COMMON COUNCIL MEETING - APRIL 14TH AGENDA

UPDATE - The presentation on the Cornerstone Project has been cancelled for tonight. The Council will meet at 630 PM in closed session, then at 7 PM in open session. Also, the Plan Commission meeting for Wednesday April 15th has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The Council will next meet on April 27then is tentatively scheduled to meet with the Ripon Area School Board on May 11th to discuss issue of common interest.

From bike and road races to road projects to the Mill Pond Dam, we have a lot on the plate Tuesday night.

* The Council will meet at 6 PM in the conference room to receive a presentation on the Cornerstone health and wellness facility project. Then the Council will adjourn to closed session to discuss a request to contract for services in creating two new Tax Increment Finance districts

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING-Council chambers, City Hall
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
ITEMS OF INTEREST
* Presentation – FCEDC’s 2008 annual report by Brenda Hicks-Sorensen
* Resolution – recognizing and commending Annette Klein for 20 years of service
* Request for street closures
a. Bicycle race – Ripon College (June 13th)- Since our last meeting, Ripon College has sent letters to all property owners affected by the proposed race courses, and as of this date, staff hasn’t heard any complaints or concerns with this planned event on June 13th.
b.Running races – Noon Kiwanis (July 11th & August 15th) - Since our last meeting, the Noon Kiwanis Club has changed the proposed race course, and the new map is enclosed Information on this request and the race route has been included in the Commonwealth and other local media, and the Town of Ripon was notified, as it is now proposed to close Union Street at Skyline Road.
* Ordinance – Annexation of land on Highway 44 (Robert Grasee) - Mr. Grasse has requested annexation of approximately 9.5 acres of land on the south side of Highway 44, across from the City’s new business park. This land is being sold, and it is expected that an assisted living facility will be built on the site. The Plan Commission recommended approval, and the State has no objections.
* Resolution – sale of 301 Watson Street (former senior center) - In 2007, the City reached agreement with Boca Grande on the sale of the former senior center property at 301 Watson Street, but subsequent environmental testing revealed a small amount of fuel oil underground on the site. This has been cleared to DNR’s satisfaction, and we are ready to complete this transaction. The original sale price of $110,000.00
has been lowered to $109,537.50, with the adjustment based on which party covered which testing and remediation costs.
* Agreement for services and funding allocation – study of the dam - Based upon the results of a recent safety report from DNR, the City is required to have a study performed on its dam as outlined in the attached memo from the Public Works Director. Staff recommends that Council authorize contracting with Graef for the work at a cost not to exceed $17,200. The first $9,000 for a failure analysis would come from unused 2007 budget funds initially targeted for a rail study, and the balance would then be included in the 2010 budget.
* Authorization to enter contract for 2009 street resurfacing projects - The Public Works Director has solicited bids for the 2009 street resurfacing projects. His memo and bid tabulations are attached. The bids came in well below the budget amount of $125,000, and staff recommends that the Council approve the low bid of $87,720.00 from MCC, Inc. of Appleton.
* Possible reconstruction of the second phase of Newbury Street in 2009 - Based on a formal request, Mayor Kramer has asked that Council revisit Newbury Street, to determine if moving this project to 2010 makes sense, given the eagerness of local firms to find work. The Public Works Director will be prepared to discuss a rough timeline for the project. Staff has also attached a memo on next year’s planned start of the Ransom Street reconstruction project for your review.
* Public restrooms for downtown – Blackburn Street parking lot - It has been suggested by some downtown business owners that public restrooms be included in connection with Blackburn Street parking lot project. Others maintain that public restrooms are needed downtown, but question if this is the best location. Councilmember Schueler asked that this item be placed on the agenda for discussion.