Meeting Minutes of the Richmond City Council

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Council Meeting

Item #1- Call to Order

Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm

Members Present: Jim Hemmesch, Jeff Mackedanz, Scott Kron, Tim Paczkowski

Members Absent: Mike Mathiasen

Also Attending: Randy Jenniges, Engineer, S.E.H.; Gordon Dingmann, Public Works Director

Item #2 - Approval of Agenda

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda.

Motion made by Councilor Kron to Approve Agenda, seconded by Councilor Mathiasen; Passed unanimously.

Mayor Hemmesch opened the Public Hearing.

Item #3 - Public Hearing: 2013 Main Street Project (for business owners): City Engineer, Randy Jenniges

Mr. Jenniges handed out the assessment roll for the properties involved and reported on the following:

Phase 1: Pulled electrical from Main Street to alley.

Phase 2: Removing the electrical poles off of Main Street. Leaving temporary lights in place.

Phase 3: 2013 Main Street Project

The schedule for beginning the Main Street Project is set, the plans need to be developed and then the project will be ready for bids.

The County is on board. They have done the topographical & boundary surveys.

Mr. Jenniges reviewed the following items.

A. Why we are doing the Streets we have identified:

The streets and the infrastructure are in need of repair and upgrading. Some are 20 – 30 years old and are failing.

B. What work will be included in the 2013 Main Street Project?

STREET NAME – maps are located at city hall for anyone to look at.

2^ND STREET NW (fir to grant ave and jay to king):

2^ND ST NE

1^ST NW (fir to hall ave)

1^ST ST SW (grant across hall ave)

MAIN ST (near grant to jay ave)

GRANT AVE (2^nd st sw across 2^nd street nw)

HALL AVE (1^st st sw across main st)

CENTRAL AVE (main st to 1^st st sw)

IVY AVE (main st to 1^st st nw)

JAY AVE (main st to 1^st street sw)

The focus for this meeting is MAIN STREET -

C. Costs of the Project: 2.1 Million

County Portion 700,000.00 – doesn’t effect the city costs

City portion 1.6 million

Assessing Property Owners - 350,000.00 (25% of project costs)

Street Fund – City put away 200,000.00

Grants & Misc – 100,000.00

Levy: City will bond for 850,000.00. The City was approved for a PFA low interest loan, which would be about $50,000.00 per year, for 20 years. The City Council is considering a 2% increase in property taxes which = about $12000.00

D. Questions: Questions asked by business owners attending the public hearing. Engineer response in italics.

How are assessments done and for how long?

30$ per foot

water $2,000.00

Sewer $1,000.00

Assessments – done for about 10 years 5 or 5.5% (council will need to approve the time). Residents may pay in full without interest if they pay by November 1, 2013.

After that the assessment will be placed on the tax rolls. There are unique circumstances out there and the city is taking that into consideration. The main objection is to make sure everyone is assessed fairly.

How did they come up with the flat fee for water instead of a per foot? We based this decision on the fact that each property uses the sewer and water no matter the size of the lot or building. It is more common to assess for the use.

How are you going to address the businesses that only have the one access? The engineer is planning on phasing out the project. We will make the contractor finish the one phase before they move on, they must have the pavement back down. Mr. Jenniges said they will be working on this issue, but understands it will be difficult.

What is the time frame for Main Street? We don’t have the exact time frame yet, but will after the plan is set. The goal is to start Main Street first, around May. The concern from many of the business owners attending was that the work will be done during the busiest time of the year- cabin season. It was recommended looking at doing it later in the year, after Labor Day might be a better time. Mr. Jenniges stated that he will keep this in mind and continue talking with the business owners throughout the planning process.

Will the communication be better than in past projects? The plan is to have ongoing communication with the Contractors and the Business Owners. The engineer will have a project coordinator to keep the communication open.

Why should we pay the $2,000.00? Business owners are being assessed the same as residential.

Why are we redoing the infrastructure that was done in the 90’s, that is perfectly good? The infrastructure is not perfect. As Engineer, I would not recommend doing a street project over an infrastructure that is failing.

Can it be done at night? Not a great idea for this project.

How will you handle when they dig up the street and there is a four foot drop outside the door? The contractor will be told that the businesses must have consent access.

Will there be notification of the work? The contractor is supposed to turn in a work schedule and they will keep updating as the project goes along.

How will the water shut off impact businesses done the road? The plan is set for having temporary water.

How long will the water be shut off? Typically not long.

Engineer Jenniges stated that there will be future meetings with the Business owners to address: Staging, Foot Traffic and Access. It is important that the Business Community attend these meetings.

Mayor Hemmesch closed the public hearing.

Item #4-Adjournment

Mayor Hemmesch asked if there were any additional items for the Council to consider. Hearing no further comments, he asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

A motion was made by Councilor Paczkowski, to adjourn the meeting, Seconded by Councilor Mathiasen. Motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Hemmesch declared the meeting adjourned at 6:57 pm

Next Council Meeting October 3, 2012

Respectfully Submitted,

Martin Bode

Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer