03-19-12 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

7. ORDINANCES—none 8. APPOINTMENTS President Leavy announced openings and submitted the following appointment to the City Committees, Boards, and Commissions for approval. The appointment was approved on a motion by Councilor Newnham and a second by Councilor Haynes. The motion carried 7-0. a. Community Development Authority: Stephen F. Smith to a term expiring December 31, 2015. File 6054 9. COUNCILOR ACTIVITIES AND UPCOMING EVENTS a. Councilor De Forest said that she appreciates the resident input regarding several issues before the Council and encouraged people to continue to provide it. b. Councilor Van De Bogart said that he went to the Riverfront kickoff meeting and that it was nice to see all of the upcoming events. He also said that"Up" will be the movie played in Riverside Park. c. Councilor Luebke said that he saw the wonderful play at Beloit Memorial High School and congratulated everyone for a job well done. He said that the Chamber of Commerce dinner was wonderful and that he participated in a recent meeting with the Mexican Consulate. He also stated that the community is the school district, and the school district is the community. d. Councilor Newnham acknowledged the great turnout in the audience at the meeting and said that participation adds depth to the conversation. e. Councilor Spreitzer said that it is great to see so many people in the audience and that he attended the Riverfront and Chamber events. f. President Leavy congratulated and welcomed the students and superintendent of the school district in the audience. 10. CITY MANAGER'S PRESENTATION—none 11. REPORTS FROM BOARDS AND CITY OFFICERS a. Fire Chief Brad Liggett presented a resolution approving a Contract with the State of Wisconsin for Statewide Structural Collapse Team Members. He said that the City was part of the original collapse team and already has the trained personnel. He added that the City will be reimbursed for any additional training associated with membership. Councilor Luebke made a motion to adopt the resolution, and Councilor Haynes seconded. Councilor Van De Bogart asked if this was a way to subsidize some of the Fire Department's training expenses, and Chief Liggett agreed. Councilor De Forest asked who reimburses the City, and Chief Liggett said that the Department of Homeland Security reimburses through Wisconsin Emergency Management. The motion carried 7-0 File 8534 b. City Manager Larry Arft presented a resolution approving improvements within Riverside Park located at 1160 Riverside Drive. It was noted that the Plan Commission recommended approval 6-0. He said the signage and improvements will identify the City Limits and the Park. Councilor Newnham made a motion to adopt the resolution, and Councilor Luebke seconded. Councilor Van De Bogart asked if they considered copying the entry feature on the south side of the park and about the cost and funding of the improvements. Mr. Arft said that the south side signage has similar elements. He said that the $325,000 for the project was approved in the budget last year and it is being funded through TID#6 and private donations. Councilor De Forest said that she is glad to see the sign scaled down and that it is important that it be large enough to see from the road. She said that she does not like the new bike path going through this part of the park nor the landscaping around the entry feature. Councilor Haynes said that the aesthetics of the park are very important and it is difficult to disagree with someone he respects. Councilor Newnham said that Riverside Park is a source of pride for everyone in Beloit and that it is important to keep more green space in the park. Councilor Spreitzer said that there are several members of the community who are opposed to the entry feature and that he has difficulty understanding the diagrams showing the improvements. President Leavy said that the Council has seven different opinions because they are seven different people. He said that they may disagree, but they are not attacking people, they are just asking questions to get information and make the best decision possible. He said that people said that they disagreed with the Riverside Drive reconstruction project at first, but the public is really enjoying it now. He said that the public will enjoy the park