COUNCIL AGENDA FOR TUESDAY - AMENDED

Sorry that the original posting was so garbled. Here is a "cleaner" version. Please note there will be a public hearing on the city's proposed comprehensive plan (copies available at City Hall), and a listening session on lengthening the mayor's term from two to four years. Also, so no one thinks I was trying to delete an earlier post on the agenda, a person asked if Blossom Street is vaccated for the new spa proposed by Boca Grande, is the spa going to buy that section of the street? The answer at this time is no:

AMENDED - CITY OF RIPON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
Conference room, City Hall - Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 6:00 p.m.

1. Call to order/roll call
2. 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 contract for services – creation of new TIF district
RE: Possible purchase of property located within TIF District #6
3. Adjourn (6:55 p.m.)

CITY OF RIPON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
Council chambers, City Hall - Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.

I. Call to order/roll call
II. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation – Pastor Schaus
III. Public communications and comment
IV. Proclamation – “Mom & Pop” Business Owners Day (Sunday, March 29th)
V. Public hearing – proposed comprehensive plan for the period from 2009-2029
VI. Public listening session – charter ordinance increasing mayor’s term to 4 years
VII. 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.) - These items include a resolution writing off certain uncollectible ambulance accounts, a resolution increasing the fee for zoning variance applications and a resolution – creation of “Complete Count” team for 2010 Census.
VIII. Other business
1. Ordinance – adopting comprehensive plan for 2009-2029 - (Staff note: If no issues or concerns are raised at the public hearing, staff will recommend approving the comprehensive plan as presented. This will guide the City’s future development for the next 20 years.)
2. Resolution – initiating possible vacation of a portion of Blossom Street - (Staff note: As outlined in Wisconsin Statutes 66.1003(4), it has been requested that the City vacate Blossom Street from Ransom to Watson Streets to facilitate downtown development. The attached resolution would start the process, and send this to the Plan Commission for more study and a recommendation.)
3. Agreement for employee assistance program – Ripon Medical Center - (Staff note: As noted on the attached memo from Lori Rich, the City’s health insurance provider said that our mental health claims are above average, and it makes sense to start an employee assistance program. Staff recommends approving the attached contract with RMC, at a cost of $1,115, which can be absorbed within our health insurance budget.)
IX. Update – status of 2009 workplan items - Appoint team for city website improvement, appoint team for developing the Silver Creek corridor, discuss date for meeting with school board
X. Mayor’s communications and appointments
XI. Agenda items for future Council meetings
XII. Adjourn

If you would like to be considered for the teams involving the city's website and the Silver Creek Corridor, please let me know.

MOM AND POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, March 29th has been designated as Mon and Pop Business Owners Day across the United States, and;
WHEREAS, the event was created by Rick Segel, a nationally known motivational speaker and author who specializes in retail development, to bring attention to how small businesses are vital to the economy of towns all over America, and;
WHEREAS, Mom and Pop business owners across the country reflect and represent true American values, by treasuring their independence, spending countless hours developing and growing their businesses, and enjoying helping others, and;
WHEREAS, their workload coupled with a lack of staff requires that they work long hours and often weekends, and;
WHEREAS, their impact on the economy is even greater when considering that most of these people live in Ripon and buy the goods and services of other local businesses, as well as their children attend local schools, they are members of community organizations, and they contribute to charitable organizations, now;
THEREFORE, I, Aaron Kramer, Mayor of the City of Ripon, do hereby declare March 29th to be observed as Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, in recognition of the efforts of small businesses across the City of Ripon in supporting and building our local economy.