The Common Council met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on August 6, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.
Alderpersons Gearing-Lancaster, Wussow, Ammann, Peloquin, M. Rave, E. Rave, and Dougherty were present.
Mayor J. Eddy presided.
It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the July 2, 2024 Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the July 17, 2024 Special Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried.
CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE
There were 29 citizens in attendance – 26 in person and 3 via Zoom meetings. There were no updates on the County jail/justice center project.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to place on file the minutes of the July 24, 2024 Plan Commission meeting. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson E. Rave to place on file the minutes of the July 29, 2024 Utility Commission meeting. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve RESOLUTION 2024-05 as presented. Motion carried.
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS RESOLUTION 2024-05
A RESOLUTION ADVOCATING FOR AN INPATIENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FACILITY FOR
NORTHERN WISCONSIN
WHEREAS, Northern Wisconsin has limited resources when it comes to in-patient crisis care for individuals with mental illness and
WHEREAS recent closures of facilities place a higher burden on the facilities that remain and
WHEREAS local law enforcement is tasked with providing transportation for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, and they often spend hours waiting for facilities to respond to requests for in-patient beds and
WHEREAS a significant number of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis end up being transported by law enforcement to the State facility in Winnebago and
WHEREAS the great distance traveled puts a financial strain on counties and local municipal law enforcement agencies, not to mention the emotional strain experienced by the individuals being transported for several hours, often in handcuffs, and WHEREAS the City of Black River Falls would like to work with other municipalities and counties in the Northern part of the State to lobby for State funding to establish an in-patient crisis facility to serve this underserved area and NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED that this resolution shall become effective upon passage by the Black River Falls Common Council. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Black River Falls Common Council urges the State Legislature and the Governor to provide funding (either another State facility or subsidies for private, not-for-profit organizations) to establish an in-patient acute behavioral health unit to serve the northern counties; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Administrator is directed to send this Resolution to the Governor, State Legislators, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and other Northern Municipal Clerks upon passage.
It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve RESOLUTION 2024- 06 updating the Fee Schedule. Motion Carried. The Fee Schedule/Resolution is available at City Hall.
David Walter from SEH, Inc explained the Buchanon Street sanitary sewer project and advised bid opening was done and only one bid was received from Haas Sons, Inc out of Thorp, WI at a cost of $131,681 which is $31,681 more than the engineer’s estimate. Therefore, Dave will meet with the Street Superintendent and the City Administrator to discuss other options and review the unit costs to ensure the bid is fair and reasonable and bring it back to the Council at a later meeting.
It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the addition of the United Way’s “Born Learning Trail” to the Foundation Trail between the Chamber office and the North 8th Street access. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to approve the application for a Temporary Class B Beer (Picnic) License for the Jackson County Little League for the 2024 Pumpkin Ball Tournament September 7, 2024 at 650 North Tenth Street (Marks Field). Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to approve the proposal from Gaier Construction for fire station modifications at a cost of $7,250.00. Motion carried.
Fire Chief Jody Stoker gave a summary of changes in EMS operations from the 1970’s to present and provided additional details on the proposed staffing that will include the addition of an EMS Coordinator. Alan DeYoung, Executive Director of the Wisconsin EMS Association provided data on EMS in the state of WI that included per capita fees in other municipalities, services closing due to lack of funding, loss of EMS staffing in the state, increased call volumes, options to municipalities for providing the service, no law in the state that someone has to show up if 911 is called, statute states Towns shall provide ambulance service, negligence claim liabilities a possibility if ambulance service is not provided, loss of state funding, historic shared revenue boost with main purpose to support fire and EMS services because EMS is in crisis statewide, Maintenance of Effort certification and failure to certify could cost the municipality 15% of all shared revenue which could be more than what is being asked for to provide the service, $25 per capita is inexpensive and should be much higher, if you lose providers chances are you won’t get them back, where patient is transported is case by case but could be patient choice or typically closest facility. Representatives from several municipalities that BRF EMS serves were in attendance and conveyed their questions and concerns regarding the proposal to charge a per capita fee for ambulance services that included wanting to start at a lower rate like $15 per capita and work up, the amount of money in reserves, combination of fire and EMS management positions resulted in no communication or training with first responder units, acknowledgment that a proposed EMS coordinator position is a step in the right direction, this request came just after increase in shared revenue was announced, would like to have had 2-3 years notice, need to address the 30% no pay calls, billing for no transports, reliance on transfers, exploring other options for ambulance service and going the least expensive route, perceived administrative and culture issue within the service, wanting a 1 year contract, upset with first letter asking for $45 per capita. Carl Selvick, President/CEO for Black River Memorial Hospital advised the hospital provides a board certified physician for medical direction which is passed on free to other services, high quality of EMS care being provided, transfers are non-satisfiers for nursing staff, had a nurse injured on a transfer, must call for a paramedic unit and will send a nurse with BRF EMS if necessary, getting paramedic service to this area is very difficult, the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital, the hospital explored ways to partner with EMS or take the service over, discovered the hospital could not provide the service any better and it would be more expensive and reimbursement would be the same, could provide no efficiencies to the existing service, hospital cannot bill for a nurse on a transfer and ambulance cannot bill higher rate, statute requires a paramedic. Mayor Eddy advised the reserve was built with the understanding we would build a new fire station which has been researched for the past 10-12 years, we have been talking about EMS staffing for at least 3 years, took steps like combining two positions to put off having to ask for a per capita fee, $45 is the number for the perfect system and put it out there not expecting everyone to say yes but at least know we had to talk about it, started at the beginning of the year knowing this would take some time, appreciate the fact municipalities came forward and shared thoughts, we’ve provided the service free for 50 years, but with staffing and other changes we knew changes were needed, and this will be acted on by October.
ORDINANCE 889 – an ordinance repealing and recreating Section 9.07 of the Code of Ordinances related to the sale and use of fireworks was presented. This was the 1st reading.
Alderpersons from Ward 1, 3, and 4 reported receiving negative feedback from constituents on the proposed ordinance to increase the number of allowable fowl to 6. It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin to approve ORDINANCE 888 – an ordinance repealing and recreating restrictions on the keeping of fowl. Alderperson Peloquin retracted his motion after a discussion on possible conflict of interest.
It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to deny ORDINANCE 888 – an
ordinance repealing and recreating restrictions on the keeping of fowl. Motion carried 5-2 with Alderperson Ammann and Peloquin voting no.
It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the application for Class B Beer and Class B Liquor retailer license for Carpi’s Temp, LLC for premises located at 20 South Second Street (Carpi’s). Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to approve the vouchers for June 2024 Check #74112 – #74251 totaling $822,164.01. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to approve the City Treasurer’s Report for June 2024. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson E. Rave, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to approve the Revenue & Expense Reports for June 2024. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the Certified Survey Map (CSM) submitted by Ethan Remus on behalf of Kaylan Rich for land on Alder Street. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to approve the Certified Survey Map (CSM) submitted by Ethan Remus on behalf of Al Lahmayer for land on Van Buren Street and Rye Bluff Road. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the revisions to the Mayor’s appointments for 2024-2025. Motion carried.
It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson E. Rave to adjourn. Motion carried at 7:35pm.
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