 We'll call the order to the Tuesday, April 17th, 2012 regular meeting, the first regular meeting of the Common Council. City clerk, read the. Thank you, Mayor. I hope our achievements in life shall be these, that we will have fought for what was right and fair, that we will have risked for that which mattered, that we will have given help to those who are in need, that we will have left the earth a better place for what we've done and who we've been. Thank you. We're starting off on a better foot tonight, we've got a quorum, if the clerk will call the roll. Bellinger. Here. Boren. Here. Carlson. Here. Decker. Here. Donahue. Here. Hammond. Here. Heidemann. Here. Koth. Here. Lissard. Here. Van der Wiel. Here. And Versey. Excuse. Thirteen present. Tonight we will have the presentation of the callers by the Sheboygan Police Department Honor Guard. Please. All rise. Please stand. Honors. Please join us tonight, we have Tristan Decker, son of Alderman Decker and my grandson to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Tristan. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. I want to thank the Color Guard for being here today and again my grandson Tristan for leading us into the pledge. Fifteen years from now you'll probably see him sitting in one of these chairs, twenty years from now you'll probably see him sitting in this chair. I'd like to call Andrew Hopp to lead us in the invocation, please. Honorable Mayor Van Akron and distinguished members of council, thank you very much for the privilege of praying with you this evening. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we truly do thank you for the abundance of blessings that you give to us here in Sheboygan. We really do truly live in a great place to live and to work and raise our families. We especially thank you this evening Heavenly Father for these men and women who have been placed into positions of authority in our city government. Lord we thank you for their willingness to serve and the gifts and talents they bring to bear and we want to pray especially for their safety and for their health and also for their families who carry the burden of leadership with them. Lord of the Living Lord we ask that you guide and help everyone here when they face the challenges of making very important decisions. Give to them wisdom and understanding so that they truly can represent us well. Help them in these difficult financial times to be truly good financial stewards, conscious always of the trust that we have placed in them. Help them also though to be compassionate and understanding knowing that the decisions they will make affect people. That the decisions they make will affect truly hardworking and diligent city workers as very hardworking taxpayers as well. Lord we especially pray for unity in this body when conflicts and disagreements arise and we know that will happen. May all of the discussions in these chambers be done in a way that shows that everyone has an openness to hear and understand opinions that at times will be different than their own. Give direction so that solutions can be found here that are based in the fact that everyone in this room has a shared and common goal and that is simply to do what is best for our community. Most of all dear God we ask that our leaders continue to truly show the very character of Christ and that is first and foremost to be humble servants for us all. And may our city truly be a place where all of us strive to love our neighbors as ourselves. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. We'll start this evening by swearing in the eight. They would like to come up to the front. I need you to all raise your right hands and repeat after me. I please state your name. Swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. Swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. And the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin. And will faithfully and impartially. And will faithfully and impartially. Discharge the duties of the office of Alderperson to the best of my ability. So help me God. Congratulations. On 6th adopting the rules of the common council. All the medical. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I move to adopt the rules. Second. It's been moved and seconded to adopt the rules of the previous council and these families. Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. Tonight we're going to be electing a new council person for potential candidates for the 6th district. We have two candidates that have put in. We have William Wongan and we have John Patrick Cahagan. Okay. I see both gentlemen are here tonight. If you'd like to come up and we'll give you about a minute or two to introduce yourselves and give the council a little bit of insight of who you are and why you'd like to be Alderman. Which one did you have first? The first one that came in was Bill Longman. Okay. If Bill would come up please. Thank you Mr. Mayor. City Clerk Richard and City Attorney McLean. Distinguished council members and guests. Some of you already know me and for that you have my sympathy. Those that don't know me my name is Bill Wongan and I approve of this message. I've been rattling around City Hall for 49 years in 1963 for the first time I walked up the steps as