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Village of Fall Creek Regular Board Meeting Minutes
12/11/17 Page 1 of 4
1. Call to Order: 6:30 p.m., Village Hall Meeting Room, 122 E. Lincoln Ave., Fall Creek
2. Pledge to Flag
3. Roll Call: Members Present: Village President Chester Goodman, Trustees Tina Jacobson,
Bob Jenkins, Matt Mattoon, Wayne Steinke, Dane Zook. Members Absent: Trustee Karen
Strasburg. Staff Present: Police Chief Chad Dachel, Public Works Director Bryan Kaatz,
Clerk-Treasurer Renee Roemhild. Also Present: Brian Sheridan of Augusta Area Times.
4. Certify Open Meeting Law Requirements Have Been Met: A notice of the meeting and an
agenda was posted in the three public places and newspapers were notified.
5. Adopt Agenda:
MOTION (Mattoon/Steinke) to adopt the agenda as printed. PASSED, without negative
vote.
6. Act on Minutes: Trustee Bob Jenkins believed that a motion and a roll call vote was missing
in the minutes. There is no documentation of that.
MOTION (Zook/Mattoon) to approve the 11/13/17 Regular Board, 11/27/17 Special
Board, 12/4/17 Finance Committee meeting minutes, as printed. PASSED, without
negative vote.
7. Citizen Input: None.
8. Correspondence:
− A thank you from Jack Halbleib for the Village Board paying for the water lateral
replacement at 344 W Lincoln Ave, appreciating the integrity of the Board to stand up
and replace the faulty workmanship of the contractor.
− The Fall Creek Foundation has awarded the Village a $500 grant to pay for costs for the
Village newsletter.
− Request from National School Choice Week (NSCW) to adopt a proclamation supporting
their cause.
MOTION (Steinke/Zook) to deny their request for a proclamation. PASSED, voice
vote with Goodman and Mattoon voting no.
9. Budget Comparison Report/Financial Considerations:
MOTION (Mattoon/Steinke) to approve the 11/30/17 Budget Comparison Report and the
Clerk-Treasurer's Monthly Report. PASSED, roll call vote: Jacobson-yes, Jenkins-yes,
Mattoon-yes, Steinke-yes, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes.
10. Consider Bills:
MOTION (Mattoon/Jacobson) to approve bills #23920-23958, V17388-17423. PASSED,
roll call vote: Jenkins-yes, Mattoon-yes, Steinke-yes, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes, Jacobson-
yes.
11. Police Department
A. Monthly Report: Police Chief Dachel presented the monthly report of cases/calls for
service. Dachel also reported that part-time officer Alec Schwinefus resigned so the
department will be looking at hiring again.
B. Consider Dangerous Dog Ordinance Enforcement: Chief Dachel reported on problems
with a dangerous dog running loose, attacking other dogs and scaring citizens. The police
department has cited the owner four times and also sent a letter telling the owner to
remove the dog from the village. The owner is not complying.
Village of Fall Creek
Minutes of Regular Village Board Meeting
December 11, 2017
Village of Fall Creek Regular Board Meeting Minutes
12/11/17 Page 2 of 4
MOTION (Steinke/Mattoon) directing a certified letter be sent to the owner and the
mother (residence where the dog is kept) stating that if the dog is not removed in
three days, the Village will confiscate the dog. PASSED, without negative vote.
C. Consider Agreement with Eau Claire County Humane Association:
MOTION (Mattoon/Jacobson) approving the 2018-2019 Municipal Control
Agreement with the Eau Claire County Humane Association. PASSED, without
negative vote.
D. Consider Bartender Operator License Applications:
MOTION (Jenkins/Mattoon) granting a bartender operator license for the remainder
of the 2017/2018 license year to Benjamin Grohn. PASSED, without negative vote.
12. Public Works Department
A. Monthly Report: Public Works Director Bryan Kaatz gave his monthly report on various
matters concerning the public works and utility departments.
B. Consider Well #3 & #4 Project: Director Kaatz reported they are still working on
various processes to develop Well #3 to get a higher pumping capacity.
C. Update on Rental of Land from Doug Raether near Well #2: Kaatz reported Doug
Raether contacted the Village to inform us that someone else requested rental of his land
for 2018. He agreed, and therefore will not be renting to the Village.
D. Consider Quote for Village Hall Roof Repair: A quote from Miller's Roof Coatings
was reviewed.
