http://www.asla.org/

At the beginning of Monday night’s Common Council meeting, Mayor Keith Bosman called to the podium Alderperson Michael Orth, Mike Lemens, public works director, and Shelley Billingsley, director of engineering.  He recognized them for their work on the receipt of $750,000 in grant monies to implement the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan (CORP).  This money will be spent in six of Kenosha’s parks.

The city, in conjunction with the project designers, SAA Design Group, received recognition for their work on the plan by receiving the American Society of Landscape Architects annual award.  (To read more about this award, click here:  Kenosha Receives Park Grants and ASLA Award.)  Orth stated, “A lot of cities can put a plan together.  The challenge is implementing the plan.  I believe that three years ago, the consolidation of the Parks and Public Works Departments helped us in our endeavors.”  Billingsley stated that “the CORP is a well-drafted document that will be useful for the budget years to come.”

The following items were acted upon at the meeting:

• Approval of the following applications per list on file in the office of the city clerk:  twenty-two operator’s (bartenders) licenses; one transfer of agent status of beer and/or liquor license; two special class “B” beer and/or special “class B” wine licenses; and two taxi driver licenses.
• The request for a special exception to the spacing requirements under a section of the zoning ordinance for a class “A” beer and a “class A” liquor license at 7944 Sheridan Road (Cellar Door Wine, Beer & Liquor), was approved.  At the City Plan Commission meeting held on March 8th, the vote had been a tie, 4 to 4.  Alderperson G. John Ruffolo asked what the opposition was, and he was told that the commission members who had voted against the request were against the ordinance itself.  The mayor then stated that he would have voted for the exception had he been present at the meeting.  Alderperson Rocco LaMacchia stated that he was happy to eliminate a vacant building and add new business to the city.
• The request for a special exception to the setback requirements under a section of the zoning ordinance for a communication tower at 4411 Sheridan Road (Kenosha Plumbing), was approved.  Nathan Ward, SBA representative, and John Toomey, owner of Kenosha Plumbing, had attended the City Plan Commission meeting last week and answered the commission’s questions and were present at this meeting for any questions as well.  There were none.
• The application of Gary Doeppgen for a peddler stand to be located at 56th Street and the Third Avenue Parking Lot was approved.  Alderperson Michael Orth had asked Doeppgen for a picture of the trailer or cart that he would utilize at his stand.  A picture of his stand was then displayed on the screen.
• Six applications for new operator’s (bartender) licenses were approved, all of which had demerit points attached.
• The application of Robert Mason for a new operator’s (taxi driver’s) license, subject to 65 demerit points, was approved.
• Three applications for new operator’s (taxi driver’s) licenses were denied, based on material police record and false applications.
• The application of ECW, Inc., of Kenosha, Wisconsin (Edward Wamboldt, agent) located at 4235 Green Bay Road, Suite 7 (Slice) for a cabaret license (one-year term) was approved, as well as their application for an outdoor extension of the class “B” beer/”class B” liquor license.  The council also approved their request to change the closing hour to midnight.
• The application of Rettungs-Haus Shepherd for a non-commercial kennel license located at 7525 – 21st Avenue was approved.  Alderperson David Bogdala asked her how many dogs she cared for at that facility.  She responded that she had three of her own personal dogs, and has two additional dogs come in for training.  Bogdala also asked if her occupancy permit had been cleared, and the answer was that it had.
• The motion and additional order to dismiss in the matter of the class “B” beer/”class B” liquor combination license of Aces, I, LLC, d/b/a 2901 Pub & Grub, was approved.  Attorney Larry Keating spoke on behalf of the agent.  They are transferring the license to a disinterested third party.  The tavern will continue with a new and completely different owner.  There will be no vacant building.  “It’s a win-win situation,” he said.  Alderperson Ray Misner stated that this is a simple resolution to this matter.  It was dismissed without prejudice.  If it fails, the Licensing & Permit Committee has the option to go back and proceed with a revocation hearing.

Three ordinances were approved for their first reading:

• The proposed ordinance change by Alderperson Michael Orth to create a subsection of the code of general ordinances for the city regarding delinquent special assessments was approved.  A companion proposal by the mayor to repeal and recreate  a subsection of the zoning ordinance regarding the same subject was also approved.
• The proposed ordinance change by Alderperson Eric Haugaard, and co-sponsored by Alderpersons Rocco LaMacchia, Tod Ohnstad, Steve Bostrom, Jan Michalski, and Jesse Downing to repeal and recreate a section of the zoning ordinance for the city of Kenosha entitled “Accessory Building Exemptions for Residential Property” was approved.

The following ordinances were approved for their second reading:

• The proposed ordinance change by the mayor to repeal and create a section of the code of general ordinances regarding aldermanic district boundaries for the city based upon the 2010 U.S. Census was approved by a roll call vote of 14 to 3 (Alderpersons Jan Michalski, Patrick Juliana, and Katherine Marks voted against the ordinance change).
• The proposed ordinance by Alderpersons Theodore Ruffalo and Tod Ohnstad to repeal and recreate a section of the code of general ordinances for the city of Kenosha regarding temporary closing of a city street, clarifying that a street may be closed for a civic event, was approved by a roll call vote of 16 to 0 (Alderperson Lawrence Green abstained from the vote).  (To read a more in-depth article on the Harbor Market, click here:   Harbor Market Main Topic of Discussion at Common Council Meeting.)