a new police officer and I spent 28 years on the Shabuigan Police Department in 1986. I had the council introduce a resolution to create the job of city historian which I have occupied since that time. And I spent about 12 years on the council and during that time I served on just about every board, commission, committee and investigating body that you can imagine. So if that qualifies for experience those are my qualifications. I've grown up and been born and raised in Shabuigan. It's a city that I have a great affinity for and I guess we don't have to go into any long great details but the last couple of years our beloved city has taken a lot of bumps and bruises and I would like to see that change. I'd like to see the dignity come back to this city and I'd like to have a hand in doing that. So if you'll support me in that goal I would like to be nominated to the seat in District 6 which is now open. Thank you. Thank you Bill. And next we have John Gahagan. John if you'd like to come up. Good evening my name is John Patrick Gahigan age 61. I am unemployed I lost my job at Pentair and I've always had interest in politics so this opportunity seemed to present itself to me. I'm going to be very frank with you. I am not a highly intelligent person. I am an average person and that's what I'm trying to drive my point across here to you tonight is that I think we need to have more common people on a council that is called Common Council. It isn't highly intelligent people's council. It is for the common people to have say in the city government and how the city spends its money and runs its memos at least. I have no chopper so I have a hard time getting some word out. I've been very interested in politics for a long time like I said and there are a lot of things that the city needs to move forward on and in a sixth district especially there are things that I think that need to be worked on and I ain't going to bring it up right now because I don't want to start any heavy discussions. But like I say I am very common and I am highly intelligent and I'll be frank with you. I say I did not graduate from high school and I repeat that. I did not graduate from high school. I quit high school my junior year and joined the United States Army. But I am like I say common and I go down to the coffee shop at L&L's. I used to go every day but I really can't afford to know. And just to sit there with 10 fellow coffee clutch people that we call ourselves a lot of them a lot older than me and just to listen to what they say about what's going on around would be a good experience for everybody to hear because these people have been around a long time and you know what they're talking about. So I would just hope that I can get some support from you tonight and I thank you very much. Thank you. Both gentlemen I would like to thank you for putting your names forward. You know it's an opportunity that a lot of people don't get a chance to do. And I give credit to anybody who's willing to step forward and come to and join this common council. So I want to thank you both for putting in your names and doing that both John and Bill. Alderman Decker we need a motion to put those two names in nomination. Yes thank you Mr. Mayor. I move that nominations be received from the floor voting to be done by open ballot. And if more than two candidates are nominated candidate with the lowest number of votes. Be dropped from the list and balloting to continue until one candidate receives a majority. Is there a second? There is a second. Okay thank you Mr. Mayor. I nominate William Weigelman and John Gehagen as candidates for the position of all the person for district six. Second. Okay before you do that we need to vote on the nomination to, on the procedure. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. Sorry Mr. President for a few minutes. I nominate William Weigelman and John Gehagen as candidates for the position of all the person for district number six. Second. It's been moved and seconded to place the names of William Weigelman and John Gehagen for nomination for the open seat of the sixth district. Any discussion? See none. We will now have the vote. Is there any other nominations? I'm sorry. Is there any other nominations? Is there any other nominations? Alderman Decker. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I move that nominations be closed. Second. It's been moved and seconded that the nominations be closed and that's two names to be placed on the ballot. