Cable TV studio relocates to former Cenex Co-op site

By Sue Odegard

The city's cable television department, which operates RFCC-TV Channel 12, is being moved to the former New Richmond Farmers Union Co-op (Cenex) property between Maple and Cedar streets.

The city bought the Cenex property in January for $350,000. It is located on the city's west side, along the Kinnickinnic River.

The cable television department staff has been renting space at 216 N. Main St., but cramped space for a growing amount of equipment forced them to search for a larger studio, and the upper level of one of the buildings recently purchased by the city from New Richmond Farmers Union Co-op meets their requirements.

The move should be completed by Thanksgiving, but there may be a few days of service interruption due to the relocation process.

The cable television department is being set up in the former Cenex office building. The lower level can be used for storage.

Another possibility the council is considering is to use the lower level as a youth center. As long as the assembly space is used for less than 100 people, it can be converted without requiring significant code upgrades.

City engineer Reid Wronski said there is only one bathroom on that level, however. If it were to be converted to a youth center or rented out to private tenants, either two bathrooms would be required on that level, or a corridor would have to be constructed to the upstairs level because there are already two bathrooms there.

A second building on the Cenex site, a storage building located in the northeast corner, could be used for storage as well. The main improvement needed there would be the construction of a staircase and landing.

Aldermen Beaner Frey and Wayne Beebe said they would first like to see the buildings used for storage for the city departments - the police, fire and public works - if they decide they need it.

Wronski will get together some cost estimates together and report back to the council in December.

Janitorial contract

The council unanimously awarded the 2000-2001 contract for janitorial services to Jeffrey's Cleaning Service of Baldwin. The bid was $42,000 to clean the City Hall, Ingram Center, River Falls Public Library and the Public Works facility. It also includes cleaning the River Falls Area Ambulance facility and the Public Access TV studio.

The other bid was submitted by Langlois Building Maintenance of River Falls. The owner, David Langlois, submitted a bid of $68,425.

Annexation approved

A request to annex land from Patrick, Meghan and John J. Murphy was unanimously approved.

The property consists of 1.3 acres of undeveloped land just off Wasson Lane near Cudd Avenue. An (R1) zoning classification has been approved there. That will allow single family and twin homes to be built there.

Parking, traffic control changes

Unanimous approval was given to change parking at four locations.

On W. Division Street, from Apollo Road west to the end of the city limits, no parking will be allowed on either sides of the street.

On N. Fremont Street at Meyer Middle School, a handicapped parking space will be set up on the west side of N. Fremont Street, north of W. Maple Street.

At 207 Vine St. a no parking sign will be installed.

No parking between signs will be allowed on Broadway Street by UW-River Falls near the walkway entrance.

Unanimous approval was also given to change traffic control at four locations.

A stop sign will be installed at Falcon Drive (westbound) where it intersects with S. Ninth Street.

A stop sign will be installed at Quarry Road (eastbound) where it intersects with N. Main Street.

A stop sign will be installed at Sunwood Court (westbound) where it intersects with Sunwood Valley Lane. Another stop sign will be installed on Sunwood Valley Lane (northbound) at Golf View Drive.

Other action

City Administrator Bernie Van Osdale reported on a recent workshop members of the City Council attended. The topic of discussion was growth in the city through the year 2005 as it relates to commercial growth, residential growth, industrial growth, and open space. A report will be submitted to the council and public input encouraged.

Wronski reported that a traffic signal at the Hwy. 65-35 bypass should be operational by Friday. Flashing lights will be used there through next Tuesday, when 4-way traffic lights will be permanently activated.

Unanimous approval was given to write off uncollectible delinquent bills in the amount of $1,272.50.

Approval of a resolution accepting a COPS in Schools Grant Award and authorizing employment of a new patrol officer. The 3-year, $125,000 grant was awarded jointly to the River Falls Police Department and River Falls School District. Seventy-five percent of the funding would be provided by the school district. It authorizes a police liaison to be used by the school district during the 9-month school term and by the police department during the summer months as a patrol officer.

Approval of the continuation of a Community Center Committee consisting of Mayor Cecil Bjork, Council Member Sharon Graham, Mike Keenan of the Park and Recreation Board, City Planner Buddy Lucero and Council Member Ann Dravis. The committee will continue to look at the total recreational needs of the community and make recommendations to the City Council regarding the possible construction of a community center, a YMCA, a wellness center, or a combination of those facilities. They will also meet with members of the River Falls Youth Hockey Association and make a recommendation to the City Council regarding its needs and requests.

Rescinding of the awarding of a shared-ride taxi service contract to Timothy Hegna. Hegna's bid was $179,050 for the year 2000 and was rescinded because it did not receive the highest number of points from the bid selection committee and did not meet state and federal assistance requirements.

Council Member Sharon Graham was absent from the meeting.