Meeting Minutes

Draft minutes: these minutes have not been approved by the Town Board and are subject to corrections/changes. TOWN OF HOLLAND BOARD MEETING April 9, 2025 MEMBERS PRESENT Chair Bob Stupi, Supervisors Rick Hauser, Jeff Herlitzke, Michael Hoffman, and David Weber STAFF PRESENT Town Crew Supervisor John Frauenkron, Clerk Marilyn Pedretti CALL TO ORDER Chair Stupi called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Notices were properly posted. MINUTES Motion by Hoffman/Herlitzke to approve the minutes of March 12, 2025. MOTION carried. CITIZENS’ CONCERNS: None given. COUNTY SUPERVISOR REPORT: None given. HACC REPORT Robin Moses, Executive Director, Holmen Area Community Center (HACC), shared the annual report and recent newsletter with the Board. She noted they have a very strong year in individual donations and have created many new opportunities and programs. She reported they have over 100 volunteers. PLAN COMMISSION Zoning variance: David Duggan, W8250 Main Street, requested a variance to construct a carport within the Town right-of-way. He explained that with recent hail damage, he would like to protect his vehicles. He noted the lot does not allow for any alternatives for either a carport or garage with the size, setbacks and septic system. Hoffman noted his lot is at the end of Main Street so very little traffic. He reported the Plan Commission recommended approval. Discussion followed. Motion by Hoffman/Herlitzke to approve the variance for David Duggan at W8250 Main Street to construct a carport within the Town right-of-way recognizing the hardship of the overall lot size, location of the septic system, lack of overall space, not self-imposed and that the structure not exceed 20’ x 22’. MOTION carried unanimously. Road Plan: Hoffman reported the Plan Commission recommended approval of the 2025-2030 Road Plan and to seek a Master Contractor to assist in developing a 10-20 year transportation plan, assist with writing grants and rating roads. Discussion followed. Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to adopt the 2025-2030 Road Improvement Plan. MOTION carried unanimously. Report 4/2/25: Hoffman had nothing else to report. STORMWATER UTILITY COMMISSION 2025 Maintenance work: (1) Hoffman explained the quote to do additional ditch work at Mary Court and Park Avenue. Discussion followed. Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to approve the updated extra bid in the amount of $2,640.50. MOTION carried unanimously. (2) Hoffman reported the Commission is working with Lukasz Lyzwa, Project Engineer, General Engineering Company (GEC), to develop a letter to residents in the Country Estates Addition to conduct culvert clean-outs. Discussion followed concerning Draft 2 process, inspections, costs for the Town to clean-out (charged to residents), timeframes and mechanism to follow-up. Motion by Hoffman/Weber to have GEC draft a letter so that this can be mailed out to people in the Country Estates Subdivision clarifying the cleaning out of their own culverts. MOTION carried unanimously. (3) Hoffman reported GEC is still working out details for a process to scrape back sod along shoulders. He noted there should be a hardpack of gravel under the sod. Item will be discussed at the next Commission meeting. Culvert inserts: Hoffman reported the Commission recommended contracting with SubSurface to install inserts in four culverts from the list of nine. Discussion followed. Motion by Herlitzke/Hoffman to move forward with fixing the first four on the list in the amount of $52,196. MOTION carried unanimously. Culvert on O Thompson Road: John Frauenkron, Town Crew Supervisor, reported on a crack in the road due to the culvert failure and explained the two options for fixing the culvert on O Thompson Road: (1) patch a 5x5 area or (2) replace the culvert completely. Hoffman reviewed the quotes from Coulee Country Excavating (CCE) and expressed concern with patching. He reported the Commission recommended replacement if it could be completed for the $16,700 quote. Discussion followed. Motion by Hoffman/Herlitzke to fix the culvert on O Thompson Road by putting in a new culvert in the amount of $16,700 by Coulee Country Excavating. MOTION carried unanimously. Discussion followed concerning additional culvert work on O Thompson Road. The motion was amended by Hoffman/Herlitzke to fix the road culvert and to rock around the grate on O Thompson Road not to exceed $17,700. MOTION carried unanimously. Culvert on Flaten Road: Hoffman reviewed the pictures of the failing culvert on Flaten Road. Frauenkron explained past repairs are no longer working and contacted Strupp for a quote on providing rock for $5,000. He noted GEC suggested a culvert angled out and estimated a cost of $2,500. Hoffman noted the Commission did not make a recommendation at this time. Discussion followed. Frauenkron was directed to seek additional estimates. Report 4/2/25 meeting: Hoffman noted no additional information. PUBLIC WORKS County Road XX reconstruction: Stupi reported the work has started at the southern end and residents are waiting for the brush clean-up. He noted a suggestion was given to the contractor that the bank of mailboxes