02-05-24_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, February 5, 2024, 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, and Emily Swiggum. Aaron Fortney and Lee Ruegg were absent. The board received verification that the agenda was posted in accordance with the open meeting law. Under citizens and delegations Charley Preusser informed the board that he had found several references using the Plaza name for the concrete oval next to the Mercantile. Martha Querin-Schultz of Connect Communities announced that the Thrive Rural Wisconsin Program for up to $50,000 ($25,000 for two years) for planning was awarded. The entire block was included in this grant. Phase 1 will be for the pavilion and the group will look to the board for additional input regarding ideas, studies, and designs. No public works report was given. There was not a Wastewater Treatment Project update. Murray made a motion to approve the board meeting minutes of January 8, 2024. Seconded by Swiggum. Motion carried. McCarn made a motion to approve payments of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. No action was taken on decreasing the number of village trustees. There has been paperwork turned in for a registered write-in for the April election – Kim Pettit. After discussion Murray made a motion to approve an extension on the building construction deadline for Lot 27 of the First Addition to North Mills (131-0049-0160) to September 11, 2024. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. The board discussed the 212 Main Street Community Building utility usages and asked for a full year of utility expenses to review at the next board meeting. 2 Swiggum made a motion to approve additional funds towards the village’s covid projects (American Rescue Act Plan) of $1,600 towards Hydrant Markers. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Robin Babb requested that the board resolve the issue of the beaver dams between the Community Commerce Center and Babb’s pasture. Water is backing up into the pasture and Babb gave the village access to the beaver dams from their side of the property. Heisz reported that there is someone currently trapping the beaver and will give them one more week to trap. After one week the village will try to resolve the issue. The board received a letter from Village Attorney Eileen Brownlee of Boardman & Clark who will be retiring May 31, 2024. The firm will be continuing with the Fennimore location with colleagues to continue with municipal attorney services. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. At 6:32 p.m. Swiggum made a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisc. State Stat. 19.85 (1)(c) for the purpose of reviewing swimming pool applications and 19.85(1)(f), which permits adjourning to closed session to consider financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations, for the purpose of engaging in preliminary discussion regarding a potential disciplinary matter pertaining to a Village employee. The matter, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of the employee who is the subject of the discussion. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. At 7:07 p.m. McCarn made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. Swiggum made a motion to extend the swimming pool manager application deadline to March 4th. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to seek legal advice from Boardman & Clark and authorized the village president to act upon proper procedures. Seconded by Swiggum. Motion carried. The board requested the water disconnect procedures to be provided and added to the next agenda. McCarn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Clerk Approved 03-04-2024