The Beloit City Council met on Tuesday night at the Municipal Building. Mayoral appointments were unanimously accepted by the council as submitted by Mayor Tom Naasz including Katie Schroeder as City Attorney, Scott Wright as Municipal Court Judge, Beloit Call as the official newspaper, Stuart Porter as City Engineer, Jim Bell, Aaron Lampert and Phil Roberts to the Cemetery Endowment Board, Kathy Roberts and Cheryl Renter for the Planning Commission, Kathy Bottrell and Stan Deneke to the Tree Board, Larry Golladay and Jackie Larson for the Housing Authority and Tori Bowers to the Library Board.
Chief of Police Dave Elam submitted a quarterly activity report for the police department. A total of 423 traffic stops were made and there were 1,191 calls for service. A total of 62 traffic citations were issued during the period. There were 22 criminal citations issued and seven animal and code violations cited. March was the busiest month in terms of ticketing with 42 citations distributed.
The council approved the consent agenda including accounts payable warrants totaling
$621,881 as well as the approval of the previous meeting minutes. Also carried in the consent agenda was the renewal of the city’s insurance policy with EMC Insurance through Fouts Insurance of Beloit in the amount of $312,989 for the main policy and $2,611 for the property at Moritz Memorial Airport. At the recommendation of City Administrator Jason Rabe, the city switched their Fire Department Coverage from EMC to VFIS with a premium amount of $4,074 which is half the rate of EMC with better coverage.
Ordinance 2207 regarding compensation of the municipal court judge was then carried by the council. The approved amount was $600 per month. This is a reduction from the previous $800 per month approved in 2011 when there were two city court dockets per month where there is currently just one.
A fair housing proclamation was approved by the council declaring April Fair Housing Month.
A 1985 GMC 750 Cross Mount Pumper Fire Truck owned by the city was approved for sale to the high bidder who was the Mankato Volunteer Fire Department with a bid of $17,026. The city originally paid $75,449 for the truck in 1985.
A bid for downtown sewer lining was awarded to Layne Inliner, LLC in the amount of $81,668. The work to be performed is expected to start in the next two months and will pertain to Court Street from Chestnut to between Mill and Hersey and Mill Street from Second Street to South Street.
Ron Sporleder was then recognized for his retirement and presented with a plaque and a gold hardhat for his 43 years of service to the City of Beloit which was effective as of March 29. April 4 was officially proclaimed Ronald Sporleder Day in the City of Beloit.
In the work session there was a discussion of amending the recently changed city regulations on ATV’s and UTV’s. A letter of recommendation was submitted by City Attorney Katie Schroeder to amend the ordinance to allow golf cart to be driven on city streets at the owner’s discretion so long as they are insured. Drivers must be licensed and at least 18 years of age. Carts would be allowed on city streets and could cross Highway 24 to access the golf course at their own risk. When the measure comes to an official vote at a future meeting there are likely to be restrictions on certain streets where golf carts will not be allowed. More details will come at a later date as a prospective new regulation.