TOWN OF RIVER FALLS ANNUAL MEETING (DRAFT MINUTES)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010; River Falls Town Hall

The annual meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. with 21 town residents present.  Jerome Rodewald moved to approve the minutes of the April 14, 2009 annual meeting.  Ed Hanson seconded.  Minutes approved. 

Treasurer, Caroline Hamilton, and Clerk, Ruth Stern, presented an accounting of 2009 income and expenditures.  The town held $280,328.94 in account balances at the end of 2009.  It was noted that this was the first year in several years where the town’s reserve balances increased slightly due to lower expenses that budgeted. 

Supervisor Mogen and Clerk Stern provided an explanation of how the annual property tax levy is calculated and how the tax levy is divided between the schools, county, state, technical college and the Town of River Falls.  Currently the town receives 7.24% of  total property taxes levied with the remainder going to other governmental entities. 

Brian Weber, Highway Dept. Manager, reported that it cost approximately $48,000 to pave one mile of road in 2000.   That figure will reach nearly $100,000/mile this year.    He also stated that the town would be completing more seal coating projects in 2010.  A discussion on new state prevailing wage laws took place.  These laws will need to be followed on any road project over $25,000.  Contractors on these projects will need to be registered with the state and pay their employees according to union wage scales.  It is estimated that prevailing wage laws will drive the cost of road projects up an additional $10,000/mile.

Diana reported that the town had recently purchased a used salt/sand storage shed from the City of New Richmond.  This will cost the town approximately $12,000 for the materials and labor necessary to take the shed down and reconstruct it at the River Falls Town Shop.  The used shed will cost the town much less than building a new structure and will serve to meet DNR environmental regulations governing the storage of salt/sand.

Recycling Administrator, Michele DeLong-Reiter, provided a comparison of 2008 versus 2009 recyclables/solid waste collected.  The town is expected to collect 82.4 pounds of recyclables per person to be eligible for a state recycling grant and the town currently collects 140.83 pounds per person.  Michele reported that the Recycling Center now collects more garbage/recyclables than curbside pick-up in the town. 

Zoning Administrator, Jerome Rodewald, distributed the 2009 building permit report.  Thirty-one projects totaling a construction value of $1,164,700 and permit fees of $5028.08 were listed.  Jerome explained the impact fee program and reported that one impact fee was collected in 2009.    

Diana reported that the Parks and Recreation Committee had donated many volunteer hours on the town parks in 2009.  This included trail work completed in Halverson Park in conjunction with volunteers from the Lions and Masons organizations.  A bridge at Rocky Branch Park was also installed.   

Roy Lund, Ad Hoc Committee Chair, provided an update on the revision to the town’s Farmland Preservation Plan.  The plan which was nearly complete will now need to be revised due to the state’s new Working Lands Initiative Program.   Under this program, landowners  requesting to have land zoned out of exclusive agriculture will pay a conversion fee which is three times the average value of agricultural land in their particular geographic location.  In the Town of River Falls this is approximately $750.00. 

LeRoy Kusilek, Representative to the River Falls Rural Fire Association, stated that he felt the association has come a long ways in the past year in terms of negotiating with the City of River Falls.  The association continues to work towards dividing fire protection costs in a manner that is fair and equitable to all member municipalities.  Fire calls during 2009 included: Town of River Falls – 22; City of River Falls – 187; Town of Clifton – 7; Town of Kinnickinnic – 15; Pleasant Valley – 3; Town of Troy – 26.  The member municipalities are working with the Town of Troy’s attorney to draft ordinance language regarding billing of fire calls in cases where multiple vehicles are involved.  The current charge for a fire call is $700.  The association is currently completing an outside search for a full-time fire chief and updating their by-laws.

LeRoy also serves as the town’s Animal Control Officer and reported that the town has been dealing with many dog problems lately.  The board continues to work with dog owners to educate them concerning their responsibilities so that their animals do not create nuisance problems to other town residents.

Ed Hanson moved that the 2011 Annual Meeting be held the second Tuesday of April (April 12th).  Greg Smith seconded.  Motion carried.

Joe Mahoney moved to adjourn the meeting 8:35 P.M.  Brad Mogen seconded.  Meeting adjourned.

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            Ruth Stern, Clerk