City opposes proposed county Communicable Disease Ordinance
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GLENWOOD CITY—The Common Council voted to oppose the Communicable Disease Ordinance that was in front of the St. Croix County Board at their evening meeting of Tuesday, November 17th.
Jen Flandis appeared before the City Council Monday evening seeking the Council’s support asking the St. Croix County Board not to pass the proposed Communicable Disease Ordinance. She spoke at length about how this ordinance will negatively affect the people of St. Croix County.
In her prepared statement, Flandis said, “The St. Croix County Board is looking to institute an unconstitutional law based on an emergency that doesn’t exist that will limit and inhibit our ability to operate under the Constitution of the United States.”
She pointed out several items in the proposed ordinance that may forbid public gatherings, limit public buildings to twenty-five percent capacity or no more than ten people. Also it would make masking mandatory and limit households to no more than ten people and that people who are visiting a home in the county, you must wear a mask while in that home. So, if you are planning to have a family gathering, your guests must be wearing a mask, she concluded.
In her statements she indicated that small business would be crushed by this proposed county ordinance. “There is no way small business can survive it,” she told the council.
The council discussed the matter for some time and then voted unanimously to send a resolution to the St. Croix County Board voicing the city’s opposition to the ordinance.
In other action the council approved borrowing $250,000 from Hiawatha National Bank on a five-year term. Mayor John Larson reminded the council members what the money will finance, including $75,000 to the police department for new body and vehicle camera and $35,000 for a new police car. Larson also said that $140,000 of the loan would pay for a new city dump truck and some $30,000 for street repairs that have been made. Larson also informed the council that a loan for the city’s front-end loader has been paid off.
The council heard from Fire Chief Greg Holden about the cost of heating the fire station, which runs between $400 and $900 monthly. Holden requested that he be allowed to have new weather stripping installed on the overhead doors at the station. Holden noted that the apparatus floor is kept at 55 degrees.
The council discussed a proposal from Mike’s Auto Body to allow them to dispose of damaged rubber front bumpers from his auto repair business and to determine on what the charge should be. The mayor put the proposal into the Public Works committee after Public Works Director David Caress informed the council that if the bumpers were cut into thirds, the compactor could accept them.
In his report, Mayor Larson noted that the City offices are currently closed because of the COVID-19 virus, as is the City Library. At the city hall, the drive-up window is open to the public and the library is offering curbside pickup.
In her library report, Katie Schneider said that, “With a new library building on the horizon, the library is looking at raising money for furniture, shelving, and additional computers for the new building.” She also discussed the Christmas lighting event by noting, “Decorate your house any way you want, the more lights the better, with the first prize being $200 in Chamber Bucks. She also informed the council that the local Chamber has donated $1,000 for the new library building.
In his police report, Chief Robert Darwin, said that the department’s new hire will be on the job this week after he finishes his training. Darwin also informed the council that he has received a $10,000 grant under the Coronavirus funding and the money will be used to purchase a new laptop computer and personal protection items.
In other action the council:
• Approved the appointment of Anna Mewis to the planning commission.
• Approved a new sign application from Eric DeSmith for his business on First Street.
• Made an agreement with West Central Wisconsin Planning Commission for administration of the FEMA Community Safe Room Grant for the fairgrounds.
• Did not change the ordinance to allow bow hunting on city-owned property.
• Approved a Class A combination license application for the Family Dollar Store, after the City Clerk/Treasurer noted that she has yet to receive the money for the license from the store, and the license would be held up until that money is received. Council member Austin Sandow question if there was a need in the city for more sale of intoxicating beverages locations. The motion passed on a three to two vote.
• Approved operators licenses to the following: Davin N. Godfrey, Kristen L. Curvello, Carrie L. Gazdik, Sonya J. Quechulpa, Sheila M. Goodrich, Miranda L. Lybert, Linda L. Evans, Joseph A. Potter, Abigail A. Holmquist, and Catherine Mianecki.
• Approved the listing of a 1995 Trailer Jet sewer cleaning device as surplus property, which will allow the item to be sold. Caress said they have only used the device once in the last six years
• Received a $3,000 donation to the ambulance from memorial money in memory of Paula Jean DeWitt.
