01-05-26 Board Minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, January 5, 2026, 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 McCarn had received feedback during an event at the Community Commerce Center that better lighting is needed in the parking lot. No Wastewater Treatment Project update was given. Under the Public Works report Heisz informed the board that there is a meeting planned with Wisconsin Rural Water to complete a plan next Monday to submit to the DNR for the well. The wastewater treatment plant clarifier is broke, the part has been ordered, in the meantime the village is looking to treat with additional chemicals. Heisz informed the board the Chevy Silverado is not in the best condition and is hoping the truck will hold out till the end of the snowplowing season. Explained that the village has access to sand only for the winter road maintenance. The board questioned the status of the wastewater treatment plant project, Heisz will follow up with Town & Country Engineering. Kinserdahl made a motion to approve the board meeting minutes of December 1, 2025. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. Eitsert made a motion to approve payments of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. The board viewed the two sample chairs ordered for the Community Room. The board decided on the Hercules Series Trapezoidal Back Stacking Banquet Chairs. The board will be 2 asking for donations towards the chairs since the 2026 budget has $1,250 allocated towards this purchase. Kinserdahl approved the purchase of two hundred (200) Hercules Series Trapezoidal Back Stacking Banquet Chairs for $5,682.42. Seconded by Murray. Motion carried. The board received a list of letters sent out regarding unlicensed junk vehicles, trailers, and campers. After discussion, the board agreed to contact the Crawford County Sheriff Department regarding if they could assist in issuing citations, have public works updated the list, then send out new letters with a time limit, and then proceed with having the Sheriff’s Department issue citations. Heisz and Eitsert updated the board on the pending fire department truck purchase. Eitsert is still waiting for details this week, but the total fire truck purchase could be up to $500,000. The Fire Department will use a portion of their savings towards the purchase and is asking for a loan of up to $200,000. Murray made a motion to approve a loan up to $200,000 for the fire truck purchase. Seconded by Kinserdahl. Motion carried. Once the fire truck purchase is finalized and payment is needed the village will be provided with a resolution and loan documents. Kinserdahl approved the renewal of Tricor Insurance (EMC) 2026 property and liability policies for $60,607 ($260 increase). Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Kinserdahl made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-01 Authorizing the Sale of Land to Luke Adams and Nichole Bauer (frontage along Lot 38, southern half of vacated portion of Ten Hills Street). Seconded by Pettit. Motion carried. The board reviewed the 2025 Health Insurance account, the amount remaining after the year is $6,447.22. After discussion Winsor made a motion to issue a health insurance incentive payment of $250 each to Bob Robinson, Richard Robinson, Dawn McCann, and Cheryl Klekamp. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Incentive payments were not issued to the cleaning positions due to their 2026 wage increase and the public works part-time person who just started in August of 2025. Discussed employees researching the health care Marketplace for 2027. 3 Under correspondence the board received an invitation for the Crawford County Flood Map Open House by Zoom on Wednesday January 14th. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026. At 6:51 p.m. Murray made a motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisc. State Stat. 19.85 (1)(c) for the purpose of considering employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee and 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 Eitsert. A roll call vote was taken: Kinserdahl, Pettit, Winsor, Heisz, McCarn, Eitsert and Murray voted Yes. Motion carried. At 7:28 p.m. Murray made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. At 7:28 p.m. Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Clerk APPROVED 02-02-2026