9-9-19_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, September 9, 2019, which began at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Commerce Board Room. Village President Harry Heisz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following present: Aaron Fortney, Harry Heisz, Larry McCarn, Kevin Murray, Kim Pettit, and Lee Ruegg. Albert Zegiel was absent. The board received verification that the agenda was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. Under citizens and delegations Joann Gonos reported that the destination pole will be installed at the Crossroads Park before Apple Festival. Ralph Lomas inquired about his complaints that he asked about in May - if the items have been addressed regarding the cemetery, Robb Park, and sidewalks? Also mentioned the cottonwood stumps in Robb Park. Under the public works report Heisz reported that the public works department is working on removing hanging trees along Old Gays Road and West River Road. The sidewalk, curb, and gutter repairs are scheduled with the contractor. No report was giving for the Kickapoo Culinary Center and Community Room. Fortney made a motion to authorize Cindy Kohles to submit a grant application to the Crawford County Community Fund for requesting additional funding for tree projects within the village. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. The Public Property committee made recommendations for ordinance amendments to Chapter 4 of Title 6 Trees and Shrubs: - changing 6-4-3-a remove citizen and add qualified person (The Village Board may designate a municipal employee or qualified person to perform the duties of Forester under Chapter 27). - changing 6-4-5-c remove may and add shall (Pruning. The necessity of pruning may be determined by the Village Forester). - Changing 6-4-5-e remove 2/3 and add ¼ of the live crown (Major Alteration. Trimming or pruning that removes more than ¼ of the live crown shall be considered to be a major alteration and shall require authorization from the Village Forester). - Changing 6-4-6-b add Sidewalk (Sign/Driveway Approach/Sidewalk Obstruction – If during routine pruning village employees or tree volunteers observe obstruction they may appropriately prune). - Changing 6-4-6-c remove 10 days and 2 weeks and add 35 days (If such owner or occupant fails within 35 days of receipt of notice in the case of removal of a living shade tree or private property pursuant to Section 27.09). 2 In discussion Murray requested changing 6-4-3-b to read The Village Forester or his/her representative may enter upon private premise after three documented attempts within one week for the purpose of examine any tree or shrub located upon or over such premises and carrying out any of the provision of this Chapter. After discussion per the Public Property committee recommendations and Murray’s recommendations Fortney made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-02 to Repeal and Recreate Title 6 Chapter 4 regarding the listed changes to the Trees and Shrubs ordinance. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Albert Zegiel arrived at 6:29 p.m. Murray made a motion to make changes to Ordinance 6-4-4-a to remove flowers from sentence. No person shall hereafter plant any tree, shrub, or flowers in or upon any public street, street right-of-way, parkway, terrace or other public area within the Village of Gays Mills unless he shall first secure written permission from the Village. Murray made a motion to remove flowers from 6-4-4-a. Motion Failed. Murray made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-03 establishing a Village Tree Board. Seconded by Ruegg. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve changes as recommended by the Public Property committee to the Vacant Land Care Guidelines & Use Agreement (Land Lease): - Any pruning of Village trees must be reviewed and approved - No trees may be cut down or removed from the site except by the Village Seconded by Fortney. Motion carried. Kayla Fortney, Swimming Pool Manager, reported that the pool closed on September 1 and final numbers are not complete yet. Kayla expressed interest in being next year’s Swimming Pool Manager. Heisz stated that typically the board addresses the swimming pool managers position in December or January and that he feels that should be enough time for allowing the lifeguards to sign up for training. There is ice cream and candy left which can be sold during Apple Festival. The campground will continue to clean the bathrooms until the campground is closed but the campground is asking if the Lion’s Club would help with the cleaning during the Apple Festival due to their carnival campers using the swimming pool bathrooms and showers. Harry volunteered to follow up on this request. Heisz asked for written reviews on the swimming pool employees. Under the Friends of the Pool report the groups has raised almost $23,000. A second round of fundraising letters have been mailed out. Continued fundraising activities are a food stand at Sunrise Orchards and the Apple Festival. Zegiel made a motion to approve the August 5, 2019 and August 12, 2019 board minutes and August 13, 2019 Public Property Committee minutes. Seconded by Ruegg. Motion carried. Pettit made a motion to approve all of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by Ruegg. Motion carried. 3 No updates for agenda item Mosquito Fogging, but the board discussed and would like to keep item on agenda. Pettit made a motion to assign the new public works property at Royal Avenue as the new brush pile collection site for the village and to no longer use the School Street location for the collection site. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. Heisz volunteered to contact the homeowner at 109 Main Street to follow up on the request for the woodpile and debris to be cleaned up. If verbal contact is not made a certified letter will be mailed in a week. Fortney made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2019-04 increasing the Schedule A sewer meter rates and usage rates effective in 2020. The sewer usage fee went from $6.90 per 1000 gallons to $9.40 and the meter flat fees increased by 9%, starting with a 5/8” meter fee from $27.50 to $30.00 per month. Seconded by Ruegg. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve Resolution 2019-09 for a Line of Credit of $39,000 with the Royal Bank at 1.9% interest rate which will be due in a single payment on April 20, 2020. Seconded by Murray. Fortney abstained. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to approve street closures during Apple Festival of South Gay Street and North Railroad Street. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. Fortney made a motion to approve temporary Class “B” license for Societies’ Sons on September 27th through September 29th at 410 Main Street. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. The board received a draft of the 2020 budgets with their wish list of items to review. Board agreed to schedule a budget meeting on Monday October 7th from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm. No correspondences were received. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday October 7th at 6:00 p.m. At 7:31 pm Fortney made a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of employee evaluation. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. At 8:21 pm Murray made a motion to reconvene into open session to act on any decisions made during closed session. Seconded by Fortney. Motion carried. No action taken. Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Seconded by Fortney. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Village Clerk APPROVED 10-7-2019