Village Board — Minutes

VILLAGE OF FOOTVILLE-MEETING NOTICE REGULAR BOARD MEETING THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026 MINUTES 1. The Regular Board Meeting of the Village of Footville was called to order by President John Thomson at 6:00 pm. Board members present: John Thomson, Nate Beal, Nichole Conaway, Danielle Harnack, John Harnack, Roland Nath, and David Wells via Zoom. Also in attendance: Chuck Duncan, Jeff Garde, Mike McGuire, David Landis, John Pounder, Diane Pounder, Chuck Hagmann, Hope Hoerler, and Gail Koeppen. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by R. Nath to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to approve the meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. 4. CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD: Gail Koeppen was present to ask about overnight parking on Depot Street. She wondered if there could be an exception for tenants to park on the street overnight. 5. VOUCHERS: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to approve the vouchers. Motion carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS: Treasurer’s/Water: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by D. Harnack to approve the treasurer's and water report. Motion carried unanimously. 7. LICENSES: Footville Outlaws: Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by J. Harnack to approve the Temporary Class “B” liquor license for the Outlaw baseball team. Motion carried unanimously. 8. REPORT: Economic Development Committee: Bob Selck reported there are nine contractors interested in the subdivision project. He asked the board how many they want to interview. The committee will bring the top three candidates to the board. The interviews with contractors will need to be done in closed session. The committee will bring their recommendations to the April 2nd board meeting. Chuck and Bob have looked at several homes being built by the different contractors and would like to make egress windows a requirement of the homes being built. 9. REPORT: Planning Commission: The Planning Commission is working on properties that need to be cleaned up. The police have been given address to check on. The rubble from the Park St house needs to be cleaned up. 10. REPORT: Parks and Recreation Committee: Danielle Harnack reported the flowerpots at the Veteran’s Park will be filled with spring flowers. The flowerpots downtown and at the park may also be filled. They are looking for volunteers to water the flowerpots this summer. The committee would like to waive the $250 park use fee for the Outlaws and Viking Youth. With the updates to the field that will be done this spring, there will be a lot of weekly maintenance that will be required. Both groups have offered to help maintain the field after their games so the Park Committee would like to waive their park use fees. This will be put on the April agenda. The non-profit will be meeting on March 10th. They will be working with the Viking Youth on the concession stand this year. The bathrooms at the park is a complaint they have had. Danielle got prices for porta potties. This will be put on the April agenda. 11. REPORT: Health and Human Resources Committee: N. Conaway reported they are working on the employee handbook updates to meet regulations and state statutes. The disciplinary process has also been updated and will be discussed in item 35 of the agenda. Their next meeting is March 20, 2026, at 4 pm. 12. REPORT: Footville Police Department: Parking warnings have been given out at the school apartments. They will also be working to enforce the parking on Depot Street. Officer Shrock’s field training is progressing well, and he will be on solo patrol in early April. The Tracks system is up and running for issuing warnings and citations. There are numerous properties that need to be cleaned up. They have a list of addresses and will begin addressing the issues. They would like to see a yield sign installed at Depot and Janesville Streets or an ‘Oncoming Traffic Does Not Stop’ sign with the Stop sign on Galena Rd. 13. REPORT: Footville Department of Public Works: M. McGuire reported the gantry crane is coming tomorrow. Schlittler and Bjoin are submitting quotes for capping the fire hydrant at the fire station and capping the sewer and water at the Park Street lot. R. Nath asked when the bathrooms would be opened. Weather permitting, they will be open for the Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th. Branches by the Footville sign on Hwy 11 need to be picked up. D. Harnack reminded them there are new street signs that need to be put up. The grinding machine needs to be removed. J. Thomson will call about this. 14. Approve land division and rezoning for Rich Woodstock - 360 S Gilbert Street: Jeff Garde from Combs and Associates was present to answer questions regarding the land division and rezoning. The water and sewer lines will need to be looked into, and placement will depend on depths and flow. The Planning Commission recommended the board approve the land division and rezoning. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by R. Nath to approve the land division and rezoning. Motion carried 6-0-1. John Harnack abstained. 15. Approve extra-territorial land division in Plymouth Township: The extra-territorial land division is on Murphy Road. The Planning Commission recommended the board approve this land division. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by D. Harnack to approve the extra-territorial land division in Plymouth Township. Motion carried unanimously. 16. Update on properties in the Village that need to be cleaned up: Officer Lomax stated he will make attempts to encourage residents to comply with cleaning up their properties and they will have 30 – 40 days to comply then he will start taking other steps. 