a new policy to allow staff to pay bills without council approval if the due date precedes a council meeting to avoid late charges. City Administrator Phil Rath said the measure simply ensures "we're in a position where we're not paying more than we need to."
• Approved a final change order for the 8th Street Project in the amount of about $4,650. Director of Public Works Al Gerber said even with the decrease, the city still came out roughly $9,600 ahead of estimated costs. He said the change order included grinding of pavement to remove markings and modifications for two storm sewer inlets in a parking lot.
• Heard a request from Boyce regarding complaints he has received about the timing of traffic lights along 8th Street. Gerber said the department welcomes any feedback to adjust for traffic flow as time passes to aid vehicle identification technology.
• Amended a sewer and water service agreement from residential to a commercial connection for the Dave and Rena Koning, who wish to operate a previous meat market and catering business from Brennan's Market at their home along Wisconsin 81, though Gerber said specific business plans are still being developed.
• Approved the routine hazard mitigation plan as requested by Green County Emergency Management Director Tanna McKeon and recommended by Monroe Fire Chief Dan Smits.
• Heard an announcement from Utilities Director Mike Kennison, who announced that the Board of Public Works had agreed to allow the department to apply for a Simplified Rate Case to increase water rates by 3 percent as part of an adjustment in line with inflation rates rather than large jumps at bigger intervals. Kennison said if approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, the increased revenue of roughly $52,000 for the department would be at an additional cost of $5 per year for homeowners.
- Bridget Cooke