05-05-25_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, May 5, 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, Larry McCarn, Kevin Murray, Kim Pettit, and Art Winsor. Emily Kinserdahl was absent. The board received verification that the agenda was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. Under citizens and delegations Craig Anderson asked the reasoning for the removal of the shrubs and tree next to the Mercantile. Heisz explained that the shrubs were obstructing the view for traffic to safely travel onto the highway and due to the age and overgrowth of the shrubs pruning was not an option. A replacement tree will be planted. Under the Wastewater Treatment Project update Evan Chambers of Town & Country Engineering provided a Scope of Service for the Final Phosphorus Report and Pollutant Minimization Plan. After discussion McCarn made a motion to approve the Scope of Services with Town & Country Engineering to be billed on an hourly basis and will not exceed $4,500 for the Final Phosphorus Report and Pollutant Minimization Plan. Seconded by Winsor. Motion carried. Eitsert reported for the swimming pool committee with the recommendation of hiring Mara O’Brien, reviewed items that need to be ordered, a list of bathroom repairs has been submitted to the campground, and reviewed items for the managers to start working on. Eitsert made a motion to hire Mara O’Brien. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve the managers to choose two head lifeguards this season. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. The Friends will be planning an event for the opening day of the swimming pool. For the Public Works report Bob Robinson updated the board that the 6” well house valve was replaced today by L.W. Allen as previously approved in March. There was an issue with the shut off valve inside the well house. They plan to work on the swimming pool with washing, caulking and painting. Plan to install speed bumps back on Railroad Street. The board received a copy of the 2024 Gays Mills Waterworks Consumer Confidence Report. 2 Mulch and playground chips will be delivered this week. Heisz would like the bark removed from the Mercantile entrance and replaced with something different. Charley Preusser mentioned that the picnic tables under the shelters could use a washing due to the bird droppings. The board discussed that the large plow truck and white flatbed are no longer needed and approved to sell. The board discussed and approved for the Royal Avenue shop to get internet. The board would like to see a replacement plan for the lawn mowers – starting with one of the mowers to get traded in next year. Murray made a motion to approve the board meeting minutes of April 7, 2025. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve payments of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. The building inspector has been contacted to do an exterior report on the nuisance properties at 200 Main Street and 208 Main Street. A report should be available at the June meeting. Heisz reported that there may not be enough room for an alley to be installed along the back of North Mills. Heisz did talk to two homeowners. He would like to do some more research to understand utility right of ways and consider all options. Murray made a motion to approve a temporary Alcohol License “Class B” wine and Class “B” beer for the Village of Gays Mills – Friends of Gays Mills on May 16, 2025 at the Community Commerce Center for the Alice in Dairyland event and to approve operator’s licenses for Hannah Gilman and Thomas Gilman. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Clarification was asked regarding a motion made last month for the sewer hookup waiver extension. It was explained that all sewer hookups will be allowed the waiver, not just the homeowners who have filed an application with the village. Committees were approved. Finance Committee – *Harry Heisz, Ethan Eitsert, Kim Pettit, Larry McCarn, Kevin Murray, Emily Kinserdahl, and Art Winsor; Personnel Committee – *Harry Heisz, Ethan Eitsert, Kim Pettit, Larry McCarn, Kevin Murray, Emily Kinserdahl, and Art Winsor; Roads and Streets Committee – Ethan Eitsert, Kevin Murray, and Art Winsor; Utilities Committee – Art Winsor, Emily Kinserdahl, and Kevin Murray; Public Safety – Kim Pettit, Emily Kinserdahl, and Larry McCarn; Public Property and Cemetery – Ethan Eitsert, Harry Heisz, and Kevin Murray; Library Board – Kim Pettit; Board of 3 Review – Harry Heisz, Larry McCarn, and Dawn McCann; President Pro Tem – Larry McCarn; Swimming Pool Committee – Art Winsor, Ethan Eitsert, and Emily Kinserdahl; Zoning Administrator, Burning Permits and General Building Permits – Harry Heisz; Zoning Board of Appeals – Don Lampert, Kevin Murray, Robin Babb, Erika Wilson, Ron Fortney, and a vacant position; Redevelopment Authority – Larry McCarn, Rick Busch, Jim Chellevold Sr., Kevin Murray, Art Winsor, Erika Wilson, and one vacant position; Plan Commission – Mike Pettit, Kevin Murray, Robin Babb, Erika Wilson, Harry Heisz, Kim Pettit, and one vacant position. The board received a list of kitchen items that Jill Riggs is selling. The board would like to review the list and view the equipment to determine what the kitchen needs to purchase. A committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 12th at 4:30 p.m. to approve kitchen purchases. The board received a schedule of events for the Alice in Dairyland celebration. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2025. At 6:53 p.m. Eitsert made a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisc. State Stat. 19.85 (1)(c) for the purpose of reviewing employment applications and 19.85 (1) (e) to deliberate or negotiate the purchase of public properties, the investment of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons required a closed session. Seconded by McCarn. A roll call vote was taken: Pettit, Winsor, Heisz, McCarn, Eitsert and Murray voted Yes. Motion carried. At 7:11 p.m. McCarn made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. At 7:11 p.m. Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Clerk APPROVED 06-02-2025