COUNCIL RECAP - OCTOBER 26th

* Ordinance – adopting restrictions regarding burning within the City - The Council heard comments from the public on a proposed ordinance, based largely on Fond du Lac’s ordinance, with added language from DNR’s model ordinance on burn barrels, and the City of Beaver Dam’s “open burning” definition. Under the proposal, burn barrels could be used one day a week, provided appropriate materials are burned. The distance from structures would be set at 25 feet. Alderman Pape, after meeting with the fire chief and other city officials, requested that the item be tabled until November 23rd in order to have the city attorney draft a new ordinance modeled after the state's burning regulations. The motion to table was unanimously approved.
* Ordinance – repealing and recreating the City’s floodplain ordinance - The DNR has written a model floodplain ordinance, and they are requiring that cities across Wisconsin adopt this, or something similar. The Plan Commission approved the ordinance last week, and the council unanimously did last night. A new series of flood plain maps, which are not vastly different from the current ones, will be available in November.
* New 3-year agreement for audit services (2010-2012) – Schenck - The city solicited bids for auditing services, and Schenck was the lowest price of the 4 bids received at $57,300. The city council approved the 3-year deal, which means Schenck will be the city's auditor for nine years. Typically, you want to change auditors from time to time to allow a "fresh" set of eyes to look at the books, and the council agreed that a new audit firm may be needed as this contract expires.
* Proposed 2010 employee health insurance renewal – Network Health - The City’s retirees are being split off onto a plan separate from current staff. With this, and increasing deductibles ($3500 single; $7000 family), the base premium stays flat, and the estimated overall hike, including HRA, is 6%. The council approved the new insurance constract.
* CLOSED SESSION - The council discussed the proposed developer's agreement with Boca Grande. As of this morning, no agreement has been signed.