17. Update on reassessment: John Pounder reported they have had a good response and they have over 100 viewings done already, and they have only had three direct refusals. All properties will be assessed with the best information available regardless of whether the property has been viewed or not. Chuck Hagmann asked why they are being assessed so many times. Mr. Pounder explained the issue and the need for a revaluation due to being out of compliance with the Department of Revenue. They will hold open book sessions later in the year to answer any questions after all properties are assessed. Residents can call them with any questions. J. Thomson will email the attorney to see if there is any action the Village can take regarding the past assessor. 18. Review of/possible reduction of building permit fee for 235 Depot Street: The Village Board has removed penalty fees in the past. The fee charged was doubled due to work starting before a building permit was obtained. The fee charged was $990, $900 goes to the building inspection company and $90 to the Village. Motion by N. Conaway, 2 nd by D. Wells to approve the reduction of the double fee contingent on General Engineering only charging the Village for the original fee. Motion carried 6-1. 19. Purchase of gas monitor for WWTP: A gas monitor has been purchased for the wastewater treatment plant, but we still need to purchase a gas monitor calibration kit. The cost of the kit is $1,228.72. The monitor came with a charging dock and includes training. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by D. Harnack to approve the purchase of the monitor and the 3-piece calibration kit. Motion carried unanimously. 20. Town & Country Facility Plan for WWTP and collections system: N. Beal and R. Nath met with Town and Country to talk about creating a facility plan for the wastewater treatment plant. This is required in order to qualify for any clean water funding from the DNR or grant money. They can create a facility plan to include the wastewater and collection system all in one. It is about a nine-month process to create and will require numerous board meetings. The temporary building can be included as part of the plan. The cost of the plan will be approximately $35,000. Motion by J. Thomson, 2nd by N. Conaway to develop the facility plan. Motion carried unanimously. N. Beal will contact Town and Country to begin work on the plan. 21. DPW employees attending WRWA Conference March 24-27: N. Beal suggested sending David and Mike M. for one day each. David will attend on Tuesday and Mike will attend on Thursday. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by D. Harnack to send Mike and David to the WRWA Conference. Motion carried unanimously. 22. Quotes for capping fire hydrant at the fire station and capping water and sewer at 127 Park Street: This item is tabled to next month. 23. Resealing of Edward Street: R. Nath talked to the company that did the spray patching demonstration last year on C Street. It would be a bigger advantage to spray patch the roads, which could help to get 4 – 5 more years out of the roads. It is $4,500/truck load for the spray patching. If we get a grant this year Janesville Street will be repaved in 2027. North Gilbert could be spray patched to help get a few more years out of it, especially with the expected increase in truck traffic with the development of the new subdivision. We can ask Jason Dupuis about getting quotes on filling cracks on Edward Street. J. Thomson will email Jason for his opinion. 24. Reschedule jetter training: Chuck Duncan called Drain Cleaning Brothers out of Milton. They would be willing to train for the DPW employees on the jetter for $250/hour. They will also come to scope the lines at the park to find the location of the water and sewer service. N. Beal got a quote from WI Jetting Training that would be willing to do up to five hours of training for $650. Motion by R. Nath, 2nd by J. Thomson to approve spending $650 for five hours of jetter training. Motion carried 6-0-1. N. Beal abstained. 25. Compost location discussion: J. Thomson tried to contact Matt to see if taking items to the golf course is an option. The current compost site will open on April 1st, and the board will keep working to find a new compost site. We will need a place to take the yard waste. The clerk will check with Steve Haberman to see if compost can be taken to his place again this year. 26. Tree removal at the park: There were three quotes for tree removal at the lot on Park Street. Sullivan Services had the lowest quote at $2,900 for tree removal and stump grinding. Troy Suer will be submitting a quote for removal of debris from the lot and grading the lot for parking. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by N. Conaway to go with Sullivan Services for $2,900. Motion carried unanimously. 27. 44th Assembly District Representative Ann Roe will provide a legislative update: Representative Roe reported there were several bi-partisan wins, primarily for women’s and children’s health care. $126 million were released for PFAS cleanup. There may be a special session or two before the next regular session in January. She noted property taxes are the number one issue across the state. Her office is always open, and if she can be of service please let her know. 28. Park clean-up date: D. Harnack reported the park clean-up date is March 28, 2026, from 9-12. They will also be decorating the light posts for the Easter Egg Hunt. The decorations are being donated. 29. Communication regarding the Easter Egg Hunt on April 4th: The bathrooms will be open for the Easter Egg Hunt if the weather cooperates. If the bathrooms can’t be opened there is the possibility of renting a porta potty. They are looking for candy donations which can be dropped off at the Church of Christ, the Village Office or with Rebecca Medearis. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by R. Nath to approve porta potty rental if needed. Motion carried unanimously. 30. Request for money to go towards park baseball diamond upgrades: Three quotes were received for improving the baseball diamond. The first was $90,000, the second was for $63,000 and the third was for $23,000. There is $10,000 in the 2026 park budget that can be used toward it. They are now asking for an additional $13,000 from the Village so they can get it done and get more ball teams to play here. The $23,000 quote is using ag lime for the infield. For an additional $6,000 an engineered material can be used for the infield. They would like this money to come from the general fund and the money saved from the open Administrator position. It was also asked if this could come from the Capital Improvement Fund. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by D. Wells to accept the additional expense of $19,145 to be taken from the money save by the open Administrator position and the general fund and/or Capital Improvement Fund. Roll call vote: D. Harnack – yes; N. Beal – no; J. Harnack – no; R. Nath – yes; N. Conaway – yes; D. Wells – yes; J. Thomson – yes. Motion carried 5-2. 31. Vote on location of bathroom structure and additional funds to cover costs: Bob Selck reported they want to tear down the stone pavilion as this is the most logical place for the new bathrooms. N. Conaway asked if the materials from the stone pavilion could be reused. They can try but the limestone is fragile. The stone pavilion needs a new roof and the cost estimate for that is around $9000. They do not have a final cost on the bathrooms yet. There will be 3 bathrooms. A fundraising idea is to sell bricks to commemorate different leagues and people that have played at the park in the past. The sewer lines will need to be televised to see where they are. The wiring on the ball diamond light poles is old. The light poles are original; the electric was updated in the 60s or 70s (possibly the 80s or 90s). Bob has also filed an application with the Wisconsin Historical Society for the park as the first lighted kitten ball field in the nation. Motion by R. Nath, 2 nd by N. Beal to hire Drain Cleaning Brothers to scope the sewer line at the park for a cost of up to $500. Motion carried unanimously. They will need to get bids to build the bathrooms. The non-profit can bid as a general contractor. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by N. Conaway that we move forward with getting bids for repurposing the limestone structure and the bathroom construction. Motion carried 6-0-1. John Harnack abstained. J. Thomson gave numbers of project cost estimates and loans we currently have. We could possibly pay off the truck/tractor loan and park house loan and finance the bathroom project. 32. Approve Request For Proposals document prepared by Batterman Engineering for the TID development: The Request For Proposals was completed by Batterman to give to contractors that are interested in developing the new subdivision. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by N. Conaway to approve the Request For Proposal to send to contractors. Motion carried unanimously. 33. Accept resignation of Tami Johnson, Village Administrator: J. Thomson stated he appreciates all Tami did to get us through the gap when we needed someone in the office. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by D. Harnack to accept the resignation. Motion carried unanimously. 34. Adopt Field Training document for Footville Police Department: Officer Lomax presented the Field Training document that the Footville Police Department will follow. Motion by R. Nath, 2nd by N. Conaway to adopt the Field Training document. Motion carried unanimously. 35. Approve Disciplinary Process for Village Employees: The disciplinary process documents from the Health and Human Resources Committee were reviewed. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by J. Harnack to approve the disciplinary step process. Motion carried unanimously. 36. Approve Stacy attending MTAW Conference April 29-May 1: Motion by J. Harnack, 2nd by D. Harnack to approve Stacy attending the Municipal Treasurer’s Association of Wisconsin conference April 29 – May 1. Motion carried unanimously. 37. Request for Village to provide 2 porta potties for Rummage Sale Days April 24-25: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to approve renting two porta potties. Motion carried unanimously. 38. MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION: The Footville Board of Trustees will move into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute §19.85(1)(c) to consider the employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any employee over which the board has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to move into closed session. Roll call vote: D. Harnack – yes; N. Beal – yes; J. Harnack – yes; R. Nath – yes; N. Conaway – yes; D. Wells – yes; J. Thomson – yes. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting moved into closed session at 8:46 pm. 39. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION: Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by J. Harnack to reconvene into open session. Motion carried unanimously. Return to open session at 9:22 pm. 40. Take action on any matters discussed in closed session: None 41. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION ON OTHER MATTERS NOT PROPOSED FOR BOARD ACTION: Butts Road open – Reach out to Michael. 42. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by J. Harnack, 2nd by N. Conaway to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:23 pm.