Special Meeting — Minutes

TOWN OF LEON 8108 Jackrabbit Ave. Sparta, WI 54656 Phone (608) 269-5873 Email: townofleon@centurylink.net website: www.townofleon.com AGENDA for November 13, 2024 ITEM Action needed Notes Call to order – Special Town meeting to Exceed the Levy Limit In Attendance Supervisor Jim Olson Supervisor Nate Abbott Treasurer Beth Slayton Clerk Kristy Brown Chairman Greg Selbrede Donna Justin Sterling Hayashi-Tanner Greg Prairie Jacki Hayashi-Tanner Marvin Schaitel Karen Cronick Sandy Kruger Review Resolution to Exceed the Levy Discussion and Action There was much discussion and justification why the board has determined the best course of action is to exceed they levy by $57,733.80 or 28.6% to keep up with road maintenance. There were questions as to how this figure was calculated. Motion to approve exceeding the levy made by Karen Cronick, second Bruce Peterson. Approve – 11, disapprove – 0. Adjourn Motion to Adjourn 6:23 Motion to adjourn by Supervisor Olson, second by Supervisor Abbott. Motion passed 3-0 Call to order for Town of Leon Budget Hearing Called to order 6:24 In Attendance Supervisor Jim Olson Supervisor Nate Abbott Treasurer Beth Slayton Clerk Kristy Brown Greg Selbrede Donna Justin Sterling Hayashi-Tanner Greg Prairie Jacki Hayashi-Tanner Marvin Schaitel Karen Cronick Sandy Kruger Proposed Budget Discussion and Action The budget to exceed the levy was distributed and discussed. Motion to approve the 2025 budget as drafted by Supervisor Abbott, second Supervisor Olson. Motion passed 11-0 Adjourn Motion to Adjourn 6:31 Motion to adjourn by Supervisor Olson, second by Supervisor Abbott. Motion passed 3-0 Call to Order Special Meeting to Approve Levy & Authorize hiring town officials as employees. Meeting called at 6:32 In Attendance Supervisor Jim Olson Supervisor Nate Abbott Treasurer Beth Slayton Clerk Kristy Brown Greg Selbrede Donna Justin Sterling Hayashi-Tanner Greg Prairie Jacki Hayashi-Tanner Marvin Schaitel Karen Cronick Sandy Kruger Proposed Town Levy Discussion and Action Motion to Approve Levy as Calculated with the exceed. Motion to approve Levy as presented by Bruce Peterson, second Nate Abbott. Motin passed 11-0 Proposal to hire town officers as employees and set hourly wage Current wage is $12.50/hr – discuss – this would be in case of emergency/lack of staff Bruce suggested to approve hiring town officers as employees at $15/hr Motion to approve hiring town officers as employees at $15/hr by Bruce Peterson, second by Jim Olson. Motion passed 11- 0 Adjourn Motion to Adjourn 6:35 Motion to adjourn by Supervisor Olson, second by Supervisor Abbott. Motion passed 3-0 Town Board Call to Order n/a In Attendance Public Comment Marvin Schaitel presented the Fire Trustee report. The fire department budget levy was $576383 for the department. The fire department will start paying for the trustee meetings in 2025 vs the town paying for them. Calls for service were 49, 83 and 63 calls in ea quarter. Community involvement will use the 2% Fire insurance for 4th of July Fireworks and for education purposes at schools, Cataract Sportsman, Leon Community center and Justin Trails. The State Highways and Interstate calls have state money available for reimbursement. The fire department is still investigating options to collect a fee from homeowner insurance. The 3rd annual Fire Block Party revenue was used to update radios. Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Slayton presented the monthly fund report for review. Motion to approve the fund report and submit for audit by Supervisor Abbott, second Supervisor Olson. Clerk’s Report Election 695/718 registered voters ~ 89% turnout – 70 new voter reg. Random election audit need to take place between 11/19-11/25 – after each election the state election commission selects a random group of townships for machine audit – hand count to be sure the machine counted correctly. All school levy reports are received and we can now start the tax preparations work for Treasurer to submit taxes. Motion to approve the paid bills and submit for audit by Supervisor Abbott, second Supervisor Olson Patrolman Report Mowing is completed and mower is cleaned and put away for the year. The mowing was behind because of Bruce needing to work the sanitation because of not having to work the dump. We have not received the WSLR report from the State. The roads are in good shape for heading into winter. Five Year Road Plan Discussion and Action Bruce prepared a Five-Year Road Plan. Marvin had concerns about rutting on the outside edges of Kate Ave and he suggested asphalt wedging on the area. Marvin suggested we revisit the A-RIP program for Kate Ave. Motion to approve by Supervisor Abbott and second by Supervisor Olson to Five- Year Road Plan. Motion passed 3-0 Change of Zoning for Distillery Construction at Justin Trails Discussion and Action Donna Justin from Justin Trails and Sterling Hayashi-Tanner are discussing building a distillery at Justin Trails. They will need to have surveying and then go to county for rezoning to commercial. Also, will need a Conditional Use Permit in the future. Sterling has vast experience in chemistry and has a business plan in place. The proposed name is Little Forest Distillery. They hope to acquire local grains and fruits for production and sell spent grains to local farmers. They expect to employ 5-10 people over the next three to five years. Zoning would be changed to Business/Commercial; the current zoning is Agriculture with Commercial Use Permits. The licensing process would all be through the State of WI under the distillery permits. Greg Prairie supported the construction of the distillery as did Kristy Brown and Nate Abbott. Motion to support Justin Trails pursuing a change of zoning for Distillery Construction made by Supervisor Olson, second by Abbott. Motion passed 3-0. Next Meeting Date Wednesday Dec 11, 2024 Exec Session Recess to Exec Session at 7:20pm. Return to regular session 7:28pm Motion to Recess to Exec Session by Supervisor Abbott, second Supervisor Olson. Motion passed 3-0 Adjourn Adjourn 7:28pm Motion to Adjourn by Supervisor Olson, second Supervisor Abbott. Motion passed 3-0 Minutes approved via email: Abbott – yes, Olson – no response, Selbrede – no response