Town Board — Minutes

THE TOWN OF IXONIA TOWN BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 13, 2025 1. Call to Order & Roll Call: Chairman Derge called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Supervisors present included Dan Rupnow, Rick Ziegler, Amy Rinard and Dave Kester. 2. Pledge of Allegiance: Those present stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Approval of Minutes: September 8, 2025: Rinard made a motion to approve the September 8, 2025 minutes with corrections. Rupnow seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. 4. Public Comment – Persons wishing to speak will be allowed three (3) minutes to address the board: None 5. Treasurer’s Financial Report: September 2025: Rinard made a motion to approve the September financials as presented. Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. 6. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and/or Jefferson County Supervisor Report: Sheriff Deputy was present, indicated that there was a scrap metal theft in the Industrial Park recently that has been addressed and issues have declined. County Supervisor Degner gave an updated that the county will be working on the solar ordinance. Degner attended the Wisconsin Town’s Association conference, where he spoke with people from other counties and the hot topic seems to be EMS coverage, he iterated that the state has increased training requirements for EMS to 300 hours. 7. Unfinished Business: a. Consider and possibly act on change order #6 from Staab Construction for the Water Reclamation Facility: It was explained that there were communication errors with the modems regarding the SCADA equipment, resulting in the credit. Rinard made a motion to approve change order #6 from Staab Construction. Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. b. Consider and possibly act on request by Curt Pernat to divide land by preliminary Certified Survey Map related to an 8-acre land split; parcel #012-0816-2732-000: Attorney Riffle explained that the Town must take action separately on land splits from zone change requests, they are two separate actions. Riffle explained that the Town has their own ordinance on land splits and has to govern that, while the County also has one and they enforce theirs. The two levels of government act independent of each other with land splits but in the case of zoning, the Town is a recommending body. Riffle also explained that any commercial building outside of the industrial park is private property and that the Town cannot impose covenants’ unless the Town owns the land. In a private development, those types of restrictions are covered by a developer’s agreement. Rinard made a motion to approve the Curt Pernat preliminary CSM 8-acre land split. Rupnow seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. c. Consider and possibly act on request from Greg Rupnow to divide land by preliminary Certified Survey Map related to a 1.17-acre land split; parcel #012-0816-1643-000: Attorney Riffle explained that Greg Rupnow came to the Plan Commission and Town Board in 2020 with the CSM that is now in front of the Board for re- consideration. He explained that the CSM was approved by both the Commission and Board, but for various reasons the final approval was never brought forward. Riffle stated that to assist the property owner the Board can re-consider the CSM at this time, there are no changes from the original submission. Kester made a motion to re-approve the Greg Rupnow preliminary CSM 1.17-acre land split. Rinard seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. 8. New Business: a. Consider and possibly act on a request by Runyard Properties LLC to rezone from A-1 to A-3 to create a 1.0- acre residential lot at W296 County Road CW, parcel #012-0816-0143-000: Ken Herro explained that the Runyards are looking to split off 1-acre for the house and rezone it from A1 to A3. Rinard made a motion to approve the zone change request for the 1-acre lot split from A1 to A3 and to approve the preliminary CSM land split. Rupnow seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. b. Consider and possibly act on a request by Runyard Properties LLC for a land division to create a 1.0-acre residential lot at W296 County Road CW, parcel #012-0816-0143-000: This item was added to item C. c. Discussion and possible action regarding the request by Ski Slide Storage LLC for a land division to create two lots in existing I-Industrial zone, parcel #012-0816-2534-004 & parcel #012-0816-2534-000: Mike Herro explained that he is looking to build more storage units with no additional outside storage. Rupnow made a motion to approve the Ski Slide Storage preliminary CSM for the land split. Rinard seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. d. Discussion and possible action regarding the request by Jackson Enterprises, LLC for a conditional use for transportation services to allow for a seasonal storage company in an A-T zone on the corner of North Road and Hwy 16, parcel #0121-0816-2111-002: Robert Jackson explained that the conditional use request is to build storage units on the property. It’s considered seasonal storage, providing winter storage facilities for boats, RV’s, cars, and jet skis. Jackson explained that once the items to be stored are placed customers won’t have access until spring. The only time outside storage would happen is when items are being dropped off until parked inside or in spring when items are removed and waiting for customers to pick them up. Kester mentioned that the Plan Commission had concerns about run-off and water retention pond location. Rupnow stated that there are concerns to be listed in the denial; too dense, not enough ingress/egress, it’s not the best use of the property, outside storage is not acceptable. Rinard motions to deny the conditional use request per the list provided by Supervisor Rupnow. Rupnow seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. e. Discussion and possible action regarding the request by Mark Wierman providing a plan of operation for W1046 Marietta Ave., Suite 220 within the Ixonia Bank building: Kester explained that the operation is medical operation offering veterans and government workers physicals and some minor blood work. Rinard made a motion to approve the plan of operation for Mark Wierman. Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. f. Consider and possibly act on pay request #1 from Kartechner Brothers LLC in the amount of $229,628.81 for the 2025 road project: Ziegler made a motion to approve pay requests #1 & #2 to Kartechner Brothers LLC for work completed to date in the amount of $229,628.81 and $138,598.53. Rinard seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. g. Consider and possibly act on pay request #2 from Kartechner Brothers LLC in the amount of $138,598.53 for the 2025 road project: This item was approved with item F. h. Consider and possibly approve the 2026 Watertown Humane Society contract: Rinard made a motion to approve the 2026 Watertown Humane Society contract. Kester seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. i. Consider and possibly act on proposed 3-year service contract with the Town of Concord; 2026-2028: Interim Chief Sauer explained that the Town of Concord requested a 3-year contract. Within the contract a change was made to include charging for fire inspections, currently there is no charge to the Town’s for fire inspections. Sauer would like to have Attorney Riffle review the contract prior to providing them to the two town’s. Rinard made a motion to approve the Town of Concord & Watertown fire contracts as presented with attorney review. Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. j. Consider and possibly act on proposed 3-year service contract with the Town of Watertown; 2026-2028: This item was approved with item I. k. Consider and possibly act on recommendation from Park & Recreation Commission to appoint Amanda Ewert to the commission: Commission Chair Peter Mark informed the Board the Amanda Ewert has applied to be on the Park & Recreation Commission, after the Commission’s review they recommended approval at their meeting on October 6th. Ziegler made a motion to approve the appointment of Amanda Ewert to the Park and Recreation Committee. Rinard seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. l. Consider and possibly act on interview committee for the Fire/EMS Chief position: Chairman Derge explained that he is recommending Dave Schilling, Bruce Degner, Dan Schmoker, Tom Seidl, Jo Ann Lesser, to the interviewing committee. The Board discussed having a supervisor on the committee. It was determined to add Amy Rinard to the committee. Rinard made a motion to approve the committee as presented and amended. Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion carried, 4-1. m. Consider and possibly act on special event application from Ixonia Bank to host trunk or treat in Fireman’s Park on October 18th from 6 pm to 8 pm: Rinard made a motion to approve the special event application for Trunk- or-Treat at Fireman’s Park. Rupnow seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. n. Consider and possibly act on selling highway, parks and transfer site equipment on the Wisconsin Surplus site; utility trailer, metal cabinet with work bench, Lincoln welder, lot of timber logs, and a 15 Kw Onan Diesel generator on trailer: Kester made a motion to approve selling the listed items on the Wisconsin Surplus site. Rinard seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. o. Consider and possibly act on lease contract for Fireman’s Hall: Rinard made a motion to table this item to the next scheduled special meeting of the Town Board. Rupnow seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. p. Consider and possibly act on setting up a separate savings account for fire department donations at Ixonia Bank: Ziegler made a motion to approve the Clerk/Treasurer to set up a separate savings account at Ixonia Bank for Fire/EMS donations. Rinard seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. q. Consider and possibly act on Image Trend scheduling software purchase for Fire/EMS Department: Interim Chief Sauer explained that the software purchase is an annual fee at $3,062. This software will help with scheduling the paid-on call volunteers and keep everyone informed of changes. Ziegler made a motion to approve the purchase of the module and continued annual support. Rinard seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. r. Consider and possibly act on Firefighter new hire Carter Slayton: Interim Chief Sauer explained that the applicant is from the Watertown area and has no prior service but wants to get involved. Rinard made a motion to approve the hiring of Carter Slayton as a firefighter. Ziegler seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5- 0. s. Consider and possibly approve the WIDNR Forest Fire Protection grant program award: Interim Chief Sauer explained that the Town was awarded the $2,850, 50/50 grant from the WIDNR. Rinard made a motion to approve accepting the award of $2,850 50/50 grant from the WIDNR. Kester seconded the motion. Motion carried, 5-0. t. Consider and possibly approve the utility bill for W123 Rockvale Road: This item was for information purposes only. 9. Chairman: Noting to report 10. Supervisor Reports a. Dave Kester: Nothing to report b. Amy Rinard: Informed the Board of the discussions she had with the Jefferson County Sheriff regarding patrol in Ixonia. Rinard explained that to have a designated deputy, it would cost $120,000 annually plus mileage at the IRS reimbursement rate. There would be no charges for administration work. The hours the Town would receive is 1,950 per year. c. Daniel Rupnow: Talked about the tress at the LNG plant that need to be replaced. d. Rick Ziegler: Nothing to report 11. Staff Updates a. Clerk/Treasurer Lesser: Lesser reported that 20205 bank reconciliations are up to date, just finishing September. Auditor report for the 2024 audit will be available in early November and they will be here in December to present their findings. b. Highway Superintendent Degner: Degner reported that work continues on Marietta Ave, the culvert should be closed up by the end of the week, pacing to begin after grading. There is a deadline date of the 17th, if work is not completed by then, there is a penalty of $500 per day paid to the Town. Roof repairs will begin this week, first with the fire station/hwy Shop then on town hall. Hwy 16 reconstruction is still on schedule. c. Fire & EMS Interim Chief Sauer Monthly report – September 2025: Sauer reported that there were 34 calls for September, projected calls for 2025 is still at 370. That would be an increase of 31 calls over 2024. 12. Closed Session: Chairman Derge read the following notice: You are hereby notified that the Common Council of the Town of Ixonia, following all regular business, will convene into closed session. To all those present, the purpose of the meeting and the fact that the Board intends to convene in closed session for the below-delineated purposes. Upon motion duly made and seconded and acted upon by the majority of the members present as required under §19.85(1)(a), Stats., the closed session will take place which may be attended by the Town Board and staff. The purpose of the meeting is to deliberate or negotiate 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 under §19.85(1)(e), Stats. Specifically, the selling of public land Rinard made a motion to enter into closed session at 9 pm. Kester seconded the motion. Roll call vote indicated a unanimous voice vote. The Town Board adjourned from closed session at 9:16 pm on a motion by Ziegler and seconded by Rinard. Motion carried, 5-0. Jo Ann Lesser, CMC, WCMC Clerk/Treasurer