PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
Monday, February 11, 2008
Administrative Center – Room 3220
4:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Spiker, Leon Pfaff, Ralph Geary, Andrea Richmond, Jai Johnson, Jeff Schroeder, Jim Berns (exc/arr 4:03)
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF & GUESTS: Dennis Osgood, Jim Speropulos, Brian Tippetts, Keith Back, Mary Kaufmann, Steve O’Malley, Bill Jung, Brian Fukuda, Bill Shepherd, Charlie Handy, Mike Weibel, Alison Huppert, Pam Culver, Henry Koch, Bill Van Atta, Sharon Hampson, J. Terry Hanson, Ray Ebert, George Hammes, Cheryl Stephen
CALL TO ORDER
Committee Chair Charles Spiker called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION by Johnson/Richmond to approve the minutes of January 7, 2008. Miscellaneous questions/comments on various items. General agreement to remove the following sentence from the Truck Equipment RFP: “Monroe Truck Equipment had lowest evaluation points including lowest cost.” Noted that this vendor did not meet qualifications so the statement was not needed. Motion carried unanimously; Berns excused.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Pfaff/Geary to accept the following Consent Agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None requested.
APPROVE CHECK REQUISITIONS OVER $20,000
Copies of the Highway Department check requisitions were distributed. MOTION by Richmond/Geary to approve the following check requisitions as presented:
Motion carried unanimously.
REQUEST BY DIVE RESCUE TEAM
Jim Speropulos noted all County Board Members received a letter from the Dive Rescue Team relating to request for storage of their boat and equipment and possibly include space in the garage for the LEC addition. Bill Van Atta, as a representative of the Dive Rescue Team, was present to answer questions in relation to their request. Jim noted staff is looking at all possible options. Steve O’Malley noted the new addition and new garage will be taking up 50 parking spaces; if the building were to be any larger, it will exceed the square footage amount as stated in the resolution; any change will require a 2/3 vote of the County Board; staff will do the best they can to find a location. Supervisor Richmond suggested checking with the City.
REQUEST FOR TRIATHLON EVENT AT SWARTHOUT PARK/LAKE NESHONOC ON JUNE 8, 2008
MOTION by Richmond/Schroeder to approve the request by the La Crosse Area Family YMCA to use Swarthout Park and Lake Neshonoc for the yearly Touchstone Energy Triathlon planned for June 8, 2008, and portion of June 7th for setup. Noted this as their 5th year for this event. Alison Huppert and Pam Culver were present to answer questions. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF THE SALE OF PROPERTY TO THE VILLAGE OF WEST SALEM FOR WATER STORAGE
Charlie Handy distributed colored aerial photos of the proposed site for the proposed water tower site for the Village of West Salem. This site was suggested by the consultant based on location and type of soils. MOTION by Pfaff/Richmond to approve the resolution that authorizes the sale of 1.43 acres to the Village of West Salem described as Lot 1 of the certified survey map at a sale price of $25,000 per acre for a total not to exceed $35,750. Miscellaneous questions. Noted that there will be closing costs that the buyer and seller will have to pay. Motion carried unanimously.
