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, Robert Miller, Kent Strong, Katie Simenson, Thomas Vos and John Thate. Also present were: Police Chief Scot Eisenhauer; Department of Public Works – Streets and Parks Supervisor Larry Gobel; Fire Chief Dick Lodle; Department of Public Works Utilities Supervisor Dick Pieters; Library Director, Gayle Falk; Building Inspector / Zoning Administrator Patrick Scherrer; Treasurer Bridget Lois; City Engineer Tom Foht, Kapur and Associates, Inc; Linda Fellenz, Kapur and Associates, Inc.; Interim City Administrator Mark Morien; Attorney Tom Kircher and Building Inspector / Zoning Administrator Patrick Scherrer.

Citizen Comments – None.

Approval of Minutes – Alderman Vos moved and Alderman Strong seconded to approve the minutes of December 4, 2007. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Discussion regarding waiver of permit fees – Mayor Lois and the City Council discussed a request made by the Veteran’s regarding the City waiving the permit fees in conjunction with the new Veteran’s Memorial Building construction.

Mr. Jim McKusker, Veteran’s Board, asked that the Council waive the permit fees for the Veteran’s building because the building is on City property and if the Vet’s would not occupy the building, all rights would go back to the City. He also noted that this project is being done so that the entire community can benefit from the building.

Alderman Miller stated that he agreed with the waiver of the permit fees due to the fact that this group of Veteran’s is a unique group of individuals that consist of only those who put themselves in harms way for our country. He also noted that this group has continued to do a great service for the community throughout the years.

Alderman Girolamo agreed with Alderman Miller and stated that the City has set precedence by allowing the waiver of permit fees for other non-profit organizations.

Alderman Thate expressed his agreement with Aldermen Miller and Girolamo; however he did voice some concern regarding whether the public would feel that the City is doing something special for the Veteran’s.

Mayor Lois stated that he felt very disheartened to hear from contractors and read in the newspaper the negative affect that the City’s initial stance on this issue was. He expressed his regret that the City made such a hasty decision before and was glad that this issue is being brought back to the Council for further discussion.

Mr. Jim Wanasek, 949 Joseph Court, City of Burlington, stated that he was in support of waiving the fees for the Veteran’s Building. He informed the Council that Wanasek Corporation and three other excavating contractors are donating all of the excavating work for the Veteran’s Building and encouraged the Council to waive the permit fees.

Alderman Vos expressed his agreement with waiving the permit fees.

Alderman Strong explained that he was initially against waiving the fees for this project, until he realized that the City also supports other local entities such as ChocolateFest, Chamber events, etc. and should support the Veterans in the same way.

Attorney Kircher explained to the Council that even thought this issue seems like a very slippery slope, it has a distinct circumstance in that the City holds a right of reversion on both the initial parcel and the additional parcel.

Alderman Simenson explained that she contacted several City residents and Veterans regarding this issue. She voiced her concern regarding how the City would differentiate waiving the permit fees for this issue compared to waiving them in the future for Love Inc. or other non-profit agencies that do a tremendous amount for the community as well. She also noted that several of the City residents that she spoke with felt that they had already contributed to the Veteran’s in some way and by waiving these fees it would be like giving again.

Alderman Prailes stated that he agreed with waiving the fees for the Veteran’s; however he does not want this to be precedence for other non-profits in the future.

Mr. Jay Askins, 232 Gardner Avenue, City of Burlington agreed with the waiving of the permit fees as his family is very involved with the military and also felt that the City should keep an open mind regarding other non-profit agencies coming forward to the City with this same issue.

Mayor Lois stated that he agreed with the statements given and understood the concerns as well. He expressed his desire to aid the Veteran’s in making the facility what it once was and allow it to prosper as an asset to the community.

Resolution 4185(80) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Financial and Investment Policy for the City of Burlington.

Treasurer Bridget Lois, explained to the Council that this policy shows what the City is looking to do in the future, focusing on the risks and liquidity of the funds, the yield and delegation of authority, cash management and in depth forecasting for the future. She noted that the new Administrator Kevin Lahner had reviewed and approved this policy as well.

This issue will move forward to the January 15, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4189(84) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Certified Survey Map (CSM) for property located at 316 N. Dodge Street (McDonalds Restaurant). Mayor Lois expressed his thanks to the developers for keeping the location in the downtown of the City.

This issue will move forward to the January 15, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4193(88) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving Contract Change Order Number Three with T.V. John and Son, Inc. for the amount of $8,489.65 for the Pump House construction project for Municipal Well #11.

This issue will move forward to the January 15, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4194(89) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving the sale of property in the Burlington Manufacturing and Office Park to RFD II, LLC as part of the Schaefer Subdivision development.

Alderman Rauch questioned when the developers expect to come back with a revised plan for this project. Mayor Lois stated that a revised plan would return once the developers’ agreement comes back to the City.

This issue will move forward to the January 15, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4195(90) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution establishing a polling place for the City of Burlington at 857 West State Street (Third and Fourth Districts) due to the construction of the existing polling site (Veterans Memorial Building).

Mayor Lois noted that with the possibility of the construction of the new Veteran Building starting on April 1, 2008 and the upcoming election, it is necessary to relocate this polling place to a new location.

Several aldermen expressed their desire to make this new polling place permanent due to the better traffic conditions and parking situation.

This issue will move forward to the December 18, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4196(91) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution adopting an agreement for purchase and sale of real estate from the Wisconsin D.O.T. for the not-to-exceed amount of $15,001 for the Haylofters parcel and sell a portion of this portion to the Haylofters for $15,000.

Mayor Lois explained that when the State Street Bridge was put in the DOT purchased this land with the intention of installing a cul de sac. As this did not happen, the Haylofters are buying back the land to install a parking lot for their facility.

This issue will move forward to the December 18, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4197(92) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving certain public utilities for apportion of Buckley Street in relation to the Menard’s development.

This issue will move forward to the January 15, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4199(94) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving certain public utilities for the Aldi’s Food Store site on Buckley stret and Lynch Way.

This issue will move forward to the January 15, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4200(95) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving Task Order Number 57 with Kapur and Associates, Inc. for the 2008 Street and Sidewalk Improvement Program for the not-to-exceed amount of $116,229.00.

This issue will move forward to the December 18, 2007 City Council meeting for consideration.

Ordinance 1854(26) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to an ordinance amending the Official Traffic map to create a "No Parking" Zone on the northerly and southerly sides of E. State Street (STH 11) from Main Street to Browns Lake Drive (CTH W).

Alderman Thate questioned if the DOT has looked at the corner that he voiced his concern about previously. Mr. Tom Foht, Kapur and Associates, Inc. stated that the DOT had looked at this issue and found that the corner is narrower so the marking of the four lanes should help this issue. Alderman Thate also voiced concern regarding the island by the turn onto CTH W. He felt that island should be revamped as the curb on it looked very sharp. It seems to make it difficult for larger vehicles and semi trucks to travel parallel on the road. Mr. Foht stated that the island would be reconstructed as a part of the resurfacing project.

This issue will come back to the January 15, 2008 Committee of the Whole for further discussion and then forward to the January 15, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Other Matters – None.

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

Adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Recording Secretary – Angela M. Hansen