09-09-24_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, September 9, 2024, which began at 5:42 p.m. in the Community Commerce Board Room. Village President Harry Heisz called the meeting to order at 5:42 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following present: Harry Heisz, Kevin Murray, Kim Pettit, and Art Winsor. Emily Kinserdahl, Ethan Eitsert, and Larry McCarn were absent. The board received verification that the agenda was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. Murray made a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85 (1)(e) to deliberate or negotiate the purchasing of public property, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive bargaining reasons require a closed session. Seconded by Winsor. A roll call vote was taken: Pettit, Winsor, Heisz, and Murray voted Yes. Motion carried. Evan Chambers of Town and Country Engineering was invited into closed session. Later Bob Robinson was invited into closed session. At 5:57 p.m. Murray made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Winsor. Motion carried. Under citizens and delegations Martha Querin-Schultz of Connect Communities announced that a village clean-up day is scheduled for Sunday September 15th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. beginning at the Lion’s Shelter. She also asked to use village dumpsters – the board agreed. Also announced that Connect Communities Gays Mills has been selected as a finalist in the Community Impact category for the upcoming 2024 Community & Economic Development Award. The ceremony will be held Thursday, September 26th in Eau Claire. Evan Chambers of Town and Country Engineering updated the board that a meeting was held with the DNR on pending sewer items. The sewer samples that the village has provided has been consistently within limits and now the DNR will modify the sewer samples that are required. The DNR is looking for progress on the Phosphorus Pollutant Minimization Plan. This is needed in order for the village to renew their variance. This would involve looking for water trade credits to improve the watershed area. Town and Country Engineering would agree to provide this service estimating up to $5,000 to complete on a time and material agreement. The DNR also discussed the submitted sewer 2 treatment plant facility relocation plan and has had questions which Town and Country Engineering has answered. After DNR approves the facility plan the village can move forward with the next step which is designing. Murray made a motion to approve Town and Country Engineering to work on the PMP and water trade credits with the fee not to exceed $5,000. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. A Crawford County Animal Control report was not given. Bob Robinson was present for the public works report with updates that the well had recently needed to be repaired. The contractor LW Allen informed the village that the equipment in the well is obsolete and recommended making upgrades to the equipment. The board would like to see estimates gathered for upgrades. The blower motor for the sewer plant has been delivered by B & M Technical Services but has not been installed yet. Patch work has been done to the roads and streets. Two new tires are needed for the loader, village trees have been examined, the garden in the back of the Community Commerce Center is scheduled for work to be done and are continuing to have maintenance issues with the two Gravely mowers. Joanne Gonos announced that the Gays Mills Second Harvest has been recognized in a Southern Wisconsin’s newsletter called The Inside Scoop. At that time Heisz acknowledged and thanked all the volunteers that make this service possible to the community. Murray made a motion to approve the regular board meeting minutes of August 5, 2024. Seconded by Winsor. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to approve payments of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by Winsor. Motion carried. Simon Fichter of Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission was present regarding the Crawford County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan. Fichter explained that this plan was mailed out to board members mid-August for their review. Murray had concerns regarding the flood evacuation plan listed on page 82 being the responsibility of the County Emergency Management Director. This states the action plan is investigating the development of a joint flood warning and evacuation plan on the Kickapoo River. On page 83 it states public health is developing a pandemic flu plan which will list specific actions and identifies emergency powers and who has the authority to use them. After discussion Murray made a motion to adopt Resolution 2024-05 Crawford County Multi- Hazards Mitigation Plan 2022-2026 with the exception to exclude the pandemic flu plan. 3 Seconded by Winsor. Motion carried. The village office will follow up with the Crawford County Public Health Department on requesting the pandemic flu plan. Under the pickleball report Fahrner did come out and look at the court. Where the blue court is the paint is pulling up the sealant. In their meeting with Fahrner the company did agree to make a contribution to the park fund. Under the sidewalk report Winsor reviewed village sidewalks and listed damaged locations: - Five squares along Rebecca Street by old school - Ten squares along School Street (between Rebecca and Railroad) - Three squares along Park Street (between Rebecca and Railroad) - Four squares along Gay Street (near the 400 block of Orin Street – Haggerty’s) - One square at the corner of Main Street and Gay St (325 Main - locker) - Thirteen squares along Grove Street (near 208 Grove Street – Evan’s) In discussion public works will place cold-patch on the Main Street sidewalk near 325 Main filling in the height difference. The board agreed to wait on any sidewalk repairs along the highways due to the highway projects starting in a year. The board also discussed the vegetation obstructions at 222 School Street, 205 Orin Street, and 411 Orin Street. Public works was instructed to remove the vegetation and to also try and notify property owners if they are home. Robinson also informed the board that the school had contacted him regarding hanging trees over West Point Road and the bus turn around needing to be cleared. The bus turn around is not in the village limits. Martha Querin-Schultz of Connect Communities and Mercantile tenants provided the board with a list of requested improvements to the Mercantile to make the Mercantile more welcoming and comfortable. All the work would be done by volunteers and materials would be donated. *Create a comfortable seating area in the foyer space between the newspaper office and Driftless Designs. All the while keeping in mind fire codes and exit space requirements. *Replace worn and broken seating with “newer” seating. *Add color to interior doorways and inside the halls to brighten the space. *Hang local art in the hallways. *Add a community bulletin board in the hallway. *In the interior Annex on the tall "street pole" there used to be directional signs to all the businesses in the Mercantile. We would like to add businesses back up on 4 the pole. We also want to hang "slag" signs in the hallways for businesses to make them more visible to visitors to the Mercantile *Add to the interior wall’s historical signs and photos from Gays Mills. *In the space between Little Boxes Vintage’s outside door and the main entrance, add a picnic table. *Add benches to the main entrance exterior of the Mercantile. We would like to relocate a couple of benches in the area that are under-utilized. We would be responsible for moving and installing them, Charley Preusser of the Independent Newspaper and a tenant of the Mercantile voiced his concerns that he did not want any of these items on the exterior walls of his space or his windows to be blocked and that the furniture that has been placed is not acceptable. Much discussion took place and the board decided to have the Public Propery committee review request. The Public Property committee scheduled a meeting for Wednesday September 11th starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Mercantile. A notice of the meeting will be given to all Mercantile tenants. The tenants and public are welcome to attend if they choose to participate and offer feedback on suggestions. Charley Preusser also stated that maintenance at the Mercantile has not been happening with the fee that is included in the rent. The board asked about a building maintenance schedule. Heisz stated that with the change in employees he will discuss with public works about the items that need to be taken care of. Murray made a motion to approve a contract with Equity Appraisal for 2025 maintenance assessment of the village for $6,700. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. The Development Committee informed the board that the owner of Lot 24 First Addition to North Mills, John Gibbs has signed a contract with Design Homes which is scheduled to be completed in seven months. It is the recommendation that construction has started for this lot. Lot 28 is still pending. No correspondences were received. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. At 7:26 p.m. Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Winsor. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Clerk Approved 10-7-2024