Town Board Meeting — Minutes

MEETING MINUTES TOWN OF LAFAYETTE MAY 19, 2025 5765 197TH ST. CHIPPEWA FALLS WI 54726 Call To Order / Roll Call - The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. A roll call was conducted confirming the presence of Supervisors Brennan, Larson, McIlquham, Mathwig, Chair Staber, Clerk Konwinski and residents. Approval of Town Board Minutes - Supervisor Larson made a motion to approve the town board minutes from May 5th, 2025, and the consent agenda for tonight's meeting. Mathwig seconded the motion. Financial Report - The financial report was presented, indicating a bank balance of $651,946.92 at the end of April. An expense report was sent out to board members for review. There were questions about specific checks, including one for American Fence Company for $16,512. It was clarified that this amount was split with $5,000 from the general recreation town account and $11,512 from the room tax account. Supervisor Brennan made a motion to pay the bills. McIlquham seconded the motion. Motion carried. Davis CSM - The Davis family presented their plans for a property they are purchasing along the highway near Basement International Airport. They intend to keep the land agricultural, with plans to build a greenhouse for vegetable production. They expressed interest in potentially pursuing commercial zoning in the future to sell produce on-site. The board discussed the location and history of the property, noting it would be a good location for a greenhouse . The board indicated that future commercial zoning would likely not be a problem in that area. Supervisor Larson made a motion to approve the Davis CSM as presented. Mathwig seconded the motion. Paul CSM From R2 To R1 - The board discussed a CSM change for a property on 72nd Avenue, involving approximately 12.5 acres extending to the Yellow River. The owner's plans to potentially split the property into two parcels in the future were noted. The planning commission had previously examined the proposal, focusing on the width and entrance from the road to accommodate two driveway s if the property were to be split. Supervisor Mathwig made a motion to approve the Paul CSM from R2 to R1. McIlquham seconded the motion. Discuss Use of Town Land East of Lemay Acres - The board discussed issues with unauthorized ATV, UTV, and dirt bike use on town-owned property east of Lemay Acres. Concerns were raised about property damage and noise disturbances. The board considered posting signs prohibiting unauthorized vehicle use and potentially designating specific trails in the future. There was also discussion about officially deciding to retain ownership of the property, as there had been previous offers to purchase it. Supervisor McIlquham made a motion that the town would maintain possession of the town property by Lemay Acres and post it for no ATV, UTV, or motorized vehicle use. Brennan seconded the motion. Payroll Costs with Bauman Firm - The board discussed transitioning to a biweekly payroll schedule for all employees, including elected officials, and implementing direct deposit for all payroll checks. It was decided to carry this item over to the next agenda on June 2nd for further discussion and potential approval. Citizens State Bank Loan for Paving, Chip Seal, Crack Filling - The board discussed obtaining a loan of up to $450,000 from Citizens State Bank to cover upcoming expenses for road maintenance, including paving, chip sealing, and crack filling. The loan would be repaid in December using shared revenue and road aid funds . The board noted that the full $450,000 might not be needed, and they would only draw the necessary amount to cover bills and maintain cash flow. The exact interest rate and terms were not y et known. Supervisor Mathwig made a motion to approve road funding options for up to $450,000 from Citizens State Bank. McIlquham seconded the motion. The motion carried with all in favor through a roll call vote. Codebook Compliance Letter Approval - The board discussed a compliance letter drafted by the town attorney regarding short -term rentals. Questions were raised about fire inspections, licensing requirements, and enforcement of regulations for unlicensed rentals. The board decided to review the letter further and address outstanding questions. Codebook Updates - The board discussed various updates needed for the town's codebook, including the creation of a comprehensive fee schedule. They agreed to compile a list of current fees and bring it to the next meeting for review and finalization. The board also addressed concerns about short-term rental regulations, including the requirement for seller's permits and how to handle situations where property owners claim to no longer offer short-term rentals. Town Communications – Annual Boat Parade date is July 4th. Rain date of July 5th. Motion To Adjourn was made at 7:40pm Respectfully submitted by: Laura Konwinski / Clerk These minutes are intended to reflect the discussed topics and propositions during the Lafayette Town Board Meeting, ensuring transparency and providing a clear understanding of the deliberations and decisions made.