JC Satellite Shop

REQUESTED ACTION: Annexation Approval

BACKGROUND: The petitioner has submitted to the City a unanimous petition for direct annexation of 3.619 acres on the City’s north side. This undeveloped parcel of land is located north of the Interstate and south of Oasis Lane in the Town of Lake Mills immediately East of Topel Truck Center. The proposed annexation area abuts the City municipal boundary line on its western, nonrthern and eastern sides.

The property is within the City’s Sanitary Sewer Service Area and has municipal sewer available. The property is also within the City’s Urban Service Area, meaning that all development is eligible to receive the full range of services provided by the City.

The City of Lake Mills Comprehensive Plan (2008) notes that the City has extraterritorial zoning of the site as “Planned Business” and recommends that upon annexation the area is appropriate for “Planned Business” use. The Comprehensive Plan also states that the City will direct intensive commercial and industrial uses to locations near existing and planned arterial roads such as the Interstate Highway 94 corridor, the STH 89 corridor north of Interstate Highway 94, Tyranena Road, and CP Avenue; allow new uses in this future land use category only if annexed to the City and connected to City Sanitary Sewer, Water and other utilities; and the City will provide appropriate sites for additional commercial and industrial development near Interstate 94 and other major transportation corridors that maximize the benefit of the City’s location within the region and minimize the impact of traffic and other externalities on residential and natural resource areas of the community in accordance with recommendations of this Plan.

The County is proposing to construct a satellite shop to house trucks and miscellaneous equipment. The property is vacant currently located in the Town of Lake Mills. “Public Services” are permitted by Conditional Use in the Planned Business (PB) District. It appears that the parcel in question is suitable to land uses permitted in the PB District, as requested by the petitioner. The conditional use to allow the public services use and operations is consistent with the adjacent uses. There are a few areas that need additional information or clarification related to the site plans, but the project seems to meet approval criteria.

The State Office of Municipal Boundary Review is currently reviewing to determine if the proposed annexation is not against the public interest.

If the landowner does not request permanent zoning, the temporary zoning will remain the City’s equivalent of the underlying ETZ zoning district. The petition for permanent zoning must meet the required procedures for application, review and public notice as established by state law and local ordinances.

Staff recommends approval of the requested annexation.

Campus Road Report

The purpose of authorizing LM Contract 2-2012 was to have the City Council direct the Manager to award the job to the lowest responsible bidder for the Campus Street Project. There where six bids received at the August bid letting. The Manager recommended that Council direct the Manager to sign the contract with B. R. Amon & Sons, Inc of Cambridge, WI.

Prior Council Action:

• In July of 2010, staff prepared a memo for the Public Works Board to present new street projects for Capital Improvement Plan that listed Campus as one of the top priorities.
• In November of 2011, the Public Works Board determined that Campus Street would be a maintenance priority in 2012.
• In November of 2011, City Council approved a budget with the maintenance funds adequate to complete the Campus Street Project.
• In May of 2012, staff prepared a memo for the Public Works Board indicating that the Campus Street Plans included storm sewer, street base, pavement, sidewalk and curb and gutter improvements.
• On August 7, 2012, the City Council reviewed the proposed bids for the project and voted to approve awarding the contract 2-2012, Campus Street Project to B. R. Amon & Sons, Inc of Cambridge, WI for $98,023.35.

Summary:

• In May of 2012, the City Manager authorized the engineer to prepare the construction documents needed to bid the project. The engineer worked with staff on design issues and city crew utilization.
• In July, the City Manager sent the LMASD a set of preliminary plans for the Campus Street Project and provided a potential timeline. The project was advertised on July 19^th and 26^th. The DNR asked for more storm water information on the 30^th and the engineer responded with the appropriate information.
• In August, the bid opening was held on the 2^nd. B. R. Amon & Sons, Inc of Cambridge, WI bid of $98,023.35 was the lowest qualified bid. There were six bidders. The DNR notified the engineer on August 6^th that the city would need to modify the storm water plans. The City Council awarded the bid to B. R. Amon & Sons, Inc of Cambridge, WI for $98,023.35.00 contingent on specific storm water improvements and authorized the City Manager to sign the agreement. The DNR approved the city’s proposal for a modified storm water plan consistent with the Council’s direction.
• The WPDES permit for Construction Site Storm Water Runoff was issued on August 14^th. The contract documents were effective on August 23^rd.
• On September 4^th, a pre-construction meeting was held. The contractor started pavement removal on the 10^th and then started installed the storm sewer on the 19^th. City crews removed the sidewalk and curb and gutter starting on the 12^th. Rennhack started pouring the curb and gutter on the 20^th. B. R. Amon finished paving Campus Street and the parking area October 3^rd.
• The City worked with Bruce Johnson on upgrading the private storm sewer on his property.
• The first Pay Request was submitted to the City on November 11^th $93,079.35.  This had a 2% retainage remaining for punch list items and a net deduct of $3,044.42.

