board_meeting_minutes_july_2025.pdf

Village of Siren is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410 VILLAGE OF SIREN - VILLAGE BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY JULY 23, 2025 MINUTES The Regular Village Board meeting held on July 23, 2025, was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Village President Steve Young. Members Present: Kelly Gunderson, Nick Haessly, Ed Johnson, Sara Reimann (via Zoom), John Tinman (via Zoom), Steve Young Members Absent: Dave Doty Sr. Others Present: Ann Peterson, Clerk/Treasurer; Jim Jaskolka; Public Works Director; Trevor Thiex, Police Chief; Teresa Anderson, MSA; Becky Strabel, Burnett County Sentinel; Neal Griffin, Inter County Leader; Helen Wilkie, Big Doctors Lake Association; Harley Mangen; Wayne Koball; Bailey Mangen; Allison President Young called for Public Comments. None were offered. A motion was made by Kelly Gunderson and seconded by Edwin Johnson to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Edwin Johnson and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to approve the following minutes: • Regular Village Board meeting of June 25, 2025 • Special Village Board meeting of June 30, 2025 • Buildings, Grounds & Parks Committee meeting of July 7, 2025 • Streets & Utilities Committee meeting of July 10, 2025 • Ad-Hock Interview Committee meeting of July 14, 2025 • Personnel & Finance Committee meeting of July 16, 2025 Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Kelly Gunderson and seconded by Edwin Johnson to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $81,120.05 general vouchers and checks cut since the last regularly scheduled board meeting in the amount of $19,218.32 for a grand total of $100,338.37. Motion carried without negative vote. President Young gave the President’s Report. He reported on the July 4th activities that occurred in the community and was appreciative of how the community pulls together for the event. Next year’s festivities may not include a parade because of the State Road 35/70 construction project. Clerk/Treasurer Peterson had nothing for the Clerk’s Report other than what was shared in the packet. Chief Thiex presented the June Police Report. Everything went well for the July 4th festivities. They did have help from other agencies; there were five people who did have heat-related issues. The Department has been helping other agencies as a thank-you for their work. Board member John Tinman reported on the Siren Fire Association. The Association will meet monthly on the third Monday of each month. The Department is looking for funding to purchase five new turn-out gears for fireman; however, the Association has been able to locate funds for those turn-out gears. The Association is looking at purchasing a new Village of Siren is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410 fire rescue truck. The Fire Chief has been tasked with looking for a used vehicle which will cost about $150,000. The Village’s portion would be approximately 21%. STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS & REPORTS Planning Commission A motion was made by Edwin Johnson and seconded by Nick Haessly to approve the CSM for 7721 & 7723 Lake Street. This CSM will subdivide the existing lot into two lots down the common wall of the duplex. There will be a declaration included in the covenants of the CSM requiring uniform exterior walls. Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Edwin Johnson and seconded by Sara Reimann to approve the CSM for 7703 Tewalt Road. This CSM will subdivide the existing lot into three buildable lots. Motion carried without negative vote. Buildings, Grounds & Parks Committee A motion was made by Kelly Gunderson and seconded by Steve Young to allow Nico Prahl to place a free lifejacket library in Crooked Lake Park for a National Honor Society project. Nico will work with Public Works Director Jaskolka for the placement of the library near the fishing pier and boarding dock. Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Steve Young and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to increase Pavilion and Band Shell rental fees for non-Village taxpayers by $20 per pavilion effective January 1, 2026. The fee structure going forward will be: • $70 for Pavilions 1, 2, 3 for Village Taxpayers and Non-Profit Groups • $100 for Pavilions 1, 2, 3, for non-Village taxpayers • $50 for Pavilions 4 & 5 and the Band Shell for Village Taxpayers and Non-Profit Groups • $80 for Pavilions 4 & 5 and the Band Shell for non-Village Taxpayers • The Siren Lions Club and the Siren School District will continue to be allowed use of the Pavilions and Band Shell free of charge Motion carried without negative vote. Ad-Hock Interview Committee A motion was made by Edwin Johnson and seconded by Sara Reimann-Hill to approve hiring Andrew Tyler for the Full Time Police Officer position. Andrew has been working for the Village of Grantsburg Police Department. Chief Thiex reported that he will be starting in August of 2025. Motion carried without negative vote. Personnel & Finance Committee The Big Doctors Lake Association submitted a written report on their request for funding for their portion of the grant application. They are looking for a donation of $22,000. A small portion of the lake on the south end of the lake is in the Village limits. Helen Wilkie from the Lake Association indicated that if the grant funds are not raised the donated funds will be returned. Public Works Director Jaskolka did inform the Board that the sewer system does have an aging system that will need updates in the future. The Village does have a variance for our phosphorous levels. The variance is not guaranteed for future WPDES permits and if it is not granted there will be costs for future treatment. There is legacy build-up of the phosphorous. The Town of Siren turned down a request for assistance