currently on MH could be installed in the parking lot to the south for safer access. Casberg Coulee Road bridge: Stupi relayed information received from the DOT: Mathy informed me that, weather pending, the asphalt plants should be up and running in the beginning of May. Based on that information Casberg should be scheduled for paving mid to late May. Of course, I will let you know more as contractors finalize their schedules. James Street tree: Stupi gave background on why the Town is considering removing the tree in the middle of James Street from safety to access of emergency vehicles and noted a certified arborist has advised removal. He asked for resident input. • Lyle Navoichick, W7678 James Street, stated 5 out of the 6 families are present tonight to support keeping the tree. He offered to move his mailbox if that would assist with clearance around the tree. Draft 3 • Jacob Felber, W7636 James Street, stated they have lived there 39 years and this tree is a landmark in their neighborhood. He suggested the tree was not dying and we should seek another opinion. He noted the tree acts as a speeding deterrent. • Arlan Ulberg, W7661 James Street, agreed the tree keeps the speeding down. He suggested a little trimming or pruning would fix the situation. • Hans Gilbertson, W7662 James Street, reported an arborist he knows suggested removing the dead leader limb and trim back the rest and the Burr Oak will be good for another 25 years. Stupi asked that he obtain that information in writing. • Fire Chief Ryan Ostreng reported he was asked to look at the safety issues and he noted he was unaware of this tree before today. He noted they need to look at hazards and risk for both people and property. He suggested that with the mailbox move and trimming it back to 16’ clearance, their trucks could safely respond to emergencies. Discussion followed between the residents and the Board. It was the consensus to continue discussions at the next meeting. Meanwhile, Gilbertson will obtain a certified arborist opinion in writing and the Town will obtain a third opinion. Loader tractor: Frauenkron reviewed the cost to repair the loader tractor and noted that it is over 30 years old. He provided three quotes for a new loader tractor. Discussion followed. Motion by Herlitzke/Hauser to approve purchasing tires for the loader tractor from Degenhardt Tire in the amount of $5,200 installed and mounted. MOTION carried unanimously. Frauenkron will obtain cost estimates for additional repairs. Equipment option for new truck: Frauenkron explained an option to add an hydraulic option to the new truck which would be installed with the other new equipment. He explained this would assist with road shouldering. Discussion followed. It was the consensus to wait for the bid results, which lists this equipment as an option. Seal coat list: Pedretti reviewed the 2025 budget and road work funding. Stupi suggested the Town stay on cycle and seal coat/crack fill all the roads listed. Hauser expressed concern that these costs were over the road work budget. Discussion followed. Motion by Hoffman/Weber to use La Crosse County Highway Department for seal coating and crack fill in the amount of $296,000 for the roads listed. MOTION carried unanimously. Resolution 2025-2: The clerk read the following into the record: RESOLUTION 2025-2: GRANT RESOLUTION Village Of Trempealeau And Town Of Holland Resolution Of Support: Authorizing Filing A Joint Application For Federal Land Access Program 2027-2029 Grant Cycle WHEREAS, the Village of Trempealeau, Trempealeau County, and the Town of Holland, La Crosse County, are governmental entities collaborating to improve public access to federal lands and enhance transportation infrastructure in the region; and WHEREAS, the Village of Trempealeau recognizes the importance of safe and efficient access routes to federal lands, including the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and the Mississippi River, which provide critical recreational, ecological, and economic benefits to the area; and WHEREAS, the Village of Trempealeau seeks to repave Lake Road which runs through the Village of Trempealeau and the Town of Holland; and WHEREAS, Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) provides funding to improve transportation facilities that serve federal lands, and the Village of Draft 4 Trempealeau is an eligible project sponsor to apply for funding under this program; and the Town of Holland supports a joint grant application with 100% of the project cost funded by FLAP grant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that if awarded funding through the FLAP, the Village of Trempealeau is authorized to accept the award and enter into all necessary agreements to implement the project; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Village of Trempealeau, Trempealeau County, and the Town of Holland, La Crosse County, agree to comply with all applicable laws, requirements, and regulations as outlined in the FLAP program materials, state-municipal agreements, and any other relevant project documentation. Attestation by representatives of the Village of Trempealeau and Town of Holland. Motion by Hauser/Herlitzke to accept