03-04-24_board_minutes

1 THE VILLAGE OF GAYS MILLS Minutes of the regular meeting of the Village Board of Gays Mills held Monday, March 4, 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, and Emily Kinserdahl. Kevin Murray, 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 Craig Anderson announced that the new projector has been installed in the community room. Last Friday the Library showed a movie with the projector working well and the sound quality was good. Anderson thanked the Village, Library, Lion’s Club, Connect Communities Gays Mills, Beekeepers, Royal Bank, and Friends of Gays Mills for their contribution towards the new projector. Under the public works report Jim Chellevold updated that the water hydrants are being repaired, will be flushing hydrants in April, a Mercantile HVAC motor needs repaired, will be attending the WRWA conference late March and will be attending pool operator class in Madison mid-March. Work still needs to be completed at the ball diamond and ball diamond lights need to be ordered. Heisz asked if downtown hydrants could be flushing additional time instead of two times per year. Eitsert followed up on the directional signage. Eight directional signs will be completed soon. At 6:09 p.m. Kevin Murray was present. Continued discussions regarding Chellevold having a meeting with a DNR Wastewater Compliance Engineer recommending the village to begin looking for projects in order to continue with the phosphorus minimization plan and wastewater variance. Craig Anderson noted that at the Highway Departments lot there is salt and sediment running off towards the river. Kinserdahl made a motion to approve the board meeting minutes of February 5, 2024. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to approve payments of the bills as listed in the monthly expense report. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Under old business the board discussed the 212 Main Street Community Building utility usages and rents collected. The board discussed the upstairs offices regarding square footage, fair market rent value, and heating costs. Kinserdahl made a motion to increase each office’s rent to $180. Kinserdahl withdrew the motion. Murray made a motion to increase rent to $400 total for the upstairs offices at the 2 212 Main Building. The two tenants can decide if they want to split the rent or go by square footage. Seconded by Kinserdahl. Motion carried. In the previous meeting Robin Babb requested that the board resolve the issue of the beaver dams between the Community Commerce Center and Babb’s land where water is backing up into the pasture. No beaver had been caught at that location, but the beaver dam has been partially removed and the beavers have not returned to rebuild. The water is going down. The board asked for an estimate to remove the brush from that area. Under new business the board discussed the water disconnection procedures and charges for reconnection. If the curb stops do not work they will need to be repaired. Murray made a motion to enforce the water disconnection procedures as of April 15th for water users who are 60 days past due. Seconded by Kinserdahl. Motion carried. The board requested a notice be placed in the newspaper. The board approved an ad to be placed for swimming pool employees (lifeguards & bathhouse) with applications due April 1st. Under correspondences the board received information on the hydrants to be flushed on April 17th and April 18th. Spring Cleanup is scheduled for April 27th. Learned that water & sewer bills can now be emailed out instead of mailed. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. At 6:50 p.m. McCarn 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)(g), for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved related to an eviction/guidance on collection. Seconded by Kinserdahl. Motion carried. At 7:16 p.m. Murray made a motion to reconvene into open session. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to hire Samuel Gallagher as the 2024 swimming pool manager. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to authorize Boardman & Clark to pursue a civil suit against a tenant. Seconded by Eitsert. Motion carried. Murray made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. Seconded by McCarn. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted Dawn R. McCann, Clerk Approved 4-1-2024