Town Board — Minutes

DRAFT TOWN BOARD MEETING January 14, 2025 The Town Board of the Town of Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, convened in open session on January 14, 2025, at following Public Budget Hearing and Special Town Meeting of the Electors that began at 7:00 p.m., at the Town Hall for the purpose of transacting business as the Town Board. Town Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Pledge of allegiance. Roll Call: Chairman David Blakeslee, Sup. Hank Kouba, Sup. Anthony Shibler, Clerk Susan Kornely, Treasurer Bernadette Duescher, and Constable Kelly Kane. Others present: Roadman Kasten, County Supervisor James Falkowski, Surveyor Steven Zeitler & Jacob Heise-Denmark News. Seven residents were present. The agenda has been publicly noticed at the one posting site and on the town website. On a motion by Chairman Blakeslee and seconded by Sup. Shibler, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Chairman Blakeslee, moved to approve the minutes for December 3, 2024 Public Hearing. Motion passed. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to approve the minutes for December 3, 2024 Special Town Meeting of the Electors. Motion passed. On a motion by Sup. Kouba and seconded by Chairman Blakeslee, moved to approve the minutes for December 3, 2024 Town Board Meeting. Motion passed. Reports Treasurer’s Finance Report – presented by the Treasurer. Road and Maintenance Equipment Report – Roadman Kasten reported on vehicle maintenance, tree trimming, mower has been delivered to Ryan Collins and tractor is back. Discussion on 55- gallon drum of oil pricing. Industrial Waste Hauling Report – Chairman Blakeslee had no report. Constable Report – Constable Kane reported on January 11th cleaned bales off the road. Plan Commission Report – Chairman Blakeslee had no report. Building Inspector Report - Building Permits: Schneider – solar panel. Inspections: none. Razing Permit: none. Utility Permit Report – issued to Brightspeed – Zander Road. Transfer Station Report – Sup. Shibler reported no report. Bridge/Culvert Reports – Chairman Blakeslee reported no report. Public comments and suggestions from residents of the town and other person’s present. Nicholas Propson asked if the town ever paid the Brightspeed invoice. County Supervisor, James Falkowski reported on body cameras for Manitowoc County Sheriff’s department. Public Hearing Discussion and action on Radtke Road cul-de-sac and CSM427- 1994, Minutes Deeded to Town of Cooperstown by Helge and Marilyn Madsen in 1994 and CSM 301- 2008- Clerk Kornely gave a recap of the 1994 CSM395 and 427 survey in which the Loberger property was created. Their warranty deed gave them two sections: 003-013-011-001.00 and 003-014-016-003.00. The section 14 description was to be the cul-de-sac but was never deeded to the town. Then in 2008 CSM301 was created, and the parcel 003-014-016-003.00 description was added to the Verlare property under 003-014-016-004.00. The Lobergers paid property taxes for 14 years and then it was gone. The town has maintained the cul-de-sac for 30 years, grading blacktopping, and snowplowing. How does the .24 acres section 003-014-016-003, just move to another parcel. No action. Discussion and action Correction Instrument – Radtke Road cul-de-sac- Clerk Kornely report the town attorney has recommended not signing the Correction Instrument at this time. Survey Steve Zeitler reviewed with the board the survey maps from CSM 427 and 301. He stated that Marlene Revolinski, County Treasurer in 1994 would not let the cul-de-sac be deeded to the town and had to remain public. The Board will take under advisement the attorney’s recommendation when received. No action. Discussion and action on debris violations: 12512 CTH Z, 18426 CTH R, 8823 & 8617 Zander Rd-County Investigation 18426 CTH R is under review with County Planning and Zoning, 8823 & 8617 Zander Rd was given until January 13th for clean up by County Planning and Zoning, and 12512 CTH Z was given until Oct1 for clean up by County Planning and zoning. The Nov 6th email stated there is still a ton of junk on the property, but it has gotten better. Clerk Kornely will send an email to County Planning and Zoning for a follow-up on 12512 CTH Z and 8823 & 8617 Zander Rd. No action. Discussion and action on replacement of tractor/mower for 2025 budget- Board has asked the clerk to put out for bid a 15’ batwing mower. On a motion by Sup. Shibler and seconded by Chairman Blakeslee, moved to request bids for a 15’ batwing mower by February 7th. Motion passed. Discussion and action on Employee Handbook and Safety Manual changes: dress code, safety shoes, on-call hours and OSHA regulations – Board discussed sending the Employee Handbook to the Attorney for review: i.e.: snowplowing, on-call hours. Motion by Chairman Blakeslee and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to make copies of the Safety Manual and distribute to town employees for review and comments. Clerk Kornely will make copies and distribute, giving employees two weeks to review and send comments. Motion passed. Discussion and action on Spring Primary Election -determine ballot order – Names were drawn by Kelly Kane and witnessed by Lorri Havlovitz and Lisa Loberger for ballot position for the Spring Primary Supervisors race: Ed Berndt, Jr, Nicholas Propson, Patrick Hickey, Anthony Shibler and Henry Kouba(in order). Names were drawn by Kelly Kane and Jacob Heiser for ballot position for the Spring Election Chairman race: Joseph Havlovitz and Fred Lemens(in order). Clerk Kornely signed off on the selections. Discussion on website upgrade On a motion by Chairman Blakeslee and Sup. Kouba, moved to approve the town website upgrade. Motion passed 2/1 Sup. Shibler voted no. Discussion on Manitowoc County Unit Meeting – January 16th – K-City Pub & Grill Attendees: Chairman Blakeslee, Sup. Kouba, Clerk Kornely, Treasurer Duescher and Constable Kane. Discussion on Board of Review Training – one town board member is required every year. Discussion on District Meeting March 22nd - Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center- Attendees: Sup. Shibler, Clerk Kornely and Treasurer Duescher Ordinances, Resolutions and Agreements Procedural Motions by members of town board On a motion by Sup. Kouba and seconded by Sup. Shibler, moved to approve all checks including $30 check for Town of Cooperstown as presented. Motion passed. Future agenda: February 11th: Discussion and action on Radtke Road cul-de-sac and attorney’s recommendations, Discussion and action on debris violations: 12512 CTH Z, 18426 CTH R, 8823 & 8617 Zander Rd-County Investigation, Discussion and action on bids for 15’ batwing mower, Discussion and action on Employee Handbook and Safety Manual changes On a motion by Chairman Blakeslee and seconded by Sup. Kouba, moved to adjourn. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m. Minutes prior to approval Susan Kornely, Clerk