January Village Board Meeting — Agenda packet

VILLAGE OF PARK RIDGE 1 BOARD MEETING MINUTES 2 December 15, 2025 3 4 CALL TO ORDER: President Steve Menzel called the Park Ridge Village Board meeting to order at 5 5:30 p.m. The Village Board meeting was held in person at the Village Hall. After recitation of the 6 Pledge of Allegiance by those present, roll call was taken. Trustees Gordon Renfert, Dan Holloway, 7 Kristin Paulson, Joe Thompson, and President Steve Menzel were present. Clerk Anne Arndt and 8 Treasurer Melissa Clark were also present. 9 Others attending were Tom Turchi, Shawn Paulson and Christine Neidlein. Shanna Behrend and Tori 10 Jennings attended via Zoom. 11 AGENDA ITEM # 1 - APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER AGENDA: Motion Holloway, second by 12 Thompson to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried. 13 AGENDA ITEM # 2 – PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – AGENDA ITEMS: There were no public 14 comments on specific agenda items. 15 AGENDA ITEM # 3 - PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – NON-AGENDA ITEMS: There were no public 16 comments on non-agenda items. 17 AGENDA ITEM # 4 – REVIEW AND APPROVE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 10, 2025: Revisions 18 made are on line 9 “Hause” should be “Haase”. Agenda Item #11, line 9 revise “in 2033” to “completed 19 no later than 2023”. Agenda Item #16, line 4 add “The League of Municipalities provided a three-page 20 document with guidance options and has been helpful.” Agenda Item #18, line 2 delete “they” and 21 replace with “that”. Motion Holloway, second by Renfert to approve the November 10 minutes with 22 edits. Motion carried. 23 AGENDA ITEM # 5 – REVIEW AND ACCEPT NOVEMBER TREASURER’S REPORT: Clerk Arndt 24 stated the Village has a petty cash fund that is not in compliance with guidelines. The Clerk and 25 Treasurer recommend closing the petty cash fund and deposit the balance of $81.69 in the Village 26 checking account. Motion Menzel, second Thompson to close the petty cash fund and transfer the 27 funds to the checking account. Roll Call vote taken: Thompson, yes; Menzel, yes; Holloway, yes; 28 Paulson, yes; Renfert, yes. Motion carried. Motion Renfert, second Paulson to accept the November 29 Treasurer’s Report. Roll call vote taken: Menzel, yes; Holloway, yes; Renfert, yes; Thompson, yes; 30 Paulson, yes. Motion carried. 31 AGENDA ITEM # 6 – REVIEW AND APPROVE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER BILLS / PAYMENTS: 32 Motion by Holloway, second by Paulson to approve October/November bills/payments. Roll call was 33 taken; Renfert, yes; Paulson, yes; Holloway, yes; Thompson, yes; Menzel, yes. Motion carried. 34 DISCUSSION AND/OR POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 35 AGENDA ITEM # 7 – HILLCREST DRIVE / GREENBRIAR AVENUE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: 36 (provided by Tom Turchi, MSA) A1 Excavating has completed the majority of work, and the project is 37 now open to traffic. Van Ert Electric is scheduled to install the light poles during the week of December 38 15, which will finalize the project. Final inspection and walkthrough with the Village Trustees is 39 scheduled for next spring, after snow removal. At that time, we will review for any defects or issues. 40 Documentation & Quantities: We are waiting for A1 Excavating to provide final documentation to 41 calculate quantities used on the project. Logan is finalizing quantities from our inspection process, and 42 I have received utility quantities from Jason (City of Stevens Point). As-built plans for the water system 43 have been received; Logan is preparing final as-built information for street construction and lighting. 44 The lighting system will be inspected by MSA’s electrician after installation, and the existing pole will 45 then be removed. 46 Payment Status: The pay request submitted at this meeting is partial, covering approximately 85–47 90% of the project. There is an estimated $140,000–$160,000 remaining under the contract. Several 48 items require discussion between the Village Trustees and A1 Excavating before final payment, 49 including liquidated damages for delays. Completing the final payment and reimbursement request 50 before year-end is unlikely, but we anticipate resolution soon. Final payment in 2026 will still hold a 51 retainage pf 2.5% to ensure that A1 Excavating will complete the final warranty repairs in the summer 52 of 2026. 53 AGENDA ITEM # 8 - PAY APPLICATION #4, A-1 EXCAVATING: - Motion Holloway, second 54 Thompson to pay A-1 Excavating the amount of $$356,927.35 for the period of 10/25/2025 to 55 11/28/2025. Motion Holloway, second Thompson to pay the invoice. Roll Call vote was taken. 