RFP FOR CONTRACTED CLEANING FOR DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
Jim Speropulos reviewed, noting RFP’s were solicited for contracted cleaning services for the Administrative Center, Health & Human Services Building and CMO building (until time of MCO takeover). Two vendors submitted proposals. An evaluation team reviewed and scored each on the following criteria: cost, proposed staffing levels, equipment & supplies, experience, and references. Out of possible 100 points, J & K of La Crosse (dba ServiceMaster Commercial) received 99 points and Quality Building Maintenance of Rochester, Inc. received 94 points. The evaluation team recommends approval of J & K of La Crosse. MOTION by Pfaff/Schroeder to approve J & K of La Crosse for contracted cleaning services from April 1, 2008 through March 31, 2011, at a monthly cost of $15,390. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF TEMPORARY LEASE WITH SKIPPERLINER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Jim Speropulos noted this as yearly request and approval. MOTION by Schroeder/Johnson to approve the resolution which authorizes a lease with SkipperLiner to operate the BYC Deck from May through October 31, 2008, for a fee of $1,000 which will be deposited into the Park Plaza account. Bill Shepherd noted the requirement of liability and hold harmless insurance by SkipperLiner and as stated in the lease agreement. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION RE ACCEPTANCE OF BID FOR LANDFILL OPERATIONS CONTRACT A-08
Brian Tippetts reviewed the two resolutions (including the next one relating to Shingle and Wood Waste Processing). It was determined that having split the two operations may bring in more competitive bids. MOTION by Richmond/Berns to approve the resolution which authorizes a contract for landfill operations and maintenance with St. Joseph Construction Company, Inc. from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2014, in amount of $687,500, including an option for two additional two-year extensions. Motion carried unanimously. The other bidder was Buteyn Peterson Construction Co. in amount of $997,024.38.
RESOLUTION RE ACCEPTANCE OF BID FOR SHINGLE AND WOOD WASTE PROCESSING CONTRACT B-08
MOTION by Richmond/Geary to approve the resolution which authorizes a contract for shingle and wood waste processing to St. Joseph Construction Company, Inc. from July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010, in amount of $120,000. MOTION by Berns/Richmond to amend the resolution by deleting the 4th Whereas paragraph. Motion on the amendment carried unanimously. Motion as amended carried unanimously. The other bidder was Buteyn Peterson Construction Co. in amount of $185,000.
APPROVE LOWERING E-WASTE FEES
Brian Tippetts reviewed. Currently, the County is charging $.35 per lb. for televisions and $.20 for e-waste (computer equipment). Because change in collection vendor, staff would like to pass the savings on to County residents, that being $.20 for televisions and $.10 for e-waste. Committee Chair Spiker noted the committee does not have the authority to change the fee as it was incorporated within the fees resolution that the County Board approved as part of the 2008 budget process. MOTION by Geary/Richmond to draft a resolution for the fee changes as Tippetts described and bring back to the committee. Motion carried unanimously. If needed, could hold a brief meeting on County Board Day next week.
2007 ANNUAL REPORT OF HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
A copy of the annual report was sent with the agenda. Brian Tippetts briefly reviewed some of the statistics, in particular relating to number of households per municipality, percentage of their participation, and percentage of their household hazardous materials waste. MOTION by Richmond/Berns to accept the 2007 Annual Report of Household Hazardous Materials. Motion carried unanimously.
OVERVIEW OF FOTH ENVIRONMENTAL & INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR 2008
Brian Tippetts noted the consultant services were already approved as part of the 2008 budget. Consultant services pertain to regulatory requirements, strategic support to maintain regional system, and operation support services. Detailed consulting services and costs were sent with the agenda. Henry Koch of Foth Environmental & Infrastructure was present to answer questions. Informational.
UPDATE ON WASTE RELOCATION
Brian Tippetts reviewed. A chart/graph was sent with the agenda at the request of Supervisor Berns. St. Joseph Construction started waste relocation in October 2007, and the plan was to get it done during the winter months, Based on haul truck counts and volumes, this project may not get done until sometime in May; plan to do a survey this week that will give better indication as to project completion. These charts/graphs are updated weekly. Most current ones will be shared with committee members at future monthly meetings.
BID(S) FOR A FOLDING GOOSENECK TRAILER
Dennis Osgood reviewed. The Highway Dept. needs to replace the current 1993 model. The department advertised for bids and received three (3) bids. Could possibly getter better price for the old trailer if sold outright versus trading in; would like to try this first, prior to receiving the new trailer. MOTION by Richmond/Pfaff to approve the bid from Brooks Tractor & Equipment in amount of $62,250 without trade or $53,250 with trade for the purchase of a 50-ton folding gooseneck trailer. This purchase will be made from the Machinery Fund. Motion carried unanimously. The other two bids were: Aring Equipment: $72,000 without trade or $63,000 with trade and St. Joseph Equipment: $64,999 with or without trade.
