 I'd like to call the order the 24th meeting of the 2014 2015 common counsel Thank You mayor There are two ways to be fooled One is to believe what isn't true the other is to refuse to believe what is true Thank you with the clerk, please call the roll for the meeting. There are 13 present Alderman Thiel and Alderman Damro are both excused Next we'll move on to the Pledge of Allegiance. Please stand and join me 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 Next we'll move on to the approval of the minutes from our last meeting Thank You mr. Mayor move to approve second. Thank you for that motion in support. Is there any discussion on the minutes as printed? Seeing none with all those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye opposed motion passes There are no council appointments or no confirmation of council appointments needed today Next we'll move on to our program for tonight Shpoig and police department Daniel report is on your desk tonight and chief Domigalski is here to give us a program on that report Crimes You 15% of those because it wouldn't happen late last fall when you had a run on them. But I will tell you, if you compare that against the 5-year average, you can see that it is still down to 5-year average. So he still made some good progress with that up to a 17-5 from the fire on. We know that at least three of those to fire on are done. If you look at Furguli's, probably our place, the statistic, I told you that we had 107, which is the lowest number in more than 30 years. So we're continuing to keep in that area. Look at those in some detail that you see is that there's a split where about 50% of all my residents is in the area. There's a large number of businesses. We've got 60% of those people working. Talking about some of the burning in the house, most of the time when that's happening with somebody reading either a door or a window or a garage door, it doesn't provide some opportunity. Fests will be the other area. Fests have a 50% drop since 2008. We increased about 4% last year over the year before, but still when we looked at the fests, there's nothing like 1,000 in the region. Two of those, 30% or a little over 300 are retail fests. Another 20% are fests per model. So we're over 200, about 201 are fests per model. When we break those down, we find the same thing. More than 97% of those are your properties, the interactive type, and doors on the clock, or windows are open. So again, your property needs to be in that area. And another 30% of those are your bicycles. The next slide would be key announcements. So some of the things that I have talked to you about, some of our key accomplishments have been some of our focus on training, and we try to focus on key areas in training to reduce risk of liability. One of the things that I'm very proud of all of is work with fair and impartial teams. If you look at the national scene that's going on regarding the events, some of those solutions are talking about freeze bias and how that's affecting our work. We had the opportunity in 2014 to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Justice to get some grant funds that we brought to Dr. Fowley-Cordell from South Florida University to Cleveland to be training with all of our supervisory staff and and supervisory staff that wanted to attend on fair and impartial reasons about freeze bias, how it affects our staff itself and our work, and those things that we can do to train our officers so that we can minimize bias and not freeze it. So I talked to you a little bit about that flash viewer in that 2013 and put a lot of supervisory staff through flash years. Again, I talked about an opportunity in the federal government to support our supervisors in training that got just a lot of put down training. So all of our officers in the whole department that's been training is recently directed called at UCF, the I Directed University, to show how we are more important in treating all of the things that we talked about this year for this training on bias. So we have less than 100 departments in the entire country that have put their whole department through this. Another area that we've been working on for about 5 years is on crisis intervention, so I'll talk a little bit about the mental health system on the next slide, but one of the things we have to do is look how we can cut it in the right way. So in 2014, we put 17 of our personnel, so about 20% of the department through crisis intervention training, it's a 40 hour course. A really high math is a couple of different teachers' officers, more about mental health so that they have the awareness and availability to recognize it. These sources are available in the community, so when they come to contact with these people, they have a better opportunity to make good reports so you can have better outcomes. And then lastly, a teacher's father knows the important things is the escalation skills. One of the issues that we have is that in your defense and arrest tactics, your training essentially is an escalation situation in any way that's happening with the subject that you're going to be using. They use the same skills that they're training on when they're doing the people that are in there or in person or some of that that you recognize that people have mental illness and use in some of the fields so that they can be escalated. With your help, one of the things that we were able to do last year was convert one of our positions to establish a climate analyst and put it up here in the software. So all of our interventions and our operations other than that and these two things really help us have better information back and more real time so that we can be more effective in putting our people in the right places and giving them the attention to the right people. For the last year, we were able to update our policy manual and everybody sees it. It's a lot better. So it's quite a big thing. We're doing best practices, putting places and as part of that, we were also able to establish an ideally critical policy that we're doing with our policies. We were able to update our squad manual system for better profit use and more transparency so that there's good things that I would like to hit on in the long term. Particularly where you can see a lot of land in the block but you have a piece of land and it's going to be four programs. We have more than 10% of our department that's involved in one program to get the officers and the students and then we need to give them the full confidence and support and that's probably going to be one of the positive things in the different areas of choosing the block and then the last thing we're on the general issue we've been part of a collaborative partnership that's provided educational across the river, 15,000 that's the amount of revenues that 5,000 students have. And the last slide talks about EFRETS. EFRETS as I see them from the police perspective of the community and the police department problems and they impact on everybody and they impact on the safety of our citizens and the quality of life in our community. We've personally talked to you about it many, many times about health and mental health resources in our community and how it impacts on our environment and it's really the biggest issue that we have. So I don't want to stand up here and be an ace there. We've had a lot of progress in the community on these issues in the online experience. I'd like to point out some of the positive things and everything like that. We've had excellent partnerships and we're happy to say that some people have really stepped up with the leadership role so I think we'll be able to do that. I've been working with a lot of people who have been with the EFRETS department. We've been a lot of leadership and resources in the issues. We've worked with us over the past five years to try to line up resources so that we can put on the crisis intervention training that I've talked about and next year I'll be telling you that in February, he's fast February, he put the rest of our entire department through the training and part of the workforce through the community department itself. There are other organizations that have made them open there. Another big part of that, again, is trying to find those resources