Minutes

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS TOWN OF CRESCENT MINUTES FOR MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2024 6:00 P.M., CRESCENT TOWN HALL Board Members Present: Robb Jensen, Chair; Kyla Waksmonski, Supervisor; Mike Pazdernik, Supervisor; Tracy Hartman, Clerk; Carla Fletcher, Treasurer. Call to Order: Chairman Jensen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Crescent Town Hall. The meeting has been properly posted and distributed in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Meeting law and the facility is handicap accessible. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Approval of Agenda Motion by Jensen to approve the agenda. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Jensen to approve the minutes from the Monthly Town Board Meeting of July 10, 2024. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye. Motion carried. Public Comment – - Dan Mehring – Squash Lake – Expressed concern with wake boating and safety. - Connie Anderson – S Rifle Road – Expressed concern with the junk properties on S. Rifle Road and the lack of progress on getting them cleaned up. Anderson gave some history on the properties and the interaction with the Sheriff’s Office. Anderson expressed concern with the safety of the property and the individuals living on the property. - Russ Tennessen – Squash Lake – Asked for an update on the boat landing on Squash Lake. - Jeff Cooper – Expressed concern with the wake boats and stated that last year he lost 8 inches of lake frontage. - Donna Stone – Wausau Road – Crescent Lake Association President – Stone reported that the Lake Association provided a survey to Lake Association members and has received responses from over 100 members and 78% of the responses are in favor of passing an enhanced wake ordinance. Stone reported that there are currently 28 municipalities that have passed or are in the process of passing an ordinance. Stone encouraged the board to pass an ordinance. - Todd Haley – Crescent Lake – Expressed concern with the quality of the lake while respecting the rights of the property owners. - Brad Salinski – Squash Lake – Expressed concern with preservation of the property and encouraged the board to look at evidence-based research versus what people are saying. Salinski encouraged the board to not regulate the lakes and questioned where regulation would stop. - Stephanie Harrelson – Lake Julia Road – Encouraged the board to look at the evidence and put forth the least restrictive guidelines that will still be effective. - Jim Gehrke – Crescent Lake resident – Gehrke would encourage the board to gather more information and cited an article in the Lakeland Times that was published in July. Gehrke encouraged the board to wait until there are more consistent regulations. - Jack Bertram – Squash Lake resident – Bertram gave some history of his education and experience with water qualities. Bertram spoke regarding a study that was completed by the U of M that admits it doesn’t address a number of the concerns expressed regarding wake boats and wake surfing. Bertram encouraged the board to thoroughly examine the studies that are being mentioned and encouraged property owners on the lakes to work with each other to come up with a compromise. - Tom Johansson – Bay Road – Jahansson reported that one concern he hears from a number of people on the lake is use of the lake and the impact wake boats have on their ability to use the lake. - Jeff Meessmann, Vilas County Resident, spoke regarding the studies and enforcement options for the town boards. Meessmann described a number of ordinances that are enforceable. Meessmann encouraged the board to look at an ordinance that would ban certain types of operation and certain types of equipment use. Meessmann gave an overview of what a lake boat looks like and how it works. Meessmann gave an overview of 4 ways to enforce wake ordinances. - Mary Jung – spoke regarding enforcement through the town board. Jung reported that for a $5 fee the town board can issue a citation and the Oneida County Courts will handle the citation. Jung spoke regarding issuing citations based on photographs provided to the town board. Jung stated that the goal of the ordinance isn’t to issue citations and instead is aimed at education. - Paul Frey – Logging Camp Road – Frey reminded the board that there is enough land and road right-of-way to create a turnaround on Logging Camp Road without taking land from the Frey/Holland family. Frey expressed concern that members of the town plan commission will benefit from the property that is taken. - Dan Butkus – Squash Lake property owner – Butkus expressed concerns with reports that have been created by the wake boat industry. Butkus encouraged the board to look at a reasonable ordinance that helps to establish social norms and sets guidance. - Joe Fazio - Squash Lake property owner - Fazio expressed concern with a proposed ordinance and stated that he hasn’t noticed a difference in the shoreline in the past 14 years. Fazio stated