On this Tuesday evening, Mayor Lois called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. starting with roll call. Roll Call: Kent Strong, Joel Jacobsen, Thomas Vos, Robert Miller, Peter Girolamo, John Thate and James Beardsley. Alderman John Ekes was excused. Also present were: City Administrator David Torgler, Department of Public Works Utility Manager Connie Wilson, Department of Public Works – Streets and Parks Supervisor Larry Gobel, Streets and Parks Engineer Tech Judy Gerulat, Police Chief David Walsh, Fire Chief Dick Lodle, Library Director Gayle Falk, City Attorney Thomas Kircher and Tom Foht of Kapur & Associates.

Citizens Comments – None.

Approval of Minutes – Alderman Thate moved and Alderman Vos seconded to approve the minutes of September 5, 2006. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Motion 06-507 – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a motion approving Sunday, October 29, 2006 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. as "Trick or Treat" hours for Halloween 2006. These hours have been recommended by the Police Department. This issue will move forward to the September 19, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Ordinance 1810(14) – Mayor Lois and the Council gave consideration to an ordinance amending the Official Traffic Map to permit traffic signals at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Commerce Street/Pine Street; to remove traffic signals at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Dodge Street; to convert from one-way traffic to two-way traffic on various streets, to create loading zones near or on Pine Street; and, to make the following amendments to the Official Traffic map to accommodate such changes for proper traffic flow. Mr. Larry Gobel, Streets and Parks Supervisor, discussed the above mentioned changes with the Council. Several concerns were raised regarding many of the City’s main intersections and allowing for the proper flow of truck traffic. Mr. Tom Foht, City Engineer, stated that not every intersection could be made perfect for every situation, however this change should be a positive one for the future of the City.

Ms. Judith Schulz, 533 Milwaukee Avenue, questioned if the 15 minute loading zone on Pine Street by the Daily Brew would remain. Mr. Larry Gobel stated that all 15 minutes zones are staying 15 minute and remaining where they currently are.

Concerns were raised regarding snow removal with the two way change. Mr. Gobel stated that the snow would be pushed to the sides of the streets as usual and be picked up the Street and Park Department during the early morning hours. Mr. Gobel also noted that all handicapped stalls located within the downtown area would remain along with the 15 minute loading zone stalls. It has also been determined that the loading zones would be from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for Sundays and holidays. This would allow for extra parking stalls in the evening hours.

Police Chief Walsh noted that the Police Department is prepared for the one-way to two-way change by having extra officers saturating the City, as well as several officers directing traffic and reminding people of the changes.

Concerns were raised regarding the education of the general public of this change, especially the local schools. Chief Walsh informed the Council that the Drivers Education classes in both high schools would be informed, because the students would have to be taught a new way to drive downtown. Chief Walsh also noted that all delivery drivers that come to Burlington would be informed of the changes and the new rules. Mayor Lois also noted that all of the trucking firms in the area and those that travel thorough the area will be notified of the change. He also noted that prior to the change the City would like to have some kind of public meeting where businesses, trucking firms and the public could come in and ask any of their traffic questions that they wouldn’t normally ask during a regular meeting.

After further discussion, this issue will move forward to the October 3, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Discussion regarding the renaming of Commerce Street to Pine Street – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave further consideration of the renaming of Commerce Street to Pine Street. As noted at the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 5, 2006, this renaming would allow the numbering to be consistent along Pine Street and aid travelers driving in the City to not encounter multiple street name changes. This issue will move forward to the October 3, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Ordinance 1806(10) – Mayor Lois and the Council gave consideration to amending the Official Traffic Map by creating a no parking zone on both sides of E. State Street, from Main Street to Browns Lake Drive. This ordinance would allow for the elimination of the traffic bottleneck on East State Street, between the State Street Bridge and approximately Browns Lake Drive, by eliminating on-street parking to allow for four lanes of moving traffic. Presently vehicles are jockeying for position in this section of roadway causing a dangerous situation. The street is wide enough to accommodate four traffic lanes and very few vehicles are parked on the street at any time. The Wisconsin DOT has determined that this is a matter of local control and they would not object to the removal of parking.

The following residents were in attendance and voiced their concerns: Mr. Roger Miller, 549 E. State Street; Mr. & Mrs. Todd & Mary Campbell, 564 E. State Street; and Ms. Shirley Datzer-Fell, 572 E. State Street. Several concerns the citizens voiced were the inability to get out of their driveways, especially during peak traffic times as well as the fact that by taking the parking away, more traffic would be pulling in and out of driveways much faster, endangering the local children. Several alderman voiced concerns that the problem in this area is not a bottleneck, but is due to a lack of signage, as well as the speed of the traffic. Mayor Lois noted that the City staff will further research this issue and bring it back to the Council for consideration.

