01-06-25_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, January 6, 2025, 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: Ethan Eitsert, Harry Heisz, Emily Kinserdahl, Larry McCarn, Kevin Murray, Kim Pettit, and Art Winsor. The board received verification that the agenda was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. Under citizens and delegations Ethan Eitsert announced the Fire Department’s Brats and Bingo event will be held on February 1st starting at 5:00 p.m. Charley Preusser asked the board to take a look at how dark the parking lot is in the evenings at the Commerce Center due to ineffective lighting. A kitchen report was not given. Evan Chambers of Town & Country Engineering informed the board that a Phosphorus Pollutant Minimization Plan will be submitted at the end of the month showing the DNR the village’s investigating efforts and potential opportunities for water trade projects. Per the Public Property Committee’s recommendations Murray made a motion to install a donation box on the village’s Railroad Street dump station. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Winsor made a motion to continue an agreement with the Kickapoo Stump Dodger Campground allowing the usage of the swimming pool bathrooms along with continued donations of labor and materials for routine maintenance to the bathrooms and KSDC to check and clean the bathrooms every morning the bathrooms are available to campers. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. Eitsert made a motion to approve the purchase of a 2023 Ram 5500 HD Tradesman Truck from Sleepy Hollow for $115,088.50 and the purchase of a water – sewer pipe locator. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to create a new Mercantile Maintenance Savings Account for the collected maintenance fees to be deposited for future repairs and maintenance of the Mercantile Building. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. 2 For the Public Works report Bob Robinson informed the board that the heating unit in Mercantile Suite 108 has been repaired today and they have been continuing to work on removing brush and trees along the roads. The road right of way was discussed which is thirty-three (33) feet. Murray made a motion to approve the board meeting minutes of December 2, 2024. Seconded by Kinserdahl. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve payments of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by Kinserdahl. Motion carried. No action on Swimming Pool Rates. Kinserdahl made a motion to approve two Certified Survey Maps: 1) Being Part of Lot 3, Section 20 of the Assessor’s Plat of Gays Mills, Located in the Part of the Southeast Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 20 and Part of Lot 2, Section 29 of the Assessor’s Plat of Gays Mills, Located in Part of the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 29, Village of Gays Mills, All in Township 10 North, Range 4 West. 2) Being Part of Lot 4, Section 29 of the Assessor’s Plat of Gays Mills, Located in Part of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 29, Village of Gays Mills, All in Township 10 North, Range 4 West. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. Niels and Beth Jensen submitted a written request to the board and was also present to discuss their proposal to exchange two village lots (reforested lots) for their vacant lot at 408 Orin Street. They stated they would pay for all transfer fees if this proposal was approved. Murray discussed the Tree Board’s long-term plan for these lots. Also discussed grant funds and possible restrictions. Winsor made a motion to table agenda item. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. The board received a written response back from Village Attorney Eric Hagen regarding the process of handling blighted/dilapidated buildings. The board agreed to start by sending out a letter to the owners of 208 Main Street and 200 Main Street regarding the conditions of their buildings with a response needed back to the village in two months. Heisz reported to the board that a camper in the alleyway between Main Street and Orin Street has been removed. 3 Un-shoveled sidewalks were discussed and the board agreed to have notices placed in the newspaper, water/sewer bills, and website. Also discussed sidewalks are not to be plowed with trucks. Murray made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-01 approving the financing of $115,088.50 with Peoples State Bank at 4.98% for ten years for a 2023 Ram 5500 HD Truck with snowplow, sander, lights, and chains from Sleepy Hollow Auto. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Rates were gathered from three different local banks with Peoples State Bank being the lowest . The remaining funds in the village health insurance budget for 2024 was $12,974. Winsor made a motion to give general employee health insurance incentive bonuses to three full-time employees of $500, three part-time employees of $250, and one quarter-time employees of $100. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Heisz reported that he has been receiving feedback from residents regarding continued improvements within the village. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 3, 2025, beginning at 6:00 p.m. At 6:49 p.m. Winsor 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 Murray. A roll call vote was taken: Kinserdahl, Pettit, Winsor, Heisz, McCarn, Eitsert, and Murray voted Yes. Motion carried. Evan Chambers of Town and Country Engineering and Bob Robinson were invited into closed session. At 7:48 p.m. Murray made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. At 7:49 p.m. Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Clerk APPROVED 02-03-2025