THE WEEK AHEAD

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP MEETING
* D.K. "Deke" Palecek will present a program on "Women in Leadership Roles" at the Women In Management meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Ripon College. Discussion points will include the role of attitude, the power of focus, and the comparative strengths of women and men. Palecek is the founder of Saving Grace Salvage Co. in Berlin. During her career, she has also been an investment banker at Goldman Sachs & Bear Stearns, and CFO/COO of Numera Corp. Reservations must be made by Monday, Feb. 16, by e-mailing Lori Rich at lrich@cityofripon.com or by calling Jane Schueler at 748-1131. The meeting will be held in the Heritage Room at Pickard Commons, on the southwest corner of Congress and Elm streets. Dinner will be a pasta buffet. Women in Management is a networking group and educational opportunity for area businesswomen. Those interested in joining the group may attend as a guest prior to joining the organization.

TOWN HALL MEETING FOR RIPON MEDICAL CENTER
* Community leaders and citizens are invited to a Town Hall meeting to discuss the future of Ripon Medical Center (RMC) and its role within the community from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, at Royal Ridges of Ripon. Shortly after he came to RMC, Chief Executive Officer Jim Tavary began holding meetings with employees, board members and physicians on the direction Ripon Medical Center will be taking in the future. With the community forum, Tavary hopes to find out what the community wants to see in a future health-care delivery system. "I want to get the community's perspective," said Tavary in a RMC press release. "As we move forward in our efforts to build a new hospital facility, I want to know what the community leaders and citizens see as our strengths, our weaknesses and our challenges." Seating will be limited. To RSVP for the meeting, contact Danelle Phillips, RMC Community Outreach coordinator at (920) 748-0405 or by e-mail at danelleph@rmcnet.org.

RIPON COLLEGE SPORTS SCHEDULE
Women's Basketball - Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. @ Carroll University - For the first time in three years, the Ripon College women's basketball team is headed to the Midwest Conference Tournament. They clinched a berth thanks to a 64-57 win at Beloit College, which also marks head coach Julie Johnson's 250th career victory, all of which have come at Ripon College
Men's Basketball - Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. @ Carroll University
Track & Field - Feb. 21 at 10:30 a.m. @ UW-Oshkosh
Men's Tennis - Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. vs. Lakeland College @ Oshkosh YMCA Tennis Center
Women's Basketball - Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. Lawrence University
Men's Basketball - Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. Lawrence University
Men's Tennis - Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. vs. Marian University @ Oshkosh YMCA Tennis Center

NICE EMAIL FROM CALIFORNIA...

Mayor Kramer:
This is Stephanie Hobbs, the spearheader of the Ripon CALIF synthetic turf project. I am impressed by the list of fields already in place in your city! During my research I have inadvertently ended up at your city's sites many times. Our small town of 14,500 has a Mayberry feel, but obviously not the resources larger towns have to pull from. Everything I have read about Ripon WI has been impressive,and I congratulate you on your quality town! I hope, during these tough economic times, that our town maintains their level of excellence to keep the namesake of Ripon preserved.

RIPON CABLE FRANCHISE FEE REVENUE INCREASES

Considering our 2008 budget for the Channel 19/97 operations was $73,000, the revenue last year was better than expected.

FRANCHISE FEE PAYMENTS --- (1/1/03 to present)
Period covered Franchise fee paid
1st quarter of 2003 (Jan-Mar) $ 16,758
2nd quarter of 2003 (Apr-Jun) 17,164
3rd quarter of 2003 (Jul-Sept) 17,171
4th quarter of 2003 (Oct-Dec) 16,280
2003 total $ 67,373

1st quarter of 2004 (Jan-Mar) 16,420
2nd quarter of 2004 (Apr-Jun) 17,242
3rd quarter of 2004 (July-Sept) 16,733
4th quarter of 2004 (Oct-Dec) 16,981
2004 total $ 67,376

1st quarter of 2005 (Jan-Mar) 16,782
2nd quarter of 2005 (Apr-Jun) 17,424
3rd quarter of 2005 (Jul-Sept) 17,819
4th quarter of 2005 (Oct-Dec) 17,997
2005 total $ 70,022

1st quarter of 2006 (Jan-Mar) 18,065
2nd quarter of 2006 (Apr-Jun) 18,101
3rd quarter of 2006 (Jul-Sept) 18,108
4th quarter of 2006 (Oct-Dec) 18,202
2006 total $ 72,476

1st quarter of 2007 (Jan-Mar) 18,527
2nd quarter of 2007 (Apr-Jun) 18,467
3rd quarter of 2007 (Jul-Sept) 18,350
4th quarter of 2007 (Oct-Dec) 18,487
2007 total $ 73,831