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Opposed? Motion carried. I keep looking up to that board that's not working tonight. We'll now hand out some ballots. We'll collect them and have the city clerk and the city attorney count the ballots and we'll have a- Would you please print your last name because some of you have marvelous writing and I'd love to see it. Give a couple of them two just in case they work. When you're finished if you want to pass them back to your left. Again before we count the ballots I want to thank both gentlemen for coming in tonight and putting themselves forward. Thank their families for offering them to us. It's good to see a good crowd. I get to talk now while they're calling just to take up some time. Good to see a good crowd here tonight and thank you for all being here. Okay the newly elected representative of the 6th district is Bill Wongaman. Congratulations Bill. Bill it's up to your choice if you want to sit back there or you want to come up here for the night. You won't be officially sworn in until the meeting on the 5th but it's up to you if you'd like to sit up on your current seat. I can hear you better from your audience. Okay. Okay we'll proceed on to the election of the president and the vice president of the council. Sue? I'm sorry we're going to look to Jeremy. Alderman Decker. Thank you Mr. Mayor. We've moved our nominations to be received from the floor voting to be done by closed ballot. And if more than two candidates are nominated the candidate with the lowest number of votes be dropped from the list and balloting to continue until one candidate receives the majority. Is there a second? It's been moved and seconded to have the bit just what he read. Is there any nominations? All those in favor of the way that we are going to proceed with the election? Say aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion carried. Is there any nomination from the floor? I should be doing that. Alderman Carlson. Thank you Mayor. I nominate Alderman Hammond for president of the council. Second. I believe that Alderman Hammond has the experience and the leadership traits necessary to carry this council forward over the next year. Thank you. It's been moved to second for Alderman Hammond to be placed on the ballot. Is there any other further nominations? Is there any other further nominations? Is there any other further nominations? Thank you Mr. Mayor. I then move to close the nominations and direct the city clerk to cast the unanimous ballot for Don Hammond for president of the council. Second. It's been moved and seconded to... Technically I'm not supposed to I guess. It's been moved and seconded to close the nominations and cast an unanimous ballot for Alderman Hammond as president. Congratulations Alderman Hammond. Thank you. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Congratulations Alderman Hammond. We will now move for vice president Alderman Decker. Thank you Mr. Mayor. I move that nominations be received from the floor voting to be done by closed ballot. And if more than two candidates are nominated the candidate with lowest number of votes be dropped from the list. I'm validing to continue until one candidate receives a majority. Second. It's been moved and seconded that nominations be received from the floor the voting to be done by closed ballot. If more than two candidates are nominated the candidate with the lowest number will be dropped from the list. All those in favor signify by saying aye opposed Moston carried Is there any nominations from the floor? President Hammond Thank You mr. Mayor. I move that Alderman Carlson. I nominate Alderman Carlson for the position of vice president It's been moved and seconded to nominate Alderman Carlson for the position Alderman Heidemann I nominate Alderman Scott Versey for vice president It's been moved in Sir second It's been moved and seconded to put Alderman Scott Versey's name in this nomination for vice president Is there any other nominations from the floor? Any other nominations from the floor? And any other nominations from the floor? Alderman Decker Thank You mr. Mayor. I move that the nominations be closed second It's been moved and seconded that the nominations be closed all in favor signify by saying aye Opposed Nominations are closed. We will pass out the ballots all the ballots in it's pretty quiet in here At least they could have done is put the pack or the brewers game up on the slide for us while we're waiting Yeah, that's true And the vice president of the new Common Council is Alderman Carlson Congratulations. We now will have the election of a representative to the city plan commission Alderman Decker Move that nominations be received from the floor voting to be done by open ballot And if more than two candidates are nominated the candidate with the lowest number of votes be dropped from the list and balloting to continue until One candidate receives a majority Is there a second? It's been moved and seconded that the nominations we receive from the floor voting be done an open ballot And if two or more candidates are nominated the candidate with the lowest number of votes will be dropped and balloting and Continue until one candidate receives the majority all those in favor signify by saying aye Opposed motion carried nominations from the floor Alderman Hammond Thank You mr. Mayor For city plan I move that Alderman Cough be nominated for city planning Commission It's been moved and seconded that Alderman Cough be nominated for the city plan commission. Is there any further? nominations Is there any further nominations? Is there any further nominations Alderman Decker? Thank You mr. Mayor I'd move the clothes and nominations and direct the city clerk to cast the unanimous ballot for Julie Cough for representative of the city Plan Commission second it's been moving seconded to close the nominations and cast unanimous ballot for Alderman Cough for the city Plan Commission all those in favor signify by saying aye aye opposed Congratulations Alderman Now