and providing them and many people who have stepped up to really try to fill the gaps that are there. Two of them that I think are really worthy of mentioning what the future is going to look like. It's going to be much different and one of them is Aurora because of the fact that they're already present in our community and provide mental health services for patients and health patients to both adults and children. Without them, we could be like many other communities and really have no options, but very lucky to have them. But even more important than that is that they recognize that they're still in need and with the help of a community and a bunch of other partners that really step forward to try to put forth even more services through a behavioral wellness program. Like your community health care, again, is a great asset that really has come from the community and is helping to address many, many of these issues. And lastly, some of the things that you really should know is that C. Jack, which is the criminal justice advisory committee, has been doing a lot of work around some of these same issues trying to address some of the gaps. The community is working on one of them. One of the issues is that there's a lot of work. So there's a lot of people that are working to try to find the resources and grants to apply for to bring this work to the community. So I think those are all really positive things that are going on. Chris, thank you very much for that report. We appreciate everything that you and your fellow officers do and it's good to see the progress that's been made in the last year. City clerk. First on our list tonight is Tammy Rob. Tammy, are you here? If you'd like to come up to the podium, please. Tammy, can I have your home address, please? And you will have five minutes. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You did that. I have not seen any of these reports. I have not seen any of these reports. I have not seen any of these reports. the field is green to us. We have been trapped from the very gates. We are not angry. We are trapped. Our neighborhood teams have researched almost every angle and we're just trying to understand what every step of the way is. We have also presented more than 15 landsites that Aurora could build on. They'll put in a north-west open southern part of the city of Des Moines. Why would Aurora lack a railway system that only allows people to establish the soccer and baseball fields? Why would the world take the long-term sight of the sun? Why place the burden on everyone? Why should the school district bring back the west and east carpet? Why was there support to the public until we found the drop of the court's life? If Aurora truly was a team player, they would have considered all the properties listed on the training stand-up that they share as human rights funds. And here's an interesting fact that I learned at four o'clock today. If the competitors charged $169 for office business, why would Aurora's own main office business be $350 for now, every 15 minutes over a period of a year that's nearly $3? Perhaps that's why they have $2.7 to handle it? I'm not sure. Interestingly, the Super Properties by Schaapfield is another example of why Mr. Phil, Aurora was looking to purchase it a few years ago, I've seen plenty. In addition, now another company wants to buy it. It has 80 developmental acreage properties, although 60 acres this year could be financed through viable development. It's selling for $2 million, along with $169,000 that's already after the filming work. Could Aurora do a hand-to-feel on this property, too, let the field be green? There's no sense to break up the wetlands, small bars, and open fields, just like the field is green. This property is smacked out in the center of the city, and for Aurora to have easy access to housing, $23,000, $43,000, and $15,000. There are no railroads to discuss, there are no problems to end concerns. So why should this not happen as we've seen generations? We look at it from the years. Mr. Redner, we've learned a lot from your organization over the past few weeks, and you're not liking what we're verifying. You should have been fair to us, and should have shared two statements throughout the program. For someone making over $200,000 to $2,000 a year with our bonuses, is there an underlying objective on what you're working on? Perhaps you should sit down and help us discuss it. If the other 15 properties presented will not work, why? We've been asking that question for months. If field is green, we've never fixed on your list of persons over the last four or five years. Why is this purpose real? Because I used to believe it on the seller side, and now you want the person to be able to bring it. What happens to you on a Tuesday? Why do they fall out of the risk? Do you have much money? Similarly, it's still good to fill out the organization. Is Aurora a cash cow and you don't want to use your money? Let us know and we will help you. Why didn't you share with the neighborhood you're being out of respect last summer? Why didn't you participate in a lot almost in a year later? Also, coaching is for you. The last few months, you've been going to meetings, you've been keeping telling, and you have coached. Over a lot of people have presented on behalf of Aurora. They were there for you, but when the two potentially have come to the forefront and said they don't like this, are there any favor of it? We've had more than 11 percent of people not so come out and share their discussion and their feelings as to why not that that was your concern. So we've one-on-one meetings that have groups that I've been going on. I have not received a call from them, so I haven't even received a call from them. Excuse me, Tammy. Your time is up. Thank you very much. Next on the list is Scott Lewandusky. Scott, can I have your home address please? Sure. Sure. Scott Lewandusky, 2201 Uri Avenue. And you will have five minutes. I'm here to speak tonight, not about the three million dollars plus that the test city taxpayers will be stuck paying to replace what the kids and taxpayers already have, which I have spoken about in the past, but about the sneaky way things have been done. According to today's Sheboygan press, the city knew about the plan to destroy the field of dreams of five months ago in November, but it did not become public until last month. Then it was going to be voted on by the school board the next day, February 10th, with the city planning on voting on it the following week. Aurora was given at least five months to convince the city that this plan was good, but the people of Sheboygan were only given one day by the school board and one week by the city to raise questions. What is being hid that is tried to be rushed through? Why hasn't Aurora held a meeting to answer the community's questions? It's only little bits and pieces. The tax benefits that Aurora will pay have been mentioned. If we are willing to look at this with an open mind, we all know Aurora will not leave the city of Sheboygan, so the city will still get that tax money no matter where they build in the city. Some aldermen have been meeting with Aurora in private meetings one on one for as long as it takes, but for the group trying to save the field of dreams, the city gives them three minutes and doesn't ask any questions like you do to leaders from Aurora, and if Aurora says something we can't follow up. If this is such a good thing for the city, why the secrecy? We have been told by Aurora that this is the only site that works for them. Why is it the only site? What are the reasons that other sites don't work? Aurora is not willing to answer these questions. A good company would figure out how to make those other sites work, some of which they have already purchased a land for. Instead, they are trying to divide the city just as they are doing by meeting with some aldermen one on one in private. Instead, Aurora is destroying the respect they have in the community. This is not just neighbors trying to stop the field of dreams from being destroyed as claimed, but people from all over the city. I'm not a neighbor to the field of dreams, I live about a mile and a half away. We have been told that the new fields will be even better than what the kids have now. How do we know that? What assurance do we have from Aurora, the Sheboygan area school district, and the city that everything planned will happen? There is not enough money for everything that is planned. New York City has a beautiful park in the city and financial problems, but they have never sunk so low as to sell off and destroy their central park. Why should Sheboygan sink so low as to sell a park when the city has so much other land available to build on? Finally, I will give each aldermen the same offer Aurora has given you and some of you have accepted. I will be glad to meet with any of you one on one to discuss my concerns and the concerns of the Save the Field Dreams group. Other members of the group are also willing to meet with you, either one on one or as a group. Be fair and honest and give both sides equal time to hear both sides of the issue. Don't be narrow or close minded and only listen to one side. You are elected to represent the people and make the best decision possible after looking at both sides of a question instead of only one side like some of you are doing now. If you want to take me up on my offer to meet with me one on one my phone number is 452-5709 or email me at Sheboyganhistoryatbitehead.com. I repeat 452-5709 or Sheboyganhistoryatbitehead.com. Thank you. Thank you. Next on the list is Melissa Brish. Is Melissa here? Melissa, can I have your home address please? Yeah, do you want to use mine for now? I'm attached. If you don't mind standing over here more. Is it? That is. Can you hear me now? All right. How should I do this? Okay. Sue, and I'll take my extra minute too. I know I'm going to use it. So I won't get everything in your packet tonight, but I'm going to get as much as I can. First in your packet of information, I gave you an email that I sent to the city clerk, which I believe she included in your packet, but it regards the conflict of interest that we have with Common Council President Don Hammond. The public perception- Talking about any individuals here. I'm sorry, you have to eliminate that from your discussion. Okay. So I just wanted to let you know that that is inside of your packet of the conflict of interest there. Good. That'll save me some time. All right. So what else is in your packet? Some people have said that the city of Sheboygan shouldn't be involved in the business of the city school district, but how the school district serves the city is managed and their decision directly impacts the city, the residents and our children. So I'm going to talk about another financial impact, the city and the taxpayers, and ultimately our children when it comes to decision to sell the field of dreams. And I'll end my time with a proposal that'll do just the opposite and propose a win-win-win for the city. So I want to call your attention to a couple things in your packet. First of all, is your purchase agreement. You have that. That is the purchase agreement between the school district and Aurora. This is the final copy. They're working on getting the final copy signed right now and we'll be getting a copy of that, but I wanted to point you to page nine. Number 24, it mentions that Aurora will take the construction and the costs and expenses of the athletic fields on the east parcel. What it doesn't mention, now it's, are we working? Sure. What it doesn't cover is the most expensive part, which is the disposal of the contaminated land, and that is a huge expense. And just because Mr. Gravener said he was going to cover the cost, it is not in writing, so that is not binding. And who's going to pay for that cost? And ultimately the taxpayers pay for the school district as well as the city. So there's nothing in here about the contaminated land on the east parcel and who's going to pay for that. I have requested that information from Joe Sheehan, and he says he doesn't have that information because Aurora is doing the building on the east parcel. But that is school property. He should have those numbers. So you should probably think about requesting those, but I will be requesting them again. We should have those numbers. If that east parcel is staying in the school district, we should have those numbers. Also in that same handout on number 25 under the donations, it talks about that Aurora is actually only giving to the Boots and Property $2.233 million. That's $63,000 less than they said. So that cost is going to have to be covered by the city of the Sheboygan and the taxpayers. So moving on, and you can read the rest of this, but they're only going to contribute the $2.233 million, and they said whatever's left over has to be covered by the city, and they're not going to cover it. But you can read the rest of that for yourself. You also have in here a packet as well as the total actual cost for phase one. You will notice that the actual cost for phase one for the Boots and Complex is $4,693,000. That means that we're short $1,659,897, not including the $800,000 that you've committed. So if we build the property with the money that the 3.1 million, we will not have concessions or restrooms. We won't have lighting for the parking lot or the drives. We will not have topsoil and drainage for each field. There'll be no landscaping. That's right here in black and white. I gave you a copy of the estimation given to us by Rettler Corporation. So we're over $1.7 million short, and that includes the, that does not include the $800,000. So I also gave you a DNR handout as well that you can read with the DNR discussion, but we won't have time to cover that, so you can read that for yourself. So like I said in the beginning, there is a solution to all of this. Aurora has never stated that $5.1 million donation is conditional upon building over the Field of Dreams Park. Thank you. Thank you. So again, Aurora has never stated that the $5.1 million donation is a condition upon building over the Field of Dreams Park. If they did, that would be a bribe and not a donation, according to the definition. So if it is a donation, let's look at the actual win-win-win here. Aurora stated they are committed to building in the city of Sheboygan. So they will get a new outpatient surgery center and the city will collect the estimated $200,000 in property taxes no matter where they build in the city. They could build on one of the two or three new properties they own, or better yet, they can buy one of our commercial properties that are for sale. Any new jobs that may be created as a result of and aren't transfers from the current surgery center will occur regardless of where they build in the city. Also, no matter where they build in the city, it will decompress the current clinic and hospital campuses as Mr. Graber stated in his email that he sent out to the Acudy employees that were sent out to the Acudy employees on his behalf. Here's the good part. Since Aurora won't be building on one of our parks, they can give the whole $5.1 million to develop the Boots and Property and we can actually do it. And my time is up. So that is a win-win-win-win for the city. Thank you. All right, Renee Roush, 2301 North 34th Street, Sheboygan. Okay, thank you. Just to be certain that I am against the rezoning of a 3306 Salmon Avenue also known as Field of Dreams. I hope that you keep an open mind as you hear the different things that we have brought to light. I do want to, as Scott pointed out, that this is a community issue. This is not just a neighborhood issue. And the reason why I state that when, you know, given a few examples, when Sheridan Park wannabe built up or built over for the police department, it was a community issue. It wasn't just the neighborhood. When Taylor Drive was to be taken through Maywood, it was stopped. That was not just a neighborhood issue. It was a community issue. This too is. And if you read or have read the Sheboygan press as of late, you've seen a lot of letters for and against it. But a lot of letters that have been against it are not just from our neighborhood. A lot of those names I don't even recognize. I don't know who they are. So that kind of gives you a little bit of clue as to this, just not 30-some neighbors, okay? I'm constantly stopped outside of my neighborhood where I work or at my church and told about how people are not happy about this. Many