Council Okays Parking On Three Blocks Of Maple Street

Only a handful of residents turned out for the public hearing on the annual budget that preceded the regular monthly meeting of Peshtigo City Council Tuesday, Dec. 1, and they had no comments on the budget, which was approved without dissent. Actual mill rate will not be computed until equalization figures are received from the state, but is expected to be $4.79 per $1,000 of equalized value, up six cents from the $4.73 rate for 2009.

Other topics for the public hearing were two ordinances, one prohibiting manufacture, delivery or possession of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia, and the other establishing a 25 mile per hour speed limit (reduced from 35 miles per hour) and restoring parking on both sides of Maple Street (U.S. 41) from Beebe Ave. to Stephenson Street. Both were later adopted by the Council by unanimous vote.

All aldermen were present. It was the first meeting for Alderman Tim Colburn, who had been selected last month to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Alderman Jim Pariso.

The only public comments at the hearing concerned lifting of the parking prohibition on Maple Street, which had been requested by former Alderman Karen Hanneman. Parking was eliminated there years ago because of heavy traffic on Hwy. 41 through the city, but that is alleviated now because of the Hwy. 41 by-pass, which opened on Thursday, Nov. 18. As a result of the ordinance, parking is now allowed on both sides of the 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Maple Street.

At the hearing, Fire Chief Steve Anderson sought assurance the area will be clearly and adequately signed so people know where the street narrows to two driving lanes. He said the last two calls he went to were accidents caused by people who thought the street was still four lanes as it neared the bridge. He felt the new speed limit signs should help.

Hanneman said the street already actually is only two lanes, but people seem not to know that. She suggested painting diagonal striping in the parking lanes as well as posting signs. No formal action was taken regarding signs and striping, but new Public Works Director George Cowell said he will handle it. Anderson said as long as that is done he has no problem.

Cowell presented a brief report on activities of the Public works Department during his first month as director. He said crews have been picking up leaves, will be putting up Christmas decorations later this week, and dealt with a water main break on Woodview Avenue with assistance from Wisconsin Public Service. He has obtained an air quality monitor for safer confined space entry.

It was also a first meeting for Jerry Pillath, who was selected as city assessor in November. Pillath brought to the Council’s attention proposed changes in state assessing laws that he predicts will greatly increase costs for local municipalities and minimize local control and oversight of the assessment process. The changes being sought by Department of Revenue (DOR) Secretary Roger M. Ervin and are backed by Gov. Jim Doyle are being explained at a series of five little publicized “town hall” meetings around the state sponsored by the Department of Revenue. One of these meetings is to be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 on the NWTC campus in Green Bay.

“I am concerned about costs, and I think you will be too,” Pillath declared. He said assessing now costs the city about $10 per parcel per year. He has studied the proposals and done some research and believes if the proposed new countywide assessing program goes into effect that price will rise to somewhere in the $25 to $30 per parcel range. He said Kenosha County some years ago received an incentive grant from the state to start a countywide assessment pilot program. They found that costs rose to $25 per parcel, and that was years ago, Pillath said.

The Assessors Association believes one full time equivalent assessor will be needed for every 2,000 parcels under the state’s proposal, which would require bringing all properties up to full value every year, maintaining current photographs of all properties, etc. Since there are over 40,000 parcels in Marinette County that would mean creating - and paying for - a new county department with 15 to 20 employees. Similar new county departments would be created all over the state. Considering the new requirements the proposed rule would impose on assessors, he said it is easy to see where costs could go to $35 per year per parcel and up.

Pillath distributed DOR explanations which claim their proposal would simplify the assessment process and cut costs, and then disputed their conclusions. He said currently DOR operates five equalization districts in the state, employing perhaps 70 people who collect data from within the equalization districts. Under the new proposal, these offices would be eliminated, and equalization responsibilities would fall to the county offices. He said eliminating the 70 equalization positions from the payroll will save money in the DOR budget, but will create in effect 72 equalization districts instead of five, and add greatly to costs for counties and the municipalities within them.

“Think about attending this town hall meeting on Dec. 9,” Pillath urged. He said the DOR is encouraging feedback on their proposal from cities, towns and villages, and needs to hear from them.

