072226 _COW_Minutes

President Russ Gehm, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Gehm read the statement regarding the posting of the meeting. PRESENT: Andrew Court, Sean Falk, Russ Gehm, Brenda Staszak, Michelle Streetman, and Kay Zuleger. Excused: Matt Pleshek. AGENDA: Motion by Court, second by Falk, to approve the agenda as presented and to deviate from the order as necessary. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTES: Motion by Streetman, second by Zuleger, to approve the minutes from June 24, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CITIZENS AND OPEN FORUM. Jesse Rankin, Director of Municipal Operations; and Jake Rhode, Village School Resource Officer. COMMUNICATIONS: None REPORTS: Police Department Report. None. Fire Department Report. None. Clerk/Treasurer Report. The Village has received additional donations for the Cedar Park Playground project. As of today, the total donations received have reached $31,200. Municipal Operations Department Report, The Village received an offer from St. Paul's Church to purchase a lot in the industrial park. The offer was declined because the proposed use did not meet the intended purpose of the industrial park, and the lot is the last remaining parcel available. Additionally, as a tax-exempt organization, the church would not generate property tax revenue for the Village. The Village's goal is to reserve the remaining industrial park lot for an industrial business that will create jobs, expand the local tax base, and contribute to the community's economic growth. NEW BUSINESS: COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Village of Bonduel – Committee of the Whole Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Page 2 H1. Discussion and possible recommendation to create sexting and harmful sexual communication involving minors ordinance. Officer Jake Rhode presented a proposal to the Committee of the Whole to consider adopting a new ordinance prohibiting sexting and the transmission of sexually explicit communications involving minors. He explained that Shawano County has a similar ordinance, which provides law enforcement with an additional tool to address harmful conduct involving minors before it escalates into a more serious offense. The Village Attorney is currently reviewing the proposed ordinance and will provide legal recommendations. Motion by Zuleger, second by Court, to recommend that the Village Board approve the creation of a sexting and harmful sexual communications ordinance, subject to the Village Attorney's recommendations. Motion carried unanimously. H2. Discussion and possible recommendation to amend ordinance Sec. 22-15 offenses by minors. Officer Rhode presented amendments to the current ordinance regarding offenses by minors to include truancy and habitual truancy within the Village. He explained that the amendments align with state statutes and would provide the Municipal Court with additional tools to address chronic attendance issues within the school district. The Village Attorney is currently reviewing the proposed amendments and will provide legal recommendations. Motion by Zuleger, second by Staszak, to recommend that the Village Board approve the amendments to the offenses by minors ordinance, subject to the Village Attorney's recommendations. Motion carried unanimously. H3. Discussion and possible recommendation to amend ordinance Sec. 22-16 use of cigarettes, Tobacco Products and Nicotine Products: Officer Rhode presented proposed amendments to the current ordinance regarding the use, purchase, and possession of cigarettes, tobacco products, and nicotine products within the Village. The current ordinance states that persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from purchasing or possessing tobacco products. However, federal law now establishes 21 years of age as the minimum legal age to purchase these products. The proposed amendments will ensure consistency with state and federal law. Motion by Court, second by Zuleger, to recommend that the Village Board approve the proposed amendments to the ordinance regarding cigarettes, tobacco products, and nicotine products, subject to the Village Attorney's review and recommendations. Motion carried unanimously. H4. Discussion and possible recommendation to amend ordinance Sec. 22-17 restriction on sales of cigarettes, tobacco products, and nicotine products. Clerk Maroszek stated that in updating the previous ordinance, she noticed that the ordinance regarding the sales of cigarettes, tobacco products, and nicotine products within the Village also needed to be updated. The current ordinance states that persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from selling tobacco products. However, federal law now establishes 21 years of age as the minimum legal age to sell these products. The proposed amendments will ensure consistency with state and federal law. Motion by Streetman, second by Staszak, to recommend that the Village Board approve the proposed amendments to the Village of Bonduel – Committee of the Whole Wednesday, July 22, 2026 Page 3 ordinance regarding the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and nicotine products, subject to the Village Attorney's review and recommendations. Motion carried unanimously. H5. Discussion and possible recommendation to authorize the submission of a PSC simplified rate increase application. Each year, the Village may apply to the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Wisconsin for a simplified water rate increase based on the previous year's financial information. If the Village qualifies, it is eligible for a 3% rate increase. This process eliminates the need for a comprehensive water rate study and public hearing. The Village has received notification from the PSC confirming that its water utility qualifies to apply for the simplified rate increase. In recent years, the water utility fund balance has declined significantly due to major infrastructure improvements associated with the Highway 117 reconstruction project and numerous water main repairs. If the Committee of the Whole wishes to proceed, Rankin will complete and submit the application on behalf of the Village. Motion by Zuleger, second by Streetman, to authorize the submission of the PSC simplified rate increase application. Motion carried unanimously. H6. Discussion and possible recommendations on placement of Angels to Heros bench at Village Park. Angels to Heroes, a nonprofit organization that provides outdoor activities to help combat Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and strives to reduce suicides among military personnel and first responders, has approached the Village regarding the placement of a memorial bench at Village Park. The bench would honor a Bonduel community member who lost their life to suicide. The Committee discussed potential locations for the bench, including Village Park and Cedar Park. Motion by Zuleger, second by Falk, to recommend the placement of the bench to be located at Village Park versus Cedar Park. Court-Nay, Falk-Aye, Staszak-Aye, Streetman-Aye, Zuleger-Aye, and Gehm-Aye. Motion carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS Upcoming monthly meetings were discussed. The Plan Commission is scheduled to meet on Monday, July 27th, this meeting may not happen if corrected documents are not received in time. Motion by Zuleger, second by Staszak to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Maroszek, Clerk/Treasurer