The project was substantially completed in a timely matter and this project is expected to be completed for $94,978.93 which is below the Contractor’s unit bid contract.

Stony/Plainview Road Project

The purpose of authorizing LM Contract 1-2012 was to have the City Council direct the Manager to award the job to the lowest responsible bidder for the Stony Road/Plainview Terrace Project. There where eleven bids received at the March bid letting. The Manager recommended that Council direct the Manager to sign the contract with R & K and Sons Construction LLC of Evansville, WI. 

Prior Council Action:

In August of 2011, staff received approval from the Public Works Board to present a Capital Budget Plan with the Stony Road/Plainview Terrace Project scheduled for completion in 2012.

In November of 2011, the Public Works Board held the informal hearing on the Sidewalk Special Assessment Project and recommended the Council install the 2,610 lf of sidewalk.

In November of 2011, City Council approved a budget with the Stony Road/Plainview Terrace Project.

On April 3, 2012, the City Council reviewed the proposed bids for the project and voted to approve awarding the contract 1-2012, Stony Road/Plainview Terrace Project to R & K and Sons Construction, LLC for $347,792.00. 

Summary:

In September of 2011, the City Manager authorized the engineer to prepare the design work and estimate of assessments needed for the informal hearing at the Public Works Board.

In October, the City Manager authorized the survey of Stony Road and Planview Terrace.

In December, the staff discussed information was being gathered on material prices, intergovernmental contracting, contract modification and legal issues. The Task Order was signed and a preliminary schedule of events proposed.

In January of 2012, information was being finalized for the February 21st Public Hearing. Staff met with the engineer to determine design features of the storm sewer, fire hydrants, sanitary sewer manholes, sidewalk location, street cross slopes, street typical section, scope of city crew work and bid schedule.

In February, staff and the engineer met to discuss unique elements of the design for possible revisions. The estimated sidewalk assessments were finalized and resident information letters prepared. The staff held a final review of plan specifications. The City Council approved Resolution 12-11, Final Resolution Levying Assessments Stony Road/Plainview Terrace.

In March, the bid documents were complete and ready to be advertised for the construction of storm sewer, curb & gutter, water main, sidewalk, road base and pavement for the Stony Road/Plainview Terrace Project. The bid opening was held March 15th. R & K and Sons Construction’s bid of $347,792.00 was the lowest qualified bid.
The WPDES permit for Construction Site Storm Water Runoff was issued on March 12th.

On April 3rd, the Council authorized the City Manager to sign the agreement 1-12012 with R & K and Sons Construction, LLC for $347,792.00. On May 9th, R & K and Sons Construction, LLC finally provided the proper insurance documents.

A pre-construction meeting was held on May 10th. The contractor started storm sewer work on Stony Road and then completed pavement removal, road gravel installation and poured concrete curb and gutter. The first Pay Request was submitted to the City on June 7th and Payne and Dolan started paving Stony on May 11th. Stony Road work was substantially complete by the end of May with seeding issues arising because of the dry weather.

The second pay request was received by the City on July 20th, this cover the storm sewer, pavement removal, curb and gutter, and paving. The contract call for project completion by July 31 and pay request covered about 70% of the work.

Payne and Dolan started the base paving work on August 2nd and completed the surface course on both Stony and Plainview the next day. The third pay request was received by the City on August 16th with only a 2% retainage remaining for punch list items. 

The project was substantially completed in a timely matter and this project was completed for $347,792.00 which was the Contractor’s unit bid contract.

Appointment

Selecting Council members is an imperfect science and hopefully these comments will help as you work through the process of filling the vacancy on the council.