1st quarter of 2008 (Jan-Mar) 18,655
2nd quarter of 2008 (Apr-Jun) 19,232
3rd quarter of 2008 (Jul-Sept) 21,290
4th quarter of 2008 (Oct-Dec) 21,017
2008 total $ 80,194

Group seeks driver certificates for illegal immigrants

Another great idea from those who continue to shove the ILLEGAL immigrant agenda down our throats. Of course, with our current Governor and Legislature, this has a realistic chance of passing. Of course, I would argue that, when the people show up for their certificates, INS should be right there waiting for them. Remember, calling them UNDOCUMENTED residents is like calling a drug dealer an UNLICENSED PHARMACIST. My comments in italics/bold:

A coalition of groups has stepped up its effort to convince Gov. Jim Doyle to allow illegal immigrants to obtain certificates that would allow them to drive and get car insurance. About 20 members of the Wisconsin Coalition for Safe Roads went to Madison Friday to deliver 2,735 signed postcards asking the governor to make the change in his new budget. "We call on Gov. Doyle to not fund the REAL ID Act, which is a federal unfunded mandate that would cost the state an estimated $22 million, and instead allow certificates to be issued to ensure public safety on our roads," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, director of Voces de la Frontera, a member of the coalition. "We're not talking about criminals here, but working people who need to drive to New Berlin and Mequon to clean buildings, or take a family member to the hospital and to do so safely and with insurance," said Tony Baez, president and CEO of the Council for the Spanish Speaking, another coalition member. - Oh, please, there are many people who drive to their jobs and are LEGAL residents, but do not carry insurance. Are we to really expect that ILLEGAL residents, who do not respect the laws of the land and are here ILLEGALLY, will go out and get insurance? I do love how the supporters are now using the "safety" angle. When all else fails, play the fear card.
Because illegal immigrants can't get Wisconsin driver's licenses, scam artists try to sell so-called international drivers' licenses to low income families, Neumann-Ortiz said. - So high income ILLEGAL immigrants do not buy these international licenses?
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005. It requires all states to check a person's immigration status before issuing a driver's license or state ID. Only drivers who are citizens or have legal status can qualify. In response, Wisconsin passed a law in 2006 that required proof of citizenship or legal status, including a Social Security number, to get a driver's license. The REAL ID does allow states to issue a driver's license certificate to residents without Social Security numbers. - And what is wrong with the REAL ID concept? What is wrong with checking a person's status to make sure they are not here ILLEGALLY?
The certificate could not be used as federal identification for boarding an airplane or entering a federal building. Since 2005, more than 40 states have considered legislation that either opposed REAL ID or urged Congress to amend or repeal it, said Ortiz. Some states, like Utah and Tennessee have enacted driver's certificates, said Neumann-Ortiz.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/39575982.html

GOVERNOR DOYLE - DO NOT READ HIS LIPS

From the Wisconsin State Journal:
Smokers, who are about to see a big increase in federal cigarette taxes, might also end up paying another quarter or more per pack in state taxes under Gov. Jim Doyle's budget to be released Tuesday. The success of last year's $1-per-pack state tax increase at stopping smoking and pressure to close the state's $5.7 billion budget shortfall make another increase likely, supporters and critics of the idea agreed. "I'm a believer in the fact that the more disincentives we have, the more we reduce smoking, and we also save a lot of money on health-care costs," said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, co-chairman of the Legislature's powerful budget committee. "I'd certainly not be surprised if we continue down that path."
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/438629

From the Doyle2002 website:
Attorney General Jim Doyle, saying the race for governor “has been conducted in the shadow of a $2.8-billion budget deficit,” offered a set of principles and ideas Friday that he would use to balance the budget and eliminate the deficit. He challenged Gov. Scott McCallum to do the same. “I will present a balanced budget – one that is balanced the old-fashioned way, with real numbers, not with tricks or gimmicks,” Doyle said. “No inflated revenue estimates – and no tax increase.” “I have said time and again that we are not in this fiscal mess because taxes are too low, or because the taxpayers have not done their fair share. I mean it,” Doyle said. “I will not raise taxes.”
http://webarchive.loc.gov/collections/lcwa0006/20021105122852/http://www.doyle2002.com/news/10.4.02.html

And then there is this little nugget from Charlie Sykes:
The Doyle Administration is resisting a federal mandate on it's sexual offender registry.
Wisconsin is fighting to stall a federal deadline to change its sex offender registry that likely will require adding thousands to the list, including those convicted of minor offenses.
At the same time, though, the Doyle administration is dedicating time and resources for a "domestic partner" registry. The budget Gov. Jim Doyle will introduce Tuesday may include the creation of a new statewide domestic partner registry that would provide legal recognition of same-sex couples while upholding the state's ban on gay marriage.
Two sources familiar with the plan, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were asked not to disclose details before the budget address, said that as of late this week the statewide domestic partner registry was part of Doyle's budget proposal.
Guess it's all a matter of what Doyle thinks is important.... and what he thinks is optional. Or maybe it's about the governor paying off another well-heeled special interest.

PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA - February 18

PLAN COMMISSION MEETING - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2009
CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL - 7:00 p.m.

* Call to order/roll call
* Approve meeting minutes – January 21st
* Action items
Ø Public hearing – request to rezone land south of 1049 West Fond du Lac Street
* Discussion items
Ø Review and discuss master plan streets found on the current official City map
Ø Discuss possible creation of special sign district for East Fond du Lac Street
* Project updates
Ø TIF District #6 neighborhood plan
Ø Covenants for new business park
* Agenda items for next meeting
* Adjourn

POSSIBLE RIPON SCHOOL DISTRICT CUTS UNVEILED

TO: Ripon Board of Education
FROM: Dr. Richard Zimman, Superintendent
DATE: January 12, 2009
RE: District Budget Team Recommendations

The District Budget Team met in December and January to review the feedback gathered from staff and residents during the Budget Prioritization Sessions and to analyze the potential impact of a variety of budget cuts on the quality of Ripon’s instructional program. It was determined that 15 years of constant cutting due to the state’s revenue limits law has finally taken our school district to the point of not having much more to cut without seriously jeopardizing the quality of our schools. Due to state and federal collective bargaining laws that guide contracts with the Ripon Education Association, the Budget Team did not include any potential savings that might be realized in negotiations with the teachers union. Since the Budget Team members found it difficult to recommend cuts that would result in next year’s students receiving a lower quality education than this year’s students received, the Team decided to present two options to the Board.

Option #1 meets the goal of cutting $545,000 of annual operating costs from the budget to meet our 2009-10 projections for the state’s revenue limits law. This would require teacher layoffs at all schools which would mean program cuts and increases in class sizes. Because of the permanency of such layoffs under the revenue limits law, it is anticipated that we will be faced with a 2010-11 layoff that is the equivalent of an additional 9 teachers and a 2011-12 layoff that is the equivalent of an additional 13 teachers. This would represent about a 20% cut in our teaching staff in three years resulting in significant increases in class sizes and decreases in courses and programs.

Option #2 contains cuts that eliminate programs and services that have helped define the District as a quality school system, but stops short of cutting classroom teachers and aides. This option takes the District to less than half of the $545,000 goal which will require the Board to dig into an already depleted fund balance for annual operating expenses. Not only does this cause more instructional dollars to be shifted to paying increased interest charges for cash-flow borrowing, but it begins a cycle that will end in the District’s bankruptcy and dissolution before most of today’s students have graduated unless a new infusion of funds from a successful referendum is received.

Neither option is good for kids or our community, but Ripon is now faced with the stark reality that most other districts faced years ago as a result of the state’s revenue limits law. What to do in the face of this reality is more of a policy decision than a fiscal one, and the Budget Team was not charged with making recommendations on far-reaching policy decisions that this budget will require. Therefore, two options are presented with no recommendations. Whatever the Board decides, the Administrative Team will develop plans to put the Board’s decisions into action in a way that is as least disruptive as possible.

Budget Cuts Required By State Revenue Limits Law for 2009-10 = $ 545,000

2009-10 Budget Reductions Option #1 - Option #2
* Cut half of annual building repairs/maintenance projects - $ 105,000 - $105,000
* Lengthen classroom repainting cycle to 12 years - 11,500 - 11,500
* Reduce lawn fertilizer/pesticide applications - 3,000 - 3,000
* Eliminate Highway 41 billboard sponsorship with Ripon College - 4,320 - 4,320
* Decrease school building budgets by 10% - 57,000 - 57,000
* Eliminate non-supervisory aides working during late-start times - 15,652 - 15,652
* Reduce staff summer workshops for skill development - 4,000 - 4,000
* Eliminate/reduce some teacher extended summer contracts - 10,000 - 10,000
* Eliminate 1 non-supervisory elementary aide position - 21,865 - 0
* Eliminate 1 BPES teacher position - 78,234 - 0
* Eliminate 1 MPES teacher position - 78,234 - 0
* Eliminate 1 RMS teacher position - 78,234 - 0
* Eliminate 1 RHS teacher position - 78,234 - 0
* TOTAL BUDGET CUTS - $ 545,273 - $ 210,472

HOW NOT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET

Governor Doyle revealed Wednesday his proposal to balance the current budget, which has a projected deficit of $600 million. Keep in mind that the next budget cycle begins on July 1st, so the time to fix this current deficit is running out. The sense of urgency is even more acute as the possibility of a $6 BILLION deficit looms for the next budget. Needless to say, the proposals from our governor show he continues to believe he can fool the general public.