of them are the elderly when they're at birthday parties or retirement parties. It's a concern that comes up and then people have talked to me like, oh yeah, this is a big talk. So I'm just trying to point that out that it's not just us that see this. I'd also like to, you know, looking at the city as Melissa pointed out, you know, do we have all this extra money and extra million dollars to throw at the extra cost that is going on? I would like to see that extra money if we have it put towards fixing our roads. We do have the worst roads, I think I've ever seen or driven on. The only ones that have been comparable to me have been in Mitchell, South Dakota where the corn palace is. I'm not trying to slam the public works department because I know that they are doing the best they can. But because of budget constraints and, you know, manpower, they had to lay some people off or cut ours, I get that they're doing the best they can. I just wish we could find extra money in our budget to fix those roads. You know, you want to attract tourism, you want to attract people to the city. We need to maintain and keep what we have instead of building more, building new, building something else. You know, it doesn't do us any good if we have great facilities, but crappy roads to drive on. Just trying to point that out. The garbage fee is another example of poor money management. That was supposed to be finished in December 2012, but it hasn't. And why hasn't it? Because we've needed that money to help plug the holes in our budget. And I'm not saying that, you know, that extra few bucks is not killing me, I get that, but it's just the promise that it was supposed to be a brief one year thing and it's going to be there forever. We all know that. Just trying to point out who will pay for the upgrades to the roads once the construction trucks have come and gone. Who will do that? Who will take care of paying for the easement, the sidewalks, and all the other things that need to be put in place before the boots and property can be built upon. We were told that the city will take up and pick up that tab. I'd like to also point out, you know, you're looking at building on the east side. You have to, I'm very concerned about the safety of the children. On the west side, we do not have to cross Taylor Drive right now. The kids on the north and the west side of Taylor can access the park facilities no problem. The children on the east side of Taylor have Cleveland Park and Grace Park that they can access. They don't need to cross Taylor Drive. Have you ever tried to cross Taylor Drive on your foot? I mean, like by standing on the corner and waiting for cars to go by. I have many times, I run through the area, I have to wait there a lot of times to cross without any lights, without any, you know, any crossing, you know, lights, or I talked about a footbridge, but you can put on. I don't know what's going to happen, but I do know that children are impatient and if they're waiting there at the corner and there's no lights, there's no safety issues or no safety nets put there, they are impatient. They cannot gauge how fast a car is coming. They can't figure this out. They see their friend over there. They're going to dart out. And it just makes me sick to think that something could possibly happen to one of our children. I just want to also point out that this is a sacred area for us, for me. I get that. I get that it's not sacred for everybody, but it is to me. I purposely purchased my house because it was down from this field, from the park, where I lived in Monroe, Wisconsin. I lived across the street from a park, and when I was moving here, I looked in various different communities. Plymouth, Howard's Grove, I worked, I looked at Kohler and Usberg and Sheboygan. And this was the only facility, this was the only house that had my requirements of being close to and accessible to a park. So I just wanted to point that out as well. Lastly, if I could have an extra minute, that'd be great. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Just wanted to point out Optimus Park a few years back. Soccer fields were put on there. And when those were put on there, I have friends that live in that area. And with the disruption of the topsoil, the drainage, all that, they had a lot of water issues in their basement. And it took the city three years to get that fixed. They have spent over $7,000 of their own money putting drainage systems in to get their house fixed so that the water will not seep into their basement. And there is a concern that if it is built on field of dreams, what will happen to the flooding and then the waterways that will go into our basement? Because we've already flooded out back in 98 as many of the areas in there. I'd like to add that, you know, I'd like to see this rezoning of the field of dreams put up for a referendum and let the people of Sheboygan decide if this should happen. I'd like to see them put it up for a vote. And lastly, I'd like to say the tagline on the bottom of all the field dreams letters that went out 20 some years ago said make our field of dreams for tomorrow's children come true. 3729 South 11th Street. There we go. Can you hear me? Okay, we're good. So my name is Terry Miller. Be transparent. I do work for Aurora. But what I would like to talk to you about is economic growth. And the current plan for the field of dreams is to enhance our sports facilities, not to destroy our sports facilities. So this weekend, I have a 13 year old girl and 18 year old girl, we were at a volleyball tournament this weekend in a community. And there were 51 teams in my daughter's bracket, totally shocked and amazed. 10 girls on each team. Think of that for families. We ourselves spent two nights in a hotel total of three days in that community. We as a family spent $600, $600 times 510, just in her bracket. Okay, as I read our paper, and I don't read the paper a lot. I see businesses closing. I see economic downturn, DNM, Sears, very fine. This plan to enhance our sports facilities will give us the chance to have tournaments here on weekends. 7 30 at night, I had to wait a half hour just for a table at a restaurant. I want you to really think in the future. I came here 22 years ago, because I thought this was the best city for my family. In order for this to maintain that being the best city, it has to grow. We have to have these facilities to an order to have this type of economic growth. I was totally amazed at the economics of just one girl's volleyball tournament, what that could bring to a community. Imagine what our new sports facilities enhanced, not destroyed, could bring to our city. Okay, next we'll go on to the mayor's announcements. Today we're going to help the Rotary Clubs of Sheboygan celebrate their 110th anniversary. I have a proclamation I'd like to read from the office of the mayor of the city of Sheboygan, proclamation. Whereas Rotary International was founded on February 23rd of 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, and the first Rotary Club of Sheboygan was established in 1916, and is the world's first and one of the largest not-for-profit humanitarian service organizations with 1.2 million Rotary Club members comprised of professional and business leaders in over 34,000 clubs in 200 countries, with two clubs in Sheboygan comprising 150 members. Whereas the Rotary Model service above self inspires members to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, promote goodwill and peace in the world, and funding to support projects and sponsor volunteers with community expertise to provide medical supplies, healthcare, clean water, food production, job training, and education to millions in need, particularly in developing countries. Rotary in 1985 launched Polio Plus and spearheaded efforts with the World Health Organization. