CITY OF MERRILL COMMON COUNCIL TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 2024 MINUTES REORGANIZATION CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 6:00 PM I. Call to Order Mayor Hass called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The following were in attendance: City Attorney Hayden, City Administrator Akey, City Clerk Anderson-Malm, Finance Director Ley, Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator Pagel, Police Chief Bennett, Library Director Ollhoff, Enrichment Center Director Mrachek, Social Media Specialist Savall, Bob Lass, Andrew Caylor, Ann Caylor, Rebecca Rutkowski, Greg Hartwig, Betty Hartwig, Rita Hartwig, Debbie Rehfeld, John Heuer, Dale Bacher and Merrill Media Communications. II. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. III. Roll Call - for current Common Council A roll call was not taken due to a lack of a quorum. IV. Common Council Meeting Expectations V. Public Comment There was no public comment. VI. Oath of Office for Alderpersons City Clerk Anderson-Malm gave the oath of office to the newly elected Alderpersons. VII. Roll Call for newly-elected Common Council Present: Alderperson Andrew Caylor, Alderperson Michael Caylor, Alderperson Meyer, Alderperson Fermanich, Alderperson Lass, Alderperson Rick, Alderperson Weix Jr., Alderperson Rutkowski VIII. General Agenda Items for Consideration 1. Discussion and consideration regarding changing the time of Common Council meetings to 6:00 pm. - Alderperson Rick motioned to approve. Alderperson Meyer seconded for discussion. Following discussion, the original motion was amended by Alderperson Rick to change the Common Council meetings to 6:30 pm. Alderperson Meyer seconded the amended motion. The amended motion passed on a 6/2 voice vote. IX. Elections and Mayor's Appointments 1. Elect the Common Council President - Nominations were taken for the Common Council President. Alderperson Rick and Alderperson Fermanich were the two nominated candidates. Alderpersons filled out the paper ballots that were provided. City Clerk Anderson-Malm collected the votes and tallied the results with Mayor Hass and City Attorney Hayden as witnesses. The final tally was Alderperson Rick with 2 votes and Alderperson Fermanich with 6 votes. Alderperson Fermanich was voted as Common Council President. 2. Elect the Alderperson member of the City Plan Commission - The Council nominated Alderperson Fermanich - who declined the nomination. Alderperson Rutkowski was nominated. No other nominations were brought forth. Alderperson Rutkowski will be the Alderperson member of the City Plan Commission. 3. Mayor's Appointments - City Clerk Anderson-Malm read the Mayor's Appointments. Alderperson Meyer motioned to approve. Alderperson Andrew Caylor seconded and the motion carried. X. Resolutions 1. A Resolution designating the official newspaper for the City of Merrill - City Attorney Hayden read the following resolution: A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE CITY OF MERRILL WHEREAS, Section 985.03 of the Wisconsin Statutes requires the designation of an official newspaper for the printing of all the City’s Official Business; and, WHEREAS, the Merrill FotoNews has qualified for such a designation. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 16th day of April 2024, that the Merrill FotoNews of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin, shall be and is hereby designated, until further action, as the official newspaper for the City of Merrill. Alderperson Fermanich motioned to approve the Resolution as presented. Alderperson Michael Caylor seconded and the motion carried. 2. A Resolution designating the official depositories and signers for the City of Merrill - City Attorney Hayden read the following Resolution: A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 16th day of April, 2024, that the following financial institutions shall be qualified as public depositories under Chapter 34 of the Wisconsin Statutes, and shall be and hereby are designated until further action as public depositories for all public monies coming into the hands of the Treasurer for the City of Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin: BMO Harris Bank, Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin Nicolet Bank, Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin incrediblebank, Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin Local Government Investment Pool, State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Merrill Community Bank – Branch of Tomahawk Community Bank, Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin Park City Credit Union, Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin Associated Bank, N.A., Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin Edward Jones, Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin That the holders of the following positions with the City are authorized to sign or act on behalf of the City (“Authorized Signers”): It was requested Merrill Community Bank be changed to Crossbridge. Alderperson Meyer motioned to approve the Resolution with the revision. Alderperson A. Caylor seconded and the motion carried. 