MONROE - In a meeting Tuesday, the City of Monroe Common Council:
• Approved unanimously the consent agenda: Granting miscellaneous licenses and approving $1.65 million to pay bills.
• Approved unanimously to spend $7,400 from undesignated reserve funds to purchase a city hall security camera system.
• Approved changes to the Finance and Community Development organizational charts, on a vote of 7-1. Tom Miller voted against.
• Ratified unanimously the AFSCME union contract in effect from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014. Employees of Monroe Water Utility, previously a separate bargaining unit, are now included in the general city bargaining unit. The contract includes a 1.66 percent hourly wage increase for existing employees. The increased wages were anticipated and built into the 2014 budget. Employees will receive back payments. The union recertification process delayed earlier negotiations.
• Approved Main Street Monroe Halloween parade and Trunk or Treat event for Oct. 31. Some downtown Monroe Square lanes will be closed for the event between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. City of Monroe Trick or Treat hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
• Approved unanimously a new agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for maintenance and operation of the Badger State Trailhead facilities. The facility now qualifies for the Municipal Charge-back Program, under which the city will be reimbursed for sewer, water, etc. The agreement clarifies the responsibilities of costs and liability fall mainly to the city, with Friends of the Badger Trail relieved of perpetual responsibility. The city may seek financial assistance from state grants and development programs.
• Set a public hearing on Oct. 21 for proposed changes to the city code regarding parking and storing mobile homes and travel trailers on privately owned land (except fair grounds), in accessory garages or in rear yards in a residence district.
• Approved a purchase and development agreement with Peter and Lauree Raskovic for two acres in the North Industrial Park. The motion passed on a 7-0-1 vote, with Charles Koch abstaining.
• Approved unanimously the compliance plan required for federal grants under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for Monroe Shared Ride Taxi Service.
Mayor Bill Ross announced the resignation of Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director Pam Christopher.
City Clerk Carol Stamm administered the oath of office for Officer Brett Broge entering the Monroe Police Department.
City Attorney Rex Ewald updated the council members on the city codification process timeline. The estimated time of completion is still unknown.
Tom Miller recognized Phil Rath, city administrator, as the three-time winner of Main Street Monroe's pie eating contest held Oct. 4.
The council excused City Clerk Carol Stamm and appointed Mayor Bill Ross to record the minutes before moving into closed session for an employee performance evaluation of the city administrator.
Alderman Reid Stangel was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Tuesday, the City of Monroe Finance and Taxation Committee:
• Unanimously recommended accepting $130,000 in donations from Kenneth Behring and using $130,000 in matching funds from the city's undesignated fund balance for capital projects at the Behring Senior Center.
• Reviewed the first draft of the city administrator's proposed 2015 and projected 2016 general fund budgets.
Reid Stangel was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, the City of Monroe Board of Public Works:
• Approved bills from SHE for $3,230 for design work on street utility improvements, Miron Construction for $1.04 million for work on the wastewater treatment plant project, Fischl construction for $2,880 for final trailhead work, Advanced disposal for $2,280 for August recycling, Whitney Tree Service for $8,355 for removal and trim, and AECom for $50,677 and for $53,960 for construction observation services.
• Approved an agreement with MSA for continued GIS services for collecting data on the sanitary sewer and water utilities at an estimated cost of $6,000.
• Postponed action on installing a street light in the alley east of 18th Avenue between 10th and 11th streets.
• Reviewed and accepted a proposal from Ramaker and Associates to provide engineering services for the replacement of pool filter systems, at a cost of $6,480.
• Recommended council approval of change order No. 11 at a net cost of $140,900 for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project.
• Met with Public Works Director Colin Simpson regarding the public works scope of services. The Public Works staff is seeking to define and clarify the department's scope of services to continue moving forward with future budget and operational decisions.
• Approved unanimously the consent agenda: Granting miscellaneous licenses and approving $1.65 million to pay bills.
• Approved unanimously to spend $7,400 from undesignated reserve funds to purchase a city hall security camera system.
• Approved changes to the Finance and Community Development organizational charts, on a vote of 7-1. Tom Miller voted against.
• Ratified unanimously the AFSCME union contract in effect from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2014. Employees of Monroe Water Utility, previously a separate bargaining unit, are now included in the general city bargaining unit. The contract includes a 1.66 percent hourly wage increase for existing employees. The increased wages were anticipated and built into the 2014 budget. Employees will receive back payments. The union recertification process delayed earlier negotiations.
• Approved Main Street Monroe Halloween parade and Trunk or Treat event for Oct. 31. Some downtown Monroe Square lanes will be closed for the event between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. City of Monroe Trick or Treat hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31.
• Approved unanimously a new agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for maintenance and operation of the Badger State Trailhead facilities. The facility now qualifies for the Municipal Charge-back Program, under which the city will be reimbursed for sewer, water, etc. The agreement clarifies the responsibilities of costs and liability fall mainly to the city, with Friends of the Badger Trail relieved of perpetual responsibility. The city may seek financial assistance from state grants and development programs.
• Set a public hearing on Oct. 21 for proposed changes to the city code regarding parking and storing mobile homes and travel trailers on privately owned land (except fair grounds), in accessory garages or in rear yards in a residence district.
• Approved a purchase and development agreement with Peter and Lauree Raskovic for two acres in the North Industrial Park. The motion passed on a 7-0-1 vote, with Charles Koch abstaining.
• Approved unanimously the compliance plan required for federal grants under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for Monroe Shared Ride Taxi Service.
Mayor Bill Ross announced the resignation of Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director Pam Christopher.
City Clerk Carol Stamm administered the oath of office for Officer Brett Broge entering the Monroe Police Department.
City Attorney Rex Ewald updated the council members on the city codification process timeline. The estimated time of completion is still unknown.
Tom Miller recognized Phil Rath, city administrator, as the three-time winner of Main Street Monroe's pie eating contest held Oct. 4.
The council excused City Clerk Carol Stamm and appointed Mayor Bill Ross to record the minutes before moving into closed session for an employee performance evaluation of the city administrator.
Alderman Reid Stangel was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Tuesday, the City of Monroe Finance and Taxation Committee:
• Unanimously recommended accepting $130,000 in donations from Kenneth Behring and using $130,000 in matching funds from the city's undesignated fund balance for capital projects at the Behring Senior Center.
• Reviewed the first draft of the city administrator's proposed 2015 and projected 2016 general fund budgets.
Reid Stangel was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, the City of Monroe Board of Public Works:
• Approved bills from SHE for $3,230 for design work on street utility improvements, Miron Construction for $1.04 million for work on the wastewater treatment plant project, Fischl construction for $2,880 for final trailhead work, Advanced disposal for $2,280 for August recycling, Whitney Tree Service for $8,355 for removal and trim, and AECom for $50,677 and for $53,960 for construction observation services.
• Approved an agreement with MSA for continued GIS services for collecting data on the sanitary sewer and water utilities at an estimated cost of $6,000.
• Postponed action on installing a street light in the alley east of 18th Avenue between 10th and 11th streets.
• Reviewed and accepted a proposal from Ramaker and Associates to provide engineering services for the replacement of pool filter systems, at a cost of $6,480.
• Recommended council approval of change order No. 11 at a net cost of $140,900 for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project.
• Met with Public Works Director Colin Simpson regarding the public works scope of services. The Public Works staff is seeking to define and clarify the department's scope of services to continue moving forward with future budget and operational decisions.