Pillath said DOR people he has talked to feel this proposal is on the “fast track” to approval. He expects enabling legislation to be drawn up soon and then go to the Legislature for approval. He predicted if the plan is adopted as proposed assessing costs will double or triple. WTA officials told him since the legislation has not yet been written they cannot formally oppose it, but so far they are not in favor. The League of Municipalities will also consider taking a stand on the proposal later this year. He again urged Council members to read the explanation and attend the Town Hall meeting on Dec. 9. No action was taken.

Mayor Tom Strouf reported the Plan Commission granted a conditional use permit to Roger Baranowski to continue selling custom draperies and blinds from their home at 501 Oconto Ave. After the conditional use permit was approved, Baranowski was issued a building permit to put up two signs, one 48’X30’, and the other 12’X60’.

A request from John Bayer, on behalf of his mother, Louise Bayer, to allow a 14-acre property to be removed from the city and attached to the Town of Peshtigo was referred to the Judiciary Committee. Bayer said the property is rural in character and was cut off from the city by the Hwy. 41 by pass. It is no longer accessible except via town roads. He said if this request is granted the property would be free of city restrictions, and he would be allowed to hunt and keep animals, such as his son’s pet pony, his cow and a few chickens. If the request is granted, it would also remove a home on a 4 acre parcel from city jurisdiction. Bayer said that property is only accessible by way of an easement through Bayer property.

A license to sell beer and wine was approved for Brenda Plosczynski at Brenda’s Cafe, LLC, 101 S. Emery Ave.

Meintz reported three bids had been received for sale of the city-owned property on Harbor Road. Council had agreed at their November meeting to reject all three, but took no formal action. His motion to reject all bids and advise the bidders in writing was unanimously approved.

Licenses to sell intoxicating beverages were approved for Ronald Pazynski and Ashley Teasdale.

Alderman Mary Lock, chair of theParks and Recreation Committee, reported Mike Dura, Cowell and Parks and Recreation Director Dave Marquardt are to meet and see if there are projects at Badger Park that can be started in the near future.

Council authorized Jim Brabant and Peshtigo Boy Scout Troop 1054 to move ahead with an Eagle Scout project at the Peshtigo River Boat Landing area off East Front Street, near the city garage below the dam. Intent is to provide benches and a handicapped accessible picnic table there, with work to start in spring of 2010. The benches and table are to be cemented in to prevent vandalism. Scout volunteers are to assist Brabant in cleaning up the area. He and some willing volunteers will pour concrete and handle other construction work. He will seek donations from Peshtigo Lions Club, Peshtigo Woman’s Club, Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, Wal-Mart, and any others who may wish to help.

In a letter to the Building and Property Committee explaining the proposal, Brabant said he uses the area and has noticed a lack of seating. He said the Peshtigo River serves as a natural attraction for visitors to the city as well as for local citizens, and should be made as attractive as possible.

Lock said the committee had discussed closing the entrance to Badger Boardwalk playground area for the winter.

Election Board members were approved as presented. They are Beverly Kain, Frances Hansen, Irene Marquardt, Jeannine Hipke, Lola Douglas, Darlene Plump and Barbara Thompson. Alternates are Mary Gryzwa, Donna Zeske, Mary H. Gansebom, Mary Seidl, Diedre McCormick, Sharon Schounard, Donna Biernasz and Sharon R. Zehren.

A building permit was issued to Curtiss Schutte to restore a fire damaged dwelling at 518 Thompson Street. At an estimated cost of $80,000 he plans to reframe the garage, refinish the interior of the house, and bring electrical and plumbing systems up to code.

Other building permits went to:

*Merlin E. Phillips to re-roof a house and attached garage at 750 Thompson Street and possibly replace an old metal shed with a new wooden one at the same location, with estimated project costs at $5,600;

*Peshtigo United Methodist Church to raze an existing storage shed and replace it with a new 10’X12’ wood frame shed near the alley on the south side of the church, and also put up a 40’ cedar split rail fence, at a total cost of about $2,500;

*Cynthia Stansfield, to move a wooden fence from the north side of her property at 130 N. Lake Street to the east side and put up a new 6’ PVC fence on the north side at a cost of about $900; and

*Dale Christiansen to install a 13’X16’ brick patio on the north side of the house at 760 Oconto Ave, at a cost of about $3,000.

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