City council minutes
City of Medford Special Common Council Meeting Minutes Monday, June 22, 2020 6:00 PM Conference Room, City Hall 639 South Second Street, Medford, WI {Subject to Council Approval} Call to Order/Roll Call Mayor Mike Wellner called the meeting to order with the following members present: Dave J. Brandner, Laura Holmes, Greg Knight, Tim Hansen, Christine Weix, Dave Roiger, Mike Bub, and Clem Johnson.
Pledge of Allegiance
Alderperson Holmes began the meeting by leading the group in the reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance”.
Open Meeting Law Compliance Mayor Wellner announced that this was an open meeting of the Special 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
City personnel present were City Clerk Ginny Brost, Coordinator/ Public Works John Fales, Police Chief Chad Liske, Treasurer Kathy Tom, and Street & Water Superintendent Joe Harris. City Attorney Courtney Graff was an excused absence.
Visitors Present
Visitors present were Don Watson & Todd Lundy- The Star News, Jennifer Buskerud, and Joan Dettmering.
Citizens & Delegations Comments
No citizens or delegations addressed the Council.
Minutes
Laura Holmes moved, Greg Knight seconded a motion to approve the following minutes and place the same on file in the Clerk’s Office: (1) June 8, 2020 Committee of the Whole-Closed Session, and (2) June 16, 2020 Council meeting. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.
Pool Opening
On May 28, 2020, the State Department of Health Services recommended that all public pools, splash pads, and water parks remain closed due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. According to the State Department of Health Services, until the State meets the benchmarks established in the road map to re-open Wisconsin, it is not safe to bring together groups of individuals that are not part of a single household or living unit into an environment where sustained closed contact could occur. The State Department of Health Services understands that there are many positive benefits from visiting pools, splash pads, and water parks. They suggested other outdoor activities that individuals and families can participate in while waiting for it to be safe to return pools and water parks. These include bike rides, walks, and other outdoor physical activities that allow for safe physical distancing.
The City pool was scheduled to open June 10, 2020, weather permitting. The capacity of the pool is 300 people. There is currently no regulation that requires the pool to be closed during the COVID-pandemic. The decision to open is a local municipal decision.
The following occurred at the June 1, 2020 Council meeting: Original Motion - Accept the Committee of the Whole’s recommendation and open the pool as scheduled with the following safety conditions: (1) Maximum capacity at 150 people. (2) Allow only City residents and residents from municipalities that contribute towards the pool operations to use the pool. (3) A pool pass is required and must be presented prior to entrance into the pool. (4) Locker rooms will be closed to the public, but bathrooms will remain open. (5) All deck furniture will be removed.
First Amended Motion -Amend the original motion to authorize the head lifeguard to close the pool if pool users are not following the COVID-19 guidelines. This motion passed.
2nd Amending Motion - Reduce the opening pool capacity from 150 people to 75 people, and to review the capacity limits at a Special Council meeting scheduled for June 22, 2020. This was 4 yes; 4 no vote with the Mayor breaking the time by voting no. This motion failed.
Original Motion as Amended by Amending Motion #1 – This motion was a 4 yes; 4 no vote with the Mayor breaking the tie by voting no. This resulted in the pool not opening on the June 10th scheduled date.
Council then voted to schedule the pool opening for a Special Council meet to be held June 22, 2020.
Council was also reminded of an email dated May 25, 2020 from Wendy Berglund requesting the Council to consider delaying the pool opening or postponing the pool opening. The City also received a letter dated June 8, 2020 signed by community members encouraging the City to open the pool sooner rather than later. On June 11, 2020, the City received an email from Lisa Vanusek-Hartl stating that if guidelines and patron safety cannot be guaranteed, the pool should remain closed.
The following discussion was held: (1) At this time, one lifeguard has indicated that they would not be returning this year. (2) Wausau, Weston and Madison have reconsidered and will now be opening their pool(s) with restrictions. Also, Taylor County and Madison beaches are opened. (3) Suggested the pool open on June 27th at 1:00 PM. (4) There are no severe cases of COVID-19 in Taylor County that have required hospitalization. (5) Suggested a limited capacity of 50 people and then reconsider an increase at a later time. (6) Pool users will need to practice social distancing. (6) Employees will be instructed on cleaning the pool. (7) Pool personnel may have difficulty enforcing COVID-19 guidelines. (7) Each shift at the pool has one head lifeguard, five lifeguards and two attendants.