Our governor has run for election on the platform of not raising taxes to balance the budget. First, he has raised taxes. You can call them user fees, vehicle registration fees, cigarette or "sin" taxes, but the bottom line is that he has raised taxes. Second, he has not balanced the budget. Our legislature seems to be going through these budget "fix"meetings every two years. Third, the lack of a reserve or "rainy day" fund continues to come back and haunt us. We have less money in our reserve funds than almost any other state in the Union.

So, what is the current proposal. Grab your wallets and read on:

* Changes to tax laws that would result in more online retailers charging sales taxes - for both tangible products and Internet downloads of songs, video games and e-books - This is a TAX INCREASE. We can all admit we do not pay sales tax on Internet purchases, so there is the idea that this is only a way of making the tax system fairer. I can think of a hundred other ways to do it than taking more money out of people's pockets. AND the Supreme Court has ruled that online retailers do not have to collect the taxes
* A tax on hospital revenues, expected to bring an additional $900 million in federal funds over three years - TAX INCREASE. Doyle has been after this for several years, and is now using the looming deficit to get it passed. This will make health care all that more difficult to pay for, and let's be honest. The $900 million from the federal government is more borrowed money.
* $125 million in cuts to state spending by authorizing the Department of Administration secretary to lapse or transfer $125 million to the general fund, including $500,000 from the Legislature, between fiscal years 2008-09 and 2010-11 - According to the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, these cuts are not really cuts. "This provision merely authorizes DOA Secretary Mike Morgan to pull funds out of other non-general fund pots of money to plug the budget hole. For instance, when Doyle and the Legislature pulled $1.1 billion out of the transportation fund and dumped it into the general fund, this was a “transfer.” It also has contributed to the $5.7 billion deficit we are dealing with now. Since 2001, state government has use $2.4 billion of these lapses and transfers - and they only serve to allow government to increase spending."
* $3.6 million for worker training programs. - Wait a minute, I thought we had a DEFICIT, so why are we increasing spending
* Increased oversight of child care programs, the administration of which was called into question in the recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation "Cashing in on Kids." - More increased spending.
* Increased regulations to protect homeowners and tenants during foreclosure proceedings - This is a policy issue, not budgetary. Unfortunately, this is common practice in Madison. I admit the idea is a good one, but make it into a separate bill to be debated separate of the budget.
* According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the proposal "would also rewrite the corporate income tax code in a way that would cost businesses $187.3 million - or 13% - more over the next two years. In all, the corporate income taxes will total $1.42 billion over the same period, according to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau." - Just what Wisconsin needs. More corporate taxes in an economic downturn, and one more reason for a company to decide against relocating to or expanding in Wisconsin.

According to a poll from the group, Americans for Prosperity, 65 percent of those polled want to see the state cut spending versus the 15 percent that want us to take federal money to balance our budget. When they were asked who was responsible for the budget crisis, the majority of respondents said it was our Governor Doyle, and 43 percent gave him a negative job performance review. It was the highest unfavorable rating among public officials listed in the poll. Based on his budget "repair" proposal, that negative rating should be on the rise.

Charter Communications Reaches Agreement in Principle with Certain Debt Holders to Reduce Debt

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2009-- Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR): Refinancing and New Capital to Total $3 Billion * Company has $800 Million in Cash and Cash Equivalents * Operations Expected to Continue As Usual

Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) (“Charter,” the “Company”) and its subsidiaries announced that they have reached an agreement-in-principle with an ad hoc committee of certain of the Company’s debt holders on the terms of a financial restructuring to reduce the Company’s debt by approximately $8 billion. In the context of its agreement, Charter also announced that two of its subsidiaries, CCH I Holdings, LLC (“CIH”) and Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”) will make within the allotted grace period, interest payments totaling approximately $74 million in the aggregate on certain of their outstanding senior notes that were due January 15, 2009.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with such a significant portion of our bondholders on a long-term solution to improve our capital structure,” said Neil Smit, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are committed to continuing to provide our 5.5 million customers with quality cable, Internet and phone service, and through this agreement, we will be even better positioned to deliver the products and services our customers demand now and in the future. Moreover, the interest and support provided by our stakeholders with their new capital investment underscores their confidence in Charter and our business.”