MOTION (Jenkins/Mattoon) directing PWD Kaatz look further into the replacement
product - getting testimonials, warranty information, and inquiring if the company has
adequate insurance. PASSED, without negative vote.
13. Committee Related
A. Community & Economic Development
1. Recognition for Efforts to Enhance Community: Committee Chairperson Dane
Zook thanked Bret Luedtke for the great welcome signs on the north and south
entrances to the Village. Zook thanked the Police Department and the Clerk's Office
for their continued work to make sure property owners comply with the public
nuisance ordinances.
2. Deadline for Submitting Articles for the Next Newsletter: Zook stated the deadline
for those wishing to contribute articles for the newsletter is December 15.
3. Distribute Information Requests from Village Listening Forums: Zook distributed
the items for consideration compiled from citizen requests made at the listening
forums. The pertinent committee or staff personnel will address the items as able.
Any items requesting Board action will be brought back to the Board at a later date.
B. Finance & Personnel
1. Consider Budget Options/Strategic Financial Planning, Including Possible
Amendment to 2018 Budgets and Possible Extra Payment on Debt Service:
President Goodman reported on the recommendations from the 12/4/17 Finance
Committee meeting. Because the Sewer Fund's debt after building the Wastewater
Treatment Plant (WWTP) has been such a burden to the Utility and the resulting high
water/sewer rates may have adversely impacted the Village's economic growth, the
Committee sought a strategy to create some relief to this problem. Hence, the
Committee looked at all Village loans in totality, rather than looking at them
individually by fund. The rationale was that whether the loan was related to the
General Fund (GF), Water Fund (WF), or Sewer Fund (SF), the debt service costs in
the major accounting groups greatly affect all residents. Due to the GF paying off
some loans, it was now in the position to assist the SF with its debt service. In an
effort to find as much of a solution as possible, the Committee also reviewed the 2018
GF budgets for any areas in which funds could be shifted to use for pay down on the
Village of Fall Creek Regular Board Meeting Minutes
12/11/17 Page 3 of 4
SF debt. Goodman reiterated how important he felt it was for this and all future
Boards to wisely manage the debt resulting from huge capital projects such as the
WWTP.
MOTION (Mattoon/Zook) approving the committee's recommendation listed as
#1 & #2 in the 12/4/17 minutes (General Fund assist the Sewer Fund with an
annual subsidy payment of $50,000 to be used yearly to make an additional
payment to the State Trust Fund on the $700,000 Utility Revenue Debt for the
WWTP. Once the $700,000 loan is paid off, the subsidy money and retired debt
service money shall be placed in a designated savings account to prudently
prepare for the future WWTP replacement needs). PASSED, Mattoon-yes,
Steinke-yes, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes, Jacobson-yes, Jenkins-no.
MOTION (Mattoon/Jacobson) approving the committee's recommendation listed
as #3 in the 12/4/17 minutes (Designate the Sewer Fund savings realized due to
loan refinancing to be used yearly as an additional payment on the $700,000 loan.
Once the loan is paid off, the money shall be placed in a designated savings
account for the future WWTP.) PASSED, Steinke-yes, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes,
Jacobson-yes, Jenkins-no, Mattoon-yes.
MOTION (Mattoon/Zook) to amend the 2018 budgets as follows:
PASSED, roll call vote: Zook-yes, Goodman-yes, Jacobson-yes, Jenkins-no,
Mattoon-yes, Steinke-yes.
MOTION (Mattoon/Zook) establishing RESOLUTION #2017-1211A declaring
the Village Board's intent to work aggressively to lower debt service costs, to plan
prudently for future capital projects, and encouraging all future Boards to
continue on with this financial strategy. PASSED, roll call vote: Goodman-yes,
Jacobson-yes, Jenkins-no, Mattoon-yes, Steinke-no, Zook-yes.
MOTION (Mattoon/Zook) approving the committee's recommendation to make
an additional payment in 2018 on the $700,000 Utility Revenue Debt for the
WWTP from the remaining cash in the Debt Service Fund at the end of fiscal year
2017 (after audit), approximately $40,000. PASSED, roll call vote: Jacobson-yes,
Jenkins-no, Mattoon-yes, Steinke-yes, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes.
2. Consider Village's Policy re: Employee Maternity Leave:
MOTION (Mattoon/Steinke) to table until information is received from the
Village Attorney. PASSED, without negative vote.
