On this Tuesday evening, Mayor Lois called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. starting with roll call. Roll Call: Robert Prailes, Peter Girolamo, Steve Rauch, Katie Simenson, Robert Miller, Kent Strong, Thomas Vos and John Thate. Also present were: Police Chief Scot Eisenhauer; Police Lieutenant Mark Anderson; Department of Public Works – Streets and Parks Supervisor Larry Gobel; Department of Public Works Utilities Supervisor Dick Pieters; Fire Chief Dick Lodle; Library Director Gayle Falk; Building Inspector / Zoning Administrator Patrick Scherrer; Interim City Administrator Mark Morien; and City Attorney Thomas Kircher.

Citizen Comments – None.

Approval of Minutes – Alderman Vos moved and Alderman Thate seconded to approve the minutes of September 18, 2007. All were in favor and the motion carried.

New Police Lieutenant Introduction – Police Chief Scot Eisenhauer, introduced the new Police Lieutenant and Assistant Chief of Police, Mr. Mark Anderson to the Council. Chief Eisenhauer informed the Council that Mr. Anderson has been with the department for 12 years and has served in several capacities including dispatcher, patrolman, school resource officer, Sergeant and now Lieutenant / Assistant Chief of Police.

Resolution 4163(58) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving the award of the bid for two (2) 2008 One-Ton utility trucks from Lynch Chevrolet for the not-to-exceed amount of $55,235.00 per truck.

Alderman Simenson stated that she was glad that the bids went down; however she was still very concerned that the Council as a whole needed to decide how future bids would be received and whether to always give the bids to the local businesses. She stated that she still felt very concerned that if the City continually accepts the local bids, other companies would quit bidding for our projects. Mayor Lois explained that the bidding process for this item is no different than what the City does for the squad car bidding. He noted that there are always several bids from local and non local entities when bidding for these items and others. He also noted that if the bids can be awarded to a local business they are, because it is important for the community.

Alderman Girolamo also voiced his concern with the majority of bids going to local businesses. He agreed with Alderman Simenson that other entities are going to stop bidding if the City continually gives the bid to the local businesses. Mayor Lois stated that the bids that are locally accepted are very close in price to the competitor’s bids. This practice has been done for several years and there has never been a problem receiving bids.

This issue will move forward to the October 2, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Ordinance 1840(13) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to an ordinance annexing property adjacent the Burlington Manufacturing and Office Park to the City of Burlington, to amend the official map of the City of Burlington accordingly; and to temporarily zone the property to B-1, Neighborhood Business District and C-1, Conservancy District. This annexation request is the final step in the Schaefer Subdivision project. This area will mostly consist of conservation area including the main entrance and exit from Pine Street to the subdivision.

This issue will move forward to the October 2, 2007 City Council meeting for a public hearing and will move forward to the October 16, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4165(60) – Mayor Lois and the Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Letter of Agreement between the City of Burlington and National Appraisal Corporation for assessor services for the not-to-exceed amount of $16,500 for 2008, $17,000 for 2009 and $17,500 for 2010.

Alderman Miller voiced his concerns with the problems (i.e. response time, technical difficulties) that the City experienced with National Appraisal two years ago. Both Mayor Lois and Interim Administrator Morien stated that all previous issues have been corrected.

This issue will move forward to the October 16, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4166(61) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement (PILOT) between the Chippewa River Housing Corporation (CRHC) and the City of Burlington for property located at 524 Summit Avenue. This property, which would be used as a group home, is owned by a not-for-profit agency, (Chippewa River Housing Corporation) and pursuant to State law is exempt from paying any local real estate taxes. This agreement would allow the City to recover some municipal expenses from non-tax paying entities. Eligibility for payment under the PILOT program can be services such as public safety, environment, housing, social services and transportation.

This issue will move forward to the October 16, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4167(62) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving the development of a Council Policy regarding the scheduling of items on the Committee of the Whole and Common Council agendas.

Interim Administrator Morien proposed the following policy to remedy the issue of scheduling items on the agendas. The City Administrator is the point person to receive all requests to place items on any upcoming agendas. The Mayor approves the agenda prior to its production for the meetings. Should an Alderman request an item be place on an agenda and the Mayor removes that item, the City Administrator will immediately contact that Alderman and explain the Mayor’s decision to remove the item. At the next meeting, the Alderman will report that he/she asked that an item be placed on the agenda, and be given five minutes to make the case as to why this item should be discussed at the next meeting. A vote would then be taken and if the majority agrees, the item will be placed on the next agenda for discussion.

This issue will move forward to the October 16, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4168(63) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving the Committee of the Whole and Common Council meeting schedule for 2008. Adopting this resolution would allow this notice to be sent to the newspapers to formally publish notice of the meeting schedule. The Mayor and Aldermen will be asked to look over dates and determine if they have any conflicts which can be anticipated and planned for.

This issue will move forward to the October 16, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Other Matters – None.

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

Adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Recording Secretary – Angela M. Hansen