Regular Village Board Meeting — Minutes

MINUTES December Regular Board Meeting Village Office, December 10th, 2025 5:30 p.m. – 7:01 p.m. Regular Village Board meeting for the Village of Cobb was called to order at 5:30 pm by President Liz Lenz. Members Attending: President – Liz Lenz, Trustees – Kristen Schoville (left at 6:51 pm), Marlin Harms, Renee Linscheid, Alisha Martin, Nick Klaas (left at 6:17 pm), Alaina Benton Members Absent: none Staff Present: Village Clerk – Carley Rider, Public Works Director – Mark Flanagan Public Present: Tony Ritchie and Ron Ritchie Public Notices: MOTION (Linscheid, Schoville): motion carried by unanimous voice vote to approve posting of agenda at the following four places: Cobb Post Office, Cobb Food Mart, Royal Bank, and the Village Office on Monday, December 8th, and compliance of the open meeting law. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes: MOTION (Harms, Benton): a motion carried by unanimous voice vote to approve the Regular Village board meeting November 5th, 2025 minutes. Treasurer’s Report: MOTION (Klaas, Martin): a motion carried by unanimous voice vote to approve the November 2025 Treasurer’s reports. COMMITTEE & COMISSION REPORTS Library Board – Alaina discussed the library doing strategic planning. As part of this initiative the library will be circulating questions in January. The library is also in the process of updating their mission and vision statements. Liz noted there was a good turnout on Saturday with 25 kids and 10 adults. Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission –no discussion occurred. Fire District Board – no discussion occurred. CITIZENS AND DELEGATIONS- A representative from Republic Services had planned to attend the meeting, however due to a conflict was unable to physically attend but was available via phone for questions. IG SWTC SCHOLARSHIP MEETING- Kris noted that due to schedule conflicts of the committee, the meeting was moved to Thursday, 12/11 at 2:00 pm. COBB HIGHLAND RECREATION COMMISSION- Carley noted that in the current operations agreement, there is no liability to the Village should Blackhawk Lake have financial issues. In the original agreement, both the Village of Cobb and Village of Highland were named liable. When Blackhawk Lake was in significant debt in the 1980’s Iowa County took over that liability with the agreement that the Village of Highland and Village of Cobb would still have the authority to appoint commission members. Further discussion around making an appointment for the vacant seat occurred. Carley had posted the vacancy on Facebook, water bills, as well as email. 3 people submitted interest: Lee Jewell, Keaton Hildreth, and Nate Flynn. Carley noted, that as Keaton Hildreth is not a resident of the Village of Cobb, he is not eligible to serve on the Commission due to the current Cobb-Highland Recreation Agreement. Carley noted changes could be made and that the Village of Cobb could give up seats to the Township of Eden, however it would be a timely process due to required legal paperwork. MOTION (Schoville, Harms) motion carried by 7-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to appoint Lee Jewell to the vacant seat on the Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission. Easement/Retaining Pond in Bishop Boldt Subdivision- Carley noted that John Boldt was coming to the area on Monday to have their representatives’ signatures notarized. Village Emails- Liz noted that Village Board emails needed to be used for all village related business, noting the importance in the event there is a records request. Republic Services Renewal Offer-Discussion around the current garbage/recycling services occurred. Carley noted that the Village is currently charging $14.67 per house per month for garbage/recycling. With the new contract, the cost will increase to $19.24 per house per month. There was concern of how items were worded on the contract. There was also concern that the previous contract with Town and Country allowed Republic Services to begin pick up prior to 7 AM, which had not been a problem prior to Town and Country Sanitation being bought out. The board directed Carley to discuss with Susan, the representative from Republic Services to request service not begin prior to 7 AM on pickup days, as well as clarifying wording. The board will further review the contract once changes are made. Iowa County Humane Society Contract- Carley provided copies of the contracts for dogs/puppies and the contract for cats/kittens. Discussion occurred around Iowa County Humane Society no longer completing pre-authorizations with the municipalities. Further discussion occurred around if there were other options in the area for contracts, which the board deemed there were none. MOTION (Linscheid, Klaas) motion carried by 7-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve the dog/puppies contract and the cats/kittens contract with Iowa County Humane Society. RESOLUTION 2025-06 AUTHORIZING CERTIFIED CHIEF ELECTION INSPECTORS AND POLL WORKERS- The following individuals were presented for appointment for the January 1. 2026-December 31, 2027 election cycle: Certified Election Inspectors – Carol L. Anderson, Bucky Boland, Judy Novak, and Steve Holmes; Election Inspectors/EROs/Canvassers: Margaret Benson, Karen Fisher, Linda Gard, Diana Glanville, Bonnie Holmes, Geralyn Horn, Kathy Korb, Kelly Michek, and Louise Bradley. MOTION (Martin, Harms) motion carried by 7-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve Resolution #2025-06 Authorizing Certified Election Inspectors/Poll Workers/EROs/Canvassers with the above stated individuals. MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION –Consider adjourning to closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. secs. 19.85(1) e) for the purpose of Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically for discussion and possible action on the sale of Village owned real estate. Nick Klaas recused himself from the meeting at 6:17 pm MOTION (Schoville, Harms) motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to enter closed session with employees Mark Flanagan and Carley Rider and Ritchie Lands LLC representatives Tony Ritchie and Ron Ritchie at 6:18 pm. MOTION TO RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION – Committee may consider taking a consensus to return to open session following the closed session to formally dispose of any issues discussed in closed session. MOTION (Benton, Schoville) to reconvene into open session at 6:49 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ACTION OF CLOSED SESSION- MOTION (Schoville, Harms) motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to hold a special meeting on December 17th at 4:30 pm for further deliberating/negotiating with representatives of Ritchie Lands LLC. Kris Schoville left the meeting at 6:51 pm. Approval of Bills for the Month: MOTION (Linscheid, Martin); motion carried by 5-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve the monthly bills. Adjournment: MOTION (Lenz, Martin); The motion carried by unanimous voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:01 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Carley Rider, Village Clerk/Treasurer