that existing regulations aren’t enforced on Squash Lake. Fazio asked that the board is very specific about what the problem is and what is trying to be solved. - Mark Patulski recommended that the board meet with the residents to come up with a solution. Town Chair Report – Written report received from Chair Jensen. Jensen reported that a board member needs to take a training on the TAP grant. Jensen volunteered to take the training. Treasurer’s Report - A written report was given by Treasurer, Carla Fletcher. Library Report - Update on the library board meeting and upcoming programs being offered at the library – None County Board Supervisor’s Report - Review of County Board meeting and Review of County Board meeting and County Committee meetings – None Fire Department Report and Approval of Purchases - Monthly Call update, purchases update, training update, fundraiser update - None First Responder’s Report and Approval of Purchases - None Town Road Crew Report - Road Projects update, update on vehicle repairs and shop repairs – Written report received. Town Plan Commission Report – Minutes from the plan commission were received. Uniform Dwelling Inspector’s Report - None Squash Lake District Report – Peggy Jansen provided a written report to the board and gave an overview of the last two meetings. Jansen reported that they have harvested over 8000 pounds. Crescent Lake District Report – None Discussion/Action Items Open Crescent Road Bids and award Crescent Road Project – Jensen provided an overview of the proposed road project. Bids were opened from: American Asphalt - Base Bid - US 8 to Long Lake - $393,652.59 - Alt. Bid 1 - Long Lake to Melody – $157381.97 - Alt. Bid 2 - Melody Lane to Fire Tower - $196,253.18 Musson Brother - Base Bid - US 8 to Long Lake - $364,732.49 - Alt. Bid 1 - Long Lake to Melody – $149,473.65 - Alt. Bid 2 - Melody Lane to Fire Tower - $187,290.40 Northeast Asphalt - Base Bid - US 8 to Long Lake - $400,931.00 - Alt. Bid 1 - Long Lake to Melody – $168,711.45 - Alt. Bid 2 - Melody Lane to Fire Tower - $204,492.30 Pitlik and Wick - Base Bid - US 8 to Long Lake - $394,063.50 - Alt. Bid 1 - Long Lake to Melody – $160,443.25 - Alt. Bid 2 - Melody Lane to Fire Tower - $198,053.00 Jensen provided a handout to the board regarding upcoming road expenses in 2025 totaling an estimated $157,212. Jensen reported that if the town uses the ARPA funds of $211,886, highway carry- over funds of $109,511 and funds from the 2024 budget the town will be able to approve the base bid for US Hwy to Long Lake Road. Motion by Jensen to approve the base bid from Musson Brothers from US Hwy 8 to Long Lake Road for $364,732.49. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Discussion regarding the alternate bids. Jensen stated that there are other roads in Crescent that have worse WISLR ratings and should be considered first. Waksmonski expressed a desire to see the entire road repaved. Motion by Jensen to reject alternative bids one and two as submitted by all four bidders. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Jensen stated that he will be in contact with Mussons to work on the schedule and contacting the residents. Administrative Review Permit application by Gary Engnes and Stacey Engnes to rent the dwelling as tourist rooming house on the property described as: Indanaukis Community Lot 1 – Pin CR 896 – Jensen presented the Administrative Review Permit application and expressed support of the application. Motion by Jensen to notify the Planning and Zoning Department that the Town board has no issues with the application as presented. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Enhanced Wake Resolution to Wisconsin Legislators & Discussion of a Town Enhanced Wake Ordinance – Jensen presented an advisory resolution that could be sent to State Legislators regarding enhanced wake regulations. Jensen read the resolution to the residents and supervisors present. Jensen recommended that the board pass this resolution to encourage the state to have meaningful discussions regarding enhanced wake regulations. Motion by Jensen to amend the 7th whereas striking the Town of Crescent and add Oneida County from the 7th whereas. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Discussion regarding the 500 feet from the shore distance mentioned in the resolution and what distance should be recommended. Residents expressed concern with recommending that distance from shore without having all the information and with conflicting studies having been presented. Waksmonski stated that based on the comments made there are two options which are to hold the resolution until the board can come up with a distance and depth that meets the recommendations or the distance and depth can be removed and encourage the legislature to set standards. Jensen stated that the next step for the board will be to determine if the Town should pass an enhanced wake ordinance and how to proceed. Waksmonski asked if other communities have convened a citizen committee to discuss these issues. Discussion regarding forming an ad hoc committee to look at how to proceed. Jensen stated that the ad hoc committee would include a town board member, two members from the lakes and a member from the adjoining towns. Motion by Jensen that the Town of Crescent form an ad hoc committee to study a wake ordinance and include a member of the Town of Crescent Board, two members from property owners in Crescent and extend an invitation to the Towns of Woodboro and Pelican. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. CR-162-6 N&J Investments LLC request to reduce existing private road easement – Jensen stated that the property owners are asking to redo the road which will make part of the road 33 feet and will not be 66 feet from center. Jensen gave an overview of the request and the road standards ordinance. Jensen stated that the town may give a variance to the town road ordinance. Jensen expressed concern with decreasing the width of the road and how that will impact future service. Chuck Oleinik, surveyor for the owner, gave an overview of the property and stated that based on the existing lot he doesn’t foresee a situation where a wider road would be needed. Oleinik gave the history of the property and reported that with a narrower easement the property owner will be able to add a septic to serve the property. Discussion regarding future improvements made to the properties. Motion by Pazdernik to advise the County that the Board is not in favor of reducing the easement from 66 feet to 33 feet. Seconded by Jensen. All aye; motion carried. Liquor License Application: True North Energy, LLC, Michelle Knox, Agent, d/b/a True North #860 – Hartman presented the Liquor License Application for True North Energy, LLC with Michelle Knox as the agent. Hartman gave an overview of the license. Motion by Jensen to approve the liquor license application for Ture North Energy LLC with Michelle Knox agent. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Operator’s License Applications - None Driveway Application – Hartman presented the driveway application for Peggy Carpenter. Motion by Jensen to approve the driveway application of Peggy Carpenter, lot 9 Silver Pine Drive with a recommendation to install a 16 inch culvert. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Discussion Items Review Crescent Road Standard Ordinance #10.04 – Jensen asked the board to look at the road standard ordinance to determine if there are some changes needed. Jensen stated that the ordinance currently states roads will be maintained at 22 feet, however, that may not always be necessary. Jensen will review the ordinance and come back with some recommended changes. Review Crescent Subdivision Ordinance #01/24/#04-03: On-Water land Divisions Standards 13.13.01 – Jensen asked if the Plan Commission has taken up the on-water land division standards. Jensen asked that the plan commission look at the ordinance and determine where the Town of Crescent is more restrictive than Oneida County and determine what changes are needed to the Town of Crescent. Patulski expressed frustration that the Crescent Plan Commission and that the Town of Crescent isn’t conforming with Oneida County ordinance. Other Future Meeting Dates and Agenda Items – downed trees, storage containers at the town dump, capital improvement process. Review Correspondence – None Approval of Vouchers – Motion by Jensen to approve the vouchers as presented. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Closed Session: It is anticipated that a motion will be made, seconded and approved by roll call vote to enter into closed session pursuant to WI State Statute 19.85(1)(g), conferring with legal counsel concerning strategy to be adopted by the governmental body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved. A roll call vote will be taken to go into closed session (Topic: Logging Camp Road End Point). It is anticipated that the Town Board will return to open session by roll call vote to consider the rest of the agenda. Announcement Of Action Taken In Closed Session, Or Take Action Based On Closed Session (NOTE: If the announcement of action taken in closed session would compromise the need for the closed session, the action taken will not be announced. Any action taken in closed session may be announced when the need for the closed session has passed) Motion by Jensen to go into closed session at 8:17 p.m. Seconded by Pazdernik. Roll Call vote: Pazdernik, aye; Waksmonski, aye; Jensen, aye. Motion carried. Motion by Jensen to go into open session at 8:28 p.m. Seconded by Pazdernik. Roll Call vote: Pazdernik, aye; Waksmonski, aye; Jensen, aye. Motion carried. Jensen reported that there was no action taking while in closed session. Motion by Pazdernik to approve the Town Chair to send a letter to Mr. Frey outlining the town’s position on the Logging Camp Road End point. Seconded by Jensen. Roll Call: Pazdernik, aye; Waksmonski, abstain; Jensen, aye. Motion carried. Jensen adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tracy Hartman Municipal Clerk