Village Board — Minutes

MINUTES January 14, 2026 The Regular Board Meeting of the Village Board was called to order by Village President, Robert Spurley on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:48 p.m. at the Village Hall. Roll Call: John Trace, Larry Dale Schultz, Jason Cartwright, Doug Rider, Denny Rickard, Robert Spurley. Absent: Stephen Troester Employees: Sue Lindner, Randy Kitelinger, Mike Silvers, Alan Schrank Citizens: Patrick Gehl – Pattern Energy Patrick Gehl from Pattern Energy spoke about the Uplands Wind Project. The company is going to be filing for 2 permits – Uplands Wind Project East & Uplands Wind Project West. The Uplands Wind Project East will be the first phase and will have wind turbines around Linden. He supplied maps showing where the wind turbines will be located. When asked Patrick stated that there are no health issues from the wind turbines. 63 wind turbines are proposed for the East project. Consent Agenda: Approval of December 2025 Regular Board Minutes Approval of December 2025 Treasurer’s reports. Motion by Doug Rider seconded by Jason Cartwright to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0. Presidents Correspondence: None Clerk/Treasurer Correspondence: Sue Lindner reported that the auditors would be coming on January 27th for a pre-audit and then again February 16th – 18th for the audit. Staff Reports: Sewer/Water/Public Works Randy Kitelinger reported that the sewer plant is running well. He told the board that the furnace has quit working in the mechanical room at the sewer plant. Collins & Hying has ordered a new fan. Randy said that he will be attending a conference at Wisconsin Dells February 9th- 12th. Randy reported that the cutting edge on the F550 plow is worn out. He is working with Grant County Truck Bodies on a replacement. He also commented that the new tires have been put on the red F550. Mike Silvers said the water department is doing well. Big water testing that is required every 3 years will begin this summer. The Iowa-Grant athletic director called Mike about having high school JV baseball games in Linden this year. They will be implementing the double base at 1st base this year. Police Correspondence: Alan Schrank told the board that he has the police inventory complete and he is working on a radio audit. Alan is hoping to get BugTussel in the office. Alan reported that there is no emergency generator backup for the office/fire station. He is going to talk to Cummins and work on a grant. Alan told the board that the police and fire department stayed within their budget last year. Alan has been working on citations for alternate side parking and notices for sidewalks not being cleared. Fire Department Alan told the board that the two new fire helmets they ordered are here. Kevin has the new gas meter all calibrated. The base radio in the engine bay quit working and has been replaced with a spare one. The fire department is getting 3 bids for the new Ultra High-Pressure Skid Unit. There will be a retirement party for Tom Faull, Doug Faull, Tim Haas, Dirk Faull, Pat Holtzman, & Larry Dale Schultz. The fire department now has 10 active members. The old fire truck is listed on the Brindley Fire Apparatus site for $21,000. Committee Reports: None Old Business: New Business: Jason Cartwright made a motion and seconded by Doug Rider to replace the battery/electrode pads for the Village Hall/Police car AEDs for $360 per unit due to the current ones being old and cannot be serviced anymore. Motion carried 6-0. Doug Rider made a motion and seconded by Denny Rickard to approve the purchase of a new emergency light bar for the police squad car for a total of $1408.25. Motion carried 6-0. Jason Cartwright made a motion and seconded by Doug Rider to raise the 2026 parking ticket forfeiture from $20 to $25 and after 5 days $50. Motion carried 6-0. John Trace made a motion and seconded by Denny Rickard to approve Alan Schrank as the new Safety Office for the LVFD. Motion passed 6-0. Jason Cartwright made a motion and seconded by Denny Rickard to donate all old out of service fire gear. Motion passed 6-0. New Weed Commissioner – this was tabled. The village board asked to get a new quote from Gary’s Pest Control. Jason Cartwright made a motion and seconded by Denny Rickard to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation that Larry Dale Schultz parcel off the shed from 1007 Margaret St and add it to his lot at 845 Franklin St and have a 2-lot certified survey map completed. Motion carried 5-0. Larry Dale Schultz abstained. Motion by Denny Rickard and was seconded by Jason Cartwright to approve the January 2026 bill list. Motion passed 4-0. Larry Dale Schultz & Doug Rider abstained. Motion by John Trace and was seconded by Jason Cartwright to adjourn @ 8:43 pm. Sue Lindner/Linden Village Clerk