we'll have an election of the representative to the board of con oops. I'm sorry never mind. We're skipping now election of the two representatives to the capital improvements Commission Alderman Decker Thank You mr. Mayor I move that nominations be received from the floor voting to be done by open ballot And if more than two candidates are nominated the candidate with the lowest number of votes be dropped on the list and Balloting to continue until one candidate receives a majority second It's been moving seconded that the nominations be received from the floor The voting be done in an open ballot and if more than two candidates are nominated the common the candidate with the lowest number of votes Will be dropped from the list and balloting continue till we receive a majority all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed motion carried Alderman President Hammond thank You mr. Mayor I move that Alderman Bellinger and Alderman Carlson be nominated to the capital improvements Commission It's been moved and seconded that Alderman Carlson and Alderman Bellinger be nominated for the two seats of the capital improvements Commission Is there any other further? Nominations is there any further nominations? Is there any further nominations Alderman Decker? Thank You mr. Mayor and move to close the nominations and direct the city clerk to cast to meet unanimous ballot for Daryl Carlson and John Bellinger for the capital improvements Commission second it's been moved and seconded that we close the nominations at a unanimous ballot be cast for Alderman Bellinger and Who did you say Carlson? All those in favor signify by saying aye I opposed Motion carried congratulations at this time. We'll take a recess from the common recess Will recess the common council and let allow President Hammond to take over the meeting to Elect the committee of the whole chairman we are in recess and the committee the whole will Proceed in a minute for committee of the whole I would entertain motions for nominees from the floor Alderman Heidemann, thank you. I nominate Alderman Jim born It's all a motion and a second to nominate Alderman Jim born Are there any other nominations? Once again, are there any other nominations from the floor a Third time are there any other nominations from the floor for chair of the committee of the whole Hearing none, I'd entertain a motion to close the nominations and Cassie now has ballot for Alderman Jim born Motion in a second all those in favor say aye opposed Chair votes aye carries Congratulations Alderman not sure. I like this seat for some reason. I'm supposed to entertain you guys for a couple minutes Me and a microphone what can go wrong? Okay, I'm okay. Okay. We'll reconvene the common council Meeting and Alderman President Hammond. Can you tell us the results of your election? Because we absolutely thank you. Mr. Mayor again once again. I'd like to congratulate Alderman Jim born as the new community whole chairman Congratulations Alderman born Before we get started we are going to have to go back and elect your representative to the board of contractors examiners So Alderman Decker Need the nomination again. Thank you, Mr. Mayor I move that nominations be received from the floor voting to be done by open ballot And if more than two candidate one candidate are Two candidates are nominated the candidate one candidate sorry Candidate with the lowest number of votes be dropped from the list and the balloting to continue until one candidate receives a majority Second it's been moving seconded the nominations to be received from the floor the voting to be done by open ballot And if more than two candidates are nominated the candidate with the lowest number of votes will be dropped from the list and Balloting continue until receives the majority Alderman Hammond I'm his all in favor say aye. I Opposed motion carried Alderman President Hammond. Thank you. Mr. Mayor. I nominate Alderman Lassard It's been moved and seconded to nominate Alderman Lassard. Is there any other nominations? Is there other any other nominations? Is there other any other nominations Alderman Decker? Thank you, Mr. Mayor Move the close of nominations and direct the city clerk to cast Susie Lassard for the capital improvements commission It's been moving seconded to I'm sorry reading the wrong one Electrical contractors board It's been moving seconded to Cast a unanimous ballot close close the Nominations and cast any unanimous ballot for Alderman Lassard for the electrical For the contractors examiner's board all those in favor signify by saying aye. I Opposed motion carried congratulations Alderman Lassard We now will hear from the newly elected president of the council President Hammond Another microphone what can go wrong here? Thank you mayor all the persons and citizens first Thank you to my colleagues for the opportunity to serve as president. I look forward to the opportunity and to the challenge I'd also like to thank all the persons Kittleson Samson and Hammond for their dedicated service and Congratulate and welcome our new all the persons to the council kind of struggled Excuse me Taxing was a little taxing this year. I struggled to kind of put together what I was going to talk about tonight It's hard to put into words