On this Tuesday evening, Mayor Lois called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. starting with roll call. Roll Call: Aldermen Robert Prailes, Peter Girolamo, Steve Rauch, Robert Miller, Katie Simenson, Kent Strong, 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; Department of Public Works Utility Manager Connie Wilson; Treasurer Bridget Lois; City Administrator Kevin Lahner; Building Inspector / Zoning Administrator Patrick Scherrer and City Attorney Tom Kircher.

Citizen Comments – None.

Approval of Minutes – Alderman Miller moved and Alderman Vos seconded to approve the minutes of January 15, 2008. All were in favor and the motion carried.

Resolution 4208(103) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving a Letter of Engagement with Patrick Romenesko, C.P.A., for the 2007 Audit for the not-to-exceed amount of $25,300.00. Treasurer Bridget Lois explained that the increase was less than five percent from last year. The increase was due to the higher standards that the auditors have to, perform to as well as the cost for the materials needed to accomplish those standards.

This issue will move forward to the February 5, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4209(104) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving the MABAS-Wisconsin, Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Agreement.

The MABAS-Wisconsin Agreement was approved for the State of Wisconsin in December 2007 after a years worth of review and revision sessions. As part of this process, the original agreement that was approved by the City of Burlington in 2001 needs to be updated.

Alderman Simenson questioned if this system was in place to allow the City to have aid in case of a major catastrophe. Fire Chief Dick Lodle confirmed that was correct and further explained that the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) is a program that allows neighboring communities to assist in emergency situations without a charge for equipment or services. He noted that the City was able to aid several other departments in the cleanup efforts from the Kenosha tornados because of this system being in place.

This issue will move forward to the February 20, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4210(105) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to an initial resolution declaring intent to exercise special assessment powers under §66.0703 for reconstruction of sidewalks on streets associated with the 2008 Street Improvement Program and various locations in the city where complaints have been received.

Alderman Vos questioned if the sidewalks located on Schemmer Street should be included in this resolution or if they were to wait until next year. Department of Public Works – Streets and Parks Supervisor Larry Gobel explained that several of the sidewalks located on Schemmer Street were replaced several years ago. A full survey of the conditions were unable to be completed this year due to snow and other weather conditions. Mr. Gobel did note that this area would be taken into consideration as part of the construction project. Alderman Vos also questioned the status of the stormwater issues on Schemmer Street. Mr. Gobel stated that he had a meeting earlier today with Kapur & Associates and went over preliminary plans. He stated that Kapur is working on stormwater calculations, as well as the surface grading issues.

This issue will move forward to the February 20, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4211(106) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving the purchase of a new unmarked vehicle for the City of Burlington Police Department for the combined total amount of $14,500 plus title and license fees.

Police Chief Eisenhauer gave a brief Power Point presentation explaining the two bids that were received according to the specifications developed by the Police Department for the purchase of a new unmarked vehicle. He noted that the Police Department budget for 2008 includes the purchase of a new unmarked police vehicle. He explained that this vehicle would replace the current squad number 901 which is an old unmarked patrol car. He further explained that this vehicle would be a minivan which would be used for a variety of needs, including transporting necessary equipment to crime scenes, transporting several Police Department employees to court cases, training and traffic patrol as an unmarked vehicle. He also noted that the old patrol car would be sold at auction.

This issue will move forward to the February 20, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4212(107) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving Change Order Number Four with Wanasek Corporation for the 2007 Street and Sidewalk Improvement Program as a credit in the amount of $3691.12.

This change order reflects the work done on the roadway and the driveway aprons for the easement through the Chocolate Fest grounds. Several months ago the citizens of the Maryland Avenue area came before the Council with their concerns about access to Milwaukee Ave. This became a problem for them after the reconfiguration of the Milwaukee Ave. and Bridge Street intersection. As a solution, an ingress and egress easement was adopted in March of 2007, with the intention of creating this roadway through the festival grounds, and connecting to the signalized intersection at Milwaukee Ave. and Grove Street. The agreement called for the City to pave this roadway, and maintain it, through the duration of the agreement. The apron areas were to be paved in order to prevent the runoff of gravel from the site during heavy rainfalls. This runoff has caused problems with the inlet structures along Maryland Ave., and added to the flooding problem in the area.

The Council had agreed to add this paving work to the annual street improvement program, in order to take advantage of lower bid prices. The final change order shows the cost of this work to be $41,825.10. This change order also shows the adjustments for final quantities within the total contract in the amount of $45,516.22, resulting in a credit of $3691.12.