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to immunize the children of the world against polio, which caused polio cases to drop 99% since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease. And to date Rotary has contributed more than one billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children against polio in 122 different countries, providing much needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents. Rotary supports programs that strengthen the capacity of our community to provide basic education and literacy to all and invests in our local parks and community facilities to improve the quality of life in Sheboygan. And whereas the Sheboygan Rotary Club and the Sheboygan Early Bird Rotary Club actively sponsor service projects that address such critical issues as poverty, hunger, health, illiteracy, the environment in Sheboygan, and throughout Sheboygan County and abroad. I, Mike Van der Steen, Mayor of the City of Sheboygan, do hereby proclaim March 15th through the 21st of 2015 as Sheboygan Rotary Week and encourage all citizens to join me in recognizing Rotary International for its 110 years of service to improve the human condition in local communities and around the world and recognize these Rotary Clubs. Kristen Blanchard from the Sheboygan Rotary Club is here and Greg Liebig. I ask you to come forward and accept this proclamation. Is Jerry Weninger in the audience? Okay, then the last item is that the Mayor's Neighborhood Leadership Cabinet will be meeting at the Mead Public Library tomorrow evening at 6.30. If you can join us, we'd appreciate it. Next, we'll go on to hearings. The first hearing is a hearing that's scheduled this evening regarding the assessment for improvements of concrete, paving, and South 23rd Street from Crocker Avenue to Washington Avenue. Is there anyone wishing to be heard for that hearing? Is there anyone wishing to be heard? Is there anyone wishing to be heard? Alderman Hammond. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Move to close. Second. Thank you for that motion and support. All those in favor of closing the hearing, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. Next, we'll move on to a second hearing, a hearing scheduled this evening regarding leving special assessments for the calendar year of 2014 against all properties benefited in parking district number one, two, four, and five. Is there anyone wishing to be heard? Is there anyone wishing to be heard? Is there anyone wishing to be heard? Alderman Hammond. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move to close. Second. Thank you for that motion and support. All those in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion passes. Then we'll move on to the consent agenda, which will include items 3.2 through 3.25. Alderman Hammond. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I move to accept and follow all ROs, accept and adopt all reports of committees and pass all resolutions and ordinances. Second. Thank you for that motion and support. Those documents are before us. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. Will the clerk call the roll for passage? 13 ayes. Motion passes. Next is communications. Item 4.1 will be referred to the Public Protection and Safety Committee, and 4.2 will also be referred to the Public Works Committee. Under reports of officers, 5.1 is an RO by the City Clerk submitting a communication from Melissa Brash regarding issues that she has with Alderman Hammond about selling the Field of Dreams and the pending rezoning of the property by the Common Council. Alderman Carlson. Thank you, Mayor. I would like to make a motion to file, and I understand Alderman Hammond has a statement, and I also have a statement to read too. Second. Is there a motion and a second? The item is on the floor. Alderman Hammond under discussion. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Since that microphone is not working, I'll please forgive my back to you in the back. First, I'd like to address the correspondence from Ms. Brash, and I apologize if I mispronounce your name, alleging unethical conduct on my part with respect to the Field of Dreams proposal. My response is multifaceted. First, I'll address the factual basis for the allegations. Ms. Brash alleges that I have a conflict of interest in this matter on the basis of assertions that are factually inaccurate. First, it is contended that I'm a member of the Aurora Plan Giving Council. That council has not existed since 2009. Therefore, I obviously cannot be a member of a non-existent council. When it did exist, the sole purpose was to encourage charitable donations to plan gifts for the healthcare in the Sheboygan community. Let me be further clear, I did not search out Aurora on this project. They approached the city because of the need for property to relocate the fields, and the various zoning issues involved with their project. This did not occur 17 months ago. It occurred a few months ago. It is further contended that I made a personal donation to help fund the start of Sheboygan's only neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, that I have a conflict of interest. I did not benefit personally or financially from this donation, unless of course one considers gaining personal satisfaction in knowing that baby's born with serious health issues can now be treated in Sheboygan without having to endure the difficulties, inconvenience, and cost of attaining such treatment in Milwaukee or Green Bay as a conflict of interest. I do not believe any applicable ordinance or rule has reached such an interpretation. If such, I dare say we will find it difficult to find public officials who have not donated to causes for whom the governing organization has not had some involvement with local government. Let me be clear, I have no formal role or association with Aurora. My involvement in the field of dreams matter has not and will not provide me any substantial benefit, let alone any benefit. My family certainly will not gain any such substantial benefit, let alone any benefit. Indeed, my efforts on this issue, which have been motivated solely by making a decision in the best interest of all of the citizens of Sheboygan, have involved a huge investment of time and energy and does not warrant the numerous acquisitions made above and beyond the merits of this matter. Additionally, it is contented that I have no authority, quote unquote, to negotiate. It has been, it is currently and has been common practice for staff mayors and council leadership to be involved in the negotiations of development opportunities. In my time on the council, I have been involved in many development opportunities and many have been successful, adding hundreds of jobs and millions of new development to our city. In each project, meetings were held to design, meetings, meetings were held which were designed to determine the viability, the process and financial implications, if any, of the project prior to bringing the opportunity to the council for further discussion and ultimately a voting. Indeed, as as is well known, section 1985 of the Wisconsin statutes allows for the council to meet in closed session for the purposes of discussing development opportunities. In all such meetings on the field of dreams projects, no commitments binding the council were made or applied. There's no conflict of interest and the allegations that I have not adhered to the proper rules of conduct by an elected official or without factual basis. But there's another aspect to these allegations I feel compelled to address. I would submit these allegations are really part of an all too common trend in our political environment to make personal accusations and allegations above and beyond the merits of the matter in discussion. Not once prior to the written statement sent out by Ms. Bresch did she contact me to ask about her concerns regarding the potential conflict of interest. Indeed to this date, no effort has been made to contact me and confirm the accuracy of their allegations. It almost seems that the purpose of these attacks is not to assist in furthering this body's ability to make the best informed decisions, but rather to seek ways of discrediting and bullying individuals that disagree with their position so that they will not participate in the vote on this issue. Additionally, I certainly hope that our public decision making process and discourse has not come to the point where charitable contributions made by an official for the sole purpose of bettering the community is unethical or to quote lacking in moral principles. Over the years I, like others on this body, have made donations of time and money to charitable organizations such as