10-05-20_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, October 5, 2020, which began at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Commerce Community Room. Village President Harry Heisz called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was taken with the following present: Harry Heisz, Larry McCarn, Kevin Murray, Seamus Murray, Kim Pettit and Lee Ruegg (by phone). Aaron Fortney was absent. The board received verification that the agenda was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. Under citizens and delegations Charley Preusser stated his concern regarding masks not being worn by everyone present. Swimming Pool Manager Kayla Fortney was present to report that pool income was not as much as previous years due to no summer school programs participating because of COVID-19. Made a recommendation to do more outreach to other areas regarding the pool season in 2021. Under the Public Works report Jim Chellevold informed the board that he will be testing out the new street sweeper with cleaning up leaves and if it works well will place an ad in the newspaper for residents to rake leaves to curb. Public works plans on marking locations for new grills to be installed and public spaces are being cleaned. Camping in Robb Park will continue until water needs to be shut off. Participated in a public hearing regarding the wastewater treatment plant permit renewal and variance. New sewer testing equipment has been purchased. Heisz informed the board that Soldiers Grove has decided not to participate in a joint wastewater treatment plant. Chellevold recommended the board begin looking for an engineering firm to start working with. There was nothing new to report on the sewer facility plan. Kitchen Co-Manager Jill Riggs was present and reported that setup and inspections have been scheduled with three new kitchen clients. Some website work has been completed but there is still more to be done. Still planning on reviewing kitchen fees and rewriting the facility use agreement. Questioned John Lenz’s participation in kitchen co-management duties. Kevin Murray reported for the Tree Advisory Board and asked if the public works crew was able to complete the felling of trees that need to come down in order to fulfill the grant requirements. It was discussed and agreed that public works would complete with a rented lift. It was asked if the public works could commit to future tree projects such as pruning and tree removal. Director of Public Works Jim Chellevold stated that the public works crew would help if able but unable to commit to specific projects or timetable. It was asked for the Village to start a new checking 2 account to specifically keep track of urban forestry donations and log sales. Asked if income from the log sales this year could be used as matching funds for the 2021 grant. Village Clerk Dawn McCann explained that all urban forestry activity has been entered under specific urban forestry budget lines for income and expenses. A detailed report can be printed out for each year. The board verbally stated that the current accounting system being used is acceptable and urban forestry log sale funds could be used as a match in the urban forestry grants. McCarn made a motion to approve the board meeting minutes of September 1, 2020. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve payment of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. Members of the ARC agreed to schedule a meeting to review restrictions and covenants of North Mills and First Addition to North Mills which are to expire in February of 2021. Lee Ruegg joined meeting at 6:38 p.m. Demolition bids for 207 School Street were received of the former Mushroom Farm: Smithstonian Materials $386,750 LLK Excavating $210,000 G.T. Nelson, LLC $137,500 Showen Excavating $233,360 Guy Nelson was present to discuss details with the board and after much discussion the agreed goal is to have the building down weather permitting by the end of the year. Other work such as concrete removal, dirt work and seeding may need to be finished in the spring. Ruegg made a motion to approve low bid from G.T. Nelson, LLC in the amount of $137,500. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Jim Chellevold, DPW, updated the board that the TIF Trail project is going well and that a light pole will need to be moved. Heisz asked why the edge of the pavement was cut so far along the highway near the Community Commerce Center - curb and gutter will be installed. No bids were received for the Old Mill Museum roof demolition project. The board discussed rewriting the bid to include the replacement of the roof. Kevin Murray agreed to re-write specs. The village office received a request to rent the upstairs office at 212 Main Street. After discussion McCarn made a motion to set a rate for the larger upstairs office at $225 per month plus $225 deposit. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. 3 Ruegg made a motion to approve the renewal of the Quartz employee health insurance policy with an increase of $377.08 per month (+7.87%) effective on 12/1/2020. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. K. Murray made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-10 adopting the refinancing of the Sewer Loan with Royal Bank of $825,484.27 at a rate of 1.95%. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve operators licenses for John LaLande, Lyrica Marks and Michelle Ford. Seconded by S. Murray. Motion carried. Draft 2021 budgets were provided to the board: General of $746,824; Water of $115,950; and Sewer of $165,000. The budget will be reviewed at the November meeting. Under correspondences a letter was received from Kati Heisz concerning a snow pile near her house last winter and is requesting the snow pile to be placed somewhere else this winter. An informational article from The Municipality was provided Putting the “Responsible” Back into Low Bidders. The next regular board meeting has been scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. At 7:08 p.m. Ruegg made a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes for the purpose of 19.85(1)(c) employee evaluations. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. At 7:38 p.m. Ruegg made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. K. Murray made a motion to approve a 2020 swimming pool bonus of $.50 for each hour of work to employees that finished the season in good standing and to provide the manager a bonus that matches the top bonus of the swimming pool employees. Seconded by Ruegg. Motion carried. Ruegg made a motion for the 2021 general employees to continue with bonuses in lieu of wage increases. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Ruegg made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Seconded by K. Murray. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Village Clerk APPROVED 11-02-2020