Village Board — Minutes

MINUTES October 11, 2023 The Regular Board Meeting of the Village Board was called to order by Village President, Robert Spurley on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Hall. Roll Call: Jason Cartwright, John Trace, Sarah Brindley, Linda Sudmeier, Denny Rickard, Robert Spurley. Absent: None Employees: Sue Lindner, Randy Kitelinger, Kevin Liddicoat, Alan Schrank via phone. Citizens: None Motion by Sarah Brindley and seconded by Linda Sudmeier to approve the September 2023 regular board minutes. Motion carried 6-0. Motion by John Trace and seconded by Jason Cartwright to approve the September 2023, treasurer’s reports. Motion carried 6-0. Citizens: STAFF REPORTS: Sewer/Water/Public Works Kevin Liddicoat commented that flushing of the hydrants went well. Kevin also reported that Cleary Carpentry repaired a leak on the Municipal Building roof. Levels are good for the Lead/Copper testing. Randy Kitelinger reported that phosphorous numbers are where they should be at the sewer plant. Waiting for the test results to start hauling sludge. Randy & Kevin cut out the road on County X and are working with Iowa County to get it paved. Streets DNR report is complete. Salt is here for the winter. The park fence has been replaced along both baselines. The backstop fence came in damaged and once the new fence comes in, the back stop will be replaced. The park bathrooms will be closed at the end of the month. The cemetery is all winterized. Police Alan Schrank said he is working on abandoned vehicles. The police will be patroling during Trick or Treating. Clerk Sue Lindner is working on the General Budget and will let the board know next week when it will be ready for the budget meeting. President Bob Spurley reported that Jim Wardell has stepped down from his Village Trustee position and thanked him for his service to the Village. Bob talked about the stone straightening at the cemetery and asked that Randy Kitelinger and Kevin Liddicoat make a list on which stones they feel need to be straightened next year. New Business: A) The board discussed appointing Stephen Troester as a new trustee to fill the vacancy left by Jim Wardell. Motion by Sarah Brindley and seconded by Jason Cartwright to appoint Stephen Troester as a new Trustee to fill the open position. Roll Call Vote: John Trace-aye, Jason Cartwright-aye, Sarah Brindley-aye, Linda Sudmeier-aye, Denny Rickard-aye, Robert Spurley-aye. Motion passed 6-0. Stephen Troester signed the Oath of Office and is now here as a Trustee. B) The board reviewed the request for a picnic license for the Linden American Legion on November 12th. Motion by John Trace and seconded by Jason Cartwright to approve the picnic license for the Linden American Legion. Motion passed 7-0. C) The village board discussed the Iowa County Humane Society contract for 2024. Motion by Jason Cartwright and seconded by Sarah Brindley to approve the 2024 Iowa County Humane Society contract. Motion passed 7-0. D) The village board reviewed the increased charges by Faherty Recycling and Waste Collection for garbage & recycling for the year 2024. John Trace made a motion and seconded by Sarah Brindley to increase the 2024 residential garbage & recycling charge to $14.50 from $14.00. Motion passed 7-0. E) Discussion of December Board Meeting date change – Tabled until November meeting. F) The village board discussed the request for an operator’s license for Rejona Rickard. Motion by Sarah Brindley and seconded by Linda Sudmeier to approve the operator’s license for Rejona Rickard. Motion carried 7-0. G) During the discussion of Personnel wages, Bob Spurley asked the Employees if they had anything else to add. Randy Kitelinger presented a packet with suggestions for wage increases. Motion by Jason Cartwright and seconded by Sarah Brindley to go to closed session. Motion passed 7-0. The village board went to closed session at 7:19 pm. Motion by Linda Sudmeier and seconded by Jason Cartwright to go to open session. Motion passed 7-0. Open session at 8:17 pm. Motion by John Trace and seconded by Stephen Troester to accept the proposal made by the personnel committee to increase employee wages as follows: Randy Kitelinger - $1.15 Increase Kevin Liddicoat - $1.55 Increase Susan Lindner - $1.30 Increase Alan Schrank - $0.55 Increase Garrett Faull - $0.50 Increase Jared Weier - $0.50 Increase Roll Call Vote: John Trace-aye, Jason Cartwright-nay, Stephen Troester-aye, Sarah Brindley-nay, Linda Sudmeier-aye, Denny Rickard-aye, Bob Spurley-aye. Motion passed 5-2. Motion by Jason Cartwright and seconded by Denny Rickard to approve the October 2023 bill list. Motion passed 6-0. John Trace abstained. Motion by Denny Rickard and seconded by Jason Cartwright to adjourn the meeting @ 8:34 pm. Sue Lindner/Linden Village Clerk