Council members are not only advocates, critical thinkers and planners; they are also the initial face of the City. Their ideas will be given a hearing to the degree that they have credibility based on their organizational track record and relationships. Credibility can come from personal power, from organizational power, or from knowledge, but in the end, credibility is about integrity and the extent to which a person is believable.

Because a Council undoubtedly will deal with many contentious issues, the ability to work well with others is the key. Relying on raw positional power is limiting and finite, but good interpersonal skills and positive relationships grease wheels everywhere.

A council member must be prepared to help everyone in the district if they are to be embraced. If a council member is perceived as only helping those people, they’re probably in trouble. Whether a citizen is over 60, bilingual, black, gay, techie, or an overwhelmed parent raising young children while holding down a job, it’s important for him or her to see someone on the Council who can fairly present their point of view.

Sometimes people seek Council positions to fix a specific problem that affects them or a group to which they belong. But Councils need people who not only focus on operational details but also have a strategic approach and can see the big picture. They need to view the organization as a whole to understand how tinkering with something in one place will affect other areas.

Budget Category 3

AGENCY: Conservation and Development

DEPARTMENT: General Government

SUBAGENCY: Planning and Zoning

DEPARTMENT HEAD: Steven Wilke, City Manager

FISCAL YEAR: January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

PURPOSE: The City’s goal is to use professional assistance for zoning and planning issues, which include, zoning review, site plan review, code interpretation and enforcement, and economic development projects. Professional planners provide services to the public, City Council, the Planning Commission, the Board of Appeals, and City staff.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This budget provides for: Respond to staff phone calls and emails regarding property zoning and/or General Plan land uses, status of pending and approved projects, application submittal requirements, code violations, etc.

Review and comment on general planning applications, such as; use permits, Variances, Conditional Use Permits, Sign Permits, Design Review, Tentative Maps, Certified Survey Maps, Commercial Site Plans, Rezones, and General Plan amendments; assist the City Attorney in the drafting of new Ordinances and review proposed ordinances to verify that they would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; work with the Clerk-Treasurer on the drafting of notices for publication for Planning Commission and City Council hearings; work with the Clerk-Treasurer on the preparation of agendas for the Planning Commission and City Council hearings; preparation and presentation of staff reports for Planning Commission and City Council hearings; attendance at Monthly Plan Commission Meeting; and provide planning services for Tax Increment Districts, Neighborhood Plans, Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan and similar planning issues.

STAFF: The City uses a qualified consultant to assist city staff in the provision of General Planning and Zoning Services. The Consultant function as an extension of the City’s resources by providing qualified technical and professional personnel to perform the duties and responsibilities assigned under the terms of the Agreement.

Those Sidewalks

At the last meeting, the Council reviewed the resolution that establishes the preliminary special assessment district for the 2013 sidewalk project area on Gladstone Way and Cass Place. While the Council appears to strongly support the Transportation Plan’s sidewalk goals within this area; a full evaluation and discussion of how to fund the improvement should probably be completed.

The Special Assessment Fund was established when the City borrowed money to fund a special assessment project. This debt is actually paid through the debt levy. Residents’ special assessment payments are used to replenish the fund for the next year. The fund usually needs to be replenished every three to five years based on interest rates, repayment choices and project size. The City uses $15,000 annually from this fund to maintain sidewalks and is the reason the fund is not self-maintaining.

Budget Category 2

AGENCY: General Government

DEPARTMENT: General Administration

SUBAGENCY: Clerk - Records

DEPARTMENT HEAD: Elizabeth Milbrath, WCMC

FISCAL YEAR: January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

PURPOSE: The City’s goal is to produce, maintain and preserve all required City related documents in accordance with State Statutes and City Codes.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This budget provides the City Clerk’s Office with the resources to produce, maintain and preserve city records. This allows the Clerk’s Office to serve the residents, elected officials and employees of the City by being able to meet their relevant information needs

The Clerk is responsible for documenting an account of all meetings of the City Council, various committees and board meetings. The Clerk’s Office will provide research of filed documents as required. The Clerk is responsible for the timely presentation of enacted legislation and for obtaining the necessary signatures when enacted. The Clerk is responsible for handling public records requests.

The Clerk is responsible for cataloging and filing city records. The Clerk serves as custodian of official City records and public documents; performs certification and recording for the City as required on legal documents and other records requiring such certification; seals and attests by signature to contracts, easements, deeds, bonds or other documents requiring city certification.