Charter’s operations are strong and the Company remains focused on continuing to provide its customers with quality service and support today and going forward. Preliminary fourth quarter 2008 results reflect pro forma1 revenue growth of approximately 7% and pro-forma adjusted EBITDA2 growth of more than 10%, on a year-over-year basis. As of February 11, Charter had approximately $800 million in cash and cash equivalents available to it. Charter believes its liquidity, combined with its cash from operating activities, will be sufficient to meet its projected cash needs, including the payment of normal operating costs and expenses, as it proceeds with its financial restructuring.

The funding required by the financial restructuring contemplated by the agreement-in-principle is expected to be satisfied by cash on hand, an exchange of debt of CCH II, LLC (“CCH II”) and CCH I, LLC (“CCH I”) for new notes issued by CCH II, the issuance of additional debt, and the proceeds of an equity offering for which the Company has received a back-stop commitment from certain of its noteholders. The agreement further contemplates that (i) the notes and bank debt of Charter Communications Operating, LLC and CCO Holdings, LLC will remain outstanding, (ii) holders of notes issued by CCH II will receive new notes issued by CCH II or cash on account of their claims, (iii) holders of notes issued by CCH I will receive the new notes issued by CCH II and shares of common stock in Charter (iv) holders of notes issued by CIH will receive warrants to purchase shares of common stock in Charter (v) holders of notes of Charter Holdings will receive warrants to purchase shares of common stock of Charter, (vi) holders of convertible notes issued by Charter will receive cash and preferred stock issued by Charter, and (vii) holders of common stock will not receive any amounts on account of their common stock, which will be cancelled. In addition, as part of the financial restructuring, it is expected that consideration will be paid by CCH I noteholders to other entities participating in the financial restructuring. As part of the agreement, Paul Allen will continue as an investor, and will retain the largest voting interest in the Company.

The agreement-in-principle is subject to numerous closing conditions and there is no assurance that the treatment of creditors outlined above will not change significantly. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company intends to implement its financial restructuring through a Chapter 11 filing to be initiated on or before April 1, 2009. The purpose of Charter’s financial restructuring is to strengthen its balance sheet in order to fully support the Company’s operations and service its debt. As such, the agreement-in-principle contemplates paying trade creditors in full.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Charter Communications, a provider of cable TV, Internet and other broadband services, said on Thursday that it will file for bankruptcy, as part of a "financial restructuring." The St. Louis-based company said it planned to reduce its debt by $8 billion as a result of a Chapter 11 filing. The company added it intended to file on or before April 1. "The purpose of Charter's financial restructuring is to strengthen its balance sheet in order to fully support the company's operations and service its debt," said the company, in a press release. Chief Executive Neil Smit said in the same release that the company "will be even better positioned to deliver the products and services our customers demand now and in the future" as a result of the filing.

The company described its operations as "strong," and said it had $800 million in cash to help meet its needs to continue operating. The company said in its press release that service should "continue as usual." One analyst said the news was not a surprise and that it could be beneficial for the company. "This is expected, and this is a fairly traditional style of bankruptcy," said Chris Roberts, analyst for Tejas Securities Group. "By cutting interest expense, they'll generate more cash flow to help invest in the business."

Charter's largest shareholder is its chairman, Paul Allen, a co-founder of Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500). Charter, which has about 5.5 million customers across the country, is the nation's third largest publicly traded cable company, behind Comcast (CMCSA, Fortune 500) and Time Warner Cable (TWC). (Time Warner Cable is a subsidiary of Time Warner, which also owns CNNMoney.com. Time Warner (TWX, Fortune 500) plans to spin off Time Warner Cable later this year.) Charter's (CHTR, Fortune 500) stock plummeted nearly 50% on the news, to about 3 cents a share. Because of its low stock price, it is vulnerable to large fluctuations.

BENCHES FOR DOWNTOWN RIPON

There has been a considerable amount of attention paid to the proposed purchase of two benches for downtown Ripon, each totalling $12,500. The money for the project would have come from the Welcome to Ripon signage fund, which has been built up over the past four years, to the amount of $30,000. This money has come mainly from budget surpluses, with some general tax revenue. The idea is to replace the current Welcome to Ripon signs, and add some more to the incoming roads to the city. During the course of the discussions, the idea for two benches, to be made from solid granite, and measuring more than 10 feet long, would be located in the Village Green in downtown Ripon. One bench would say "Welcome to Ripon College", the other "Welcome to Downtown Ripon". The college would have paid for one bench, the other to be paid for by the city.

As anyone who read last week's Commonwealth would have noticed, one of our city employees came forward to express her opposition to this expenditure. Am I mad at her? HECK NO. I give her credit for meeting with me prior to the Council meeting, and then coming forward to give her opinions before the Council on January 13th. I give her more credit than those people who complain but do not come forward. I would even say I have more respect for her as a resident and city employee since that meeting, and I am proud to have her working the City of Ripon.

