The Whitewater Common Council debated an increase in fines related to damage of landmark properties on Tuesday night.
Previously, the fines for damage to a landmark property through vandalism or theft was not less than $450 nor more than $700. The proposed ordinance would increase this fine to not less than $1,000, not including the cost of damages to the property.
The ordinance would relate to both public landmarks, such as the Whitewater Effigy Mounds Preserve, and privately owned historical houses.
The debate that ensued raised questions about the fairness of the increased fines.
Councilman Lynn Binnie hinted at the “…possible unintended consequences…” that could go along with people unknowingly damaging a landmark.
The council discussed the potential consequences and looked for a way to use the proposed fines as a preventative to discourage vandalism and theft in the first place. The biggest concern was on how to make people aware of the new fine.
Many of the council members agreed that all landmarks, public and private, must have proper signage distinguishing them from other buildings and houses within the city. According to Pat Blackmer, a member of the Landmark Committee, all privately owned historic houses have a boulder with a plaque noting them as a historical landmark.
“Someone committing vandalism is not looking for a sign,” said Councilman Jimmy Schulgit.
Schulgit proposed the ordinance at an earlier date, according the Binnie, and was in favor of it despite hesitation by other council members.
This ordinance was tabled for a later date after debate. It was concluded that more research needed to be done on the topic.
Despite the proposed amendment being tabled, the increase in the fine for damage to landmarks is following a trend that started during the Sept. 4 meeting related to the increasing of fines for many other offences.
The Sept. 4 meeting discussed the possibility of raising the fines for a variety of offences from disobeying a police officer to trespassing. All the fines discussed in the meeting were tabled for a later date.
The increase in the fine for damage to landmarks will be included in this later discussion.
Council budget review
City Manager Cameron Clapper introduced the proposed 2019 city budget on Tuesday night.
The proposed 2019 budget will be $26,259,403, with a general fund of $9,658,650.
The operating budget will include a property tax levy of $3,838,047. This is an increase from the 2018 budget by $364,247. The increase comes from the loss of $312,771 in one-time funds used in the 2018 budget.
The city will also receive a decrease in state funding for shared municipal services.
These are services provided by the city and used by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, such as emergency services and the use of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. All cities in Wisconsin with a UW campus receive this funding.
While the city should expect a payment of $281,417 for the services, the actual payment will be about 38 percent of that amount, according to Clapper.
“[The reduced funding] concentrates the reliance on other local property owners to carry the cost of providing municipal services,” Clapper said. “Which adds to the overall local property tax.”
There were seven major capital projects Clapper mentioned in the 2019 budget. The Milwaukee Street reconstruction, the Old Mill Dam repairs, a new self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire station and a water main replacement on Ann Street were considered “core” items. Street light replacements, lake drawdowns and dredging, and construction on the Cravath Lake Amphitheater were included to “…enhance existing services.”
The budget presented Tuesday night is only a proposed budget. The Finance Committee will meet publicly on Oct. 4, 11 and 18 to review the 2019 budget.
A presentation of the changes will be given during the Nov. 8 meeting. The budget will likely be approved at the public hearing on Nov. 20.
In other action, the Common Council on Tuesday:
- Heard a proclamation acknowledging CROP Walk Day as Oct. 7. Registration is at 12:30 p.m., the walk starts at 1 p.m. The event will start at Fairhaven Senior Services and it will end at the Armory. This will be Whitewater’s 28th year hosting a Crop Hunger Walk.
- Approved a change in parking restrictions, making it illegal to park on Church Street between 2 and 5 a.m. year-round.
- Approved a city ordinance banning the sale and possession of electronic cigarettes to minors. The new fines are $400 from $100 for the first offense, and $500 from $200 for the second offense.
- Approved a roofing contract worth $38,689 to replace the aged and leaky roof of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Whitewater.