Town Board Meeting — Minutes

Regular February Town Board Meeting Monday, February 10th, 2025 Call to Order and Roll Call: The meeting was posted on February 5th, 2025 at the Bayfield Town Hall and the town website. Chairman Craig Hoopman and Supervisors Carol Fahrenkrog, Robert Meierotto, and Fred Erickson were present. Clerk Kelly Faye, Treasurer Billie Hoopman and Road Foreman Carl Butterfield were also in attendance. Karen Boutin was excused. Chairman Hoopman called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Public Comment: None. Items for Future Agendas: None. Discussion and possible approval of minutes of the Regular Town Board Meeting of January 13 th, 2025: A motion was made by Meierotto, seconded by Erickson, to approve the minutes. Motion carried. Receive and Place on File Treasurer’s Report: Town Treasurer’s Monthly Report 2/10/2025 GENERAL CHECKING ACCT. #50062 MONEY MARKET ACCT. #150375 CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE $89,025.73 Less Checks Outstanding (To Date) $58,006.06 CURRENT AVAILABLE BALANCE $31,019.67 CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE $2,624,852.68 Less Designated Funds:  Growth IncenƟve Fund $39,298.51  Pileated Woodpecker Trail $5,660.04  Economic Study: $4,801.20  Less 2024 Tax ObligaƟons $1,954,744.37 Total of Designated Funds $2,004,504.12 CURRENT AVAILABLE BALANCE $620,348.56 LOANS: OTHER: 1. Payments received: - 1/15 Bayfield County Forestry Payment = $94,838.25 - 1/29 State of WI PILT = $35,645.44 - 2/3 State of WI MSP = $2,075.41 2. Processed 2024 Tax Payments and will be sett ling with the County this week. Payments to other entities to be paid by Feb. 15. 3. Processed Q402024 Room Tax Payments. See a ttached report. Payment to the Chamber will be processed by Feb. 15. 4. I will be working remotely during the month of March. Larry Weber, Deputy Treasurer will be signing checks in my absence. A motion was made by Fahrenkrog, seconded by Meiero tto, to approve the Trea surer’s Report. Motion carried. Bayfield Area Trails Update: Kate Kitchell was in attendance via Zoom. She reported that the Trails study is in process. So far there have been 186 surveys completed. 14 volunteers have logged 120 hours at 10 different trailheads including Salmo, Big Ravine at Meyers-Olson Rd., Gil Larsen Trailhead and the soccer field. Surveys will be conducted through August. Results will be provided by October. Fred Erickson brought up the easement for use of his land for the Big Ravine Trail. He stated that there needs to be snowmobile access. He requested that Kate give him a call to discuss this issue. BREMER BANK LOAN Loader Star Route Project Issue Date 2/21/2020 2024 Maturity Date 2/21/2029 12/05/2028 Interest Rate: 2.5% 4.2% Original Balance $433, 918.28 $1,587,286.00 Last Payment Amount 1/21/2025 - $4,998.52 Principle $4,605.97 Interest $392.55 12/23/2024 - $1,123,888.65 Principle $1,100,000.00 Interest $23,888.65 Current Balance $177,736.30 $539,175.99 Next Payment Due 1/21/2025 – $4,998.52 12/05/2025 - $142,571.26 Report from Pikes Bay Sanitary District: Minutes were provided to the Town Board in their meeting packets. OLD BUSINESS Discussion and possible action on proposed updates to the Pikes Bay Sanitary District Town Hall Office Use Agreement: The agreement was approved as presented. Discussion and possible action on proposal to increase the Growth Incentive Fund loan limit to $10,000 and change application approval proce dure to involve the entire Town Board: Chairman Hoopman explained why the increase would be beneficial to local businesses. A motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Meierotto to approve the change. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of existing boundaries of the Pike's Bay Sanitary District and the process required to make reductions/changes: Chairman Hoopman stated that he has received several complaints from Town of Bayfield taxpayers related to the increase in the PBSD levy on the 2024 tax bills. He noted that there was a 58% increase from the previous year. Erickson brought up the question of whether the tax was supposed to be removed after the 20-year period was up. Hoopman stated he takes issue with residents th at will never have the opportuni ty to connect to the service continuing to pay into the future. There is the option of taking steps to reduce the boundaries of the district. Hoopman explained he would like more input from the taxpayers before considering that option. He suggested hosting a public hearing at the Annual Meeting on April 15th to gather input from local residents. It was decided that a postcard woul d be sent to all Town of Bayfield taxpayers with information about the date and time of the public hearing. Discussion and possible action on Plan Commission recommendation that Town of Bayfield repeal Ordinance 2023-01: Creating Licensin g for Short-Term Rentals be repealed to prevent duplication of services with Bayfield County: A motion was made by Meierotto, seconded by Fahrenkrog to approve the repeal. Motion carried. An ordinance to officially repeal will be prepared for the March meeting. Discussion and possible action on Resolution 2025-01: Support of Bayfield County Knowles- Nelson Stewardship Grant Application for the purchase of a 40-acre forested lot off Hwy 13, just east of the intersection with Echo Valley Road: Chairman Hoopman stated that this will open up 1,050 acres of land to the public in an area that will not be landlocked. He added that the stumpage sales will increase and that electric is already in the location. Resolution 2025-01 In Support of Bayfield County Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant Application Whereas; the Bayfield County Forest is sustainably managed to conserve and protect its natural resources, while also maximizing public benefit and ensuring a wide variety of forest products and amenities are available to current and future generations; and Whereas; Bayfield County is actively working to acquire productive forestland to add to the County Forest program; and Whereas; Bayfield County has signed a purchase agreement to buy a 40-acre lot in the Town of Bayfield; and Whereas; some objectives of acquiring lands, for entry into the County Forest program, are to perpetually provide quality, sustainable forest products