56 Thompson, yes; Menzel, yes; Holloway, yes; Paulson, yes; Renfert, yes. Motion carried. 57 AGENDA ITEM # 9 – VILLAGE SPEED STUDY UPDATE: The county had placed speed equipment 58 on several streets but it snowed prior to completion. Tom Turchi reported they’re waiting for warmer 59 weather to complete the study and data should be provided after that. 60 AGENDA ITEM #10 – RIDGEWOOD DRIVE / GREENBRIAR PLANNING UPDATE: It was reported 61 at the last meeting the Village was asked to gather RFPs from engineering firms expressing their 62 interest. Proposals were received and our ranking was completed and then reported to the DOT. We 63 are planning to mov ahead with the design portion of the project. Yet to be resolved is the language 64 the city has in their ordinance that refers to needing a consolidation agreement before additional water 65 mains in the Village.. Holloway and Menzel met with city staff to determine exactly what is meant by a 66 consolidation agreement. It can mean a wide range of things. Some assume that means annexation or 67 a total takeover. It does not necessarily have to be that so we’re trying to clarify with the city. Holloway 68 stated the job has been awarded to MSA and the state has begun working with them on a contract. 69 AGENDA ITEM # 11 – VILLAGE BOARD VACANCY OPTIONS: In November the League of 70 Municipalities provided a three-page document to assist the Board in this process. The document was 71 again reviewed. Trustee Holloway nominated himself to fulfill the term of Village president effective 72 January 1, 2026 and expiring April 2027. Renfert seconded the motion. Roll call vote was taken. 73 Holloway, yes; Renfert, yes, Thompson, yes, Paulson, yes. Menzel did not vote. Motion carried. 74 Trustee Paulson reviewed the information from the League of “trustee with a term expiring in 2026 is 75 appointed as Village President”. That resignation created a vacancy in a trustee position. This could 76 be left unfilled until April 2026 when the term expires. A regular election for the trustee seat would 77 occur at the April 2026 election. The Board could also choose to appoint a resident to the vacant 78 trustee position now. Resident Tori Jennings asked how residents would be notified there is a Trustee 79 vacancy, if paperwork need to be filed, and would there be a caucus. Menzel stated a public notice of 80 the caucus is posted on the Village website, outside the Village Hall, in the Stevens Point Journal, and 81 residents may put it on the Park Ridge Friends Facebook page. 82 AGENDA ITEM # 12 – CAUCUS DATE: the caucus will be January 7 starting at 6:00 p.m. at Iverson 83 Park All-Purpose Lodge. 84 AGENDA ITEM # 13 – SANTA VISIT: Trustee Paulson stated the annual Santa Visit was December 85 11. Forty-four children participated. Santa made eighteen stops over two routes. Three new families 86 participated. There were two Santas, three elves, and Mrs. Claus. Thank you to the Stevens Point Fire 87 Department! All went well. Thank you to volunteers who helped stuff goody bags. 88 AGENDA ITEM # 14 – ELECTION INSPECTOR APPOINTMENTS: Motion Renfert, second Holloway 89 to approve the list of election inspectors for the 2026-2027 term as follows: Dayna VanOrder, Lois 90 Hagen, Rebecca Woodward, Elizabeth Felt, Nancy Lamar, Bette Vogel, David Blado, Gert Neuendorf, 91 Tori Jennings, Rita Kozlowski, Charm Fournier, Christine Neidlein, Mary Domka, Joe Thompson, 92 Shanna Behrend, Meg Erler. Motion carried. Let it be noted Kristin Paulson withdrew her name. 93 AGENDA ITEM # 15 – APPROVE OPERATOR’S LICENSE: Jordan Ebert had previously applied for 94 and was issued a provisional operator’s license. Motion Paulson, second Thompson to approve his 95 application for an operator’s license. Motion carried. 96 AGENDA ITEM # 16 – CURRENT VILLAGE WEBSITE: The clerk requested revisions to the Village 97 website for easier use and esthetic appearance. There have been resident complaints about ease of 98 use, broken links. Holloway stated he finds it challenging to use. Shawn Paulson, Village IT, stated 99 there are accessibility challenges. He stated he cannot edit the home page as Town Web has control 100 of the page and some others. Shawn Paulson and the clerk will compile a list our needs and contact 101 Town Web. 102 AGENDA ITEM # 17 – THANK YOU, PRESIDENT MENZEL: Those present thanked Menzel for his 103 time, expertise and years of service to the Village. 