THE OCTOBER 14th COUNCIL MEETING

CITY OF RIPON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING - Council Chambers, City Hall - Tuesday, October 14, 2008 - 7:00 p.m.
I. Call to order/roll call
II. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation
III. Public communications and comment
IV. Presentation – status report from the Community Appearance Team - We received a well-written report on possible improvements to the West end of the city, including work on the median strips and Pedrick Park.
V. Resolution – commending Jack Carlton for 23 years of service to the community
VI. Consent calendar (Unless the Mayor, Council or staff asks that one or more of the items listed below be pulled, this list may be approved with a single vote.)
1. Reports from standing committees and staff
2. Resolution – writing off certain uncollectible ambulance accounts
3. Resolution – writing off a certain uncollectible sewer/water account
4. Street closures for Halloween event on October 30th – 100 block of Watson
VII. Other business
1 . Continue 2009 budget process - The Council approved, 5-3, my proposal to balance the budget without raising the mill rate in 2009. The revised budget takes more money from the Equipment Replacement and Sick Leave Payout funds, and adds $30,000 for a new street roller and $30,000 for FF-N landfill costs. The council voted to hold a public hearing on the budget November 24th, as well as two public hearings on November 11th (to raise the hotel room tax up to one percent and to raise taxi fares by a quarter)
2. Request for revolving loan fund allocation - Advanced Paper Enterprises - The Council unanimously approved a $200,000 loan from our revolving loan fund for working capital to this business relocating to the industrial park. The Loan Review Board met on October 13th, and also unanimously approved the loan. This does use up all the money in the loan fund, but we see about $12,000 in payments per month, and could tap other sources if needed.
3. Request for extension for use of "Class B" liquor license – Big Stella’s - As of October 1st, Ripon Restaurant Group, LLC, owners of the former Big Stella’s, have not opened for business as required under Chapter 6 of the Ripon City Code. We received a letter from them asking for an extension until June 30, 2009. The Council voted 6-2 to grant an extension until January 15, 2009. At present, the City has one "Class B" liquor license available (surrendered by Republican House). At this time, I am considering a veto of the motion, and have until Tuesday evening to make up my mind.
4. Review current status of City’s active TIF districts - Last month, Council asked that staff report on our active tax incremental financing districts. The 2008 audit reports, along with maps and other documents, were reviewed.
VIII. Mayor’s communications and appointments - I will be asking the Council to consider reducing the membership of the Park and Rec Committee and the Loan Review Board in the next few months.
IX. Agenda items for future Council meetings
X. Adjourn to closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) "Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session
RE: Request to amend developer’s agreement – Sandmar Village