to the local and regional economy; reasonable revenues to the county and towns; outdoor recreational opportunities to the public; watershed and soil protection; wildlife habitat; and improve the administration of the Forest through the consolidation of lands located within established Forest boundaries; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Bayfield supports the efforts of Bayfield County to apply for a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant to partially fund the above referenced acquisition in the Town of Bayfield for the purposes of forestry, conservation, and outdoor recreation. Adopted by the Town of Bayfield Board of Supervisors by a vote of - . Dated this 10 th day of February 2025. TOWN OF BAYFIELD ________________________ ________ ______________________ Craig Hoopman, Chair Fred Erickson, Supervisor ________________________ ___ ____________________________ Robert Meierotto, Supervisor Karen Boutin, Supervisor ___________________________ Carol Fahrenkrog, Supervisor THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly and legally adopted by the TOWN OF BAYFIELD at a regular meeting held on the 10th day of February 2025. ___________________________ Kelly N. Faye, Clerk A motion was made by Fahrenkrog, seconded by Er ickson, to approve the resolution. Motion carried. Discussion and possible action of Resoluti on 2025-02: In Support of DNR Acquisition of a 1.43-acre parcel of land along Pikes Creek in the Town of Bayfield: Chairman Hoopman reported that the current landowner reports people are currently walking through the land. He added that he is not in favor of taking away anyone’s property and there are still disputes to resolve. Resolution 2025-02 In Support of DNR Acquisition of Parcel of Land Along Pikes Creek in the Town of Bayfield Whereas; the DNR is considering acquiring 1.43-acres of land along Pikes Creek in the Town of Bayfield, and Whereas; this acquisition would allow for public and DNR staff access opportunities by connecting DNR-owned land at Les V oight Fish Hatchery with DNR-owned land northwest of the fish hatchery, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield Town Board supports the above referenced acquisition of land in the Town of Bayfield. Adopted by the Town of Bayfield Board of Supervisors by a vote of - . Dated this 10 th day of February 2025. TOWN OF BAYFIELD ___________________ ________ ____________________________ Craig Hoopman, Chair Fred Erickson, Supervisor ___________________________ ____________________________ Robert Meierotto, Supervisor Karen Boutin, Supervisor ___________________________ Carol Fahrenkrog, Supervisor THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution duly and legally adopted by the TOWN OF BAYFIELD at a regular meeting held on the 10th day of February 2025. ___________________________ Kelly N. Faye, Clerk A motion was made by Meierotto, seconded by Er ickson, to approve the resolution. Motion carried. Receive and place on file the Correspondence for February 2025: Received 1. Notice from School District of Bayfield of planned referendum on April 1 st Spring Election Ballot. 2. Several emailed copies of recently approved land use permits in the Town of Bayfield from Bayfield County Zoning Department. 3. Email Correspondence from WI DOT confirming completed paperwork requesting reimbursement for June 2024 flooding expenses has been forwarded on to Madison for approval. 4. Copy of grant update report sent to WI Coastal Management for the BATS Trail Study Project filed Kate Kitchell. 5. WI DNR request for resolution in support of their acquisition of 1.43-acre parcel along Pikes Creek in the Town of Bayfield 6. Bayfield County Forestry Department request for resolution in support of their grant application to purchase 40-acre parcel in the Town of Bayfield. Outgoing 1. Federal Payroll Withholdings for end of January and beginning of February to US Treasury. 2. WI Payroll Withholdings for January to WI Department of Revenue. 3. 2024 W-2 Forms to Town Employees. 4. 2025 Caucus Candidate Paperwork to Bayfield Lynn Divine-Bayfield County Clerk. 5. Notice of Absentee V oting for February 18th Spring Primary Election. 6. 31 Absentee Ballots for the February 18th Spring Primary Election. 7. Notice of Public V oting Equipment Test of February 11th to bulletin board and website. 8. List of Pikes Bay Sanitary District voters and their mailing addresses to PBSD Secretary Rose Lawyer upon request. 9. 2024 Ambulance Length of Service Retirement Contribution paperwork to Glatfelter Specialty Benefits. 10. Notice of hold on new Short-Term Rental Applications to Hey Gov application system on Town of Bayfield website. 11.Retirement contribution for 2024 full-time employees Butterfield and Cadotte (prorated). 12. Poll Worker Schedule for February 18th Spring Primary Election. A motion was made by Meierotto, seconded by Erickson, to approve the correspondence. Motion carried. Receive and place on file the Clerk’s Financial and Budget Report for January 2025: A motion was made by Erickson, seconded by Fahrenkrog, to approve the Clerk’s Report. Motion carried. 01/09/2025 - 02/04/2025 DISBURSEMENTS Checks written Range 22094 22121 BUDGETS vs. ACTUAL January 2025 Y-T-D Budget % of Budget Revenue 191,076$ 191,076 $ 1,921,624$ 10% Expense 130,553$ 147,129 $ 1,921,624$ 8% Balance 60,523$ 43,947 $ Chair, Supervisor, and Committee Reports: Chairman Hoopman reporte d that everything is going well. There is not too much snow. He report ed that he does not ye t have quotes for the backhoe, but he estimates that the “80” which is the biggest of the minis, may be what they will need. He will look at the budget. Discussion took place about how the town may need to pay down some debt before more loans are taken out. Due to the upcoming Valley Road improvement needs, it is especially important to be cautious wi th funds. Erickson reported that there are some dead trees along Olson Meyer Road that may need to be removed soon. Set date and time for Regular March Town Board Meeting: Monday, March 10th, 2025-6:00 PM. Reminder of Primary Election on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025. Adjourn: A motion was made by Meierotto, seconded by Erickson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Minutes submitted by: Kelly Faye-Clerk