Schemmer Street traffic – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to the continued use of a driveway exiting onto Schemmer Street with the expanded use of a parking lot on McHenry Street. After further research by Chief Walsh since the September 5, 2006 Committee meeting, it has been determined that the traffic pattern in the area would be continually monitored.

Ordinance 1811(15) – Mayor Lois and the Council gave consideration to an ordinance amending Section 315-140 "Word Usage and Definition" and Section 315-21C "Rd-2 Two-family Residence District" of Chapter 315 "Zoning" of the Municipal Code adding "Residential-Based Public Educational Outreach Center" Use as a Conditional Use in the Rd-2 Two-Family Residence District. This ordinance would amend the Municipal Code adding "Residential-Based Public Educational Outreach Center" use as a conditional use in the Rd-2 Two-Family Residence District in order to address the City of Burlington's need to provide such use opportunities in the City; to provide for the special needs of the education of the public in a residential setting; and to provide standards for minimizing the potential impacts associated with such uses upon neighboring properties.

This issue will move forward to the October 17, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Discussion of a city dog park – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a City dog park. Since the September 5, 2006 Committee meeting, several citizens expressed their interest regarding the creation of the park. City staff has looked into the concerns that were previously expressed, including the insurance which would not be an issue. There would be approximately $1000 in expenses to start this project, which would include installing fencing around the area. Mayor Lois noted he had no objection to this park; however, he felt that it should be on a trial basis with the people using the park "policing" themselves as far as dog waste is concerned.

Concerns were voiced by several Aldermen of a liability issue in regards to dog fights or dog bites. Attorney Kircher stated that the City will be posting rules and any incidents that occur would be considered domestic issues between the parties and would not involve the City.

Ms. Sandra Conner-Fettes, 924 Terry Lane, voiced concern regarding enforcement of the dogs having proof of vaccinations. It was noted that in order to obtain a city dog license, proof of rabies vaccinations must be provided, however the City cannot force people to license their pets or get vaccinated before using the park.

Mr. Gobel and Alderman Girolamo would work on getting the park up and running in the coming months.

Ordinance 1809(13) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to an ordinance to create Section 57-16 of the Municipal Code to require background investigations of applicants for employment or appointment. The State of Wisconsin Department of Justice regulates the use of criminal background investigations for hiring purposes. The City has been regularly performing these checks for all applicants. During a recent audit of the Police Department’s use of the TIME system (where criminal history is stored) we learned that we can no longer perform those checks without authorization. In order to continue performing criminal and traffic history background checks the Council will need to pass an ordinance requiring this investigation. This issue will move forward to the October 3, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4042(30) – Mayor Lois and the Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Certified Survey Map (CSM), proposed and submitted by Frank Voss for property located in the Southeast ¼ of U.S. Public Land Survey Section 28, Township 3 North, Range 19 East, in the Town of Burlington. This issue will move forward to the September 19, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4043(31) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Certified Survey Map (CSM) shown hereon, proposed and submitted by Lester O. Hoganson for property located in the Northwest ¼ of the Northwest ¼ of U.S. Public Land Survey Section 13, Township 3 North, Range 18 East, in the Town of Spring Prairie. This issue will move forward to the September 19, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4044(32) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a final plat proposed and submitted by Johnson Development, LLC, developer for property located in the NE ¼ and SE ¼ of the SW ¼ of U. S. Public Land Survey Section 17, T3N, R19E, Town of Rochester, Racine County. This issue will move forward to the September 19, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4045(33) –Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Certified Survey Map (CSM) and Plat of Survey shown hereon, proposed and submitted by Jeff Winkler for property located in the Southwest ¼ of U.S. Public Land Survey Section 8 and Southeast ¼ of U.S. Public Land Survey Section 7, Township 2 North, Range 19 East, in the Town of Burlington. This issue will move forward to the September 19, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Motion 06-508 – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a motion approving a street closure for an annual block party on Herman Street between Lewis and Chestnut Street for Saturday, September 23, 2006. This issue will move forward to the September 19, 2006 City Council meeting for consideration.

Other Matters – None.

Adjourn – Alderman Miller moved and Alderman Vos seconded to adjourn. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

Beverly R. Gill
City Clerk