April 22, 2025 JT Boards

APPROVED VILLAGE & TOWN OF STOCKBRIDGE 1st QUARTER 2025 JOINT MEETING APRIL 22, 2025 6:30 p.m. COMMUNITY HALL – 175 S. MILITARY ROAD Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Town Chairman Joe Kuhn. Present on behalf of the Village are President Greg Zickuhr, Trustees Paul Bruckner, Steven Jacobs, Brian Karls, Nick Kuhn, and Village Clerk Ted Parsons. Present on behalf of the Town are Chair Joe Kuhn, Supervisors Mark Ecker, Jon Groeschl. Town Clerk Steve Phipps and Town Treasurer Andrea Ortlieb. Representing their respective organizations Fire Chief Mike Funk and1st Responder’s Captain Kathy Stadtmueller were present. Resident Bill Van Hoorn was present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was recited. OPEN MEETING NOTICES verification of compliance was given by both clerks. AGENDA: Motion to approve by N. Kuhn, second by J. Groeschl. M/C MINUTES of the January 28, 2025, joint meeting: Motion by N. Kuhn to approve, second by M. Ecker. M/C PUBLIC COMMENTS: No one signed up. 1st QUARTER 2024 FINANCIALS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY HALL: Village Clerk presented the financial breakout showing totals of $46,114.60 for the Fire Department and $2,851.49 for the Community Hall. After being allocated based on equalized value the Town of Stockbridge was invoiced for $31,242.15. After general discussion, Motion by J. Kuhn to approve payment of $31,242.15 from the Town to the Village for the balance due for Fire Department and Community Hall expenses, second by J. Groeschl. M/C 4th QUARTER 2024 FINANCIALS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS: Town Clerk presented a statement showing expenses totaling $6,415.74. After being allocated based on current population estimates released from the WI Dept. of Administration the Village of Stockbridge was invoiced for $2,050.98. After general discussion, Motion by G. Zickuhr to approve payment of $2050.98 from the Village to the Town for 1st Responder expenses. Second by N. Kuhn. M/C Fire Department new workers compensation insurance: T. Parsons explained the village changed carriers which the new carrier choices necessitated the fire department insurance change, and the cost comes in slightly less than the cost of the old carrier which was already approved by both boards. General discussion. Record Retention for fire department: T. Parsons handed out a draft policy. Chief Funk shared he would like a fee schedule to be incorporated in the event of a public records’ request similar to the town’s but no need to be exactly the same. T. Parsons said he would bring something back in the future for the boards. Innovation Planning Grant: S. Phipps shared the conversations of consolidation study or the municipalities working together at some the meetings attended by both town and village board members and said a presentation for the July joint boards’ meeting was scheduled. J. Kuhn shared the risk to both municipalities if annexation by a third party removed property from the town and the resulting decrease in the fire district would increase costs for the village and town’s taxpayers as costs are shared based on a percentage of assessed value supporting the value/importance of the questions asked in the study. G. Zickuhr said fire service could always be contracted from another source. T. Parson shared that the information being requested was significant and takes time to accumulate. J. Groeschl reiterated the need for the village as administrator for the grant to be certain to stay in budget. T. Parson indicated he foresaw no budgetary problems, and the grant funds are in the villages’ possession. S. Phipps explained the Innovation Grant (a 2nd separate grant opening in July) is intended to dovetail from the Innovation Planning Grant for organizations that like the findings of the innovation planning grant and there is significantly more money available for the innovation grant but recognizes that no one at this time has any idea if the finding of the first grant would merit action of application for the 2nd grant. Committee creation for Fire Station/Hall Expansion/replacement: J. Kuhn asked the village for an update. G. Zickuhr said the village would not be participating. J. Kuhn shared the town would plan as best they can for the future on their own. J. Groeschl reiterated the need to at least know cost numbers for the sake of planning. Levy Limit Exception usage: J. Kuhn asked the village to consider approving going forward this provision to fund fire departments whether the village utilizes the opportunities or not because it restricts the town’s ability to take advantage of the levy limit exception. G. Zickuhr said the village will look at it. Driveway: G. Zickuhr said the village would get quotes for crack filling. Chief Funk shared the signs around the station are in need of repair/replacement as well the paint worn on the driveway. Likewise, Chief Funk asked about having traffic always move one way around the building as done for large elections. G. Zickuhr said he would investigate traffic flow signage. Electrical Upgrade at Fire Station: Chief Funk shared the pros and cons of two different generators ranging in cost from approximately $25000.00 to $50000.00 that have been looked into and the upcoming upgrade will likely be done prepping for the generator in the future but no decision has been made and asked for the village and town to consider assisting with the costs of a generator. APPROVED VILLAGE & TOWN OF STOCKBRIDGE 4TH QUARTER 2024 JOINT MEETING – April 22, 2025 – Page 2 FIRST RESPONDER’S CAPTAIN REPORT: Captain Stadtmueller presented the First Responder’s Report showing total calls of 14 for the quarter (9 Town, 5 Village) with 9 Med, 1 lift assist, 1 no care given, 1 refusal and 2 cancelled. Membership reports 13 active, 0 probationary, 0 LOA. Treasurer’s report showed balances $3,488.69 in checking and $16,826.33 in savings. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: Fire Chief Funk presented the Fire Department Report. Current roster of 35 members with 1 on medical leave. 18 fire calls in the 4th quarter (13 Town, 2 Village, 3 mutual aid). In other business Chief Funk shared the need for planning for apparatus, changes that may becoming for ambulance service, a LOSAP mistake and upcoming refund. The grant applied for from FEMA to update the radios has been submitted for 90% of the costs with the balance to be paid by the department and there are no updates. Treasurer’s report showed account balances of $82,648.63 in savings and $9,190.47 in checking. NEXT MEETING: Joint Quarterly Meeting – Tuesday, July 29, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. at the Community Hall. ADJOURN: Motion to adjourn at 7:16 p.m. by N. Kuhn and second by M. Ecker. M/C Submitted by; Steve Phipps Town of Stockbridge Clerk