the United Way, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Military Families Connect, The Wounded Warrior Project, The Salvation Army Meals on Wheels, Shboygan Rotary Foundation, American Cancer Society, Ducks Unlimited, Church, Boy Scouts, Shboygan Food Pantry, Rebuilding Together, LTC, the YMCA, and the Girl Scouts, just to name a few. My wife and I have done all of this not for personal gain but in hopes of helping our community. I do not believe the definition of lacking in moral principles includes charitable work. I do not apologize for making these donations of time and talent and for you on the council nor should you. After 11 years in the United States Army, years serving on boards and committees to a numerous account and the desire to see the community be better, I ran for office as an alderman. I can certainly tell you as many of you know and experience properly serving as an alderman involves a commitment of time and resources and is not always easy on your family or work life. Interestingly, in all the time and of all the votes I have made, popular or unpopular, on all these boards and committees have never been accused of lacking in moral principles. In all the public meetings we've had on this issue, I believe my comments clearly show that my only concern was making a decision that benefited the citizens of Shboygan as a whole. In my time as an older person, we have taken up many issues, some popular, some not. However, in most cases people have conducted themselves with integrity and respect. This is clearly not occurring with some at this time with this matter and with these allegations. I support this project because the project will benefit our children by providing new and better facilities because it'll generate 200,000 plus in new tax revenue for Shboygan and because it'll allow the most vulnerable in our community to continue to get the services they need. Those are the only reasons. I gained nothing more from the approval of this project other than knowing that those goals have been accomplished. Whether it was Aurora or another hospital system proposing this project, I would support it for the same reasons. I stand before you with a clear conscience in the statements I've just made and trust in your judgment. I would respectfully submit that these allegations are meritless and that we return to a professional, vigorous, and full discussion of the merits of the proposal put forth by Aurora. Thank you for your time. Thank you for those comments. Alderman Van Akron, there's light on for you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Discussion? I don't know if Alderman Carlson had a comment yet to follow or would you like me to go? Did you? I do, yes. You want to yield to him then? Yes. Okay, go ahead Alderman Carlson. This is also in response to the letter and the allegations. I believe this letter is filled by two things. The first is which is passion and that I can understand. We all need to be passionate about something. However, it is also filled by a misunderstanding of how things really work. Leaders at every level whether they are part of the local school board, the city council such as this, nonprofit boards, and even up the corporate ladder are expected to help develop and move the vision of their organization forward. Part of this responsibility is to take part in meetings in order to set the groundwork for their respective governing bodies. It would be near impossible for a governing body as a whole to negotiate any deal from start to finish. It's not feasible nor is it practical. As for the supposed ethics violations referred to in this letter, I believe it is just way off base. The Sheboygan Press even quoted the state statute as it pertains to ethics. Goes as follows. No public official may use their position in a way that produces or assists in the production of a substantial benefit direct or indirect for the official, one or more members of the official's immediate family either separately or together, or an organization with which the official is associated. And it's clearly stated just a few seconds ago, there is no connection. It's quite absurd to believe that donating to a charity can be twisted to fit into the statement. The author of this complaint also states that he has a personal bias when it comes to this project. Even if this were true, it's a bit naive to think that we all as alderman do not have some sort of bias towards this community. We all have ties to businesses, charities, around the city, and I will admit that one of my personal biases is towards public safety. I make it a mission in my life to preserve the protective services in our city based on over a decade of service in the military. The supporters of this project, which include Alderman Hammond and myself, among others, are looking at the entire scope of this project. The added tax revenue of the medical office building, the new jobs being created, and the world-class sporting facility that will be built in place of the subpar field of dreams. This is our personal bias, looking out for the best interests of the community, and that that is our job as leaders. In this case, the vocal minority has chosen to personally attack a single individual to support the cause, and that is saddening. What's even more frustrating is the fact that they can come up to the public forum and say anything that they want, including false information, and we as a council cannot respond. It's a convenient one-sided pulpit. Personally, I have received more positive feedback in response to this project than negative, and with that being said, I strongly believe that this letter has no merit. I will hope that you will vote in favor of filing it. Thank you. Thank you for those comments, and then Alderman Van Akron. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm standing today in an effort to refer this to the Committee of the Whole, which I believe is also our ethics committee. I'm not standing here to substantiate any claims or refute any of the claims. I am going to stand to talk about the process. When complaints like this come forward, which thankfully are very few and far between, we have a process in place, and I think it's our obligation and our responsibility to look into them, to openly look into them, have a transparent review of the complaints that are made in this process. I do believe that we owe it to Mrs. Brish. I do believe we owe it to the public, and I honestly believe we owe it to Alderman Hammond to have that opportunity to have this complaint reviewed openly and transparently and have some type of decision made on it. Again, I'm not standing here to substantiate any of these things. I certainly do not have any working knowledge of the claims that are being made, but we do have a process, and that process is to send complaints like this to the Committee of the Whole for review. So I do think it's our obligation and our duty and our responsibility to look into these matters. So I make the motion to send it to the Committee of the Whole. That motion is out of order until we dispense with the motion on the floor, Alderman Van Ackren. Am I correct? Yes, Mr. Mayor, I don't believe, I think I can make the motion to refer it. I haven't heard a second, but I was just going to take a look at which takes precedence, but I believe referral does take precedence over. I believe the referral does too. I'll second it. I'll second it for discussion purposes. I'm going to wait till the ruling by the city attorney. Section 2-191 says motions in order during debate. When a question is under debate by the council, no motion except the following shall be received. These motions shall have preference in the order in which they are arranged. A adjourn comes first. Lay on the table, which is to file. Previous question. Post phone to the next meeting. Commit to a standing committee. Commit to a select committee. Amend or postpone indefinitely. Post phone indefinitely is filing. Laying on the table is just tabling it to a subsequent meeting. As between referral to a standing committee, that would take precedence over or postponing it indefinitely, which is filing. That would be in order. Okay, so the motion to refer, then, it takes precedence. We have a second from Alderman Boren, and we're under