what happened last year So but to suffice to say the city's been through a lot over the last nine months And over this time this council has had to make many difficult and unprecedented decisions It's now time to put those days behind us and look to the future Although I realize we have challenges and difficult decisions ahead I believe sheboygan is a bright future with many reasons to be optimistic Springboarding from the successes in 2002 many of our valued private sector employers continued to expand bringing much needed employment to the area 2011 city development office led by Chad Pellecek Help retain and create over 700 private sector jobs and over the next couple years many of our largest employers Will continue to add new jobs Additionally, we continue to have interest from businesses outside the region about doing business in Sheboygan Supported by law enforcement Fire chiefs throughout the county and with all of its well-documented benefits There's a renewed optimism and combined dispatch Thanks to the leader efforts of our of leaders from both the city and county including chief Dumbilgoski chief Herman Jim Amonio Dave Augustine. We are now closer than ever to bringing this necessity of public safety to reality. I Would also like to thank Inspector Brooke Bauer share of preview and Adam Payne who have worked with the city to bring us this far Through the efforts of many within City Hall We continue to improve our processes and accountability with the public in 2012 Jim Amonio and Dave Augustine have and will continue to look at each department in depth to determine their IT needs staffing and processes To determine what can be improved to bring better services to our citizens? We have a new website where citizens can make inquiries and report violations This system provides a mechanism to ensure that citizen inquiries and concerns are handled in a timely manner Financially the con city continues to strengthen on April 12th as many of you know Moody affirmed our bobbin rating of double a to the second highest they have available Consequently and thanks to the hard work of our finance department to get things out and to healers in a quick man in a quick manner Yesterday our 2012 2013 general obligation bond issue was bid at a premium at a savings of about 148,000 over what was projected Thanks to the thanks to the efforts of many including Chad and Jim in a much appreciated partnership with the county DNR and EPA The Shiboyan River will be dredged allowing larger boats to come further upstream giving visitors another reason to play in Shiboyan Our people give us another reason to be optimistic about our future their tireless work and pride in the city They call home is the reason we are one of the greatest cities in America to live our employees continue Excuse me our employees continue to adapt to the changing landscape of city government And although they may not like or agree with all of the decisions They continue to do their chosen vocations with professionalism and dedication These are just some of the reasons to believe in a strong future for the city of Shiboyan Enclosing for the new all the persons. I look forward to working with each of you as we progress and I'll assist you in any way I can for returning Excuse me for returning all the persons last year was a long year I look forward to putting that year behind us and focusing on the future of this great city To all this is a new chapter in our city's long and proud history We may not always agree, but I hope the discourse will remain respectful While always having the best interest of the city first and foremost in our hearts and minds Finally, there are many reasons to be proud of the city. We call home and with your help I look forward to a great year filled with many opportunities to help make Shiboyan a great place to live work and play Thank you. Thank you president Hammond We'll all hear from the committee of the whole chairman all the men born. Thank you mayor Before I start speaking about the committee of the whole specifically there's a Few people that I have to thank First of all, I'd like to thank my wife Marilyn who's in the audience tonight For her support and encouragement over the last six years that I've been on the council. I would also Like to thank my constituents in the 8th district wards 24 25 and 26 For voting for the for them voting for me to return to the council It has been an honor and a pleasure to represent them for the last six years I Want to thank my fellow council members this evening for electing me to this leadership position on the council as chairman of the Committee of the whole I am sure we will have some interesting and important issues coming before the committee of the whole In the new council year, and I look forward to facilitating those discussions as chairman of the committee of the whole I Look forward to working with president Hammond Vice president Carlson Mayor van Akron chief administrative officer or Mordio our department our department heads and all of you my fellow council members Thank you again for the confidence of you that you have placed in me If anyone has a topic or issue of concern that that they would like addressed at the committee of the whole please contact me and I took the