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Minutes of the Village Board Meeting June 22, 2026 Village Board Room at Village Hall 1. CALL TO ORDER Village President John Muraski called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL President Muraski called for a roll call. Present: Village President John Muraski; Trustee Maria Lasecki, District 1; Trustee Chris Nielsen, District 2; Trustee Cathy Hughes, District 3; Trustee Daniel Kussow, District 4; Trustee Mike Nieft, District 5; Trustee Ray Suennen, District 6; Trustee Adam Lemorande, District 7; Craig McAllister, District 8 Staff: Administrator Paul Evert, Director of Administrative Services Chris Haltom, Director of Public Works Geoff Farr, Director of Engineering Josh Gerrits, Director of Community Development Dave Wiese, Fire Chief Dennis Staeven, PIO/Deputy Clerk Ciara Hurrish, Village Clerk Kathleen Jurecki 3. RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President Muraski led the meeting in the pledge. 4. REPORT BY THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH OPEN MEETING LAWS President Muraski read the following notice: Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 19.81-19.98, the Village Board is meeting to conduct public business. In accordance with state law, the meeting agenda was posted at Village Hall, other municipal buildings, and on the Village of Howard website and was also distributed to the local media and other requesters at least 24 business hours prior to the start of this meeting. 5. APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE MEETING C. Hughes made a motion to approve the agenda. A. Lemorande seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. PUBLIC APPEARANCES J. Muraski opened public appearances and invited members of the public to speak. Zach Holschuer, 1341 Rockwell Road, expressed concerns regarding the proposed expansion of the Village's Deer Management Program. He noted that approximately 50 residents live near the proposed hunting area and voiced concerns about the safety of nearby children and residents, including the potential for stray arrows or wounded deer entering residential properties. He suggested the Village consider nonlethal measures, such as deer crossing signage, in more densely populated areas. A resident who lives at 1135 Chapel Hill Circle, commented that the deer population in the area surrounding Chapel Hill Circle, St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Pinecrest, and Hillcrest has continued to increase. He encouraged the Village to consider addressing deer management needs in that area. President Muraski stated that the comments would be addressed during discussion of the related agenda item. With no additional speakers, President Muraski closed public appearances. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/ANNOUNCEMENTS (NONE) 8. COMMUNICATIONS 9. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA J. Muraski noted that Item 9(c) Municipal Invoices were inadvertently omitted from the agenda packet and requested they be removed from the Consent Agenda. M. Nieft made a motion to approve the consent agenda, with the exception of Item 9(c). C Hughes seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the following items were approved: a. The Village Board meeting minutes from June 8, 2026 b. The Plan Commission meeting minutes from June 8, 2026 c. The Municipal Invoices Village Board Meeting Agenda, June 22, 2026 Page 2 of 4 d. PLAN COMMISSION ITEMS (The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the following items.) i. Conditional use request for vehicle sales and repair for Sun Power Trailers LLC DBA Off Grid Solutions LLC at 1631 Brookfield Avenue, Unit BB01, VH-123 ii. The revised Glendale Acres Final Plat iii. The Final Plat of Northern Reach e. The renewal of 2026-27 Class B beer and liquor license applications for the following: i. Itsaboutgrahamtime LLC / Duck Creek Pub & Grill, 754 Riverview Dr. ii. La Cascada MxR LLC, 2130 Velp Ave. iii. Las Maracas Mexican Restaurant, 2450 Velp Ave # 102 iv. Lauj Enterprise/Bar Yerlo, 740 N. Memorial Drive f. The following Operator Licenses Operator licenses, per s. 125.17 of the Wisconsin Statutes and s. 12.02(4)(h) of the Howard Municipal Code, if approved, are valid for a period of up to two years expiring on June 30. i. Stephanie Kay Schreiber ii. Mackenzie Brooke Peltier iii. Oshaveon Christian Williams iv. Christine Ann Longsine v. Adam Michael Timmerman vi. Lydia Sage Forney vii. Leah Lee Ann Wenzel viii. Jason Gregory Hoffman ix. Shashikant P Panchal g. Change Order #1 to McKeefry & Sons, Inc. for Valley Brook Pond Contract involving a $2,174.65 decrease h. Change Order #1 to MC Excavating, LLC for the Kropps Corner - Utility Contract involving a $2,800.00 increase 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OR OLD BUSINESS ITEMS (NONE) 11. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS a. 6:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING regarding the discontinuance of a portion of Security Boulevard G. Farr explained that the proposed discontinuance is necessary to accommodate the single-family lots within the previously approved Gridiron District plat. He noted that all required public notices had been published and that adoption of the resolution would allow the developer to record the plat. J. Muraski opened the public hearing and invited members of the public to speak. No one stepped forward. J. Muraski closed the public hearing. b. Review and take action on Final Resolution 2026-23 discontinuing a portion of Security Boulevard R. Suennen made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-23. A. Lemorande seconded. The motion carried unanimously. c. Review and take action adding VH-480 and VH-1504 to the Village’s Deer Management Program for the 2026-2027 Deer Archery Season P. Evert explained that the Deer Control Committee recommended adding Village-owned parcels VH-480 and VH-1504 to the Deer Management Program for the 2026-2027 deer archery season. C. Hughes stated that the committee determined the parcels are safe for hunting and