the resolution. MOTION carried unanimously. Road School: Frauenkron confirmed that he and David Carlson will be attending the Road School April 21-23. Town crew report: Frauenkron reviewed the Town crew report. FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Ostreng reported on the March 25th meeting. He noted calls were up, they still have issues with both engines, the new command vehicle is in process and they are receiving donations for the cardiac monitor. Ostreng reported the Fire Commission met last month in closed session to discuss the candidates and an offer has been made to fill the full-time vacancy. He gave an update on the fire station study and noted things are on pause. He noted they are working on a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Onalaska for fire investigating services. PARK COMMITTEE Bike Trails: Stupi reported the paving project of the Holland Bluff Bike Trail is moving forward and we are acquiring an easement from Drugan’s as the trail was built outside the easement. He noted we are at about 60% completion of the engineering. The County Road MH bike trail is on hold until Federal funding is released. Wildlower Park: Stupi reported Phase 2 of the park plan includes a natural playscape, sign preparation, and edging. He noted a suggestion was made to plant natural pollinators between the large rocks to cut down on maintenance. He reported the Park Committee recommended approval of Phase 2 and added $1,000 for plantings between the rocks. Discussion followed. Motion by Stupi/Herlitzke to approve Phase 2 at a cost of $23,500. MOTION carried 4 yeas, 1 no (Hauser). Park grass maintenance: Stupi explained he received a call concerning weeds in the August Prairie Park. He reported the Committee discussed and it was the consensus to mow all parks at 3” to help hold the moisture and shade the weed growth. 2025 Budget requests: (1) Stupi explained they had a presentation from the Holmen Area Foundation (HAF) to partner on a project and determined an appropriate project would be development of a pickleball court. He noted they were reviewing options and will discuss again at their next meeting. (2) Stupi reviewed a quote from Mathy to construct a walking path from the Wildflower Park lot, along the back of the ballfields that would loop around to the green roof shelter house. He noted this path would be ADA compliant and allow options for walkers. Discussion followed concerning costs, need and park funding. Motion by Draft 5 Stupi/Hauser to approve a walking path not to exceed $85,000 with the funding coming from the BCL powerline account. MOTION failed, 1 yea (Stupi), 4 nos. (3) Stupi reported two Committee members will meet and bring back options for replacing the older climbing equipment at the Town Hall Park. No action at this time. (4) Stupi reported the Committee discussed the need to stabilize the parking lot and driveway at the Hammes Park entrance. He noted they are exploring options to either double seal coat or pave. No action at this time. (5) Stupi reported the Town has been treating the Ash park trees at the Town Hall Park every-other year and reviewed the current quote. He noted the Committee recommended approval. Motion by Herlitzke/Hauser to treat the Emerald Ash Borer not to exceed $2,700. MOTION carried unanimously. Park 4/7/25 report: Stupi reviewed the minutes noting continued discussion on several items. TOWN ADMINISTRATION Fiduciary report: Stupi reviewed the report submitted by the Town Treasurer listing the Nationwide account activity over the previous year. Report stood as read. Recycling report: Pedretti noted she attended the Hilltopper annual meeting and shared the annual waste and recycling weight report. TREASURER’S REPORT AND BILLS The Treasurer’s report and invoices were reviewed. Motion by Herlitzke/Weber to accept the treasurers report and to approve the bills in the amount of $80,331.15. MOTION carried. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Herlitzke/Weber to enter into closed session under Wisc. Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for: “…consideration of employment, compensation or performance evaluation data…” to wit: discussion and possible action to reopen the search for a part-time crew member and possible changes to work hours. Roll call vote. MOTION carried unanimously. Entered into closed session at 9:12 p.m. Frauenkron and Pedretti remained for initial discussion. Both were excused later in the session. The Board returned to open session at 10:00 p.m. Stupi reported no action taken. Motion by Herlitzke/Weber to advertise for a seasonal part-time laborer starting immediately and ending November 1st. MOTION carried unanimously. Motion by Herlitzke/Weber to allow the Town Crew to trial four-10 hour days for the summer 2025 starting after the spring chipping and finishing before the fall chipping with hours 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with half hour lunch, which could be retracted at any time at the discretion of the Town Board. MOTION carried unanimously ADJOURN Motion by Hauser/Herlitzke to adjourn. MOTION carried. Adjourned 10:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Marilyn J. Pedretti Town Clerk