discussion on that motion. Go ahead, Alderman Boren. Thank you, Mayor. I just have a question on the procedure of the document coming in. I have a copy of it here, and in the second paragraph, Ms. Brosh said, I would like to put into question what we consider to be unethical conduct by Alderman Hammond and ask you to refer this document to the Sheboygan Common Council Ethics Board. My question is on procedure. When I saw this on the council agenda tonight, without a referral to the Ethics Board, was it an oversight by somebody that they didn't see that Ms. Brosh requested that this be referred to the Ethics Board? It could have been on the agenda as a referral. It still could have ended up being filed, but I'm just questioning the procedure of how this document came in and was not referred to a specific committee. It was left open. Whose decision was that? That was mine. And do you have a reason for leaving it open? Just because I wanted to. It's my agenda to prepare, and that's what I decided to do. Next, is there any other discussion? Alderman Carlson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Because I'm not a big fan of having meetings just to have meetings, why don't we just have the discussion right now? The facts are simple. Alderman Hammond just read his four-page document explaining the charges. Why not just have the conversation right now? We're all here. The council is the Ethics Committee, is that correct? The Ethics Committee is, consists of all the members of the, all the Alderman, chairman of the committee, the whole, serves as chairman of the Ethics Board. So as we sit here, this is not an Ethics Board meeting because all the person down here would be chairing it. I think he did kind of follow the procedure here that the motion is to refer it and address that before you start getting into the merits of things. Thank you. Alderman Donahue. Thank you, Mayor. I'm going to vote against the motion to refer. I think that we have, we have the complainants complaint on its face. We've had a response from Alderman Hammond. I don't think that there are any particular additional facts that would be elicited at a committee of the whole or an Ethics Committee meeting. Public services is not that easy these days. I understand that the neighbors and other people in our community have serious concerns about the field of dreams being used by Aurora. I also understand that a number of people in our community have very positive feelings about it. That's the ball that we need to keep our eyes on because it is a very big deal for our community. There are good arguments on both sides of the issue. And what we need to do is to look at the economic impact, the quality of living impact, the impact to the neighbors, all of the issues that have been brought up. Those are the things that we need to look at. Now on its face, and there's a concept in the law that says you can look at something and on its face, a prima facie case as to whether or not there is any claim that can be justiciable, that can be decided. And here, the main complaint is that Alderman Hammond was on a plan giving committee that stopped existing in 2009. I would just suggest on its face that that cannot possibly constitute a conflict of interest under section 19.85 of the Wisconsin Statutes or our own ethics ordinance. Making a contribution to any kind of charitable organization within our community is a donation to the good of the community. It is not a donation for the purpose of somehow several years later, a project coming through, and somehow the fact that a contribution has been made somehow upsets the charitable giving. I understand the emotion that's involved here, and frankly I think all of us Alder persons sitting here, when we have people talking to us at the public hearing, we're feeling some emotion as well. Because it's not, you know, it's difficult to listen to people's really strong feelings and sometimes an Alder person could feel personally assailed by, you know, by things that are said, you know, that were lying or being somehow disreputable. I understand those emotions. I think that's part of what this quote ethics unquote complaint is about is people are just really angry and I'm not saying people should not be angry. What I'm saying is that we need to keep our eye on the prize here, which is to determine after rational debate whether or not the zoning requests that are being put forward by Aurora should be granted or should not, and I think we should have our debate, our focus needs to be on those issues. The complaint was filed, Alderman Hammond made a response, I really just don't think we need to take that any further. Now, if the motion to refer is defeated, we will still have a motion on the floor to file, and if Alder persons want to continue to have this conversation, they can vote against that motion to file, and if it's a majority, then we will have the ethics hearing and we can do that, but I just strongly suggest to my fellow colleagues here that we keep our eye on the prize, that we keep moving forward, we listen to the information, we look at the packets of information that are provided by constituents, we listen to all of our constituents, pro and con, and we move it forward in that respect. This is a distraction, and to this important issue, there should not be these kinds of distractions. Thanks for those comments. Alderman Dellinger. Thank you, Mayor. I too am going to vote against the referral, and I'm going to vote in favor of the filing of this document. I would like to commend Alderman Hammond and his wife for their charitable contributions, rather than condemn them. I feel that this does not rise to the level of an ethics violation and frankly is kind of a waste of the time that this body has, and there's a lot of other things that we should be looking at rather than this, so thank you. Thank you for those comments. Alderman Van Akron. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Again, I'm going to encourage us to refer this. My biggest concern and I appreciate Alderman Hammond's comments and I applaud him for his comments. I really do. Again, I'm not here to talk about the merits of the complaint at all. I think there's a forum for that, and that is the Committee the Whole and the Ethics Committee to discuss and review the complaints that are made to receive legal advice from our city attorney and discuss if there is any merit to them. Again, I've heard Alderman Hammond's statement, but we also have a written complaint, and I don't think we can just ignore that. My concern would be is that if we summarily dismiss this complaint without reviewing it, I think it really casts a shadow of doubt as to what's going on here at City Hall, and I think that would be part of the concern, and I don't want to see that in any way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking forward to having this ethics committee. I don't think anyone here is. I don't think anyone here takes any enjoyment or will enjoy reviewing complaints about a colleague, that it's certainly not something I'm looking forward to in any way, but I do think it's our obligation and our responsibility. Thank you. Alderman Carlson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. This is quite frustrating. If in fact you do support this going to the Ethics Committee, you are in my opinion by default penalizing someone for being charitable, and that's just crazy in my opinion. There's a lot of charities that I donate to, the United Way is being one of them. Is that going to prevent me from voting on a lot of things? Because we do fund some of the United Way programs through HUD money. Is that going to prevent me from voting in favor of these going forward? This claim, if you look at it, obviously, the attorney, Maryland Donahue back there, said it a lot more legalese than I can do it. However, if you just look at this claim, you can just see that it's just completely baseless and based on emotion, kind of a last ditch effort to attack essentially the point man of the group. As a council president, as with every council president before Alderman Hammond here, that president has been involved in development meetings. That's how government works. That's how business works. So if we want to stop that process, this body has to