At that same Council meeting, it was revealed the Ripon Area Fire District (RAFD) was running a budget deficit of roughly $26,000. The next day, I learned the figure had grown to more than $40,000. Rather than dip into our overall reserve fund, which stands at more than $1.1 million, or cut from our general budget, I issued an executive order to take the money from the signage fund and transfer it to the RAFD to prevent any cash flow issues.

At this week's Council meeting, the city agreed to pay our pro-rated share of the 2008 deficit, which is slightly more than $25,000. This entire amount will come from the signage fund. I also asked the Council to dedicate $15,000 from our 2009 contingency fund, which stands at roughly $21,000, to apply toward any RAFD deficit this year. The council did agree to that part of the proposal as well.

I have been proud of where the City of Ripon has gone fiscally. We have had budget surpluses each year I have been mayor, and we have had small, and, sometimes, no tax increases since I was sworn in. I have worked hard, and so has our city staff, to get the most bang for the buck. Perhaps the benches were too "rich" for the times, but I remain committed to improving the overall appearance of the city, through signage, improved aesthetics, and tougher code enforcement procedures. We will move forward with the other signs we have been discussing, as well as the downtown beautification efforts that have been recently proposed.

I know some people have contacted City Hall to express their concern about the proposed bench expenditures. I appreciate that they took time to express their opinions. If you have any questions or concerns, please share them with me. I look forward to your comments.

Military Send-off Agenda - February 11th

Military Send-off - February 11, 2009
7:00 p.m. - Ripon High School gymnasium

Order of Events
Welcome/Introduction of honored guests (Barg)
Presentation of troops
Prelude – Ripon High School Band
Presentation of colors (American Legion/VFW)
Pledge of Allegiance (led by Barg)
National Anthem (Singers to be mentioned by name)
Speaker – Mayor Aaron Kramer
Display and explanation of “Prayer squares” (Barg)
Speaker – Captain Krueger
Explanation of “Blue Star” banner (Jack Frank)
Song – “God Bless America” (Kathryn and Sarah McMillan)
Prayer for our troops (Reverend Don Deike)
Retiring of colors (American Legion/VFW)
Postlude – Ripon High School Band

COUNCIL AGENDA - February 10

CITY OF RIPON - COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
Conference room, City Hall - Tuesday, February 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: Proposed new developer’s agreement for assistance in TIF District #7
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: City Administrator’s performance review
3. Adjourn (6:55 p.m.)

CITY OF RIPON - COMMON COUNCIL MEETING
Council chambers, City Hall - Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
I. Call to order/roll call
II. Pledge of Allegiance/Invocation – Pastor Geoff Arnold
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. Reports from standing committees and staff
a. Cable TV Advisory Committee minutes – December 8th
b. Historic Preservation Commission minutes – January 5th
c. Fire District minutes – January 6th
d. Special Plan Commission minutes – January 7th
e. Common Council minutes – January 13th & January 26th
f. Board of Zoning Appeals minutes– January 21st
g. Plan Commission minutes – January 21st
h. Ripon Public Library Board minutes – January 27th
i. Park & Recreation Committee minutes – January 28th
j. Ripon Taxi – December
k. Building Inspector’s report – January
l. EMS report – January
m. Police Department report – January
n. Fire District report – January
o. Public Works report – January
p. Senior Center report – January
q. City Administration reports
· Treasurer’s report – January
· Budget report – January
· Check register – January
2. Change of Agent: Kwik Trip East #770, 545 East Fond du Lac Street, Ripon, Thomas A. Hultman
3. Resolution – writing off loan from the City’s revolving loan fund

