CITY COUNCIL AGENDA - August 24th

NOTE: A public informational meeting will be held from 530 to 7 PM on the proposed Boca Grande development project.

CITY OF RIPON COMMON COUNCIL MEETING - Council Chambers, City Hall - Monday, August 24, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
* Proclamations
1. Recognizing the 2009 Ripon American Legion baseball team
2. Recognizing Ryan Weir of the Ripon High School boys’ track team
3. Recognizing members of the Ripon High School boys’ track team

* Presentation – report and recommendations from Community Appearance Team

* 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. Application for Class “B” - Fermented Malt Beverages License : H & L Holdings, LLC, (trade name) Ripon AmericInn, 1219 W Fond du Lac St, Ripon, WI 54971, Henry Conti, Agent, W1911 Forest Ave, Green Lake, WI 54941.
2. Application for “Class C” – Wine License : H & L Holdings, LLC, (trade name) Ripon AmericInn, 1219 W Fond du Lac St, Ripon, WI 54971, Henry Conti, Agent, W1911 Forest Ave, Green Lake, WI 54941.
3. Request for street closures, etc. Septemberfest (September 19th – Chamber)- The Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking approval of street closures, a beer tent, parking restrictions, etc. in conjunction with its Septemberfest event on Saturday, September 19th. Staff has no concerns, as this event went well last year, and this year’s plans are very similar.
4. Resolution – adopting Fond du Lac County natural hazards mitigation plan - Following last year’s flood, Fond du Lac County officials have been working on a natural hazards mitigation plan, designed to guide actions of emergency management staff during natural disasters. They are asking us to approve the attached resolution adopting this plan.

* Resolution – sale of approximately $2,755,000 in GO note anticipation notes - The City is considering borrowing funds for projects in the proposed TIF District #11. Phil Cosson of Ehlers has highlighted the rationale for starting this process by issuing approximately $2.755 million in General Obligation Note Anticipation Notes. Staff agrees with Mr. Cosson and recommends approval of the attached resolution.

* Request to rezone property at Old Berlin Road/Meade Street - Thomas and Constance Prelwitz are seeking rezoning of a 2-acre property at the northwest corner of Old Berlin Road and Meade Street from A {agricultural} to R-2 {single-family residential.} On August 19th, Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval.

* Staff response (budget issues, etc.) to proposed tree ordinance/policy - On August 11th, David Sakrison and Paul/Ruth Jeffries highlighted their new proposed tree ordinance and policy, designed to better promote and protect trees, especially in terraces. Staff reviewed this proposal, and the Public Works Director is drafting a response for your review. Staff’s main concern is the potential increase in the cost of construction projects by implementing these measures, but it is hard to estimate this without bidding a project both ways and comparing the resulting bids. Staff will present and discuss its report on Monday.

* Request to use Murray Park after normal park hours to film a movie - Justin Propp wants permission to use Murray Park for one night from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. in connection with filming a movie scene. He was unable to present his request at our last meeting, but he will join us on Monday to explain his request and to answer questions from the Mayor and Council.

* Review designs and consider purchase of 3 community entrance signs - For some time, the city has been working toward replacing its outdated entrance signs. The Community Appearance Team is now recommending attached design “Option A”, at a price slightly less than $10,000 per sign, with “Option B” – narrower columns – suggested as another alternative. The City has $10,000 set aside for the signs. Staff recommends using this for the East Fond du Lac Street sign. TIF funds can be used for the business park and West Fond du Lac Street signs.

* 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” - Possible acceptance of the donation of residential property