104 AGENDA ITEM # 18 – CLOSED SESSION: Motion Thompson, second Holloway to enter into closed 105 session pursuant to Section 19.85 (1)(c) Wis. Stats. considering employment, promotion, 106 compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental 107 body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility to wit: Village Hall cleaning and yard maintenance. 108 Roll Call vote was taken. Renfert, yes; Paulson, yes; Holloway, yes; Thompson, yes; Menzel, yes. 109 Motion carried. The Board entered into closed session at 6:54 p.m. 110 Reconvene into Open Session: Motion Holloway, second Thompson to reconvene in open session. 111 Roll Call vote taken. Menzel, yes; Holloway, yes; Renfert, yes; Thompson, yes; Paulson, yes. Motion 112 carried. The Board reconvened in open session at 7:45 p.m. Motion Paulson, second Holloway to 113 increase the wage for the Village Hall cleaning and yard maintenance position to $19.00 per hour 114 effective January 1, 2026 and to revise the job description list of duties and expectations. Motion 115 carried. President Menzel will be sending a letter, including detailed job duties. 116 AGENDA ITEM # 19 - SET DATE AND TIME FOR NEXT BOARD MEETING - Monday, January 12, 117 2026 at 5:30 p.m. 118 MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:00 p.m. 119 120 121 _______________________________ _____________________________ 122 ANNE ARNDT STEVE MENZEL 123 VILLAGE CLERK VILLAGE PRESIDENT 124 VILLAGE OF PARK RIDGE 2026 CAUCUS MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026 Dan Holloway, Village President, opened the Caucus for the upcoming Spring Election at 6:00 p.m. The Caucus was held at Iverson Park All-Purpose Lodge. Board members Dan Holloway, Kristin Paulson, Gordon Renfert and Joe Thompson were present. Also attending were residents Jean Probst, Shanna Behrend, Christine Neidlein, Tori Jennings, Charm Fournier, Becky Woodward, Jim LaMar, Dan McFarlane, Lori Sinisi, Lon Butcher, Laurie Swetalla, Steve Menzel, Jeannie Tauchman, Frances Hubbard, Shawn Paulson, Nancy LaMar, Ken Vogel, Bette Vogel, Trish Baker, Kenneth Chesney, Renee Haase, Thomas Haase, Gretchen Renfert, Mary Tierney-Ley, Heidi Chitwood, Bob Gifford, Lynette Martens, Daniel Kiefer, Emily Kiefer, Matt Chitwood, Siri Bendtsen, Marjie Bell. President Holloway explained the Caucus procedures. Nominations are needed for two Trustee positions, one currently held by Joe Thompson; the other is vacant. President Holloway appointed Shanna Behrend and Christine Neidlein as Tellers. Holloway asked for nominations from the floor. Daniel Kiefer (304 Pinecrest) nominated Kenneth Chesney (219 Sunrise), seconded by Gretchen Renfert (212 Sunrise Ave). Christine Neidlein (203 Greenbriar) nominated Joe Thompson (27 Ridgewood), seconded by Kenny Chesney (219 Sunrise). Shanna Behrend (200 Pinecrest) nominated Heidi Chitwood (302 Fieldcrest), seconded by Steve Menzel (512 Sunset). Jean Probst (109 Linwood) nominated Jim LaMar (403 Greenbriar), seconded by Shawn Paulson (409 Sunset). Charm Fournier (35 Angelo Court) nominated Tori Jennings (419 Greenbriar), seconded by Jeannie Tauchman (11 Ridgewood Drive). Rebecca Woodward (702 Fieldcrest) nominated Dan McFarlane (516 Sunrise), seconded by Nancy LaMar (403 Greenbriar). President Holloway asked for any further nominations for Trustee two times. Hearing no further nominations, Holloway announced nominations for Trustee were closed. President Holloway asked if any nominated candidates wanted to make short remarks up to one minute. All expressed their willingness to serve the community. Since there are six candidates for two positions, President Holloway asked if anyone wished to withdraw their nomination at this time. No one withdrew. The Tellers handed out slips of paper and pens to those present and instructed them to vote for no more than two candidates. Residents inserted their ballot in the ballot box when finished voting. Shanna Behrend opened the ballot box and removed ballots one at a time. She read the names out loud. Kristin Paulson volunteered to write names and tally votes on the whiteboard. Gordon Renfert served as a witness to the tallying. One ballot was invalid as it had four names written on it. Voting Results: Kenneth Chesney 7 Joe Thompson 22 Heidi Chitwood 9 Jim LaMar 12 Tori Jennings 7 Dan McFarlane 13 The four candidates with the highest vote totals will advance to the Spring Election. The Clerk drew lots for ballot placement. Shawn Paulson witnessed. Thompson, first; McFarlane, second; LaMar, third; Chitwood, fourth. The Clerk distributed notices/receipts of nomination, declarations of candidacy and campaign registrations to the four nominees immediately following the caucus. Caucus ended at 6:28 p.m. _________________________ _________________________ Anne Arndt Dan Holloway Clerk President