liberty to call the first committee of the whole meeting which will be On Wednesday, May 2nd at 5 30 This meeting will be an orientation session on a wide range of topics for the new older persons And a review for the returning older persons The meeting will be conducted by our city clerk Sue Richards our city attorney Steve McLean and our IT IT manager Dave Augustin Thank you, and I look forward to working with all of you Thank you Alderman Warren My turn mayor's message I want to thank you all for being here tonight. I want to congratulate the new Alderman who have just been elected in in the Last April's election. I want to welcome the new Alderman to this floor Again, it's always interesting and it I have a lot of admiration for people who will come forward and do this job I Can look out into the eyes of the new Alderman and see there's Excitement anticipation. I also can see Through the eyes of the Alderman of what did I get myself into? That's from Alderman Hammond. Oh Earlier today I spent a Few minutes here quietly in this chamber and thought about all the other councils that have been here in the past In this room, you know, I started in 1986. I Sat right back there where Alderman Madachek is as a new council member, but there was a lot of Alderman here that had been here quite a while My father served for quite a while after that but the Dean of the Alderman in the council was Fred Arcbey who sat where? My son David all David van Akron is sitting, you know, I think Fred was here. What about 28 years? How many of you think you'll be here in 28 years Fred was a great guy, and you know, I think the There's also been many mayors that have come from these seats right here and the common council Mayor Schneider sat where Mayor Carlson is sitting Mayor Shram, I think sat right in this area when you before he was elected and then Mayor Perez sat up front here and Mayor Ryan sat in this area now myself from there. So there's the last five alderman have come right from these seats So be interested to see what Alderman will step forward To take the seat next. I hope it's not real soon But I'm looking forward to somebody stepping forward, you know, it's kind of Remarkable that this city keeps going on forward through many economic hard times many controversies Even some floods that we've had in the past It's kind of remarkable, but a little spooky actually that many of the same issues. We're facing today We're talked about in councils of the past Things like the South Pier district and what to do with the riverfront Whether to have a hotel. We actually talked about a casino years ago in a riverboat dambling Possibly an aquarium those things haven't changed. We're still looking for what to do at South Pier district Again joint dispatch, you know That's been talked about for over 40 years and as Alderman Hammond said we're very close or this close to getting that done But I can remember sitting in this in his council chambers and fire chief Herman Was talking to then a young Alderman vernacron About dispatch The only problem was it was Jeff Herman's father And I was the Alderman sitting here 25 years ago talking about dispatch and today It's his son and my son are still talking about this guy dispatch Always a hot topic is the downtown area and how to revive the downtown to bring more businesses Downtown Can you imagine the process that had to go through back in the 70s late 70s after the downtown had kind of dwindled in a new mall Had been built trying to find an answer on how to bring people to our downtown area the council in their wisdom The times of that that era the idea was to I think in like Dallas and New Orleans and San Francisco Miami places like that. We're putting in protest pedestrian malls and Closing the streets and and having people shop in the sunlight and things like that. So that's what the council decided Now, I don't know why some councilman didn't go Don't we live in Wisconsin and like in December and January and February? It's gonna be 10 degrees and we're gonna be up to snow up to here But they went ahead with that and and you know, they they did what they thought was right at that time a bold a bold move forward Not only did that in their wisdom They decided we'll take out the streets completely for five or six bucks And we'll put in these little bricks and we'll put them all the way up and down the street Now many of you who've lived in the city for a long time have seen, you know, during the winter we get potholes And our streets crack because water gets underneath them and freezes Well, we put these little bricks and in within a year or two these bricks are popping up all over the place Because of because of the weather but again the council did what they thought was smart at that time and they put forward This pedestrian mall we built the library, you know about that same time in the downtown area But took one of the important corners of A middle of our downtown and decided to put in a bear pit Fulton I call it a bear because it reminds me of the bear pit from the old zoo years ago But we put in a fountain in one of the areas and it took only about I would say a week or two for some young energetic Teenager to figure out, you know, what if you take a whole box of tide and throw it in that