Dave Roiger moved, Dave Brandner seconded a motion to open the pool on June 27, 2020 at 1:00 PM with the following safety conditions: (1) Maximum of 150 people. (2) Allow only City residents and residents from municipalities (City of Medford, Towns of Chelsea, Goodrich, Medford & Hammel, and the Village of Stetsonville) that contribute towards the pool operations to use the pool. (3) A pool pass is required and must be presented prior to entrance into the pool. (4) Locker rooms will be closed to the public, but bathrooms will remain open. (5) All deck furniture will be removed. (6) Allow the head lifeguard to close the pool if users are not following the COVID-19 guidelines. Roll Call Vote: Dave J. Brandner-Yes; Laura Holmes-Yes; Greg Knight-No; Tim Hansen-No; Christine Weix-No; Dave Roiger-Yes; Mike Bub-Yes; Clem Johnson-Yes (5 Yes; 3 No) Motion Carried.
Notice of Resignation -Public Works Department Employee On June 16, 2020, Public Works Department employee Ryan Czarnezki submitted his resignation notice effective June 26, 2020. No Action Taken.
Authorization to Hire - Public Works Department Employee With Ryan Czarnezki’s resignation, the City Coordinator/ Public Works Director and Street & Water Superintendent are requesting authorization to hire a Public Works General Laborer.
Michael Bub moved, Dave Roiger seconded a motion to authorize the City Coordinator/ Public Works Director and Street & Water Superintendent to hire a Public Works General Laborer. All in favor: All Aye.
Motion Carried.
Star News Staycation With many events being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic this summer, people are staying closer to home. The Star News is working with local businesses and the Tourism Committee to publish a section called “Staycations” highlighting things that Taylor County has to offer while still practicing social distancing. This section will come out on June 25th in The Star News, giving people time to make their plans for the 4th of July holiday. There will be 6,800 of these sections produced and distributed. Should the City wish to participate, it has the following options: 6 Column x 3 Inch Ad – Front Page Ad in Staycation Section Full Color Runs in The Star News on June 25, 2020 $250.00 Rerun Same Ad in Full Color in Shopper on June 30, 2020 $199.00 Total $449.00 Full Color Runs in The Star News on June 25, 2020 $250.00 Rerun Same Ad in Black & White in Shopper on June 30, 2020 $99.00 Total $349.00 3 Column x 3 Inch Ad – Ad in Staycation Section Full Color Runs in The Star News on June 25, 2020 $96.00 Rerun Same Ad in Full Color in The Star News on June 30, 2020 $149.50 Total $245.50 Full Color Runs in The Star News on June 25, 2020 $96.00 Rerun Same Ad in Black & White in Shopper on June 30, 2020 $49.50 Total $145.50 As this is an unbudgeted request, Council will need to determine a funding source.
The following discussion was held: (1) It was suggested the request should have been submitted to either the Taylor Tourism Committee or the City’s Hotel/Motel Room Tax Commission. (2) City taxpayers should not have to pay for advertisements.
No motion was made, thus no action taken. No Action Taken.
Issuance of Operator’s (Bartender’s) License(s) Laura Holmes moved, Christine Weix seconded a motion to the issuance of a regular operator’s license for the period beginning June 23, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 to Jennifer Shipman. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried.
Coordinator’s Report The Coordinator’s report was as follows: (1) An update on Public Works projects was given. (2) An update on Electric Utility projects was given. (3) An update on Wastewater Utility projects was given. (4) The May 2020 Financial Report was distributed.
Communications from the Mayor Upcoming Meeting Schedule - The upcoming meeting schedule was distributed.
Adjournment
Clem Johnson moved, Dave Roiger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 PM. All in favor: All Aye. Motion Carried. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted, Virginia Brost City Clerk, WCPC/MMC (One ins. July 2)
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