with funding. Burnett County has been helpful in the dedicated hours of labor for the grant. The grant funds need to be raised by August 15, 2025. A motion was made by Steve Young and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to give a grant of $10,000 with the stipulation that the funds would be returned if the grant funds are not secured. Motion failed with a tie-vote (Johnson, Young, Gunderson voting aye; Reimann, Village of Siren is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410 Tinman, Haessly voting nay). President Young reported that he reached out to the Professor from Stout to get some additional information on the results from the first alum application. He has not heard anything back from him. Trustees brought up the option of the Village loaning funds to the Association that could be paid back. A motion was made by Sara Reimann-Hill and seconded by John Tinman to donate $10,000 to the Lake Association and then loan the Association the remaining $12,000 to be paid back within the next two years. Motion failed with a tie-vote. (Tinman, Reimann, Gunderson voting aye; Young, Haessly, Johnson voting nay). A motion was made by Edwin Johnson and seconded by Nick Haessly to not donate any money to the Association at this time. Motion failed with a tie-vote (Johnson, Haessly, Young voting aye; Gunderson, Reimann, Tinman voting nay). A motion was made by John Tinman and seconded by Sara Reimann to donate $20,000. Motion failed with a tie-vote (Tinman, Reimann, Gunderson voting aye; Haessly, Young, Johnson voting nay). The Board informally agreed this issue was at an deadlock so further discussion was halted. President Young told Helen Wilkie that he would make himself available to the Association and would be willing to call a Special Village Board meeting if needed. Trustee Reimann also informed Helen Wilkie that she would be willing to meet with her. The Personnel & Finance Committee made an initial offer to former Officer Brady Mangen to reimburse half of the remaining funds due to the Village for sending him to the academy with the ability to make payments on a payment plan. The total amount owing for his fourth year of employment is $4,372.68. There could be an allowance given for the nine additional days employed after May 22, 2026 which would lower that total amount owing to $4,264.86. A motion was made by Edwin Johnson to send a bill to Brady Mangen for the full amount of the remaining funds expended to send him through the Academy. This motion died due to a lack of a second. A motion was made by Steve Young and seconded by John Tinman to ask Brady to pay one-half of the remaining funds ($2,134.33) to be reimbursed. If repayment does not occur the Village will contact an attorney on the issue. Motion carried 4-1 with one abstain (Nick Haessly) Johnson voting nay. Audience members questioned the numbers in the meeting packet and the lack of supporting documentation. Clerk/Treasurer Peterson explained that the supporting documentation was provided in the Personnel & Finance Committee meeting materials, and it was all available through a FOIA request. A motion was made by John Tinman and seconded by Sara Reimann to hire a Part- Time Administrative Assistant for the Police Department. The position would be 24 hours per week. Motion carried without negative vote. NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Sara Reimann-Hill and seconded by Nick Haessly to approve changing the Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee to John Tinman. Motion carried without negative vote. Wayne Koball, the President of the Siren Chamber, addressed the Village Board about the Chamber’s decision to replace the existing electronic sign in Crooked Lake Park. The cost of the sign will be $27,593. The old sign could possibly be repurposed to be used at the Siren Ball Park. The cost of the sign has been increasing. The Siren School District and the Siren Lions Club have both indicated that they will make donations toward the sign. Clerk/Treasurer Peterson brought up the option of the Village making the payment for the new sign to avoid having to pay taxes on the purchase. There is a Village of Siren is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20250-9410 sign maintenance agreement between the Siren Chamber of Commerce and the Village whereby capital expenses for the sign are to be split 50/50. The model that was decided on by the Chamber to purchase is the exact same sign as Burnett Dairy. A motion was made by Steve Young and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to have the Village cover up to a third of the cost of the sign up to $9,197. Motion was rescinded by Steve Young and this item will be moved to the Building, Grounds & Parks Committee for further discussion on funding as well as possible amendments to the Sign Maintenance Agreement. A motion was made by Steve Young and seconded by Edwin Johnson to approve the Proclamation on Fair Housing Commitment for the Village of Siren. This is a requirement of our CDBG grant. President Young called for a roll call vote: Gunderson aye Reimann aye Haessly aye Tinman aye Johnson aye Young aye Motion carried. The meeting schedule was set as follows: a. Buildings, Grounds & Parks Committee: Monday August 4th at 4:30 p.m. b. Personnel & Finance Committee: Wednesday August 20th at 4:00 p.m. c. Public Safety Committee: Tuesday August 19th at 4:00 p.m. d. Streets & Utilities Committee: Monday August 4th at 3:00 p.m. e. Planning Commission: Tuesday August 5th at 9:00 a.m. f. Board of Appeals: To be set if needed g. Tourism Commission: Wednesday August 20th at 9:00 a.m. h. Ball Park Committee: Monday August 25th at 6:00 p.m. A motion was made by Edwin Johnson and seconded by Steve Young to adjourn the Village Board Meeting at 5:53 p.m. Motion carried without negative vote. Submitted by Ann L Peterson, WCMC/CMTW Village Clerk/Treasurer