board_meeting_minutes_july_11_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 JULY 11, 2024 MINUTES The Regular Village Board meeting held on July 11, 2024, was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Village President Dave Alden. Members Present: Dave Alden, Kelly Gunderson, Ed Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Steve Young (via Zoom) Members Absent: Rick Engstrom, Janet Hunter Others Present: Ann Peterson, Clerk/Treasurer; Trevor Thiex, Police Chief; Neal Griffin, Inter County Leader; Becky Strabel, Burnett County Sentinel; Teresa Anderson, MSA; Todd Highstrom, Clear Lake Association; Ray Robbins President Alden called for Public Comments. None were given. A motion was made by Jeff Johnson and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to approve the following minutes: • Regular Village Board meeting of June 13, 2024 • Special Village Board meeting of June 25, 2024 • Committee of the Whole meeting of June 25, 2024 Motion carried without negative vote. A motion was made by Steve Young and seconded by Jeff Johnson to approve payment of the bills in the amount of $125,490.83 general vouchers and checks cut since the last regularly scheduled board meeting in the amount of $40,260.81 for a grand total of $165,751.64. Motion carried without negative vote. President Alden gave the President’s Report. He had looked at some building permits that have been issued by the Village and one was for the Joseph Pigman property that needs to be monitored. Clerk/Treasurer Peterson gave the Clerk’s Report. The revaluation notices were mailed out earlier this week from Associated Appraisals. Open Book will be held for two days in July, one over the phone and one in-person. The Board of Review will be on August 15 th. Chief Thiex presented the June Police Report. Some of the officers were on vacation in June so numbers are down because of that. There were a lot of people in town for the 4th of July activities. The new squad is being outfitted with lights/sirens this week. The parade was one of the largest ever and there were some safety issues with the large crowd and kids running up to the floats. The Burnett County Recreational Area did some patrols earlier and he did observe jet skis in the “swim area” and brought up the idea of having buoys there for a swim area. STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS & REPORTS Committee of the Whole A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to have Burnett County Highway Department do the crack sealing and chip sealing in 2024 for a cost of $39,300. Motion carried without negative vote. 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 Jeff Johnson and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to join the Staying Connected App at a cost of $500. Motion carried without negative vote. Planning Commission A motion was made by Ed Johnson and seconded by Jeff Johnson to approve the short- term rental application for 7685 Clear Lake Street for Kathryn Highstrom. Motion carried without negative vote. OLD BUSINESS Discussion/Action on Landquist Street Repairs Teresa Anderson from MSA and the Board discussed the Landquist Street Repairs. Intertek PSA did the soil borings on May 17th and gave their report and recommendations to MSA earlier this week. PSI did provide some recommendations however Teresa has not had a chance to formalize those recommendations into a formal opinion to the Village. President Alden brought up hiring whoever needs to do the repairs and get them done before winter. Teresa indicated that Haas does have some liability for the project so they will be doing any repairs, and they are aware of the situation. Discussion/Action on Tewalt Road with MSA Teresa Anderson from MSA reported on the stormwater management study that MSA did on the project. MSA used the lots as laid out by North Country Surveying, however the plot cannot be approved by the State until there is proof that no additional stormwater will be sent to the State Highway. There are some swales and ditches that should be added to the plat so they are dedicated to the project and thereby part of each lot and cannot be filled in by future owners. MSA is showing three retention plans, one could be eliminated and another one enlarged if desired. The Village could fence the ponds if desired, however it would not be mandated. On the plat Pearl Street could be shifted slightly to the east to give more land to some of the lots on the west side of that street. The consensus by the Board was to have the stormwater easements added to the plat by North Country Surveying and the plat could then be submitted to the DNR for permitting purposes. A motion was made by Dave Alden and seconded by Jeff Johnson to move forward with the Tewalt Road Project to the point where it could be moved forward for development. Motion carried without negative vote. NEW BUSINESS Discussion/Action with Clear Lake Association Todd Highstrom from the Clear Lake Association and the Board discussed issues that were brought up at a recent Lake Association meeting. There have been a lot of issues with jet skis on the water going through the swimming area. To have buoys there is a regulatory requirement by the Village through the DNR. The Lake Association has provided the information to the Village Clerk/Treasurer on this issue and would like to have the Village look at incorporating this into either the current plan or next year’s plans for the Village. The Village is in the process of replacing the pier this year. There is a DNR grant that the Village will apply for later this fall. Todd Highstrom encouraged the Village to work with Madeline Johnson from the DNR on how to proceed with the project. The Board discussed the need for buoys at both Clear Lake and Crooked Lake Parks. Clerk/Treasurer Peterson will follow up with her. The Police Department indicated they would ask the Burnett County Recreation Officer to monitor the lake a little more closely, by boat, to assist with any current issues that are happening. The Lake Association would like to have the Village incorporate a sign with correct boating regulations erected at the landing for everyone to read. 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 Discussion/Action on bids for Molly Engstrom Drive The bids for the Molly Engstrom Drive entrance project were opened on Wednesday July 10th. The project would include putting in a gravel connection from State Road 70 to Molly Engstrom Drive. There is a small area of curb and gutter for wetland issues with the DNR. MSA is working with the DNR on some stormwater issues. There was a bid alternate for using the Village’s gravel pile as base material (after bringing in a crusher). There were five bids received and the lowest bid was from Stout Construction for $104,606. If Stout were to use the Village’s gravel pile it would cost an additional $8,657. Teresa Anderson did indicate that the Village has 30 days to award the contract, so no decision is needed today. The Board discussed delaying a decision on this award until a Committee of the Whole meeting with final approval at the August Board meeting. Mohawk CSM A motion was made by Jeff Johnson and seconded by Kelly Gunderson to approve the CSM for Mohawk as presented. Motion carried without negative vote. Discussion/Action with Ray & Angela Robbins on potential development on D’Jock Street Ray & Angela Robbins are interested in purchasing and developing the two lots at the intersection of Third Avenue and D’Jock Street for residential housing that would be sold. Their plan would be to erect two twin homes on the property. The Robbins would work with Doug Crane of North Country Surveying on a CSM to properly align the lots. If the property is used as twin homes, there are different regulations for lot lines than if the property is a duplex. The Robbins are aware of this and are working with an attorney to make final determinations. The meeting schedule was set as follows: a. Committee of the Whole: August 1st at 10:00 a.m. b. Planning Commission & Board of Appeals: To be set if needed. c. Tourism Commission: July 17th at 9:00 a.m. d. Ball Park Committee: August 26th at 6:00 p.m. e. Board of Review: August 15th at 10:00 a.m. A motion was made by Dave Alden and seconded by Jeff Johnson to adjourn the Village Board Meeting at 10:51 a.m. Motion carried without negative vote. Submitted by Ann L Peterson, WCMC/CMTW Village Clerk/Treasurer