3. A Resolution honoring Paul Russell - District 1 Alderperson - City Attorney Hayden read the following Resolution: A RESOLUTION HONORING PAUL RUSSELL FOR HIS EXTENDED SERVICE AND GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY OF MERRILL WHEREAS, Paul Russell is retiring as First District Alderperson of the City of Merrill; and, WHEREAS, Paul Russell has served as an alderperson for the City of Merrill since April 19, 2016; and, WHEREAS, the personal commitment and unselfish dedication Paul Russell has put forth has contributed greatly to the growth, progress and stability of the City of Merrill; and, WHEREAS, the City of Merrill offers a solid and stable community environment for all of its citizens in part because of Paul Russell’s dedicated service; and, WHEREAS, Paul Russell’s cheerful manner and hard work will be missed at the Merrill City Hall; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 16th day of April, 2024, that the Common Council, and the people of Merrill officially acknowledge with deep appreciation the dedicated and faithful service Paul Russell has given to the City of Merrill and commend him for those years of service. Alderperson Andrew Caylor motioned to approve the Resolution as presented. Alderperson Michael Caylor seconded and the motion carried. 4. A Resolution honoring Dick Lupton - District 5 Alderperson - City Attorney Hayden read the following Resolution: A RESOLUTION HONORING DICK LUPTON FOR HIS EXTENDED SERVICE AND GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY OF MERRILL WHEREAS, Dick Lupton is retiring as Fifth District Alderperson of the City of Merrill; and, WHEREAS, Dick Lupton has served as an alderperson for the City of Merrill since April 19, 2022; and, WHEREAS, the personal commitment and unselfish dedication Dick Lupton has put forth has contributed greatly to the growth, progress and stability of the City of Merrill; and, WHEREAS, the City of Merrill offers a solid and stable community environment for all of its citizens in part because of Dick Lupton’s dedicated service; and, WHEREAS, Dick Lupton’s cheerful manner and hard work will be missed at the Merrill City Hall; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 16th day of April 2024, that the Common Council, and the people of Merrill officially acknowledge with deep appreciation the dedicated and faithful service Dick Lupton has given to the City of Merrill and commend him for those years of service. Alderperson Weix motioned to approve the Resolution as presented. Alderperson Rick seconded and the motion carried. 5. A Resolution honoring Steve Sabatke - District 8 Alderperson - City Attorney Hayden read the following Resolution: A RESOLUTION HONORING STEVE SABATKE FOR HIS EXTENDED SERVICE AND GREAT CONTRIBU-TION TO THE CITY OF MERRILL WHEREAS, Steve Sabatke is retiring as Eighth District Alderperson of the City of Merrill; and, WHEREAS, Steve Sabatke has served as an alderperson for the City of Merrill since July 26, 2019; and, WHEREAS, the personal commitment and unselfish dedication Steve Sabatke has put forth has contributed greatly to the growth, progress and stability of the City of Merrill; and, WHEREAS, the City of Merrill offers a solid and stable community environment for all of its citizens in part because of Steve Sabatke’s dedicated service; and, WHEREAS, Steve Sabatke’s cheerful manner and hard work will be missed at the Merrill City Hall; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MERRILL, WISCONSIN this 16th day of April, 2024, that the Common Council, and the people of Merrill officially acknowledge with deep appreciation the dedicated and faithful service Steve Sabatke has given to the City of Merrill and commend him for those years of service. Alderperson Fermanich motioned to approve the Resolution as presented. Alderperson Rutkowski seconded and the motion carried. XI. Mayor's Communications Mayor Hass thanked the outgoing Alderpersons for their service. He welcomed the new Alderperson's and said he was looking forward to working with the new Council. He reminded the new Alderpersons to submit their bio's to Social Media Specialist Savall. He also reminded the Council of Orientation on May 3rd at 9:00 am. XII. Adjournment Alderperson Meyer motioned to Adjourn. Alderperson Caylor seconded and the motion Passed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:24 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Lori L Anderson-Malm - City Clerk Published April 24, 2024 WNAXLP