The Clerk administers the issuance of municipal licenses; including business, beer, liquor, bartenders’, cigarette, mobile home, various regulatory licenses as assigned; attests cemetery deeds; and issues tax status letters, etc., in accordance with applicable city ordinances and other regulations.

The Clerk delivers minutes, agendas, and information packets to Council and ensures agendas are properly noticed; prepares and distributes all confidential materials. The Clerk is responsible for publishing printed minutes, public hearing notices, and adopted ordinances.

STAFF: City Clerk
              Deputy City Clerk

Cable TV budget

The City of Lake Mills operates the government access television channels which are available to cable subscribers within the city as part of the “basic” cable package. The purpose of the Government Access channel is to increase residents’ access to local government meetings and information. The City of Lake Mills receives a franchise fee from Charter Cable that is placed into the City general fund. A budget is then established from the City general fund to provide support for the operation of the Government Access channels.

City Budget Category

AGENCY: Health and Human Services

DEPARTMENT: General Government

SUBAGENCY: Health

DEPARTMENT HEAD: Steven Wilke, City Manager

FISCAL YEAR: January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

PURPOSE: The City’s goal is to provide Health and Human Services by contracting with the Jefferson County Humane Society for animal collection and maintenance services and the State of Wisconsin for weights and measures services. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: This budget provides for the City to contract with Humane Society of Jefferson County to provide animal collection and maintenance services including; stray animal pick-up 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to contracted municipalities; lost and found; adoptions; accept pet surrenders by owner; quarantine for rabies observation; humane live trap rental; offer purebred rescue referrals; owner requested euthanasia; police ordered safe keeps; and low cost rabies vaccination clinics.

The term “Weights and Measures” by statute means weights and measures of every kind, instruments and devices for weighing and measuring, and any appliances and accessories used with any or all such instruments and devices, except meters for the measurement of electricity, gas (natural and manufactured) or water when the same are operated in a public utility system.

The City is required by statute to provide for weights and measures and the City has opted to contract with the department of agriculture, trade, and consumer protection to enforce the provisions of chapter 98 within the municipality’s jurisdiction instead of establishing its own department. The department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection annually charges the municipality fees sufficient to cover the department’s costs under the contract. The City passed Ordinance 992 to recover the fees by assessing fees on the persons who receive services under the weights and measures program.

STAFF: The City uses qualified contractors for the provision of animal collection and maintenance services and Weights and Measures services.

Think About It

If you want to become an ethical person, you must develop a moral knowing. Moral knowing would mean that you can determine when a situation requires an ethical examination. The next step would be to act upon the appropriate values required by an ethical examination. Nitpicking at the values until there is not value shows moral fiber issues.

Wallace Park Ballfields

Here’s an update on the progress of the ball field construction in Wallace Park. The new storm sewer mains have been installed, including the new manholes, and two of the five fields have been cut to subgrade and are ready for underdrain installation. Next will be the the infield excavation, underdrain installation, and infield material placement. No definitive word on if the fencing will be installed yet this winter or if that would wait until the spring.  It  is anticipated that it won’t happen until the spring since there is some field grading that needs to do in order for some of the fencing to be installed.

Today's Quote

If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart."
--Socrates, Greek philosopher

RFP Prepared

Incubators are intended to serve both as a local business support system, and also to act as a recruitment and retention tool to provide a space need not currently being met within the marketplace. Depending on the type of facility and support services offered on-site, it is likely that the facility will attract interest from outside the City itself. An assessment of the local labor pool and supply chain needs to be conducted to determine an appropriate trade area for the feasibility study. This trade area will be used to define the area examined in the industry assessment.

A successful incubator will foster businesses that have a high level of startup and growth potential, as well as businesses that will provide long-term community benefits. To identify the industry segments that have the appropriate mix of both characteristics, the City of Lake Mills would like an examination of the business environment in an attempt to discern the following:

· The concentration and scale of existing industry clusters

· Local industries with the highest-level of community benefits

· Industries with high growth potential

· Level and type of entrepreneurial interest

· Access to local skills, education and training

To develop an understanding of the local industry landscape and identify the above characteristics, we expect the study will utilize Department of Workforce Development and industry classification data to construct measures of local industry concentration, scale, job creation potential, community value -added and export base potential. The industries which appear in the upper echelon for each of the measures need to be identified.