fountain You get about four feet of Bubbles and no mom it wasn't me But that did happen and then he figured out real quickly, you know Shaboyan and And the councils have always done what they figured are right and You tonight are starting your career and you're able to steer the city of Shaboyan now the city of Shaboyan is going to move Move on with your guidance Sometime in spite of your guy guidance, they're gonna it's gonna move on but I feel Courage because in the short time that I've been mayor We've had two new restaurants open We have three businesses that are gonna build on the north side in the Calumet North Avenue area We have a new business on the south side by the pick pick and save that's gonna open a new strip mall in that area There's a couple businesses that have come forward and asked to re do their store fronts and rebuild Their own stores for us and that's all just been in the last month. So I feel very confident But we still have a lot of work to be done I Hope that we can be known as the council that finally after 40 years to make joint Dispatch a reality and I believe we can and working together. We're gonna get that done After three years or three decades We've been talking about cleaning up the Shaboyan River in the PCBs and dredging and I think this council is gonna be Known as the council that finally got that done and it's gonna happen this year starting in July We're able to work together and together for the first time. We're gonna do Eisner Avenue Eisner Avenue was always a different difficult Street to do because part of it was in the town part of it is one in the city and it always was in bad shape But this year we're gonna get that done We're gonna start go out for bids and we're doing the projects this year There's two major things that are common in all three of those major projects One of them being it took decades to get them from start to finish The second thing being it showed that by working with the city the county the state And even in the federal government these things by working together. We finally got these things to move to move forward We have many issues facing us in the next Upcoming year and I'm gonna need your help working together We're gonna be able to get these things done working together. We'll be able to move Sheboygan forward You know last night the council passed the resolution Reducing the number of committees to make city government more efficient That's gonna happen right away this year. I Challenge you also to take a close look at possibly reducing the size of the council in the next year Take a good look at that. That's something that we should be considering the people are looking for One of the first things that the salary and grievance committee is going to be looking at is To taking up in the next month is to reduce the mayor's salary I as I was running said I would volunteer to reduce my salary as Put forward by the council So I would ask the council to do that in a very quickly as quick as possible manner and my wife's not happy about it But that's all right Let's uh, let's get that done and let's put that behind us One of the things that I've heard from the taxpayers while I was running and I've heard since I've taken office in here is Some of the tough decisions that we're gonna have But one thing came out loud and clear and that's the fact that we need to get rid of the garbage fee whatever it takes We must not and I will not include a garbage fee in the part of next year's budget working together We will have to find alternatives and we'll have to make some tough decisions to do that, but let's work together And let's do that Sheboygan will move forward I'm enlightened by our past. I'm encouraged by the present times, and I'm excited about our future You know, I've served the city of Sheboygan in many capacities over the last 20 years but I can stand up today and look you all in the eye all of you and Say that I'm proud to be the mayor of the city of Sheboygan We can all be proud of Sheboygan because we're gonna be moving it forward. So thank you for your help and thank you tonight Okay, the mayor's appointments are gonna lie over to April 23rd meeting next week Monday. It's scheduled for Alderman Hammond 530 530 and Steve will read the appointments So that everybody knows what we're talking about to lie over for the April 23rd meeting and 530 Attorney Steve McLean Thank you, your honor stated April 17th to the honorable members of the council I hereby submit the following appointments for your consideration the finance committee Don Hammond chairman Jeremy Decker vice chairman James Boran Daryl Carlson Maryland Donahue Public Protection and Safety Committee David Ben Akron chairman Daryl Carl Carlson vice chairman Joseph Heidemann Susan Lassard and the 6th district elect Bill Longman The Public Works Committee James Boran chairman Joseph Heidemann vice chairman Scott Versi Susan Lassard and Bill Longman Salaries and grievances committee Corey Raceler chairman Julie Koth vice chairman Jody van der Wiel David Van Akron and Maryland Donahue The Law and Licensing Committee Jody van der Wiel chairman Kevin Maddachek vice chairman John Bellinger Julie Koth and Scott Lewandowski signed by the mayor Thank you. Those will lie over till the April 23rd We