Meeting Minutes

1 | P a g e 8/25/26 TOWN OF LA POINTE REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING August 25th, 2026 at Town Hall at 5:00PM Minutes Town Board Members Present: Supervisor Mike Anderson, Supervisor Aimee Baxter (acting Chair), Supervisor John Carlson, Supervisor Samantha Dobson Staff Present: Town Administrator Max Imholte, Planning and Zoning Administrator Rich Kula, Town Clerk Alex Smith, Fire Chief Jay Wiltz Public Present: Paul Brummer, Charley Brummer, Dave Donkers, Steve McHugh, Tara Austin, Cheryl Fosdick, David Boone (5:07pm), Michael Miller (via zoom), Paul and Jean (via zoom 5:05pm) Call to Order: 5:00pm by Aimee Baxter Motion to appoint Aimee Baxter as acting chair for this meeting, M. Anderson/J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. I. Public Comment A*: Tara Austin stated her opposition to the new Alternative #7 for the 6th Street Vacation; with her recent property purchase this alternative would disrupt her building/setbacks. She asked the board to please consider some of the other alternatives that do not include a part of her soon to be property. II. Administrative Reports A. Town Administrator’s Report: Prepared by Max Imhotle. Placed on file by unanimous consent. III. Public Works A. Parks 1. Approve Purchase Order for Bleacher Board Replacement (#2026-20): Motion to approve the purchase order for bleacher board replacement in the amount of $2,014.17, M. Anderson/J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. IV. Committees A. Planning and Zoning 1. Discussion of 6 th Street Vacation & Alternatives: The Town Board was presented with a 7th alternative to the 6th Street Vacation; this alternative creates a turnaround on a neighboring property with the same current ownership. However, this property currently has a pending sale. The board debated whether the turnaround and the vacation of 6th Street are two separate issues. John Carlson clarified that the turnaround or cul de sac would be built by the town not the homeowners. If 6th Street is vacated, it cannot be undone. With the lack of a legal turnaround and vacation of 6th street, emergency services would have to use a private driveway for fire trucks, plows, 2 | P a g e 8/25/26 and ambulances which is currently being done if needed. Mike Anderson stated there are a bunch of dead-end roads on the island that do not have cul de sacs. Fire Chief, Jay Wiltz, stated the best thing for the Fire Department would be a turnaround or to complete 6th Street but the department is able to use driveways when necessary to put out a fire. Motion to vacate 6th Street and wait to decide on alternatives, J. Carlson/M. Anderson, 2 Ayes, 2 Nays, Motion Not Carried. This item is deferred until August 27th, 2026. 2. Approve Town of La Pointe Electrical Ordinance: September 1st, ESPS is officially implementing a new statewide electrical code, which adopts the 2023 National Electric Code. REM Inspection, LLC, is an authorized state-delegated local review agent for non-UDC inspection. This ordinance template has been provided for approval. The Town would be responsible for enforcing the penalties. John Carlson thought Wis. Admin. § SPS 305.40, allowing licensed Journeyman Electrician to perform electrical work under a licensed Master Electrician, should be something included. Motion to approve the Town of La Pointe Electrical Ordinance, M. Anderson/A. Baxter, 1 Aye, 2 Nays, 1 Abstain, Motion Not Carried. This item has been deferred to the next regular meeting. B. Harbor Commission 1. Approve terms of Bayfield MOU: The Town Board may go into closed session during the meeting 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 in which it is or is likely to become involved in accordance with to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 (1)(e). After the completion of the closed session, the Board will come back into open session to act upon the discussion in the closed session or otherwise complete the business of the meeting before adjourning. No closed session. Motion to defer to August 27th, 2026, M. Anderson/S. Dobson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. C. Affordable Housing Advisory Committee 1. Appoint Members to Committee: Motion to appoint Lois Carlson and Samantha Dobson the AHAC with terms ending 8/31/28, J. Carlson/M. Anderson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. D. Committee Minutes: John Carlson asked if the Skate Park Renovation was part of the library and it was clarified that is a project through the library. Placed on file by unanimous consent. V. Town Hall Administration A. Budget Summary Report: Motion to approve the budget summary report as presented, M. Anderson/S. Dobson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. B. Discussion/Approval of Payroll Portal Annual Subscription: Motion to approve the payroll annual subscription, M. Anderson/J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. 