MONROE - At a meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20, the City of Monroe Common Council:
• Approved the mayoral appointment of R. James Webb to Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, to fulfill the unexpired term of Mark Coplien, which will end on Jan. 31, 2016.
• Held a public hearing and voted 6-1 to adopt a city ordinance updating the handling of diseased or infested elm, oak and ash trees. Alder Michael Boyce voted against, adding that he was concerned about the cost of the abatement program, while surrounding communities are not preparing for the emerald ash borer advance. The city has about 600 ash trees, not counting private trees.
• Approved $1.6 million to pay bills.
• Granted miscellaneous licenses.
• Granted a temporary class B beer license for picnics and gatherings to Green County Beef Producers for its Great Steak Out supper Thursday, Aug. 22, at the fairgrounds.
• Approved an agreement with the Town of Sylvester to provide access to private property south of the airport via a city-owned road at County DR and Wisconsin 59 and to maintain that road, until the property acquires more than $450,000 of additional development. At that time, the township will accept the parcel as a township highway and assume responsibility.
• Approved a change order for the wastewater treatment facility upgrade project. The changes add about $119,000 to the project. Two previous change orders had reduced the costs by $61,000.
• Voted unanimously to accept liability insurance from CVMIC for 2015 And 2016.
Mayor Bill Ross read a thank you note from the Green Bay Packers acknowledging the city's gifts and proclamation in recognition of the team's donation of playground equipment.
Ross announced an intergovernmental meeting for Green County municipalities to discuss the future of the county landfill and transfer station. The meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at the city hall, is open to the public.
David Wagner and Greg Johnson of Ehlers, Inc. - the city financial advising firm - presented the 2013 PSC water rate case application and financial forecasts for the utility.
Comptroller Bridget Schuchart distributed the 2013 financial audit report. More entry changes may be coming, but the major portion is complete, she said. The financial report shows the city budget came "close to breaking even" she added, meaning unspent revenue will not amount to much.
Alders Tom Miller and Brook Bauman were absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20, the City of Monroe Public Property Committee:
• Voted unanimously to recommend the city purchase abandoned, tax-delinquent property at 1511 11th Ave.
Brooke Bauman was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, Aug. 19, the City of Monroe Board of Public Works:
• Approved bills from Whitney Tree Service for $3,680 for three tree removals and 16 hours of trimming and from Fehr-Graham and Associates for $4,700 for work on tank at 717 8th St.
• Voted unanimously to recommend hiring Rufer & Son Excavating, Monroe, for $13,800 for the 2013 stream bank restoration projects located in Twining Park, south of Bowen Oil, and north of Voegeli Landscaping. The Green County Department of Land and Water Conservation will contribute up to 70 percent of the cost-sharing program.
• Voted unanimously to recommend setting a $20 fee to recoup costs for swapping trash and recycling carts after the 60-day trial period, which ends Sept. 20. About 700 carts have been exchanged for another size since the new automated trash pickup program began July 22, according to Tom Boll, Street and Sanitation Department supervisor. Most of those request came from people who did not return their size-preference cards prior to initial delivery, he added.
• Voted unanimously to recommend hiring Coplien Painting, Monroe, at $13,850 for the fall painting of the Recreation Park main swimming pool. Coplien Painting submitted the lowest bid among four companies. The pool is typically painted every 4-5 years. $12,000 was budgeted for the project. Parks Director Paul Klinzing said an earlier project upgrading the pool's heating system came in under budget and the excess will bridge the gap for the painting project.
• Voted unanimously to recommend hiring South Central Seal Coating, Brodhead at $4,570 for sealing, crack filling and striping the Twining Park east and northeast parking lots. South Central submitted the lowest quote among three local companies. $6,000 was budgeted for the project.
• Voted unanimously to replace a 1988 rear-load garbage truck and its packer assembly, at a cost of not more than $148,500. The unit is shared between the Street Department and Storm Water Utility and in the capital plan for 2014. But Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber recommended it be replaced sooner because of safety concerns. It is used for bulky waste, leaf and brush pick-up, and as a backup for double garbage pickups on holiday weeks.
Tom Miller was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, Aug. 19, the City of Monroe Public Safety Committee:
• Discussed crosswalk signals being insufficiently timed for people with disabilities. Brooke Bauman had met earlier with several citizens, who were also in attendance at the meeting, to investigate the problem. She verified some signals, particularly on the west side, were not working properly or did not allow enough time to cross. She also noted a couple of signal buttons were located too far from their crosswalk or were otherwise inaccessible to people with disabilities. The committee voted to direct the street and engineering departments to assess the situation and make repairs or adjustments.
• Discussed a request from the Behring Senior Center for way finding signs. Consensus was that the city should pay for the signs and asked for quotes. The sign may also include other city destinations.
Tom Miller was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, Aug. 19, the City of Monroe Insurance Committee:
• Voted to recommend a renewal commitment to CVMIC as the city's liability insurance company for 2015-2016, in exchange for guaranteed premiums. The city uses a $50,000 deductible plan, with a $150,000 cap, for about $32,000 annually. City Administrator Phil Rath noted CVMIC provides added value education and training programs for the city.
