Council hears Fisk proposals, sets levy

COUNCIL APPROVES
BUDGET, HEARS
FISK PRESENTATION

by Ruby White
Some strong feelings were brought forward concerning the Library’s Levy increase, and a different slant on the proposed Community Center was presented at last Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. It was a relatively short meeting, timewise—the Council adjourned at 8 o’clock—but in that short time a lot of issues were presented.
All Councilpersons were present for this regular meeting, which included the Truth in Taxation Hearing, along with Administrator Chad Springer, City Attorney Peter Ekstrand and City Clerk/Treasurer Sue Schauman.
Action was taken to set the annual City Property Tax Levy for 2015. It would have been a routine Agenda item except for the issue of the 7.5% increase in the Budget for the Public Library, when the rest of the departments, after considerable adjusting and cutting, had agreed to a 1.5% increase. This matter had been discussed at the last Council meeting, with some members calling for a reduction in the Library’s funding to a 1.5% increase.
It took two motions to do it, but the Council approved the Budget Levy for 2015 as it had been proposed earlier in the fall.
The total Levy is $1,550,105 for these purposes:
•General Fund—$986,178
•2013A Debt Service—$352,724
•2003A Debt Service—$21,000
•Library Fund (7.5% increase)—$150,381
•Port Authority—$39,822
•TOTAL LEVY—$1,550,105
The first motion called for a reduction in the Library funding from a 7.5% increase to a 1.5% increase. This motion failed 5 to 2, with Al Wharton and Lynn Schoen voting yes. John Friedmeyer, Charles Bricher, Steve Schmidt, Dave Kruger and Mayor Rollin Hall voted no.
A second motion was made by Friedmeyer and seconded by Bricher to approve the Property Tax Levy as stated in the Preliminary Budget, which set the Library increase at 7.5%. Friedmeyer, Bricher, Schmidt, Kruger and Hall voted yes. Wharton and Schoen voted no.
This motion came after some lengthy discussion with Librarian Michele McCaughtry regarding the need for the requested funding. She said the Library has been trying to catch up with budget decreases or flat budgets in the past eight years. Materials and supplies have gone up in cost as well. Further cuts would mean cuts in materials and staff, she said.
Wharton felt the Library should get what the other City departments are getting. He said the State mandates that the City give the Library $112,000 and he called for the City to go to that figure next year. The County provides some Library funding, but that amount has stayed consistent for several years.
McCaughtry noted that 36%- 40% of the Library patrons are County residents.a
Friedmeyer asked, “Do we choose to have a Library or not? If so, we have to pay for it. This is what we want and we will pay for it. Put it in the (Comprehensive) Plan and support it.”
Friedmeyer made the second motion to approve the proposed Property Tax Levy with the 7.5% fincrease for the Library. Bricher seconded and it passed 5-2, as noted earlier.
Fisk Presentation
During the Public Comments segment, Wabasha businessman and developer David Fisk spoke about the proposed downtown Community Center project to be built on the site of the Wabasha Transfer and Glander buildings downtown on Second Street. The property is owned by the City and a portion is used for downtown parking.
Fisk’s presentation to the Council was lengthy, but listed elsewhere on this page are several of his concerns about the proposed project and how it will affect the neighborhood, the historic downtown and the City as a whole.
As an historical update, Fisk pointed out that the City purchased this property in 2006 for $300,000, taking it off the tax rolls. Their intention was to use the site for parking for a riverfront destination hotel that was planned to be built next to the National Eagle Center. Financial problems intervened and the proposed hotel project came to a halt. Now, another developer has come forward. However, Fisk feels that the City and the Port Authority aren’t interested and that the Community Center proponents might have ulterior motives for building a Community Center downtown.
Fisk posed two problems: The loss of a destination riverfront hotel and “an impossible parking problem” with the location of the proposed Community Center. He noted the congested parking in that area much of the time, even without events going on there. He feels that the Second Street location is “the very worst of all possible locations.”
In summary, Fisk proposed two things: 1. that the City renegotiate the agreement with the Community Cener to relocate the project to an alternative area that wouldn’t bring problems to the historic downtown; and 2. that the City encourage a new destination hotel on the riverfront. There was applause following his presentation.
General Business
The only general business on the Agenda was to set the date for a brief meeting on December 31 at 9 a.m. to approve payment of the December bills. It was agreed to by consensus. There was also a request from Coffee Mill Ski and Snowboard Resort to change their liquor license from beer to wine.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Hall will submit his Mayor’s Presentation later. However, he read the advice given by several 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders as to what they would do if they were Mayor. Melissa Meyer suggested fund raisers so every home could have sprinklers. Another one felt that parks should have some new equipment and signs that say “Do Not Litter.” She added, “Make sure our earth is clean.”
Hall also offered his thanks to outgoing Councilman Charles Bricher, for whom this was the last Council meeting. Charles didn’t run for a Council seat in the November election. Hall mentioned how valuable Charles’ engineering skills had been to the City and how they had enjoyed his sense of humor. “It’s been great to work with you, Charlie,” he said.
Administrator’s Report
Springer gave the Administrator’s Report. He said the auditors had been there doing pre-work. He also notes that City Hall will close at noon on December 24th. They are still looking at different software for managing the agenda. Additional demos are planned, he said.
The Council also unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which included: Approve the November 12 meeting minutes, warrants; 2015 annual licenses; Temporary on-sale liquor license for St. Felix spaghetti dinner; License for Bingo-American Legion Auxiliary #50; Mining Ordinance-WSB contract. Wharton and Bricher moved.
Committee Reports
In Committee Reports, Councilman Steve Schmidt said the Utilities Commission has been looking at the mixers in the standpipe on the hill. He said they are not correct, but they haven’t decided what to do about them. He advised homeowners not to let their water run in anticipation of freeze-ups. He said the City will monitor water temperatures from places where the pipes froze last year. Citizens will be notified if they need to monitor their water temperatures. His good news was: the Water Department is finally in the black.
Bricher said the Streets Department had met and discussed parking issues,and the part-time positions for snow plow operators and part-time help, Code Red (snow emergency) will be discussed.
Friedmeyer, Schoen, Kruger and Wharton said their committees didn’t meet.
Mayor Hall expressed his thanks on behalf of the Council for these gifts to City endeavors: VFW Post 4086—$100 for the Combined Drive; Friends of the Library—$765 to the Library; $500 anonymous gift for Library patron computer.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be January 6.