Meeting Minutes

Phone: (715) 399-8385 Fax: (715) 399-0181 E-mail: townofsuperior@centurytel.net Web: www.townofsuperior.net Chair: Ronald Pete Supervisor: William Conner Supervisor: Robert “Zimm” Zimmerman Clerk: Carolyn Jones Treasurer: Cindy Theien Town of Superior 4917 South State Road 35 Superior WI 54880 TOWN OF SUPERIOR – ANNUAL MEETING Wednesday, August 12, 2020 The annual meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman Ronald Pete. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Compliance with the Open Meeting Law was met, with notices posted at the Town Hall, Superior Meats, 4 Corners Store, Vine Body Shop, and published on the website and twice in the Superior Telegram as a service to residents. In addition to Chairman Pete, Supervisor Conner, Supervisor Zimmerman, Clerk Jones and Treasurer Theien, 16 residents were in attendance. After review, motion was made by Brian Laverdiere and seconded by Bill Britton to accept the minutes for the April 16, 2019 annual meeting with typo corrections. Motion carried unanimously. Resident Brian Laverdiere motioned that all ballots will be by voice vote, Laura Killian seconded. Motion approved and carried by voice vote. Annual Financial Report Prepared and presented by Treasurer Cindy Theien. The balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 shows total assets of $2,630,185.74. Since the Town works on a cash basis, payroll is included in total liabilities. The town currently has 5 outstanding loans totaling $1,965,313.03 that payments are due on March 15th every year. The 5 loans are for the tractor mower with a payment of $11,544.30 with a remaining balance of $22,089.63, tandem truck payment of $11,150.34 with remaining balance of 113,970.18, land next to the town hall with a payment of $6150.91 and remaining balance of $57,719.79, first draw of new fire hall loan with a payment of $43,524.10 with remaining balance of $571,533.43 and the remaining draw of the new fire hall loan will have a payment of $92,712.72 starting 2021 and will have a remaining balance after payment of $1,173,435.23. A copy of the report is on file with the clerk. Treasurer Theien paraphrased the 2018 audit done this past fall by Anderson, Hager and Moe. No significant difficulties were encountered when doing the audit. Audit found no matters that needed to be reported. A copy of the report is on file with the clerk. Town of Superior Fire Department Annual Report Fire Chief Darryl Fiegle reported the department had a very busy year with 900 in-service man hours for fire calls (average of 2.5 hrs per fire call) and 162 in-service man hours for EMS calls (average of .5 hrs per EMS call). The department responded to 196 calls; 149 were in the Town of Superior and Village of Oliver and 47 were mutual aid for surrounding towns and the City. The average response time for fire calls was 11 minutes and 8 minutes for EMS calls. Additional equipment placed into service for 2019 includes 15 SCBA packs and 30 bottles purchased with the FEMA AFG Grant and equipment and foam purchased with DNR grant. Goals for 2020 are to purchase a 2,500 gallon tanker to lower the ISO rating, establish more water points within our response area and enhance mutual aid with Duluth FD. A copy of the report is on file with the clerk. Chairman’s Annual Report Chairman Pete started his report with what a year it has been. Due to COVID-19, the annual meeting was postponed from April till August and there were no monthly meetings in April or May. Gave thanks to the Clerk Carolyn Jones and Treasurer Cindy Theien for their dedication to their duties and keeping the town running efficient. The biggest thing that has happened in the town since April 2019 meeting is the construction of the new fire hall. Thank you to TKDA for the planning and execution of the project and also to Troy Nelson of Four Star Construction for his dedication to the project. From the building taking shape with the walls being lifted into place by a crane, to getting the roof on before bad weather hit, the building continued to progress. The COVID-19 virus slowed the work inside down as the contractor had to limit the number of workmen on site at the same time but progress continued. Once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, the fire department and auxiliary would like to have a grand opening. Thank you to the planning committee – Fire Chief Darryl Fiegle, Assistant Chief Bob Zimmerman, the Town Board, Jan Dalbec and Jim Nelson who worked very hard to maintain all the proper and legal requirements of their duties. Another major project is the replacement of the Hammond Avenue bridge. Bridge is badly decayed and serves 3 residents that live beyond the creek. Original estimate to replace was $410,000 with the town paying half and Douglas County Aid to Bridges paying the other half. Supervisor Bill Conner is working closely with the DNR and hoping project can be completed before winter. At some of the monthly town meetings, residents have complained about the conditions of some residences/properties in the town as they are an eyesore and in some cases not safe or habitable. Options have been explored and Supervisor Zimmerman has pointed out that demolition of these places can cost $70,000 due to the hoops and inspections that has to be gone through. Another concern is getting calls from residents and Douglas County Sheriff’s Department about dogs running at large and livestock not kept within owner’s fences. Letters have been sent to those who seem to have trouble maintaining their dogs and livestock. Dust control has been applied to the roads but the price of the product has increased. Will need to take that into consideration for the 2021 budget. Our full time garage men are kept busy maintaining the roads and thank them for their efforts. Still looking for a part time garage employee. Thank you to Darryl Fiegle who takes care of duties around town hall and property. Looking into replacing windows on the town hall as seals are broken and there is a fog/film appearing between the glass. The Fire Department has agreed to assist with clean up day, if dumpsters can be secured at a good price, then a flyer will be sent out advertising clean up day for September 26. Thank you to other member of the Board for their work and cooperation, thank you to Plan Commission for their careful thinking and planning for the future of our Town. And thank you to those who attend the monthly meetings. Board cannot know what your feelings are if there is no input. Encourage people to attend the monthly meetings that are the second Wednesday of each month at 7pm. A copy of the report is on file with the clerk. New Business a. Resident Bill Britton noticed that the tile is starting to come up on the floor at the doorway of the main part of the hall. Darryl Fiegle stated he had called the contractor and was waiting to hear back so it could be repaired. b. Resident Jan Dalbec gave thanks to the TSFD. Wanted to know how close to the 1.8 million dollars it was at. Chairman Pete stated that soft costs would not come out of that money, hard costs would, anything paid to TKDA and Four Star Construction is a hard cost. There were four change orders which increased the cost of the building. If it will be over the 1.8 million dollars, it would be around 1% over. Darryl Fiegle added that the fire department purchased chairs and tables for the new fire hall with money out of their fundraising account. c. Chief Fiegle spoke about the TSFD has been trying to lower the ISO for the past 3-4 years but the water supply is limited. TSFD would like to purchase another tanker that is 2,500 gallons or more. It is hard to find a used one. New one would cost around $240,000, if able to find a used it would be around $170,000. Would like approval from residents to secure a loan. TSFD would use fundraising money for part of it and remaining would be through a loan. Dianne Zimmerman asked if Darryl checked with ECE for a grant, he stated they had and it was all for smaller grants. Dianne said she would check on Friday as she is on the ECE Board. Chairman Pete stated a special (town) meeting would need to be called but could see what people though and if town should pursue it. Voice vote was unanimous for pursuing it. Cost would need to be looked into as well as loan terms. d. Resident Jan Dalbec stated she had a good experience working the elections yesterday. e. Treasurer Theien wanted to thank Clerk Jones and the election staff for all the time they have put into the elections. Next Annual Meeting Resident Darryl Fiegle motioned and resident Bill Britton seconded to set the next annual meeting for April 20, 2021 at 7pm. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:08 pm. Respectfully submitted, Carolyn Jones, Clerk DRAFT MINUTES 8-19-20 MINUTES APPROVED ON _____ of _________, 2020 CHAIR CLERK _