All of Jackson County ATV trails will be open as of July 3rd 2008. 

The Recreation and Development Committee of the City of Black River Falls met at City Hall on June 18, 2008 at 8:00 P.M.  Alderpersons Johnson, Onstad, Mathews, R. Eddy and J. Eddy were present.

Parks and Recreation Director Steve Peterson reviewed the proposed Lunda Community Center summer programs developed by LCC Coordinator Amanda Spangler. There are many programs planned including 5-sport camp, discover scuba, fun camp, snorkeling, dry-land hockey camp, kayaking at Wazee and intro to water polo. 
 

The Hoffman Aquatic Center is open and waiting for warmer weather. 

The Public Safety Committee met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on June 18, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.  Alderpersons Austin, Mathews, R. Eddy and Olson were present. Alderperson Rahmlow was absent. 

1.Alderperson Mathews acted as chairperson in the absence of Chairperson Rahmlow.

2.Police Chief Don Gilberg presented his June 2008 report including budget, caseload, current events and personnel.

3.The request from several individuals living along the Black River to enforce a no-wake zone from the Black River Dam to the I-94 bridge which is approximately the City Limits had been referred to this Committee. Chief Gilberg reviewed the City Municipal Code which requires no-wake on the Black River from 7:00 PM to 10:00 AM and no-wake within 100’ of the shore, boats or docks at other times. However, the City does not have a boat which would be needed to enforce the City Code. The State has specific regulations for this area also which are enforced by the DNR.

The Public Works Committee met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on June 18, 2008 at 6:40 P.M.  Alderpersons Austin, Johnson, Olson and J. Eddy were present. Alderperson Rahmlow was absent.

1. Street Superintendent Todd Gomer reported a break-in at the City Shop on May 26, 2008. Several items were taken and an insurance claim has been filed.

2. A local multi-family property owner requested that the City collect garbage from the senior citizens living there so they didn’t have to use the dumpster which can be difficult for them. The current policy of the City is to collect garbage and recyclables from residential buildings of up to 4 units. Collection from larger units would add substantially to the costs of both collection and disposal.

The Committee as a Whole met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on June 18, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.  Alderpersons Austin, Onstad, Johnson, Mathews, R. Eddy, Olson, and J. Eddy were present. Alderperson Rahmlow was absent. Mayor Ron Danielson presided.

1. The purpose of this meeting is to hear public comment concerning the possibility of establishing a City Administrator position. The Administrator would be appointed by the City Council taking the place of the elected City Clerk and City Treasurer positions. There is a legal question as to the procedure for making the change, either by action of the City Council or by a referendum vote of the citizens of the City. According to City Attorney Dan Diehn the safest way to avoid a challenge would be to have the referendum. 

Also at 9 a.m., basketball and grass volleyball tournaments will get underway. This year, the 3-on-3 hoops tournament will feature one open division, so it’s winner take all. This will also be the inaugural year for a 3-on-3 grass volleyball tournament. The tourney will take place on the Great Lawn at the top of Lunda Park, and there will be separate men’s and women’s divisions, as well as different levels for teams that want to play competitively or just for fun.

Rian Radtke, organizer for the volleyball tourney, said that 3-on-3 volleyball tournaments on grass “are becoming more and more popular in Wisconsin.” He’s active in the sport and plays in tournaments, and decided this would be a good addition to the Festival events. “It’s a fun and unique was to play volleyball, both to play and watch.”

The regular meeting of the Common Council was held at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on June 3, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.  Alderpersons Austin, Onstad, Johnson, Mathews, R. Eddy, Rahmlow, Olson and J. Eddy were present.  Mayor Danielson presided.

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It was moved by Alderperson R. Eddy, seconded by Alderperson Austin to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the May 6, 2008 Council meeting.  Motion carried.

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CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE

Several property owners along the Black River above the dam requested the City establish a no-wake zone in the City Limits between the dam and the I-94 bridge. Some boats and personal watercraft have been creating waves which cause damage to their boats, docks and shoreline. Some are also very noisy. The City will post current boating regulations at the City boat landing. The matter will be further discussed at the June 18, 2008 Public Safety Committee meeting at 8:00 P.M.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS

It was moved by Alderperson Rahmlow, seconded by Alderperson J. Eddy to approve the Public Works Committee report of May 21, 2008. Motion carried.  

The Public Safety Committee met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on May 21, 2008 at 8:00 P.M.  Alderpersons Rahmlow, Austin, Mathews, R. Eddy and Olson were present.

1. Barb Brower, Executive Director of the Black River Area Chamber of Commerce, reviewed the plan for the 5K and 10K run in conjunction with the Karner Blue Butterfly Festival. They are adding a half-marathon which continues out of the City on Spaulding Road to East and West Kenyon Roads.

2. It was moved by Alderperson Mathews, seconded by Alderperson Olson to approve the plans for the Chamber road races as above. Motion carried.  

The Recreation and Development Committee of the City of Black River Falls met at City Hall on May 21, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.  Alderpersons Johnson, Onstad, Mathews, R. Eddy and J. Eddy were present.

1. Mayor Danielson stated the Lunda Recreation Center Advisory Board had just met and everything is going well. The Center is approximately $9,000 ahead of last year.

2. Linda Janke, Manager of the Hoffman Aquatic Center, presented her list of lifeguards, admission and concession workers along with their hourly rate and year hired.    

The Public Works Committee met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on May 21, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.  Alderpersons Austin, Johnson, Rahmlow, Olson and J. Eddy were present.

1. Street Superintendent Todd Gomer reviewed recent activities of his department including:

1. Manholes at South 6th and Fillmore and North 6th and Tyler have partially collapsed. Arrangements have been made to have them repaired.

2. Tyler Millis has been hired as a casual summer employee at $7.00/hour.