The following resolutions were acted upon:

• The request from Hugo Tellez to rescind special assessments in the total amount of $362 for building/zoning re-inspection fees for illegal occupancy at 5514 – 22nd Avenue (Cutel Vaquero Store, LLC), was denied by a roll call vote of 13 to 1 (Alderperson Anthony Kennedy voted against the denial, and Alderperson Patrick Juliana abstained).
• The request to levy special assessments upon various parcels of property located in the city per list on file in the office of the city clerk were approved unanimously.  The categories and amounts were:  property maintenance re-inspection fees – $6,632.00; boarding and securing – $716.24; trash and debris removal – $255.00; and trash and debris removal (Charter Ordinance 26) – $3,886.88.
• The intent to assess for Project # 12-1012, resurfacing (32nd Avenue – 55th Street to 52nd Street, 33rd Avenue – 55th Street to 52nd Street, 27th Avenue – 35th Street to 33rd Street, 60th Avenue – 82nd Street to 80th Street) for hazardous sidewalk and/or driveway approach, was approved unanimously.
• The intent to assess for Project # 12-1024, 60th street resurfacing (60th Street – 22nd Avenue to 8th Avenue) for hazardous sidewalk and/or driveway approach, was also approved unanimously.
• The resolution by Alderperson Theodore Ruffalo and co-sponsored by  Alderperson Tod Ohnstad to place a request for proposal for engineering services to discover a long-term solution to eliminate silt deposition in the Kenosha harbor mouth was approved by a vote of 15 to 0.  (To read more about this issue, click here:  Common Council Approves Harbor Silt Solutions.)
• The resolution by Alderperson Theodore Ruffalo to urge the Board of Water Commissioners to explore a partnership with an institution of higher education to establish a hydrocommercial curriculum of study was approved unanimously by a voice vote.  Ruffalo’s thought was to adopt a partner with a local college or university to develop water technology.  He said that he had spoken with Ed St. Peter, general manager of the Kenosha Water Utility, and also the Centrisys Corporation, and they were excited about it.  Bogdala stated that “water is the new gold.  How are we engaging this new untapped resource?  We have the WET Program.” Ruffalo talked about a certificate in waste water treatment, possibly paired with a biology degree.  “Eventually, we’d like to see an actual major or degree path.  We’d like to find a feeder school for this industry,” he said.
• The resolution by the mayor to reauthorize the city of Kenosha to self-insure its workers’ compensation program was approved.
• The resolution by the mayor authorizing the issuance and sale of $13,650,000 in general obligation refunding bonds, series 2012, was also approved.  (Click here to read more about this item:  Finance Committee Approved Issuance and Sale of Bonds.)
• The resolution by the mayor to approve a certified survey map for property at 7944 Sheridan Road (7944 Sheridan Retail Center) was approved unanimously (Bostrom abstained from the vote).

The following appointments by the mayor were approved:

• The appointment of Loren Keating to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire May 1, 2013; and
• The appointment of Peter Sinsky to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire May 1, 2014.

The following public construction and improvement contract was approved:

• The award of contract for Project # 11-1125, Pennoyer Beach Outfall Stormwater Infiltration Basin (3601-7th Avenue) to Veit & Company (New Berlin, Wisconsin) in the amount of $349,000.

The following other contracts and agreements were approved:

• The approval of the short sale offer for 6207 – 5th Avenue (HELP loan).

The following recommendations from the Finance Committee were acted upon:

• The request from Prairie Plaza Partnership to rescind building/zoning re-inspection fees in the amount of $630 for illegal occupancy at 5739 – 75th Street was approved.
• The request from Quest Diagnostics to rescind building/zoning re-inspection fees in the amount of $270 and to refund a building/zoning re-inspection fee in the amount of $72 for illegal occupancy at 10117 – 74th Street (Kenosha Radiology Center, LLC), was also approved.  (Bogdala abstained from the vote.)

The following recommendations from the Public Works Committee were approved unanimously:

• The acceptance of Project # 10-1130, vehicle wash system installation truck wash (3735 – 65th Street) completed by InterClean Equipment, Inc. (Ypsilanti, Michigan), in the amount of $251,016.70; and
• The final acceptance of Project # 11-1209, salt storage facility (6415 – 35th Avenue) which has been satisfactorily completed by Camosy Construction in the amount of $676,009.41.

The following reports and recommendations of boards and commissions were acted upon:

• The conditional use permit for an auto body shop to be located at 5725 – 5th Avenue (Streamline Auto Body) was approved unanimously.  Justin Gilliam from Streamline Auto Body and Keith Mattis from Keno Body and Paint were both present to answer any questions.  There were none.
• The conditional use permit for a 1,920 s.f. restaurant with drive-thru to be located at 4028 – 75th Street (Dunkin Donuts) was deferred for two weeks.  Mark Schneider and John Clark were the two representatives from Dunkin Donuts who were present at the meeting.  They were under the impression that this body would be choosing the design of the building because the members of the City Plan Commission deferred the decision to the Common Council.  However, because that was not mentioned on the Common Council agenda, Matt Knight advised the body not to vote on it tonight, but to defer it.

Alderpersons’ Comments

Ray Misner requested that administration entertain the idea of hosting an annual dinner to recognize the Coast Guard’s service to the community, like they do at a city across the other side of the lake.  He suggested that this would be a good way to raise money for local charities.

G. John Ruffolo mentioned that some department heads attend Common Council meetings, and some do not.  He wanted to know why this was, and he suggested compensating the ones who do show up.  Secondly, Harbor Market is not done in a vacuum.  He mentioned that Ron Frederick was instrumental in getting it started ten years ago.  He also stated that he heard a different story tonight at Council about fire chief inspections.