V. Other business
1. Receive report – cash shortfall of the Ripon Area Fire District - (Staff note: The fire district has a cash shortfall of about $32,000. The board is asking municipalities to pay their respective shares. Chairman Pape and Chief Fredrick will explain how the shortfall occurred, and what measures are being taken to address this concern in the future.)
2. Possible restructuring of the Public Works Department - (Staff note: Mayor Kramer asked that Council discuss restructuring to eliminate the DPW Director job, and have a Superintendent of Public Works and a City Engineer, as it was before 2005. Funding is an issue, but for now, staff seeks direction on whether to explore this further.)
3. Proposed plan for expenditures under TIF District #8 – Mayor Kramer (Staff note: With TIF District #8 in place, Mayor Kramer is proposing moving ahead with the attached expenditures to increase development downtown. The likely financing tool would be a State Trust Fund loan. Staff will bring information on terms and interest rates to the meeting.)
4. Review final list of goals/timelines, and approve City’s 2009 workplan - (Staff note: Based on our last meeting, the attached is our list of goals. On Tuesday night, staff will offer a prioritized list, with timetables, for your review and consideration as our 2009 workplan.)
5. Park & Recreation Committee minutes – January 28th
a. Request to install walkway and benches by statue in Barlow Park - (Staff note: Terry Hansen is asking to install a walkway from the sidewalk along Griswold Street to the new statue in Barlow Park, and to put benches on each side. All labor would be donated, and the materials cost can be covered with 2007 budget surplus funds not needed for the dugouts. A sketch is attached for your review.)
6. Updates
a. Parking and traffic flow in the areas around Ripon College - (Staff note: At the Mayor’s request, Chief Lukoski prepared the attached report on parking and traffic around Ripon College, now with parts of Seward and Elm Streets vacated, and new parking restrictions in place. Let staff know if you have any questions.)
b. Use of 2007 budget surplus monies for approved projects - (Staff note: Attached is an update on use of 2007 budget surplus funds for certain projects. Staff will keep this on the agenda for the first monthly meeting as we work to complete these projects.)
c. Staff report – changing mayor’s term of office from 2 to 4 years - (Staff note: Councilmember Luskey inquired about amending the mayor’s term of office to 4 years. The City Attorney advised that this requires approval of a charter ordinance, but no referendum is needed. If the Council wishes to pursue this, staff recommends that a public hearing be held before any action is taken.)

VI. Mayor’s communications and appointments
VII. Agenda items for future Council meetings
VIII. Adjourn

The $9.7 Trillion Pledged to Fix the Financial Mess Could Have Paid off 90% of America’s Mortgages, Report Says

This should make most American MAD, but it won't...

As Senate Republicans and Democrats continue to bicker over the details of President Barack Obama’s stimulus plan, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner waits in the wings ready to unveil yet another bank bailout bill. But almost forgotten in the headlong rush to devise measures to create jobs and save the financial system is the total cost of the government’s commitment to solving the economic crisis. Bloomberg News reported yesterday (Monday) that the tally of U.S. government spending could reach as much as $9.7 trillion - enough to pay off more than 90% of the nation’s home mortgages....“We’ve seen money go out the back door of this government unlike any time in the history of our country,” Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said on the Senate floor Feb. 3. “Nobody knows what went out of the Federal Reserve Board, to whom and for what purpose. How much from the FDIC? How much from TARP? When? Why?”

So is the $9.7 trillion pledged by the government going to be enough to pull the U.S. economy out of the fire? Who knows? But here are a few facts:
* $9.7 trillion would be enough to send a $1,430 check to every man, woman and child alive in the world, Bloomberg reported.
* It’s 13 times what the U.S. has spent so far on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
* And it’s almost enough to pay off every home mortgage loan in the United States, calculated at $10.5 trillion by the Federal Reserve.

http://www.moneymorning.com/2009/02/10/stimulus-bill/

RIPON SCHOOL DISTRICT...Exact Referendum Wording

RIPON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT - Referendum Questions
April 7, 2009

Question #1
Shall the following Initial Resolution be approved?

INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Ripon Area School District, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of repairs and replacements consisting of replacing the high school boiler and repairing roofs on various school buildings.


Question #2
Shall the following Resolution be approved?

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR SIX YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Ripon Area School District, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget for six years beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and ending with the 2014-2015 school year be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $500,000 a year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of replacing textbooks, updating curriculum, updating technology, performing maintenance and replacing vehicles.


Question #3
Shall the following Resolution be approved?

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR THREE YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES

BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the Ripon Area School District, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, for the 2009-2010 school year by $575,000; for the 2010-2011 school year by $725,000; and for the 2011-2012 school year by $850,000 for non-recurring purposes consisting of paying for classroom staff and related instructional expenses.

FREE MONEY TODAY...HIGHER TAXES TOMORROW?

For those wondering whether Ripon should get in the "stimulus" game and ask for money from the federal government, read this very slowly:

"And with economists expecting the economy to recover later this year and next, the state should be able to replace the federal stimulus money in future budgets with state tax dollars, said Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, co-chairman of the powerful Joint Finance Committee." - Wisconsin State Journal

In other words, we will use federal money today, money that is borrowed from our children and grandchildren, to fund programs that we will paying for down the road in higher state and local taxes. This is a recipe for financial disaster. I like Mark Pocan (yes, he is a Democrat), but I simply see him falling in the same trap Madison has been caught in several times - The economy will rebound so we can expect higher revenue. Sadly, we increase our spending, and what happens IF the economy does not rebound.

