COUNCIL AGENDA - SEPTEMBER 28th

CLOSED SESSION - 6:15 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: Developer’s agreement for financial assistance under TIF District #11
Adjourn to closed session Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 (1)(c) “Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility”
RE: Employee health insurance issue involving the City’s labor unions
3. Adjourn (6:55 p.m.)

REGULAR SESSION - 7:00 p.m.
I. Call to order/roll call
II. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation
III. Public communications and comment
IV. 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. Common Council minutes – July 27th
2. Resolution – authorizing participation in DNR municipal dam grant program - Staff note: As of now, it’s unknown whether significant repairs are needed to our dam, but we will learn more as we continue studying this into 2010. In order to qualify for DNR grant funds toward the repairs that may be required, we need to approve the attached resolution. Funding for our share of project cost has not been determined as yet, but this is just to get the process going.
3. Request for street closure – “Tiny Terror on the Square” (October 29th) - Staff note: Ripon College and the Ripon Area Chamber of Commerce are again co-sponsoring “Tiny Terror on the Square”, a Halloween-type event for young children. They’re asking for closure of the 100 block of Watson Street {both sides} from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29th. This event went well last year, and staff has no objections to the request, subject to execution of a “hold harmless” agreement and proof of insurance coverage.
V. Other business
1. Resolutions – authorizing debt for downtown redevelopment projects
a. Providing for sale of $6,320,000 note anticipation notes - Staff note: This is for that portion of debt related specifically to the Ripon Inn & Spa project, which will be tax-exempt bonds.
b. Providing for sale of $3,875,000 taxable note anticipation notes - Staff note: This is for that portion of debt related specifically to the other renovation projects, which will be taxable bonds.
2. Presentation – current restrictions and citizen complaints on burning - Staff note: After meeting with staff, Mayor Kramer chose to step back on the burning ordinance issue to review the regulations (state/local) in place today, and get a report on complaints received from our citizens over the past year. The police chief, fire chief, and a state fire inspector will offer information that should give the Mayor and Council a better foundation as we consider tightening our requirements.
3. Request to reserve land for future expansion – Ripon Public Library - Staff note: On September 2nd, the CDA voted, if no proposals were received to redevelop the former Smuckers site by the September 4th deadline (which occurred), to recommend that Council “reserve” the east 100 feet of this site for possible future library expansion. A copy of the minutes and a map showing the land in question are attached.
4. Proposed new building façade grant program under TIF District #1 - Staff note: The approved project plan for TIF District #1, the original downtown TIF district, included approximately $30,000 to start a fund for downtown building improvement loans/façade grants. I’ve attached a proposal from Craig Tebon on how Main Street might administer a façade grant program for your review.
5. Proposed Ripon Area Fire District budget in excess of 5% increase - Staff note: As indicated in the attached page from the Ripon Area Fire District agreement, budget increases above 5% require approval of the governing bodies of all participating municipalities. The fire district board is proposing a budget that includes an increase of approximately 8%. Board Chairman Pape will address this issue and seek Council’s approval for the additional increase.
VI. Mayor’s communications and appointments
VII. Agenda items for future Council meetings
VIII. Adjourn