City council minutes
City of Medford Common Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 3, 2020 6:00 PM Council Chambers, City Hall 639 South Second Street Medford, WI {Subject to Council Approval} Call to Order/Roll Call In the absence of Mayor Mike Wellner, Council President Greg Knight called the meeting to order with the following members present Dave J. Brandner, Laura Holmes, Peggy Kraschnewski, Christine Weix, Dave Roiger, Mike Bub, and Clem Johnson. In accordance with The Rules of the Common Council, Council President Knight will retain his right to vote as an alderperson.
Pledge of Allegiance
Alderperson Roiger began the meeting by leading the group in the reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance”.
Open Meeting Law Compliance Council President Knight announced that this was an open meeting of the Common Council. Notice of this meeting was given to the public at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting by forwarding the complete agenda to the official City newspaper, The Star News, and to all news media that have requested the same as well as posting. Copies of the complete agenda were available for inspection at the City Clerk’s Office. Anyone desiring information as to forthcoming meetings should contact the City Clerk’s Office.
City Personnel Present
The following City personnel were present: City Clerk Ginny Brost, City Coordinator/Public Works Director John Fales, Street & Water Superintendent Joe Harris, and Building Inspector/ Planner Bob Christensen.
Visitors Present
Visitor present was Brian Wilson- Star News.
Council - Public Hearing
A public hearing to gather public input on the vacation of a portion of Forest Street that was originally platted as part of the Morningside Addition but was never constructed. The platted street, originally named Forest Street, located in Morningside Addition is between Block 2, Lots 1 through 6 and Block 3 Lots 1 through 6.
The original plat of the Morningside Addition to the City laid out a street named Forest Street. The street was never constructed but was laid out as what is now known as Ogden Street. The never constructed platted portion of the street still exists today. Today, there are houses built in the right-of-way of Forest Street. To correct this issue, the City will need to vacate the platted Forest Street.
On November 4, 2019, Mayor Wellner, Coordinator/Public Works Director Fales, City Clerk Brost, City Assessor Cindy Chase, and Building Inspector/ Planner Christensen met and discussed the possible vacation of Forest Street. The group recognized the problem and recommended that Council vacate that portion of Forest Street as platted since Forest Street was never built.
The statutory procedure to vacate a street is as follows: (1) Introduce the possible vacation of Forest Street to the Committee. (2) Following the introduction of vacation, the City will give notice to the Register of Deeds indicating the City’s intent to introduce an abandonment resolution. (3) The proposed resolution will be introduced to Council, and Council will refer the resolution to the Plan Commission for review and recommendation. (4) Plan Commission reviews and makes its recommendation to Council. (5) Abutting property owners are given notice no later than 30 days prior to the required public hearing. (6) The three required publications are done. (7) Council conducts a public hearing. (8) Following the public hearing, Council adopts a resolution vacating the street. (9) A certified copy of the resolution is filed with the Register of Deeds, and notice is sent to abutting property owners informing them of Council action.
No citizens addressed the Council on this matter.
Dave Brandner moved, Laura Holmes seconded a motion to adjourn the Public Hearing at 6:03 PM. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried Meeting Adjourned to Council meeting.
Council - Meeting Citizens & Delegations Comments
No citizens or delegations addressed the Council.
Minutes
Laura Holmes moved, Christine Weix seconded a motion to approve the February 4, 2020 Council meeting as presented, and place the same on file in the Clerk’s office. All in favor: All Aye. MotionCarried.
Resolution Vacating the Platted Street, Originally Named Forest Street, Between Block 2 Lots 1 - 6 and Block 3 Lots 1-6 Dave Roiger moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to suspend Council Rules #13A & #13B, and adopt Resolution #1871 to vacate the platted street, originally named as Forest Street, between Block 2 Lots 1 through 1 through 6 and Block 3 Lots 1 through 6 in the Morningside Addition. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-Yes; Peggy Kraschnewski-Yes; Christine Weix-Yes; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (8 Yes; 0 No) Motion Carried.
Issuance of Operator’s (Bartender’s) License(s) There were no operator’s (bartender’s) licenses to issue. No Action Taken.
Coordinator’s Report
The coordinator’s report was as follows: (1) An update on the capital projects was given. (2) An update on the electric utility projects was given at the meeting. (3) An update on the wastewater utility projects was given. (4) Treasurer Kathy Tom has received a successful job performance evaluation. Retroactive to March 1, 2020, her wage will increase from $26.73 per hour to $28.22 per hour.
Communications from the Mayor
February 18, 2020 Spring Primary Election Summary & Special Primary Election for the 7th Congressional District -The City has an estimated voter population of 3,435. Of this number, 645 voted in this Election (458 used paper ballots and 187 used the Ivotronic). This is 19% of the City’s eligible voters. The City has 2,177 registered voters (including same date registrants). Using this figure, the City had a 30% voter turnout. There were 22 individuals that registered on Election Day. There were 85 absentee ballots that were processed.
Upcoming Meeting Schedule-
The upcoming meeting schedule was distributed.
Adjournment
Dave Roiger moved, Clem Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 PM. All in favor: AllAye. Motion Carried. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted, Virginia Brost City Clerk, WCPC/MMC (One ins. March 12)
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