- Tere Dunlap
• Approved the mayoral appointment of R. James Webb to Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, to fulfill the unexpired term of Mark Coplien, which will end on Jan. 31, 2016.
• Held a public hearing and voted 6-1 to adopt a city ordinance updating the handling of diseased or infested elm, oak and ash trees. Alder Michael Boyce voted against, adding that he was concerned about the cost of the abatement program, while surrounding communities are not preparing for the emerald ash borer advance. The city has about 600 ash trees, not counting private trees.
• Approved $1.6 million to pay bills.
• Granted miscellaneous licenses.
• Granted a temporary class B beer license for picnics and gatherings to Green County Beef Producers for its Great Steak Out supper Thursday, Aug. 22, at the fairgrounds.
• Approved an agreement with the Town of Sylvester to provide access to private property south of the airport via a city-owned road at County DR and Wisconsin 59 and to maintain that road, until the property acquires more than $450,000 of additional development. At that time, the township will accept the parcel as a township highway and assume responsibility.
• Approved a change order for the wastewater treatment facility upgrade project. The changes add about $119,000 to the project. Two previous change orders had reduced the costs by $61,000.
• Voted unanimously to accept liability insurance from CVMIC for 2015 And 2016.
Mayor Bill Ross read a thank you note from the Green Bay Packers acknowledging the city's gifts and proclamation in recognition of the team's donation of playground equipment.
Ross announced an intergovernmental meeting for Green County municipalities to discuss the future of the county landfill and transfer station. The meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at the city hall, is open to the public.
David Wagner and Greg Johnson of Ehlers, Inc. - the city financial advising firm - presented the 2013 PSC water rate case application and financial forecasts for the utility.
Comptroller Bridget Schuchart distributed the 2013 financial audit report. More entry changes may be coming, but the major portion is complete, she said. The financial report shows the city budget came "close to breaking even" she added, meaning unspent revenue will not amount to much.
Alders Tom Miller and Brook Bauman were absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Tuesday, Aug. 20, the City of Monroe Public Property Committee:
• Voted unanimously to recommend the city purchase abandoned, tax-delinquent property at 1511 11th Ave.
Brooke Bauman was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, Aug. 19, the City of Monroe Board of Public Works:
• Approved bills from Whitney Tree Service for $3,680 for three tree removals and 16 hours of trimming and from Fehr-Graham and Associates for $4,700 for work on tank at 717 8th St.
• Voted unanimously to recommend hiring Rufer & Son Excavating, Monroe, for $13,800 for the 2013 stream bank restoration projects located in Twining Park, south of Bowen Oil, and north of Voegeli Landscaping. The Green County Department of Land and Water Conservation will contribute up to 70 percent of the cost-sharing program.
• Voted unanimously to recommend setting a $20 fee to recoup costs for swapping trash and recycling carts after the 60-day trial period, which ends Sept. 20. About 700 carts have been exchanged for another size since the new automated trash pickup program began July 22, according to Tom Boll, Street and Sanitation Department supervisor. Most of those request came from people who did not return their size-preference cards prior to initial delivery, he added.
• Voted unanimously to recommend hiring Coplien Painting, Monroe, at $13,850 for the fall painting of the Recreation Park main swimming pool. Coplien Painting submitted the lowest bid among four companies. The pool is typically painted every 4-5 years. $12,000 was budgeted for the project. Parks Director Paul Klinzing said an earlier project upgrading the pool's heating system came in under budget and the excess will bridge the gap for the painting project.
• Voted unanimously to recommend hiring South Central Seal Coating, Brodhead at $4,570 for sealing, crack filling and striping the Twining Park east and northeast parking lots. South Central submitted the lowest quote among three local companies. $6,000 was budgeted for the project.
• Voted unanimously to replace a 1988 rear-load garbage truck and its packer assembly, at a cost of not more than $148,500. The unit is shared between the Street Department and Storm Water Utility and in the capital plan for 2014. But Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber recommended it be replaced sooner because of safety concerns. It is used for bulky waste, leaf and brush pick-up, and as a backup for double garbage pickups on holiday weeks.
Tom Miller was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, Aug. 19, the City of Monroe Public Safety Committee:
• Discussed crosswalk signals being insufficiently timed for people with disabilities. Brooke Bauman had met earlier with several citizens, who were also in attendance at the meeting, to investigate the problem. She verified some signals, particularly on the west side, were not working properly or did not allow enough time to cross. She also noted a couple of signal buttons were located too far from their crosswalk or were otherwise inaccessible to people with disabilities. The committee voted to direct the street and engineering departments to assess the situation and make repairs or adjustments.
• Discussed a request from the Behring Senior Center for way finding signs. Consensus was that the city should pay for the signs and asked for quotes. The sign may also include other city destinations.
Tom Miller was absent.
MONROE - At a meeting Monday, Aug. 19, the City of Monroe Insurance Committee:
• Voted to recommend a renewal commitment to CVMIC as the city's liability insurance company for 2015-2016, in exchange for guaranteed premiums. The city uses a $50,000 deductible plan, with a $150,000 cap, for about $32,000 annually. City Administrator Phil Rath noted CVMIC provides added value education and training programs for the city.
- Tere Dunlap