board_meeting_minutes_november_14_2024.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 NOVEMBER 14, 2024 MINUTES The Regular Village Board meeting held on November 14, 2024, was called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Village President Dave Alden. Members Present: Dave Alden, Kelly Gunderson, Ed Johnson, Jeff Johnson Members Absent: Rick Engstrom, Janet Hunter, Steve Young 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; Eric Barclay, MSA; Sara Reimann-Hill, Scott Hill, Peter Koelz, Nancy President Alden called for Public Comments. Steve Johnson with the Burnett County Lakes & Rivers Association was going to present information on a possible wake boat ordinance however, since neither Crooked nor Clear Lake have more than 60% of their shoreland in the Village limits the Town of Siren would need to be the municipality passing an ordinance for enforcement. Mr. Johnson left the information for our files and Clerk/Treasurer Peterson will forward it to the Town of Siren. A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Jeff Johnson and seconded by Ed Johnson to approve the following minutes: • Regular Village Board meeting of October 10, 2024 • Committee of the Whole meeting of October 16, 2024 Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Kelly Gunderson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $203,416.90 general vouchers and checks cut since the last regularly scheduled board meeting in the amount of $42,417.50 for a grand total of $245,834.40. Motion carried without negative vote. President Alden gave the President’s Report. Trustee Rick Engstrom has had his trach removed and he will be transferred to a rehabilitation center once a bed can be procured in a facility. He thanked Clerk/Treasurer Peterson for her work during the General Election. Clerk/Treasurer Peterson thanked the Election Workers that assisted last Tuesday for the General Election. They were rockstars on a very busy day. Chief Thiex presented the October Police Report. The Department continues to be busy. Officers Pardun & Mangen are using some of their PTO time during these final months of the year. STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS & REPORTS Committee of the Whole A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to give a 4% wage increase for all Village employees in 2025. Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Kelly Gunderson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to Approve the 2025 General Fund Budget setting the levy at $522,305. President Alden called for a roll call vote: Alden aye E. Johnson aye 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 Gunderson aye J. Johnson aye Motion carried. Planning Commission A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to approve the short- term rental permit for 23487 State Road 35 for Clear Lake Retreat. Motion carried without negative vote. NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Kelly Gunderson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to approve Pay Request #2 for Stout Construction in the amount of $26,178.49. This payment is for work on the Molly Engstrom Drive Project. The balance owing is $22,780.83. Eric Barclay from MSA and the Board discussed that work should be completed on the project for 2024 and in the Spring the access from State Road 70 will be opened and the intersection for Engstrom’s driveway off State Road 70 will be closed. Motion carried without negative vote. The Council discussed the upcoming State Road 35/70 DOT Reconstruction Project with business owners Sara Reimann-Hill, Scott Hill, and Peter Koelz, along with a current customer of the businesses along State Road 35/70 and the decision that was made by the Village Board to eliminate the parking spots in front of their businesses. The Village Board did authorize the elimination of the parking spots in December of 2023 and the cost to the Village would be roughly $35,000 for the parking spots. Sara Reimann-Hill brought up that there could be legal action by the businesses. Village Public Works Director Jaskolka and Chief Thiex both brought up safety issues that are occurring with people parking on the west side of State Road 35/70 and trying to cross at the intersecting streets. Sara Reimann-Hill reported that her concern for the safety of her customers is not the people parking in front of their building as she feels that there is more than enough space for parking. Her main concern is people riding bicycles on the sidewalk. President Alden recommended that this conversation be moved to the next Streets & Utilities Committee meeting where everyone would be able to come to discuss the issue to try and come up with practical solutions. Chief Thiex reported that the Burnett County Traffic Safety Committee was looking at the possibility of grants for blinking traffic safety lights. The State will pay for the center part of the street and driving lanes and everything outside of that would be the Village’s cost. A motion was made by Dave Alden and seconded by Jeff Johnson to grant an easement request for Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company from Nyberg Road to the Mohawk Property on Molly Engstrom Drive. Northwestern Wisconsin Electric will be responsible for drawing up the easement and all the recording fees associated with the easement. Motion carried without negative vote. The meeting schedule was set as follows: a. Streets & Utilities Committee: December 3rd at 9:00 a.m. b. Planning Commission & Board of Appeals: To be set if needed. c. Tourism Commission: December 11th at 9:00 a.m. d. 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 10:52 a.m. Motion carried without negative vote. Submitted by Ann L Peterson, WCMC/CMTW Village Clerk/Treasurer