REFERENDUM WORDING

There has been considerable discussion lately about the upcoming referendum, and how it will worded. I will admit that it would be nice to ask a "simple" question on the ballot, but state law does not alway allow it. For example, here is the wording of the referendum in the spring of 2006 (which ended up in a tie vote):

Actual Wording: BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Ripon, Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake Counties, Wisconsin that there shall be issued pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of replacing and acquiring fine arts equipment, music instruments and uniforms, and auditorium equipment and stage curtains; and improving school facilities including installing, maintaining and replacing artificial turf at Ingalls Field and the gymnasium floor at Ripon High School.

I do not have the exact wording from the referendum in the fall of 2006, though I do have the notes from the July 17, 2006 School Board meeting:

2. Consider approval of three (3) initial resolutions authorizing general obligation bonds in amounts not to exceed $925,000 (Number I); $750,000 (Number II); and $250,000 (Number III) collectively totaling $1,925,000 (#07-05) Attached are the three (3) referendum questions for curricular needs—fine arts, technology education, and gymnasium (Number I); Ingalls Field artificial turf (Number II); and an endowment fund for future replacement of the Ingalls Field playing surface (Number III). This agenda items is the initial authorization to borrow the money, pending voter approval.

I know some people have misinterpreted the referendum to be an "up-and-down" vote on FieldTurf on Ingalls Field, but as you can see, the wording was clear in the spring, and the notes in the fall were clear - the permission being asked was to borrow money for the projects. Let's hope that the referendum questions in April are, once again, clear on what the money is being spent on. I know some people are leery that the district will try to "slip" something into the referendum or be ambiguous in the wording, but I think that is the least of anyone's worries when it comes to the referendum issue.

Does this mean no referendum in Ripon?

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the 400-plus school districts across the state would get $729.6 million under the recently-passed Stimulus package, including $317.2 million for construction. It also notes that 28% of the total number would come to Milwaukee, and "the U.S. Senate is almost certain to change the numbers when it takes up the economic package this week. Then Senate and House negotiators would need to meet to come up with a compromise bill."

Under the bill, the Ripon Area School District would receive $48,200 in 2009 and 2010 for the Title 1 program, which is the federal program aimed at raising the academic achievement of low-income students. The district would also receive $165,000 in 2009 and $189,800 in 2010 for its special education programs. In 2009, Ripon would receive $163,800 in stimulus money for "construction" projects. The big question, right now, is what constitutes "construction". According to Rachel Racusen, spokeswoman for the Democratic majority on the House Education and Labor Committee, the "construction" money could be used for a number of projects, such as the renovation of existing facilities, including improving energy efficiency, dealing with environmental hazards such as asbestos and repairing roofs might all be included. That is what the Journal-Sentinel paraphrased her as saying. "There's probably ways the funds could be used to build 21st century classrooms," Racusen said.

This begs the questions - Do we still need to go to referendum, or is the set of questions going to be altered? Ripon will pull in $614,900 in new federal funds over the next two years. Of course, by the time all of the parties in the Senate and the House agree on a final bill, the April referendum date may already be here. And, the cynic in me still points out this is not "free" money, just money we are borrowing for our children to pay back. But, I keep hearing more and more people saying, "Why not?", since the money is there. I argue this is why we are in this mess.

Maybe they can get some stimulus money...

ALBANY, NY (February 2, 2009) - The Continental Basketball Association today announced that they have abbreviated the remainder of the 2008-09 season. The regular season will conclude on February 3. The CBA will then hold a three-game series in Albany with the top two teams in the league standings facing off, the Albany Patroons and the Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry, to determine the 2008-09 CBA Champion. The CBA Finals will start on Thursday, February 5 with Game 1. Game 2 will take place on Saturday, February 7 and if necessary, Game 3 will be on Sunday, February 8. All games will take place in Albany at the Washington Avenue Armory. Game time for all three games is 7:00 PM EST. "Due to the ever increasing problems with the economy, the CBA has decided to abbreviate the remainder of the regular season," stated CBA Commissioner Dennis Truax. "This is the best course of action for the CBA to take at this time. The economy has affected us all and we are now directly seeing the fallout from that. We will be holding an owners meeting during the finals as we look to restructure the CBA and come back next season stronger than ever."

This makes two leagues this winter to go under - the Arena Football League closed up shop last month.

Town Hall Meeting

Royal Ridges, Ripon - Thursday, February 19, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m


Community leaders and citizens are invited to a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the future of Ripon Medical Center and its role within the community. No registration required. Seating may be limited.



I encourage everyone to show up and share their opinions on the future of the Medical Center, including the proposed construction of a new facility in the Business Park.