Town Board — Minutes

Town of Little Falls Regular Monthly Board Meeting September 14, 2022 Board members in attendance: Ginnie Follendorf, Treasurer; Tom Stuessel, Supervisor; Alan McCoy, Supervisor; Bryan Olsen, Chair; Cassie Schober, Clerk; Chairman Olsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Then read the agenda. It was asked if everyone had a chance to review the minutes from the August meeting. Alan McCoy made a motion to accept the minutes from the August meeting. Second by Tom Stuessel. Motion carried. Ginnie Follendorf gave the treasurer’s report. Beginning Balance $ 624,813.65 Monthly Income $ 70,797.04 Monthly Expenses $ 174,666.73 Ending Balance $ 520,943.96 Funds for ARPA are: $ 140,898.34 which is included in the ending balance. Tom Stuessel made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. Second by Alan McCoy. Motion carried. Chairman Olsen then addressed the first agenda item; Cataract Green Sand mine potential buyers and Assignment of Agreements. Chairman Olsen asked Tony Tomashek the representative of Mathy Construction/Cataract Sand mine to address those in attendance. Tony introduced Charles Gunn and Nathan Stobb, representatives from Source Energy, the buyers interested in purchasing the property. Tony gave a history of the sand mine with the township and talked about all the current agreements and permits the sand mine has with the township, county and state. Tony stated he has taken this information and discussed it with Monroe County and has obtained a signed highway agreement from Dave Ohnstad, Monroe County Highway Commissioner. Tony spoke of what a good company Source Energy is and their ownership in 4 other mines in Wisconsin. Tony assured the township he was confident in this company and their ability to do good by the township. Tony asked if there were any questions. Hearing none he then asked Charles Gunn, Vice President of Energy Transition with Source Energy to come forward and give information about the company. Charles Gunn introduced himself and gave a history of Source Energy. Source energy was established in 1998 and is a Canadian company. They currently have 170 employees in Wisconsin. Most of their current work is done in Blair, WI. They have two facilities in Blair and a main office in Eau Claire. Charles stated there would be 2-3 people working at the plant and they would have the same contractors as Mathy for dredging, trucking etc. Charles also introduced Nate Stobb who would be the main contact for the township. Communication was done with Alison and Bryce at Monroe County and all the info is ready to go pending township approval to transfer all the permits to the new company. It was asked if anyone had any questions or concerns for Source Energy or Mathy Construction. It was asked if the payment to the township would increase back up to the annual amount of $25,000 when the mine is up and running. Tony stated it was part of the contract that when the mine was up and running with Source, they would compensate the town the difference of what the town did not receive this year to get it up to the $25,000 and an annual amount of the same would be effective as it was with Mathy. Tony stated the assignments that were presented would only be valid if the transaction closes. It was asked about when work would be expected to start and what work would be taking place. Charles stated they would like to start in September with dredging and trucking. It was asked what route would be taken by the trucks, as the sand would all be hauled to the Blair plants. Charles stated they would go up Hwy S to Hwy 27 and take that to US 94 to Hixton and then Hwy 95 to Blair. It was asked how long the pit was estimated to last without changes to the area. Charles estimated the pit would last another 5 years. Chairman Olsen asked if there were any other questions. Hearing none. Chairman Olsen addressed the members of the board and asked them their thoughts. Alan McCoy made a motion to accept the Assignment of Agreement for the Highway agreement. Second by Tom Stuessel. All in favor. Motion carried on a voice vote. Tom Stuessel then made a motion to accept the Assignment of Agreement for the mining Agreement transferring Mathy to Source. Second by Alan McCoy. All in favor. Motion carried on a voice vote. Both Assignments were signed by those in attendance and copies were made by the clerk for Mathy, Source and the township. Town of Little Falls Regular Monthly Board Meeting September 14, 2022 Next Agenda Item: Weight limit bans on Dakota Rd. Chairman Olsen asked Kevin Schober to give a summary of this. Kevin states there is currently big semis going on Dakota Road and it’s doing a lot of damage to the road. It is stated the trucks can go up Hwy 162 to get to Hwy 71 without coming down Dakota Rd. Discussion incurred on weight restriction and amount of restriction being suggested. Tom Stuessel made a motion to put weight ban on Dakota Rd in the amount of 10 Tons. Second by Alan McCoy. All in favor. Motion carried. The town patrolmen will place the signs up for the bans on Dakota Rd. Next Agenda item: Bride Inspection Report. Chairman Olsen asked Kevin Schober to give an update on the Bridge Inspection Report received from the State of WI. Kevin stated that Backtrail Bridge was a bridge listed as needing repairs done to it to be in compliance. Kevin stated Yahnke Construction is coming in with rip rap as the channel is currently falling away. Kevin stated he was in contact with the architect of that bridge, Jewell Engineers, and it has been to many years for it to be considered “under warranty”. Kevin also stated that the inspection report stated the rail was too low on the bridge on Carmel Rd. The town patrolmen are going to weld new rails on to bring the bridge up to code. This should be completed by 9/15/2022. Chairman Olsen asked if there were any questions or concerns, hearing none he went to the next agenda item. Next Agenda item: Bartender license application received for Christiana Brawner a new license. Christiana applied for license for the Baron’s Gentlemens Club. This is a new bartender license. The clerk found no issues or concerns with the application. Alan McCoy made a motion to approve the bartender license for Christina Brawner. Second by Tom Stuessel. All in favor. Motion carried. Clerk to issue license. Chairman Olsen then asked Cedric Schnitzler, the district representative from Monroe County if there were any county updates. Cedric stated it had been quiet at the county. Cedric gave out pamphlets with ATV/bike trail information. Cedric stated budget season was starting up. The highway department would begin preliminary work on County Hwy I for culverts and gravel this fall. It is scheduled for asphalt next year. Chairman Olsen asked if there was anything else to be discussed. The clerk stated that she would be out of the country October 13-22, 2022. Bills were presented. Review of Bills. A motion was made to approve the bill listing by Tom Stuessel. Second by Alan McCoy. Motion carried. Landfill Meeting is scheduled for September 27, 2022 at 7 p.m. Next regular board meeting will be October 12, 2022 at 7 p.m. Tom Stuessel then made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Second by Alan McCoy. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Cassie Schober Town of Little Falls Clerk Attendance: Kevin Schober, William Wadyt, Cedric Schnitzler , Alan Olson, Jennifer Swenson, Charles Gunn, Tony Tomashek, Nathan Stobb