5-4-20_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, May 4, 2020, which began at 6:01 p.m. in the Community Commerce Community Room. Village President Harry Heisz called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following present: re-elected Aaron Fortney, Harry Heisz, Larry McCarn, Kevin Murray, newly elected Seamus Murray, and Kim Pettit. Re-elected Lee Ruegg was absent. The board received verification that the agenda was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. Deanne Lutz, Crawford County Treasurer was able to participate in the meeting by telephone. Lutz explained the Wisconsin Act 185 regarding property tax installments changes due to COVID 19. The County Board will be looking at this on May 21st and would like the village to be aware of the proposal of changing the second installment property tax due date, interest, and penalty. This would then change the settlement payment date to the village. Board members did not have any objections to Wisconsin Act 185 proposal at this time. Dale Klemme of CDA was present and explained that the DNR Flood Mitigation grant application was submitted for the three properties in order to provide a possible match with the FEMA grant application. An invoice has been submitted to the Village for the appraisals which is needed to submit the DNR applications. Currently the DOT is questioning one location but maps and lot descriptions have been sent for review. Klemme’s concern was if the property owners pay the appraisal expense as this is how the board previously voted in December of 2019 the agencies would not reimburse because this would not be a village grant expense. After discussion McCarn made a motion to approve payment to Precision Appraisal & Real Estate Consultants of $4,500 for the appraisals. Seconded by Fortney. Motion carried. Allen Teach of Sunrise Orchard was present and addressed that the orchard would like to research the possibility of connecting to the village wastewater system. Discussion took place that the orchard shed and two houses could possibly be connected. Many questions were asked - where would the sewer lines run, hiring an engineer to look at, cost of project, and are there any grants to pay for project? Jim Chellevold would start by contacting WRWA on suggestions. Dale Klemme of CDA explained to the board the Resolution Authorizing the Acceptance and Conveyance of Real Estate where an error occurred related to the acquisition of the Song’s Mushroom Farm. McCarn made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-03 Authorizing the Acceptance and Conveyance of Real Estate in order to correct the errors with lot descriptions and parcels. Seconded by Fortney. A Roll Call vote was taken: Fortney, McCarn, K. Murray, S. Murray, and Pettit voted Yes. Motion carried. Under citizens and delegations Heisz wanted to recognize Albert Zegiel’s service to the village as a board member since May of 2008. Also learned the passing of Gary Bell a past board member and acknowledge his ten years of service to the village. Ralph Lomas was present and presented photos of the cemetery and the 2 condition of the lawn. Heisz informed Lomas that the village has a rental skid steer coming and will complete several projects with one being the cemetery lawn repairs. Kayla Fortney, Swimming Pool Manager was able to participate in the meeting by telephone. Jim Chellevold checked with the chemical supply company regarding the chlorine and its effect on the COVID 19 virus. As far as they know the chlorine will be able to kill any viruses within the water if properly distributed. Heisz discussed the Governor’s Safer at Home order until May 26th. The board agreed to proceed and plan on as if the pool will open on time this summer. Kayla has 8 to 10 lifeguards interested and 5 returning bathhouse attendants interested in taking the training for lifeguarding. Kayla proposed keeping the pay scale the same, hiring more lifeguards, and hiring a lower amount of bathhouse employees. After discussion K. Murray made a motion to approve hiring the 10 lifeguards and to hire the additional 5 contingent upon passing training. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Kayla also informed that board that repairs and painting are planned at the pool. Asked the board for approval on getting items needed such as battery and cord for lift chair, chemical kit, and signage on baby pool – no verbal objections from board members on items needed. The Swimming Pool Fundraising Committee has raised to date $85,986.60 with $5,966.29 of expenses to be paid back to the general account leaving a balance of $80,020.31. The committee does have future fundraising needs and would like to hold back $10,000 in the account. After discussion McCarn made a motion to use $70,000 of the fundraising funds to go towards the swimming pool improvement loan at Royal Bank. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. Donation letters to adjoining schools, villages, and townships will be sent out now that the board agreed to proceed with opening the swimming pool with a normal schedule as long as there are no conflicts with Governor’s orders. Under the Public Works report Jim Chellevold reported that the curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs are complete. Contacted Iverson Construction on patch work – scheduled to be done this summer. Hoping to have cold patch work done during the month of May. Would like to re-schedule village cleanup in June. No updates on the geo-thermal estimates. Davy Engineering has offered to complete the Phosphorus Pollutant Minimization Plan for the village which is needed for the village’s variance request. Have plans to get estimates on televising the sewer lines to find infiltration issues. Heisz asked if Lion’s park water repair has been done yet – Chellevold responded that Lion’s were to take down some walls before work is done. Heisz will follow-up with Lion’s Club. K. Murray asked if park yard repair can be done to eliminate standing water? Chellevold also reported that the relocation park bathroom roof needs repaired and he did collect bids for materials. Sewer Update - there was nothing new to report on the sewer facility plan, individual phosphorus variance, and Rural Development Grant/Loan Application. At this time Soldiers Grove reported that they are not scheduling any meetings. McCarn made a motion to approve the board meeting minutes of March 2, 2020. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. 3 Fortney made a motion to approve payment of the May bills as listed in the monthly expense report and approve April bills that have been already processed due to the cancelling of the previous scheduled meeting. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. The board discussed a motion that was made back in 2019 regarding approval of paying bills before board meetings if late fees where to occur and if this were to happen again to allow regular bills to be paid and presented at the next scheduled meeting with list. Fortney made a motion to approve bill payments if a meeting is cancelled. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Kevin Murray reported for the Mosquito Control agenda item. K. Murray had talked to several different agencies and companies sharing the information that the best results would be to use granular bacillus products in the standing water with an application of up to three times per year. This process does need a permit from the DNR. An estimate of 34 acres of standing water with multiple applications this mosquito abatement product could cost the village up to $11,000 per year. Also discussed that the village does not own the properties where some of this standing water is and would the owner allow this to be done? K. Murray asked if the next best item to discuss is the mosquito eradicator which is an 11” tube activated by warm water and hung up in problem areas. Fortney made a motion to remove Mosquito Control from the agenda. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Board discussed due to multiple products, differences in opinions, and expenses property owners can privately choose how to abate. Heisz reported that work is continuing to be done at the private property on Grove Street with the camper. Camper is now taken off of blocks. Continue to review. Fortney asked for agenda item Public Works School Street cleanup to be placed back on. Blocks, wood and bark are still at site. One bid was received from Ripplin Waters LLC, Tara Heisz and Aryn Hooker for the interior painting of the Community Commerce Center hallways, Board Room and Community Room of $3,039.00 with insurance certificate and W-9 received. Fortney made a motion to accept the painting bid of all three locations within the CCC with Ripplin Waters of $3,039. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. The board discussed the need of repairing the old Mill Museum roof. Jim Chellevold, Kevin Murray, and Aaron Fortney agreed to meet and discuss the best way to repair. The office has received a couple of inquires for garden space. No applications have been received back yet. Depending on timing of request board will allow Harry, Jim and Dawn to review garden space applications. Heisz reviewed the COVID 19 orders of Governor Ever’s which is in place un-till May 26th. Regarding village employees Jim Chellevold and Dawn McCann have mostly been able to keep working regular hours. The office building has been closed to visitors. After a few weeks the public works crew was able to adjust a work plan. The only adjustment that has not been made is in the office with the office assistant. Heisz asked the board their opinion of trying to get computers/notebooks for board members in case COVID 19 orders 4 continue and the ability to perform virtual meetings. Feedback from members is that they would like to continue regular face to face meetings. Fortney discussed that the Hillwood Height subdivision has a set speed limit of 15 miles per hour and thought since the residents of Blue Bird Lane were not in favor of the speed bumps another option would be to lower the speed limit to match other subdivision. Fortney made a motion to change Blue Bird Lane speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Jim Chellevold will be getting new speed limit signs to install. Heisz informed the board that he has been approached by Verizon about placing a cell tower within the village. Heisz did review locations with Verizon’s representative which could be located in the back of the cemetery. K. Murray brough up concerns of what kind of tower and that there are health concerns regarding 5G towers. Heisz will keep board updated if new information is received. Fortney made a motion to approve committees - Assigned Committees: Finance Committee – *Harry Heisz, Aaron Fortney, Lee Ruegg, Larry McCarn, Kimberly Pettit, Kevin Murray, and Seamus Murray; Personnel Committee – *Harry Heisz, Aaron Fortney, Lee Ruegg, Larry McCarn, Kimberly Pettit, Kevin Murray, and Seamus Murray; Road and Streets Committee – *Aaron Fortney, Lee Ruegg, and Seamus Murray; Utilities Committee – Lee Ruegg, Seamus Murray, and Kevin Murray; Public Safety – *Harry Heisz, Kim Pettit, and Larry McCarn; Public Property and Cemetery – *Aaron Fortney, Harry Heisz, and Kevin Murray; Library Board – Kimberly Pettit; Board of Review – Harry Heisz, Kimberly Pettit, and Dawn McCann. President Pro Tem – Aaron Fortney. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. Under correspondences the board received information from Crawford County Highway Department to do a tire collection on June 13th. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Fortney made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Village Clerk APPROVED 06-01-2020