Regular Village Board Meeting — Minutes

MINUTES December Public Hearing and Special Board Meeting Village Office, December 1st, 2025 5:30 p.m. – 6:54 p.m. Public Hearing for 2026 Budget was called to order at 5:30pm by Liz Lenz. Members Attending: President – Liz Lenz, Trustees – Kristen Schoville, Marlin Harms, Renee Linscheid, Alisha Martin, Alaina Benton Members Absent: Nick Klaas Staff Present: Village Clerk – Carley Rider Public Present: None Public Hearing was held regarding the 2026 budget. No questions were asked from any community members or Board members. MOTION (Martin, Schoville); motion carried by unanimous voice vote to adjourn the public hearing at 5:33pm Regular Village Board meeting for the Village of Cobb was called to order at 5:33 pm by President Liz Lenz. Members Attending: President – Liz Lenz, Trustees – Kristen Schoville, Marlin Harms, Renee Linscheid, Alisha Martin, Alaina Benton Members Absent: Nick Klaas Staff Present: Village Clerk – Carley Rider, Public Works Director – Mark Flanagan (arrived at 5:50 pm) Public Present: Neil Michek- Highland EMS Chief Public Notices: MOTION (Schoville, Linscheid): 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 Thursday, November 27th , revised on December 1st at 1:45 pm for emergent situation – non-operational plow truck, and compliance of the open meeting law. Pledge of Allegiance Highland Ambulance Service: Operational Plan Change from Advanced Emergency—Medical Technician Level to a Flex Plan Operational level- The Board met with Highland Ambulance Service representative, Neil Michek, regarding the ambulance service changings its Operational Plan from the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician level to a Flex Staffing Plan Emergency Medical Technician level. The Board supports the Highland Ambulance Services’ continued efforts to provide emergency medical services and is supportive of the proposed changes to its Operational Plan. MOTION (Linscheid, Martin); motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to issue a letter of approval for Highland Ambulance Service’s proposed operational plan and license level change. Adopt 2026 Village Budget Resolution 2025-05- The village board members reviewed the budget resolution as presented stating that the tax levy will be $189,268.00. MOTION (Linscheid, Martin); motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to set the village tax levy and adopt Budget Resolution 2025-05 as presented. E-Recycling Quote- Carley shared with the board a quote from Pellitteri for $600.00 for a two-hour event with one truck and driver, a fuel surcharge (currently at 11%, Pellitteri is hopeful it will be in the 5%-6% range by April). The township noted that they are willing to have the event at the Township Building to prevent backing up the area of the Cobb Community Center/Fire Station in the event of an emergency, to which the Village board agreed. MOTION (Linscheid, Martin); motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve paying 50% of the cost of an E-Recycling/Shredding event with the Township of Eden. Cobb Highland Recreation Commission- Carley informed the board that Dan Baker had submitted his resignation from the Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission. Baker’s term was set to end May 1st, 2028. Carley noted that Lee Jewell had submitted interest upon hearing about the vacancy. The board requested Carley post the vacancy to give all village residents the opportunity to submit interest. MOTION (Linscheid, Martin); motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to accept the resignation of Dan Baker from the Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission. Water/Sewer Utility Locator- Mark noted that the water/sewer locator had broken and the cost to fix is around $3,800, while a new one costs $4,000. Due to the emergent need, Mark purchased a new one. Salt Spinner for Small Plow Truck- Mark noted that a new salt spinner was purchased. Big Plow Truck out of service- repair/replacement- The current big plow truck is a 1998 international. Mark noted that the heater went out over the weekend. Upon having Russ work on it, they found that there was a cracked valve and antifreeze was leaking. Mark requested a quote from Curt James for repair which was $6,000-$9,000 to which Curt suggest purchasing a used one. Carley supplied information on a 2003 Internation plow truck that the City of Fennimore was auctioning off through Wisconsin Surplus. MOTION (Schoville, Linscheid); motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve a bid of up to $20,000 if the plow truck passed Mark, Russ, and Jared’s inspection. 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 employee compensation for 2026 and for discussion and possible action on the sale of Village owned real estate. MOTION (Benton, 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 at 6:21 p.m. with employees Mark Flanagan and Carley Rider. 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 (Lenz, Martin) to reconvene into open session at 6:53 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ACTION OF CLOSED SESSION- MOTION (Benton, Harms); motion carried by 6-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Linscheid – Aye, Schoville – Aye, Martin – Aye, Harms – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve having the 14.4 acres of land appraised. Approval of additional Bills for the Month: there were no additional bills to be approved. Correspondence and Communications- Carley noted that the Delta 3 Client Appreciation event will be Friday, December 12th at Steve’s Pizza from 4-9pm. Adjournment: MOTION (Martin, Linscheid); The motion carried by unanimous voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Carley Rider, Village Clerk/Treasurer