emphasized that participating hunters are required to meet safety and eligibility requirements established by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. She noted that the previous hunting season was conducted safely and successfully and expressed support for adding the two parcels to the program. Village Board Meeting Minutes, June 22, 2026 Page 3 of 4 R. Suennen asked for clarification regarding hunting safety requirements. Trustee Hughes confirmed that hunters are required to hunt from an elevated position, directing arrows downward to minimize travel distance and enhance safety. M. Lasecki inquired about nonlethal methods of managing the deer population. Trustee Hughes explained that enforcement of the Village's deer feeding ordinance has helped reduce feeding activity, although some violations still occur and are addressed by the Humane Officer. She also discussed the limitations of other population control methods and noted that archery hunting remains the committee's recommended approach. M. Nieft shared observations of deer traveling through residential neighborhoods and commented that the Village is taking reasonable steps to manage the population while maintaining public safety. He also noted that residents may consider fencing where permitted. C. Hughes made a motion to approve the addition of parcels VH-480 and VH-1504 to the Deer Management Program for the 2026-2027 bow hunting season. C. Nielsen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. d. Review and take action on awarding the Village of Howard Multi-Use Trail project to Dorner Inc. for $306,322.40 contingent on attorney review of the contracts G. Gerrits reviewed the proposed multi-use trail project, noting that it is funded in part through a federal Carbon Reduction Program grant awarded in 2024, with the Village responsible for a 20% match. He stated that Dorner, Inc. was the low bidder among four bids received and recommended awarding the contract. C. Nielsen made a motion to award the Village of Howard Multi-Use Trail project to Dorner, Inc. for $306,322.40 contingent on attorney review of the contracts. J. Muraski seconded. The motion carried unanimously. e. Recommendation on the Appointment of Municipal Judge J. Muraski reported that he, A. Lemorande, and M. Nieft interviewed two qualified candidates for the Municipal Judge position. After evaluating each candidate's experience, qualifications, judicial temperament, and commitment to the position, the interview committee recommended the appointment of Jonathan Bastian. C. Hughes made a motion to appoint Jonathan Bastian as the Village of Howard Municipal Judge. A. Lemorande seconded. The motion carried unanimously. f. Swearing-in ceremony for new Municipal Judge Jonathan Bastian Village Clerk K. Jurecki administered the Oath of Office to Municipal Judge Jonathan Bastian. g. Review and take action on an intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Howard and the City of De Pere for Animal Control/Humane Officer and Citizen Animal Response Team (CART) Services pursuant to Wisconsin Statute §66.0301 P. Evert explained that the agreement would allow the Village to provide animal control and CART services to the City of De Pere. He noted that the agreement is intended to be cost-effective for the Village and that additional volunteers would be recruited from the De Pere area to assist with calls. Board members discussed the hourly reimbursement rate, the availability and recruitment of CART volunteers, and ensuring the agreement remains cost-effective for the Village. C. Hughes made a motion to approve an agreement between the Village of Howard and the City of De Pere for the provision of animal control services using Howard’s humane officer and Citizen Animal Response Team. M. Lasecki seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 12. REPORTS OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS a. P. Evert reviewed the 2026-30 Strategic Plan – Goals 4, 5 and 6 He highlighted Goal 4, which focuses on strengthening transparent, proactive, and consistent communication with residents, visitors, and stakeholders. He also reviewed Goal 5, relating to workforce recruitment and retention, and Goal 6, which emphasizes responsible financial management. Village Board Meeting Minutes, June 22, 2026 Page 4 of 4 b. Review and take action on adopting the 2026-30 Strategic Plan The Board discussed several proposed revisions to the Strategic Plan, including removing the target number of 120 single-family lots under Goal 6, revising the proposed Park Ranger position to an ordinance enforcement position, changing the term "targeted areas" to "designated areas" under Goal 1, and the Village's intent to update the Comprehensive Plan. C. Nielsen made a motion to table adopt the 2026-30 Strategic Plan with the following revisions: 1. Remove the target of 120 single-family lots under Goal 6.B.i, leaving “for creation of single- family lots.” 2. Revise the Park Ranger reference under Goal 3.E.i to ordinance enforcement. 3. Change “targeted areas” to “designated areas” under Goal 1.B C. Hughes seconded. The motion carried unanimously. c. C. Haltom provided a financial report for the Howard Commons Apartments and the Howard Commons Activity Center for the five months ended May 31, 2026. No action was taken. 13. CLOSED SESSION R. Suennen moved to convene to a closed session. C. Nielsen seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the Village Board of the Village of Howard convened into a closed session pursuant to Sec. 19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats, to discuss an Offer to Purchase VH747-B-778-1, VH-747-B-778 & VH-747-B-778-2 14. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION M. Lasecki moved to return to open session. R. Suennen seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the Village Board returned to open session at 7:53 p.m. 15. ACTION (IF ANY) No action was taken. 16. ADJOURNMENT M. Lasecki made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m. C. Nielsen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ciara Hurrish PIO/Deputy Clerk