CEC Minutes

Minutes of the Community Enrichment Committee meeting held on Thursday, November 11th, 2010 at city hall pursuant to notice duly given.

1. Meeting called to order at 8:40 a.m. by Chairperson Maas.
2. Roll call: Jack Maas, Al Schreiber, Jack Mlnarik, Dale Carper and Ron Banach. Mayor Fulton and Linda Belongia Administrator and as recording secretary also present.
3. Moved by Schreiber seconded by Mlnarik to approve of the agenda as presented.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
4. No correspondence or public input.
5. Moved by Schreiber seconded by Mlnarik to approve and place on file as typed the minutes from the 9/11/2010 meeting.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
6. Discussion/possible action on:
a. 405 First Street. Committee had a conference call with Richard Woods from Woods-Associates, Inc. regarding this property; Woods stated they are going to put padlocks to help secure the bldg; also hope to get fence up around the riverside of the bldg to help prevent entering the bldg; Woods stated they have listed the property with a commercial realtor, Steve Mech who is actively marketing and trying to sell the property; Mech’s contact info is 414-721-0016 or his cell 414-333-1936; Woods stated they have the property listed for $300,000 but would be willing to accept $100,000; Woods stated the realtor is aware of the razing order on the property; Schreiber stated he walked past the property yesterday morning, plywood is off the window in the back court yard; Woods stated this will be a top priority to get this fixed; Mayor asked Woods for a time frame on getting the fence up? Woods stated the fence will be high enough, so its not easy to climb over…will be done ASAP, hopefully this month, will let John Bayer know this is a high priority with the city; Schreiber suggested that Woods make contact with the realtor and have him come up and tour the bldg….and let the committee know when that will be so we can be present; Maas asked Woods to set this tour up ASAP;
b. Report from Ron Banach on 135 Washington Street & the Portmann properties; Banach stated he had heard nothing from Portmann…has spoke with Bob the manager for the properties, asked him to deliver a message to Portmann, no response back; Banach stated Portmann has 12 to 14 properties in the City of Oconto…at the meeting a couple of months ago Portmann stated 12 of these were vacant; Discussion on condition of these properties; Carper stated Banach could get an inspection warrant; Schreiber stated our municipal code has a section on public nuisance; Carper stated Banach can obtain the inspection warrants through the municipal judge; Mlnarik questioned if the owner is paying taxes…issue citations; Schreiber stated we should proceed with inspection warrants, start citing…issuing daily citations; Banach stated he will need to apply for inspection warrants…need to give owner notice; Mlnarik stated we’ve already established the history on these properties;
Moved by Schreiber seconded by Mlnarik to instruct Ron Banach to apply for inspection warrants through municipal court.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes
c. Discussion on policy for building inspector to do entrance and exit inspections on rental properties; Banach stated he received some information from the City of Marinette; Mlnarik suggested amending our ordinance to have a fee for inspections similar to what was recently created for fire inspections;
Moved by Mlnarik seconded by Schreiber to have a draft ordinance for entrance and exit inspections and fee structure for next meeting.
Motion carried upon verbal voice vote. 5 ayes

d. Mayor stated we’ve received complaint on semi’s and tractors parking all over the city for some time; Carper stated the Collins Avenue property, checked today, and the semi is not there…our ordinance allows for parking up to one hour; Schreiber referenced camper parked on Erie Avenue all summer....also that beginning November 1st the no parking ordinance takes effect…have we stepped up on this in the Police Dept? Carper stated the dept will increase the effort; Schreiber stated there is a black Honda on Main Street with a loud muffler; Carper stated we will make a better effort…on semi-parking and overnight parking; Mayor stated we need to increase the effort…stated very frustrated on the semi issue…until we get out there…going in the right direction, moving on Portmann…Police Dept also has to step up and get some citations issued; Mayor stated some key areas that are very visible…need to show we are making an effort; Carper stated we have to balance our priorities; Mayor stated this is such a simple matter…just takes a couple of minutes; Schreiber agreed, it’s this committee’s job to get things moving;
e. Carper presented outline on the Cadet Program; looking at starting January 2011; Mayor questioned time frame? Carper stated 2-3 hours per officer for training…also some field training; Mayor stated our dept should be prepared and ready for Cadet’s and getting the program up and running; Maas agreed, this could be a good program; Carper stated he will work hand in hand with Banach on this, as the Cadet Program will help on code enforcement;

Maas stated we’ve made some good strides today; Mayor stated this is why this committee was formed; appreciates everything that was accomplished today.

7. Next meeting, Monday, Dec 6th, 2010 at 8:30 a.m.
8. Same agenda items from this meeting.
9. Moved by Schreiber seconded by Carper to adjourn. M/C
Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.


Minutes submitted by
Linda M. Belongia,
Administrator