3 | P a g e 8/25/26 C. Approve Modifications to Nonmotorized Vessels Ordinance Chapter 432: Motion to defer, J. Carlson/S. Dobson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. D. Approve Contract for Septic Waste Removal with Island Septic: Motion to approve the contract with Island Septic for septic waste removal, M. Anderson/J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. E. Approve Contract for Community Security Solutions: Motion to approve the contract with CSS for investigation services, M. Anderson/J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. VI. Vouchers A. Town of La Pointe: Motion to approve the town vouchers in the amount of $33,509.50, M. Anderson/S. Dobson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. VII. Alternative Claims: Motion to approve the alternative claims in the amount of $57,920.17, M. Anderson/S. Dobson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. VIII. Treasurer’s Report: Motion to approve the treasurer’s report with a bank balance of $1,186,866.18, A. Baxter/J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. IX. Minutes: No minutes were presented for approval. X. Emergency Services A. Fire Department 1. Approve Purchase Order for SCBA (#2026-21): Motion to approve the purchase order for scba gear in the amount of $26,648, M. Anderson/J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. 2. Approve Updated Fire Department By Laws: Motion to approve the updated Fire Department By Laws which includes the revised definition of ‘member in good standing’, definition of ‘make up task’, revised percentage of responses for membership, and application of make up tasks as a disciplinary action, M. Anderson/ J. Carlson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried. XI. Public Comment B**: Paul Brummer said “I think you can't dictate to the library, because they're an entity of their own, but you might want to question the library board, especially in the alternative claims. I see there's a $1,500 expense to the Apostle Island Cruise Service, and a $728 expense to Heart Graphic for shirts.” He suggested keeping this in mind when looking for funds and budgeting for 2027. Cheryl Fosdick spoke on behalf of Tara Austin and stated “In regard to the 6th Street Vacation, Tara has a signed purchase agreement for the property immediately to the east. There are several different options for hammerhead, for a Y, and for cul-de-sac options. There's also the option of taking a portion of her property for that and that would severely reduce her ability to build on that piece of property. So, I just want to make it clear that there are at least 6 other alternatives that do not involve taking from this property.” David Boone stated that 6th Street is not her property. Cheryl Fosdick clarified that is not what she is taking about, but rather the 6th Steet 7th Alternative. 4 | P a g e 8/25/26 David Boone said “I’d like to address the Town illegally letting people stay in the Norvado building over here. It is not zoned for residents to spend the night in. Last year, this came to my attention when I was the existing fire inspector. I was told that the town has made an agreement with Norvado for a serviceman to spend the night there, if needed for cancelled boats. But again, this year, there's people with small children spending the night and the weekend there. They sure aren't paying the county taxes that other renters on the island are paying. It's not set up for a fire escape.” The Town Administrator and Town Board stated they were unaware of any people staying in the Norvado building or that any agreement was made. David Boone mentioned it has been over a month and the fire numbers on Nebraska Row and Lucy in the Sky have not been changed. XII. Liquor Licenses: No liquor licenses. XIII. Lawsuits & Legal Issues The Town Board may go into closed session during the meeting for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved in accordance with to Wisconsin Statutes 19.85 (1)(g). After the completion of the closed session, the Board will come back into open session to act upon the discussion in the closed session or otherwise complete the business of the meeting before adjourning. A. Petition with Ashland County Circuit Court case Regarding Ashland County Tax Levy No closed session. No updates. XIV. New Agenda Items for Future Meetings STBM on 8/27 – Bayfield MOU & 6th Street Vacation Minutes NMV Ordinance Electrical Ordinance Norvado Issue XV. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn, John Carlson/S. Dobson, 4 Ayes, Motion Carried 5:46pm Respectfully submitted by Town Clerk, Alex Smith. Approved as submitted, 9/8/26.