board_meeting_minutes_december_12_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 THURSDAY DECEMBER 12, 2024 MINUTES The Regular Village Board meeting held on December 12, 2024, was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Village President Dave Alden. Members Present: Dave Alden, Kelly Gunderson, Janet Hunter, Ed Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Steve Young Members Absent: Rick Engstrom Others Present: Ann Peterson, Clerk/Treasurer; Trevor Thiex, Police Chief; Jim Jaskolka, Public Works Director; Neal Griffin, Inter County Leader; Becky Strabel, Burnett County Sentinel; Teresa Anderson, MSA; Sara Reimann-Hill; Jacqueline Kalin, Peter Koelz President Alden called for Public Comments. A motion was made by Jeff Johnson and seconded by Janet Hunter to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Steve Young to approve the following minutes: • Regular Village Board meeting of November 14, 2024 • Streets & Utilities Committee meeting of December 3, 2024 Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Kelly Gunderson and seconded by Steve Young to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $86,967.71 general vouchers and checks cut since the last regularly scheduled board meeting in the amount of $39,368.36 for a grand total of $126,336.07. Motion carried without negative vote. President Alden gave the President’s Report. Tax bills have been sent out. The overall generalization was that commercial properties went down and residential went up. Clerk/Treasurer Peterson had nothing for the Clerk’s Report. Chief Thiex presented the November Police Report. STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS & REPORTS Streets & Utilities Committee Chief Thiex reached out to Tapco to get a quote for lighted crosswalk signs that could be installed at Main Street and at both Clear and Crooked Lake Parks. The estimate from Tapco was $9,034 per intersection. The signs would be solar powered as opposed to having to run electricity to the sign. There would be a button for pedestrians to push that would operate the flashes around the sign. Tapco only has solar powered signs available for purchase. The Burnett County Traffic Safety Committee is looking for grants and they also recommended talking with the DOT about helping to fund the signs that will be part of the 35/70 reconstruction project. The signs could be installed by the Village Public Works Department or the Village could hire a company to do the installation. The signs will need a cement base to be installed in. The Burnett County Traffic Safety Committee will meet again in February of 2025 to continue to look at funding options. The agenda item was tabled until after the Burnett County Safety meeting. 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 A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Steve Young to reverse the December 2023 Village of Siren Board decision to eliminate the parking lane in the 24050-24066 block of State Road 35/70 and to keep the parking lane in front of that block with a bump-out curb placed in front of 24066 State Road 35/70. Motion carried without negative vote. NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Dave Alden and seconded by Janet Hunter to set the 2025 Caucus for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday January 9, 2025 prior to the Village Board meeting. Positions up for nomination for two-year terms are Village President Dave Alden along with Village Trustees Rick Engstrom, Janet Hunter, and Jeff Johnson. Village President Dave Alden and Village Trustee Rick Engstrom have announced they won’t be seeking reelection. The Board discussed the Village Ordinance that deals with Sidewalk Obstructions and Encroachments. President Alden would like to have this topic sent to the Public Safety Committee for further discussion/investigation. Teresa Anderson from MSA informed the Board that they are hoping to have the project out for bids prior to the January Board meeting. Public Works Director Jaskolka has reviewed the plans. The Board discussed the painting of the water tower as part of the 2025 Water Project. MSA provided some options with various color options. The more colors or differentiation between colors there is the higher the overall cost of the painting would be. A motion was made by Dave Alden and seconded by Steve Young to paint the tower beige with green lettering stating Siren and a green base. Motion carried without negative vote. The meeting schedule was set as follows: a. Committee of the Whole: To be set if needed. b. Personnel & Finance Committee: December 17th at 10:00 a.m. c. Planning Commission & Board of Appeals: To be set if needed. d. Tourism Commission: January 15th at 9:00 a.m. e. Ball Park Committee: February 10th at 6:00 p.m. A motion was made by Dave Alden and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to adjourn the Village Board Meeting at 10:33 a.m. Motion carried without negative vote. Submitted by Ann L Peterson, WCMC/CMTW Village Clerk/Treasurer