This issue will move forward to the February 20, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4213(108) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution approving the award of a bid for one 2008 Three-Quarter Ton utility truck from Lynch Chevrolet for the not-to-exceed amount of $26,873.40.

Department of Public Works Utility Manager, Connie Wilson explained to the Council that the Wastewater budget for 2008 includes the purchase of a ¾ ton utility vehicle. The new truck will replace the 1991 pickup truck now in use. The new vehicle will include a tow package, plow and 8’ pick-up box. This truck will be used every day to check lift stations, collect samples and read meters at all the industries, transport operators to continuing education classes, respond to customer complaints and check sewer backups. Ms. Wilson explained the need for the plow on this truck would be to maintain the current Wastewater plant, the old plant site as well as the eight remote lift stations.

This issue will move forward to the February 20, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Resolution 4214(109) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a resolution authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Up to $957,910 Taxable Sewerage System Revenue Bonds, Series 2008, and Providing for Other Details and Covenants With Respect Thereto. Mayor Lois made the Council aware that a new packet was given out this evening and should be referenced for changes.

Ms. Wilson explained that the City has received an offer of financial assistance in the form of a twenty year low interest loan from the Wisconsin Environmental Improvement Fund. This loan will help to finance the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project costs in the approximate amount of $950,000 plus loan closing costs. The work involved was completed in 2006 and 2007 as part of the City’s street reconstruction program. The loan is a reimbursement of funds previously advanced from the Sewer Utility. The fixed interest rate of 2.365% is the lowest interest rate offered under this loan program since it began in 1992. Administrator Kevin Lahner noted that a thank you should also be given to Mr. Dave Wagner, Ehlers & Associates, Inc. who recommended that the City wait for a week to lock in the rate which allowed the City to save a few points on the interest rate. Ms. Wilson noted that this low interest rate would save the City approximately $10,000 over the life of the loan.

This issue will move forward to the February 5, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Ordinance 1846(19) – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to an ordinance creating Section 187-13F of the Municipal Code of the City of Burlington, creating regulations for keg registration.

Alderman Girolamo read a statement from Kaylee Gauger, student at BHS and member of the Student Advisory Committee with Partners 2, regarding her opinion of underage drinking and the keg policy before the Council this evening.

Administrator Lahner explained that he had discussions regarding this issue with both Alderman Girolamo, as well as Police Chief Eisenhauer. He stated that he had Chief Eisenhauer check into how many underage drinking parties involving a keg in the last few years. It was discovered that there hadn’t been any in the last six years. He expressed his concern with the implementation of a policy such as this when there hasn’t been this issue in several years as well as the administrative burden it would place on the Police Department. Administrator Lahner suggested that the City raise the fines charged for alcohol related offenses which he felt would create more of a deterrent impact than the proposed ordinance. Additionally, the fine increase would remove the security issues and administrative complexity that would come with this policy.

Alderman Girolamo explained that the Partners 2 organization is trying to implement this policy countywide in order for it to be the most effective. He expressed his desire to get this policy in place as quickly as possible so that other municipalities would follow. Mayor Lois questioned if Walworth County had adopted this policy. Alderman Girolamo stated that they have not yet accepted this policy. Mayor Lois stated that the requirement of a drivers license number needed to be taken out of the agreement, as that would be an issue that could not be enforced.

Alderman Miller expressed his concern with the policy regarding the fact that it could become quite cumbersome with adults that are trying to have a party to include a keg and are having to go through an extreme process to get and return it.

Alderman Strong questioned how many kegs were actually sold in the City. Administrator Lahner stated that very few kegs were sold in the City. Alderman Strong clarified that he was 100% against underage drinking and felt the way to deter offenders was in the wallet.

Discussion ensued regarding how the enforcement of this issue would be dealt with, as well as the issue of raising the fines for those supplying the alcohol to anyone underage.

Attorney Kircher noted that item 2(a)[1] would be changed to just state name and address.

Mayor Lois asked that the issue of raising the fees be looked into and brought back to the Council for review.

This issue will move forward to the February 20, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Motion 08-596 – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a motion accepting a Sign Permit recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission for 117 W. Chestnut Street to place an exterior sign.

Alderman Girolamo questioned if this sign would be hanging. Alderman Strong stated that it would not be.

This issue will move forward to the February 5, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Motion 08-597 – Mayor Lois and the City Council gave consideration to a motion accepting a Sign Permit recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission for 581 N. Pine Street to place an exterior sign.

This issue will move forward to the February 5, 2008 City Council meeting for consideration.

Other Matters – None.

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

Adjourned at 7:09 p.m.

Recording Secretary – Angela M. Hansen