all I'm sorry. He's got more well, there's also Some other ones that are filling vacancies Rowan Wilson to be considered for appointment to the housing authority to fill the unexpired term of Susan Lassard whose term expires 427-2015 Linda Serrano to be considered for appointment to the board of review to fill the unexpired term of Susan Lassard whose term expires 427-2015 and Ed Surick to be considered for appointments the redevelopment authority to fill the unexpired term of Susan Lassard whose term expires 427-2015 Gene Kittleson to be considered for appointment to the Shpoig and Transit Commission Filled the unexpired term of James Gilligan whose term expires on 421 2014 signed by the mayor Thank you and then there are six pages of Mayor's appointments to the various boards commissions Agencies Okay And we will not read through all those and we will look forward to voting on them on April 20 23 to 5 30 Next we have a proclamation for Arbor Day if the city clerk would read the pop proclamation Okay, this is from the office of mayor city of Shpoig and proclamation Whereas in 1872 J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees and Whereas this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with a planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska and whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world and Whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water Cut heating and cooling costs moderate moderate the temperature clean the air produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife and Whereas trees are a renewable resource giving us paper wood for our homes fuel for our fires and countless other wood products And whereas trees in our city increase property values Enhance the economic fatality of business areas and beautify our community and whereas Trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy and spiritual renewal now I Therefore speaking as the mayor Terry Van Akron by virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Shpoig And that would be Terry Do you hear my proclaim Friday April 27th? 2012 as Arbor Day and I urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and Woodlands and to support our city's urban forestry program And it's in testimony thereof I've here to set my hand and cause the great seal of the city of Shpoig and to be affixed done this 17th day of April in the year Of our Lord 2012 signed by Mary Mary mayor Terry Van Akron We'd like to open the floor To allow our guests to speak on the It's been moving seconded to open the floor to our guests for a brief moment all those are favorite signify by saying aye opposed Thank you for allowing me to come up here and help the city of Shpoig and celebrate their Tree City USA Award for 34 years now your city has shown a commitment to the Trees in your community here and In order to be awarded a Tree City USA status you need to meet four standards So for the past 34 years you have met all four of these There is a department in charge of taking care of the trees you have a tree ordinance You spend two dollars per capita on tree care in your community and Just so everyone knows it has been shown that the money you put in to care for the trees pays you back Three times in the benefits and I know that mayor Van Akron was talking about some of the revitalization going on in downtown Research has also shown that when you landscape with trees in an area where folks shop and spend money They linger longer and spend up to 10% more so I think Including trees and you know revitalizing downtown is a fantastic thing And then the last thing that you do every year is the really fun one You have an Arbor Day celebration and this year Arbor Day is the last Excuse me Friday in April and it's celebrated here in Sheboygan at Wilson elementary school You can get a hold of David cook hook for more information on that if you're interested in attending or celebrating with the community But I do have a large flag here that I would like to present the city if mayor Van Akron would like to come down So on behalf of National Arbor Day Foundation and the Department of Natural Resources I'm honored to present the city of Sheboygan with your Tree City USA Award Congratulations Thank you very much So declare the public forum tonight. I don't believe we have anybody Okay Number two. We have a RO from the superintendent of Parks and Forest Street accepting a check for one thousand dollars from North Woods Casket Company regarding the contribution to urban forestry in Wisconsin for 2012 Alderman Hammond, thank you, mr. Mayor. I move the RO be accepted and placed on file It's been moved and seconded to have the RO be Accepted and placed on file all those in favor signify by saying aye Opposed motion carried Resolution a resolution requesting the mayor's to reactivate various committees for the 2012 2013 council Year Alderman Hammond. Thank you, mr. Mayor. I move the resolution be put upon its passage second It's been moved and seconded that the resolution be put upon its passage. Is there any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye Opposed Thank you, mr. Mayor motion to adjourn back and move and seconded to adjourn all those in favor signify by saying aye opposed We're adjourned. Thank you very much