Village Board — Minutes

VILLAGE OF FOOTVILLE REGULAR BOARD MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2025 MINUTES 1. The Regular Board Meeting of the Village of Footville was called to order by President J. Thomson at 6:00 pm. Board members present: J. Thomson, N. Beal, N. Conaway, D. Harnack, J. Harnack, R. Nath, and D. Wells. Also in attendance: John Pounder, Diane Pounder, Melody Harer, Tami Johnson, Sandy Baertschi, Marilyn Runaas, Steven Haberman, Mike McGuire, Mike Tinder, Craig Keller, Clayton Treinen, Al Hulick, Jason Dupuis, and Brent Nelson and Travis Signer of Johnson Block CPA via Zoom. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by J. Harnack 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: None 5. VOUCHERS: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to approve the vouchers. Motion carried unanimously. 6. REPORTS: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by D. Harnack to approve the treasurer's and water report. Motion carried unanimously. 7. SEWER CREDITS: Motion by J. Harnack, 2nd by N. Beal to approve the sewer credit for John & Jackie Gooch. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by J. Harnack, 2nd by N. Conaway to approve the sewer credit for the Footville Friendly Café. Motion carried 6-1 8. LICENSES: Motion by R. Nath, 2nd by D. Harnack to approve the operator’s license for Hollie Clark. Motion carried unanimously. 9. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT: Bob Selck informed the board their next meeting will be November 11, 2025. They are working with an architect to put designs together for the park. It will probably be February before they have any hard sketches to show the board. He encourages everyone to come to their meetings. 10. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Sandy Baertschi thanked Bob Selck for being the go-between with Rick Johnson on the Mielke building, which is now nearly complete. There are a couple property owners that have been working to clean up their yards and letters have been sent to a couple of others regarding property maintenance. 11. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT: They are looking at having a meeting possibly next week. They would like the non-profit Friends of Footville Parks to meet with them to gather ideas for fundraisers for next year. There has been vandalism at the park again. The Village Office will check the cameras to try to identify the persons responsible for the damage. Danielle was able to clean everything up. They are working on getting a quote for repairing/redoing the baseball diamond. They are also deciding what they would like to purchase with the fundraiser money. The bathrooms at the park have been winterized and are now closed for the season. 12. FOOTVILLE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS REPORT: Mike Tinder reported well #2 is back online and everything is balancing out nicely. The fourth quarter radium results were both below MCL; well #2 was 4.1 and well #3 was 4.78. The radium levels need to be under 5. The well houses and park bathrooms have been winterized. 13. 2026 BUDGET APPROVAL: Brent Nelson from Johnson Block CPA gave a brief overview of the 2026 general fund budget. Overall the 2026 budget calls for a general property tax levy of $564,857. This number comes from the levy limit worksheet. The Village is able to increase its levy by a factor called ‘Net New Construction,’ and it can also be increased for changes in debt service. The levy amount is derived from the State’s calculation on the Levy Limit worksheet. This is about a 6% increase year over year. The biggest driver of this increase is that there are more scheduled debt service payments in 2026 than there were in 2025. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to pass the budget for the 2026 general fund. Motion carried unanimously. 14. CLAYTON TREINEN FROM VIKING YOUTH BASEBALL: Clayton Treinen was in attendance on behalf of Viking Youth Baseball to ask questions regarding the Footville Community Park and its availability for the coming year. Viking Youth Baseball would like to use the park from April through August. D. Harnack explained they are looking at building new bathrooms and redoing the baseball diamond but that will not affect their program, and they will be able to use the park next year. 15. TAX INCREMENT DISTRICT RESOLUTION 2025-04: The Village Board must pass a new resolution for TID #2 due to the need to remove several parcels from the TID. As a result of the reevaluation completed in the Village this year, the equalized value in the TID increased to 14% of the total Village. To get below the 12% threshold several parcels were removed from the TID. Properties along Galena Rd were removed but it does not jeopardize addressing the stormwater issues in that area because those properties are still within the half-mile buffer so expenses can still happen in that area. Motion by R. Nath, 2nd by D. Wells to approve Tax Increment District resolution 2025-04. Motion carried 5-2. 