RESOLUTION RE ALTERNATE ENTRANCE TO THE COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT FACILITY AT WEST SALEM
MOTION by Pfaff/Richmond to approve the resolution which authorizes the Highway Commissioner and Corporation Counsel to complete negotiations with the Village of West Salem and the La Crosse County Agriculture Society to acquire the necessary property for $1.00, and the County Surveyor is authorized to review and approve the legal description, all of which is needed to construct an alternate entrance across the north east edge of County Highway Dept. property in order to gain access to County Road “M”. Bill Shepherd answered miscellaneous questions. Motion carried unanimously.
ACCEPT FUNDS FOR COUNTY ROAD “OA” HIGHWAY SAFETY PROJECT
MOTION by Richmond/Johnson to accept federal funding for High Risk Rural Roads program that will be used for the County Road OA safety project, with federal funding limit for the following components: $81,000 (DES), $4,612.50 (RW), and $610,105 (CONST). Motion carried unanimously. Denny noted this will only cover ½ mile of redoing the “s” curves; the entire road needs to be redesigned and it’s estimated at $4 million to do the entire project. There is $300,000 in the County Highway 2008 budget to hire a consultant and he would like to proceed with seeking RFP’s. MOTION by Schroeder/Geary to approve Osgood’s request of soliciting RFP’s for consultant services for the County Road OA project. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVE 2008 STATE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS
Not available from the State at this time; hopefully by the March committee meeting.
UPDATE ON WINTER SEASON AND SALT SUPPLIES
Dennis noted thus far it’s been a tough winter on the salt supplies. He sent a letter to all municipalities stating that the County has to stop the sale of pure salt. It’s been similar problem around the State as well as nationally. Discussion on salt alternatives, but salt is still less costly.
RESOLUTION RE APPROVAL OF CREDIT ON SALE OF LAKE NESHONOC PROPERTIES
Supervisor Hanson reviewed the resolution as the requester. He noted the landowners around Neshonoc Lake have been good stewards of protecting the shoreline from erosion as well as making it a better lake to fish, noting the Lake District dredging efforts. In recognition of their efforts, the resolution will give a 5% credit of the appraised fair market value for each year the landowners (and direct ancestors) have owned the property toward the purchase price of said land that the County is offering for sale to them. Mike Weibel, Zoning Supervisor, spoke against; he served on an internal committee that reviewed this matter for a lengthy period and determined the appraisal process and land sale would be best interest for all; if this is approved, this is in effect a subsidy from all taxpayers of La Crosse County for these few landowners’ benefit; it as not good public policy and is setting precedence of selling public lands.
Bill Shepherd, Bill Jung, Jim Speropulos, and Steve O’Malley also spoke against noting similar reasons; that it was a fair appraisal process that included individual factors; determining ownership and ancestors would be difficult and take time to do, slowing down the process. It was pointed out that if it were in family hands for over 20 years, they would get the land free. Discussion on real estate taxes; not sure if the Town Assessor was assessing them for lake front property, but it is the landowners’ responsibility to know where their property lines are and how they are taxed. Bill Jung gave history overview, noting no changes since the 1940’s other than the County taking lake ownership in 1970; some were re-staked in 1964; Shorewood area was surveyed in 1978; and all the Lake Road lots were re-staked again in 1984; all surveys concurred. MOTION by Richmond/Schroeder to approve the resolution. Discussion continued among the committee members. O’Malley noted that if the resolution passes, the County will not recover associated costs. MOTION FAILED on roll call vote: Richmond-yes, Schroeder-yes, Geary-yes, Berns-no, Johnson-no, Pfaff-no, Spiker-no. Supervisors Hanson and Richmond will present to the County Board as a Minority Report.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None requested.
JOINT MEETING WITH SOLID WASTE POLICY BOARD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, AT 4:00 P.M.
Committee Chair Spiked noted the above joint meeting; he noted Supervisor Richmond is excused; he encouraged attendance as a quorum is needed.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Schroeder/Berns to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder