Regular Village Board Meeting — Minutes

MINUTES November Regular Board Meeting Village Office, November 5th, 2025 5:30 p.m. – 7:15 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 –Marlin Harms, Nick Klaas, Alaina Benton Members Absent: Kristen Schoville, Renee Linscheid, Alisha Martin Staff Present: Village Clerk – Carley Rider, Public Works Director – Mark Flanagan (arrived at 5:35 p.m.), Lisa Riley Public Present: none Public Notices: MOTION (Benton, Klaas): 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, November 3rd, and revised Tuesday, November 4th at 5:15 p.m. and compliance of the open meeting law. Pledge of Allegiance Minutes: MOTION (Benton, Harms): a motion carried by unanimous voice vote to approve the Regular Village board meeting October 8th, 2025 minutes. Treasurer’s Report: MOTION (Harms, Benton): a motion carried by unanimous voice vote to approve the October 2025 Treasurer’s reports. COMMITTEE & COMISSION REPORTS Library Board – Alaina discussed the library potentially purchasing 2 or 3 computers depending on the quote. The Library received a $450 grant from Iowa County. The board is working on a strategic plan and will be having patrons complete surveys. Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission –no discussion occurred. Fire District Board – no discussion occurred. Splash Pad Committee – no discussion occurred. CITIZENS AND DELEGATIONS- Nick Klaas rescinded his request for the discontinuance of the Public Way north of the intersection of Benson Street and Marilyn Drive. Retaining Pond in Bishop Boldt Subdivision- The board is opting to complete the easement first and have it recorded. Village Attorney Eric Hagen noted that a Certified Survey Map will be required to subdivide the retention pond property from the rest of the property, but once that process is completed, the pond could then be conveyed to the Village. The board noted that they property needs to be cleaned up prior to the dedication of the retention pond. MOTION (Harms, Benton); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve the easement as presented. Twin Creek Certified Survey Map- this is being tabled until after the easement is complete. Fire Budget 2026- Carley noted that the original fire budget did not reflect the $500 rent increase for 2026. This $500 rent increase is the last step-up increase that was outlined in the letter sent to the fire board on September 9th, 2021. The letter outlined the full payment to be $19,000 for 2026. The budget was corrected and resent to be approved. MOTION (Benton, Harms); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve the 2026 Fire Budget as presented. Farm Bid- The farm bid specification sheet for 2026-2028 notated that the Sewer Park Land is available for rent and the proposed contract amount was to be calculated for the 127.4 acres of Sewer Land. The bid sheet specified “ Total Land Acreage for Rent---------Sewer Land approximately 127.4 acres with the potential to add the Scheper Park Land approximately 14.4 acres.” Two farm land bids were received by the published deadline. Mark noted that the village cannot allow fodder to be taken due to requirements by the DNR due to the creek running nearby the sewer land due to the need to release water from the sewer pond via the irrigator. BIDDER AMOUNT PER ACRE TOTAL BID/RFP Linscheid Farms, LLC $401.00/acre $51,087.40 (corn & beans) Bingham Cattle $421.00/acre $53,635.40 (bid only valid with option to take fodder, would plant cover crop and maintain correct fertility thereafter) MOTION (Klaas, Benton); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to award the farm bid to Linscheid Farms, LLC for $401.00/acre for a total of $51,087.40. JOHNSON BLOCK ENGAGEMENT LETTER- The Engagement Letter for Johnson Block for year ended December 31st, 2025 was discussed and reviewed. Rates were compared to 2024. MOTION (Klaas, Benton); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve the Johnson Block Engagement Letter as presented. SWTC SCHOLARSHIP MEETING- Kris Schoville had asked if the Community Center could be used for a Scholarship meeting affecting Iowa-Grant students. MOTION (Klaas, Harms) to allow the use of the Community Center for the Scholarship Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. APPROVE 2026 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR PUBLICATION- The 2026 Budget Publication was reviewed and discussed. MOTION (Klaas, Harms); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve the 2026 Preliminary Budget for Publication as presented. EASTMAN STREET- Mark noted that Eastman Street is deteriorating and will need to be re-done soon, hopefully in 2026. This project would likely cost around $300,000 which would need to be financed due to the high cost. MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION –Consider adjourning to closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. secs. 19.85(1)(c) and (e) for the purposes of considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility and 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 (Klaas, Benton); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to enter closed session 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, Klaas) to reconvene into open session at 7:01 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. ACTION OF CLOSED SESSION- MOTION (Lenz, Klaas); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve wage increases and end of year bonuses as outlined by the Personnel Committee with the addition of a $50 bonus for Russell Zingg and Donald Fulton. Approval of Bills for the Month: MOTION (Benton, Harms); motion carried by 4-0 roll call vote (Benton – Aye, Harms – Aye, Klaas – Aye, Lenz – Aye) to approve the monthly bills. Adjournment: MOTION (Lenz, Benton); The motion carried by unanimous voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Carley Rider, Village Clerk/Treasurer