16. INCENTIVES DISCUSSION FOR POSSIBLE NEW SUBDIVISION IN TID: The Economic Development Committee recommended incentives for contractors to include the land being sold for $1.00 with a bonus of $5,000 per home built. The money would be disbursed at the completion of 5 homes, 10 homes, 15 homes and the completion of the subdivision. The money for these payments would come out of the tax district’s funds. N. Beal asked if the developer would be responsible for putting in the infrastructure. J. Thomson stated yes if we put that in the requirements. Motion by D. Harnack, 2nd by D. Wells to approve incentives for contractors for the possible new subdivision. Motion carried 5-2. 17. REVIEW BIDS FOR NEW VILLAGE ASSESSOR: There are three bids to consider for assessor services. John and Diane Pounder of J & D Pounder Inc. were in attendance to provide the board with information on the services they would provide if contracted as the Village assessor. Their proposal includes viewing the interior and exterior of all homes. They propose to view 25% of the properties each year and at the end of four years do a revaluation of properties. They would attend board meetings along with open book and Board of Review. They would work with the Village to put information for residents on the Village website. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by N. Conaway to contract with J&D Pounder Inc for assessment services. Motion carried unanimously. 18. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN DISCUSSION WITH JASON DUPUIS: Jason Dupuis presented the final Capital Improvement Plan to the board. They have completed the pavement ratings which showed just under 40% of the roads fall into categories 3-4 and approximately 30% fall into categories 5-6. This means 70% of the Village’s roads need maintenance and/or rehab within the next three to five years. He has submitted applications for grants to help with road projects. N. Beal noted Power Flush may not pump the tanks at the wastewater treatment plant anymore if the rag issue is not taken care of. Residents and businesses need to stop flushing wipes, feminine hygiene products and applicators, latex gloves, and condoms. A screening system may need to be installed at a cost of $500,000 to $1million. The Capital Improvement Plan is a guiding document for the Village that can be used when creating yearly budgets, and it can be changed and/or updated at any time. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by R. Nath to approve the Conditional Improvement Plan. Motion carried unanimously. 19. 2026 CONTRACT WITH RICHTER CONSULTING LLC: The contract with Richter Consulting ends November 20, 2025. The new contract includes a 3% increase. Motion by J. Harnack, 2nd by R. Nath to approve the contract with Richter Consulting. Motion carried unanimously. 20. LAWN MOWER REPAIRS: The board had previously approved replacing one pump on the lawn mower. They have now found the other pump is leaking and needs new seals. Motion by R. Nath, 2nd by D. Harnack to have all repairs completed on the lawn mower. Motion carried unanimously. 21. DODGE RAM 550 DELETION AND NEEDED REPAIRS TO TRUCK: The Dodge Ram truck was taken in for a brake transmission shift interlock recall. The dealership also attempted to complete work on another recall but found the truck’s emission system had been deleted; therefore, they were unable to complete the recall work. Deleting the DEF system is a federal offence and fines can be $5,000 per day. One estimate for repairs was $20,000. The truck cannot be sold as is. The plow truck the Village owned was also deleted and cost the Village approximately $13,000 to get back into compliance. Once more quotes for repairs are received, the Village will contact the lawyer to look into what recourse can be taken against past employees that had this work done. 22. FOOTVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT WATER USAGE: A copy of Orfordville’s ordinance was looked at. The Footville Fire Department has not reported any water use this year. D. Wells asked J. Thomson to write a letter to the fire department informing them they must follow the PSC tariffs and they are required to pay for water used for any purpose outside of the Village. All water used for training and firefighting within the Village must be reported to the Village. The letter should also specify the fire department may only open fire hydrants in emergent situations. In all other situations, a DPW employee must open the hydrant. The Village will provide the fire department with a form to submit to the Village to report all water usage. The Village attorney will start the process of creating an ordinance that aligns with the PSC tariffs. 23. MUNICIPAL JUDGE ELECTION CYCLE ISSUE: Due to the resignation of the municipal judge in 2018, an election for municipal judge was held in 2019. This election should have been a special election to fill the vacancy for one year. Instead, it was incorrectly done as a four-year term. Village ordinance states the municipal judge term is four years and the election for municipal judge shall be held in presidential election years. With direction from the Wisconsin Election Commission, the Village must order a special election. In addition, the last election must either be voided, or the municipal judge that was elected must resign his position, and the board may appoint a municipal judge to serve until such time that a special election can be held. Craig Keller submitted his resignation from the position of Municipal Judge effective November 6, 2025. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to accept Craig Keller’s resignation as Municipal Judge as of November 6, 2025. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by J. Thomson, 2nd by N. Conaway to appoint Craig Keller as the temporary Municipal Judge effective November 7, 2025, until a special election can be called. Motion carried unanimously. 24. ELECTION INFORMATION FOR SPRING ELECTIONS: Anyone that is interested in running for board trustee may pick up nominee papers from the Village Office and they will need to be turned in in January. 25. 2026-2029 CONTRACT WITH HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN WI: The Humane Society does not pick up animals within the Village; residents must take stray animals to the Humane Society. They also do not take feral cats. The question was asked ‘why do we contract with them’? We are paying them but not receiving services and often they are full and will not take animals. Motion by R. Nath, 2nd by J. Harnack to not accept the Humane Society contract. Motion carried unanimously. 26. TOWN WEB – WEBSITE UPGRADE FEE: Town Web will be upgrading the website. The cost for the upgrade is $800. If we do not do the upgrade our website will not function the same as it currently does. Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by N. Beal to approve the fee to upgrade the website. Motion carried unanimously. 27. PROPERTIES IN THE VILLAGE THAT ARE NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NUISANCE AND JUNK ORDINANCES: Numerous properties in the Village have been sent letters regarding property maintenance. Once we have police officers in place it will be easier to enforce Village ordinances. 28. POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE AND FIRE COMMISSION ALIGNMENT - POSSIBLE CHANGING OF APPOINTMENTS TO POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE - APPOINTMENT TO OPEN FIRE COMMISSION SEAT: John Hall has asked to be replaced on the Fire Commission. The Police and Fire Committee and the Fire Commission do not have to have the same people on them. The Fire Commission meets monthly if there are issues to address. N. Conaway will join the Fire Commission. J. Thomson will take N. Beal’s spot on the Police and Fire Committee. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by J. Harnack to approve the changes. Motion carried unanimously. 29. REQUEST TO INSTALL A BENCH IN THE PARK FOR KATIE HATLEVIG: The family of Katie Hatlevig held a celebration of life/fundraiser and would like to use some of the proceeds to place a bench in the park in memory of Katie. The rest of the proceeds will be donated to organizations that help to find missing persons. Motion by J. Thomson, 2nd by N. Conaway to approve placing a bench at the park in Katie’s memory. Motion carried unanimously. 30. REQUIRED UPDATES TO BUILDING CODE ORDINANCES: The updates to the building code ordinances are needed to satisfy the building inspector and state requirements. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by J. Harnack to approve the updated building code ordinances. 31. UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION ORDINANCE FINAL APPROVAL: The additions suggested at the last meeting have been added into the final draft of the ordinance. Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by R. Nath to approve the underground construction ordinance. Motion carried unanimously. 32. CONSIDER A MOTION TO CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO WISCONSIN STATE STATUTE 19.85 (1)(c) TO REVIEW CANDIDATES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT POSITIONS: Motion by N. Conaway, 2nd by J. Harnack to convene into closed session. Roll call vote – D. Harnack – yes, D. Wells – yes, N. Beal – yes, J. Harnack – yes, R. Nath – yes, N. Conaway -yes, J. Thomson – yes. Meeting moved into closed session at 8:35 pm. 33. CLOSED SESSION 34. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION: Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by D. Harnack to reconvene into open session. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting moved back into open session at 8:58 pm. 35. TAKE ACTION, IF NECESSARY, ON ITEMS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION: Motion by N. Beal, 2nd by D. Wells to move forward and offer employment to O’Malley Lomax and Robert Shrock. Motion carried unanimously. 36. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION ON OTHER MATTERS NOT PROPOSED FOR BOARD ACTION: D. Harnack asked about moving the Veteran’s Park donation money from the Village account into the Non-Profit’s Veteran's Park bank account. She also asked if solar lights could be purchased to put on the wreaths that will be hung downtown. D. Wells – none. N. Beal noted the new sampler is here and he will call to set up a time to have it installed. The building to house the chemicals at the wastewater treatment plant is 95% done. Thank you to Chuck Duncan, Roland Nath, and John Harnack for their help with building it. The Midwest Water and Wastewater Expo is in February. Nate would like Mike and David to attend. J. Harnack – none. R. Nath noted the plow truck is ready. N. Conaway asked when the rubble from the Park Street house would be cleaned up. J. Thomson – none. 37. ADJOURNMENT: Motion to adjourn by D. Harnack, 2nd by J. Thomson. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm. Submitted by: Stacy Neal Village Clerk/Treasurer