C. Parks & Recreation
1. Consider Plan for Tree Replacement at Keller Park: Committee Chairperson Matt
Mattoon stated they will continue with the strategy to manage the spread of the
General Fund Budget
110-51600-780 Hall-Mntce, Repairs, Misc Decrease 500 to 500
110-51600-790 Hall-Alternating Expense Decrease 500 to 500
110-51601-000 Reimb-Hall & Office Increase 250 to -3,150
110-52150-190 Squads-Gas Decrease 300 to 5,200
110-52150-400 Squads-Oil Change/Minor Repair Decrease 100 to 500
110-52150-790 Squads-Alternating Periodic Exp. Decrease 300 to 1,800
110-52160-790 P.D. Admin-Alternating Exp. Decrease 200 to 300
110-52190-100 Police-Training Expenses Decrease 300 to 800
110-52190-790 Police-Equip Alternating Exp Decrease 100 to 750
110-53240-190 Trucks-Gas/Diesel Decrease 1,500 to 8,000
110-53240-200 Trucks-Service, Oil, Filters Decrease 700 to 800
110-53240-300 Trucks-Repairs & Misc. Decrease 1,000 to 4,000
110-53241-000 Reimb-Trucks, Other Vehicles Increase 1,050 to -4,550
110-56700-100 Econ Dev-Portion ECAEDC Decrease 1,000 to 500
110-57130-000 Village Share Road Reconstruct Decrease 4,800 to 8,000
110-57800-000 Transfer to Sewer Fund-Supplement Increase 10,000 to 10,000
Village of Fall Creek Regular Board Meeting Minutes
12/11/17 Page 4 of 4
Emerald Ash Borer. The plan is to take down 6 more trees in 2018; they are hoping
Xcel Energy will assist in the tree removal.
2. Consider Summer Rec Program, Including Thank You to Past Coordinator:
MOTION (Mattoon/Zook) to send a thank you to Bobbie Kuehl in appreciation of
all of her work for the program. Mattoon stated he would like to add a monetary
gift of appreciation, but he understood that would not be possible. PASSED, with
Jenkins and Steinke voting no.
Mattoon reported he has put out inquiries for a new coordinator and has met with
school personnel that are interested in helping with our program.
D. Public Property & Health:
MOTION (Jacobson/Mattoon) to table items 13.D. 1 & 2. PASSED, without negative
vote.
1. Consider Directional Signage for Park & School
2. Consider Signage for Keller Park Pavilions
14. General Business
A. Consider Village Hall Façade Project, Including Contractor's Pay Request:
MOTION (Mattoon/Jacobson) authorizing payment of the final pay request for Dell
Construction in the amount of $4,500. PASSED, roll call vote: Jenkins-yes, Mattoon-
yes, Steinke-yes, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes, Jacobson-yes.
B. Consider Agreement with Krause Howard & Company for Audit Services:
MOTION (Mattoon/Steinke) approving the agreement with Krause Howard &
Company for the audit for year-ended 12/31/17 at a cost not to exceed $12,100.
PASSED, roll call vote: Mattoon-yes, Steinke-yes, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes,
Jacobson-yes, Jenkins-yes.
C. Consider Employee Wages for 2018:
MOTION (Mattoon/Zook) granting the raises as outlined in the 2018 budget: 1% to
full-time employees and part-time police officers. Increases to take effect on the first
paycheck issued in the new year. The Library Board determines raises for library
personnel. PASSED, roll call vote: Steinke-no, Zook-yes, Goodman-yes, Jacobson-
yes, Jenkins-no, Mattoon-yes.
D. Consider Appointment of Election Officials: President Goodman appointed the
following election officials for the 2018/2019 election cycle.
Republican: James Kaatz, Carlton Kangas, Deb Mischke, Sheri Page, Dale
Soltwisch, Betty Walter.
Democrat: Jane Borofka, Terry Fellenz, Darlene Henrichs, Shirley Rovang, Thelma
Schilling.
MOTION (Jacobson/Zook) confirming the appointments as listed. PASSED,
without negative vote.
16. Adjourn:
MOTION (Jacobson/Steinke) @ 8:50 p.m. PASSED, without negative vote.
Renee Roemhild, Clerk-Treasurer
Source: Village of Fall Creek website. First collected Oct 9, 2026.