do that, but if we send this to the Ethics Committee once again, you're penalizing someone just on the face value of donating to a charity back in 2000 or being part of a charitable committee back in 2009 and then giving some money to a NICU, it's absurd. And then the rest of the claims about conducting secret meetings, well, first of all, they're not secret meetings. They're meetings that happen in the course of normal development. You go to any city, town, village, board in the entire country, probably in the world, that's how business happens. We cannot possibly bring a developer in front of this council here and have a development deal worked out from start to finish with the entire body. It's not practical. So I really hope we can move past this. And as Alderman Dany, Alderman Dany who has said, we need to look at the finish line and whether that finish line involves to feel the dreams being moved or if it doesn't. But that's what we need to focus on. This basis claim is not what we need to be focusing on right now. Thank you. Thank you for those comments. Is there any other discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll on the motion to send us to the Ethics Committee? Okay, but wait a minute. And to clarify, the motion was to send it to Committee of the Whole. Those are two different committees. Then I'll do it for the Ethics Committee. Is that correct then? I believe the motion is to send it to the Ethics Board, which is the request and that's the appropriate committee if there's an ethics concern. Is that included up? Yep. But just qualifying that and say the Ethics Board is basically like the Committee of the Whole. The Committee of the Whole chairman is the chairman of the Ethics Board and it's all the Alderman, so it's the same composition as the Committee of the Whole. Okay. The voting is open to send to the Ethics Board. Thank you. One aye, 11 noes, and one abstention. Motion is defeated. Then we have the motion to file this communication on the floor again. Is there any other discussion on that motion to file? Alderman Heideman. Thank you, Mayor. I'd like to indicate to the crowd behind us that a vote to file this document has no bearing on whether or not any one of these Aldermen are going to support or not support that project. This is just taking care of this matter at this time and again that vote will come up at a later time. Thank you. Any other discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll to file? Hang on. Okay. 10 ayes, two noes, one abstention. Super. Motion passes. Sorry. Point of order. Can you make sure that the motion was by me and seconded by Ballinger? Yes, I can. Thank you. Okay. Next item on the agenda is 5.2. That RO will lie over. 5.3 through 5.10 will be referred to various committees under resolutions. 6.1 is resolution by Alderman Hammond, Ballinger, Carlson, Donahue, Koth, Heidemann, authorizing a transfer of appropriations in the 2015 budget appropriations for New York Avenue and Lot 13 parking reconstruction and parking lot lights. Alderman Hammond. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First, I'd move to suspend the rules. Second. Is there any objection to suspension of the rules? Seeing none, please proceed. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to put the resolution upon its passage. Second. Thank you for that motion and support. Is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll for passage? 13 ayes. Motion passes. Item 6.2 is a resolution by Alderman Hammond, Ballinger, Carlson, Donahue, Koth, Heidemann entering into a contract with Vinton Construction for Street Improvement Projects on South 32nd Street, New York Avenue, A Street and Parking Lot 13. Alderman Hammond. Thank you again, Mr. Mayor. I'd like to move to suspend the rules again. Second. Thank you for that motion on suspension. Is there any objection to suspension of the rules? Seeing none, please proceed. Thank you again. I'd move to put the resolution upon its passage. Second. Thank you for that motion and support. Is there any discussion on the motion? Alderman Carlson. Thank you. I just wanted to comment on this. In case you aren't aware of this project, part of this project is to reopen New York Avenue, widen up 8th Street in front of the former Boston store, and redo some of the parking lots. It's just a good positive thing for our downtown and I'm looking forward to it. Thank you for those comments. Is there any other discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll? 13 ayes. Motion passes. Item 6.3 through 6.7 will be referred to various committees. Under reports of officers, 7.1 is an RC by law and licensing to whom is referred, RO number 236 of 1415 by the city clerk, submitting various license applications. And it recommends denying a taxicab driver's license number 0665 based on her failure to act or reveal all relevant convictions on her application, the record of violations related to the license to activity, and it reckons as a repeat law violator in her failure to cooperate with the committee. Alderman Vanderwill. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Move that the RC be accepted and adopted. Second. Thank you for that motion and support under discussion. Is Mikayla Garrison here this evening? She is not here. We did invite her to her committee on two separate occasions and she did not show up either time. Thank you. Is there any other discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll for passage. 13 ayes. Motion passes. 7.2 is an RC by public works to whom is referred, RO number 261 of 1415 by the city clerk, submitting communication from Timothy Halada, requesting to have fundraiser for the Sheboygan area school district's music and arts department at the armory and recommends the request be approved. Alderman Heidemann. I put the motion upon accepting adopt. Second. Thank you for that motion and support. Is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll. 13 ayes. Motion passes. Under ordinances 8.1 and 8.2 will be referred to the city planning commission. Under nine matters laid over, 9.1 is resolution number 60 of 1415 by Alderman Hammond, Bellinger, Carlson, Donahue, and Coth authorizing a transfer of appropriations in the 2015 budget, 2015 contracted services in the city attorney's office, 2015 sidewalk and mini storm sewer projects in the A Street bridge project. Alderman Hammond. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I moved to put the resolution upon its passage. Second. Thank you for the motion and support. That motion is before us. Is there any discussion? Seeing none, will the clerk please call the roll. 13 ayes. Motion passes. Next we'll go on to other matters, city attorney. Thank you, Your Honor. 10.1 is an RO by the purchasing agent submitting an evaluation of request for bid number 1802-15 for the purchase of two XL Hustler Model X10 turn mowers and accessories and one XL Hustler Model Super Z with backpack and accessories. That will be referred to the Public Works Committee. 10.2 is a resolution authorizing the purchasing agent to purchase replacement zero-turn mowing equipment for the motor vehicle department. Also referred to the Public Works Committee. 10.3 is an RO by the city clerk submitting a petition to stop the rezoning of property located at 3306 Salmon Avenue for unfueled of dreams. That will lie over till April 8th. 10.4 is an RO by the city clerk submitting a claim from racial coal bath for alleged injuries when she slipped and fell on ice crossing the street on Michigan Avenue. That would be referred to the finance committee. 10.5 is an RO by the city clerk submitting various license applications for the period ending December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2016. That will be referred to the law and licensing committee. Next is a closed session. Alderman Hammond. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I moved the convening closed session under the exemption in section 19851E Wisconsin Statutes for the purpose of discussion and formulation of negotiating strategies relative to the natural resource damage assessment where bargaining reasons require a closed session. Second. Thank you for that motion in support. Please call the roll. Mark? No. 13 ayes. We'll take a short recess and reconvene in five minutes.