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Village of Howard · Brown County · meeting of May 11, 2026 · Minutes

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Minutes of the Village Board Meeting May 11, 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 Mike Nieft, District 5; Trustee Ray Suennen, District 6; Trustee Adam Lemorande, District 7; Trustee 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 Attorney Bob Gagan 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. M. Lasecki seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. PUBLIC APPEARANCES J. Muraski opened public appearances and invited members of the public to speak. No one stepped forward. J. Muraski closed public appearances. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/ANNOUNCEMENTS C. Nielsen said he attended the League Spring Exchange and found the discussions regarding municipal communications and resident engagement particularly insightful. He encouraged the Village to continue focusing on effective communication with residents. He also noted that many municipalities are experiencing stagnant or declining growth and expressed appreciation that the Village of Howard continues to see residential development and growth opportunities. J. Muraski noted that C. Hurrish also attended a government social media conference and returned with several new ideas related to municipal communications. 8. COMMUNICATIONS a. C. Haltom reviewed the Village’s updated and confirmed AA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s rating agency. 9. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA M. Lasecki made a motion to approve the consent agenda. C. Hughes seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the following items were approved: a. The Village Board meeting minutes from April 27, 2026 b. The Municipal Invoices totaling $790,413.59, paid with checks #87258–87333 Village Board Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2026 Page 2 of 5 c. 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. Brenda Lee Hnilicka xiii. Jacob Lee Johnson ii. Logan Christopher Schlegel xiv. Aaron Douglas Jensen iii. Sierra Amber Malmborg xv. Luis Fernando Herrera iv. Nong Yang xvi. Kelly Jean Healey v. Benjamin John Thibodeau xvii. Brian John Healey vi. John Frank Schwartz Jr. xviii. Addison Ann Hatch vii. Michelle R. Motiff xix. Nicole Marie Hansen viii. Ryan Paul Leland xx. Christina Marie Ciurro ix. Emma Grace Kumbalek xxi. Hunter Edwin Grant x. Douglas Charles Jubert xxii. Amanda Jane Sekey xi. Jeffrey Scott Jordan Jr. xxiii. Louis Vincent Pileggi xii. Wilma Sue Jones xxiv. Kendra Jean Komoroski d. Class B Retailer’s license applications for the following Howard Suamico Youth Sports Association events: i. Baseball/Softball Tournament June 12–14, 2026 at Nouryon Sports Complex ii. Baseball/Softball Tournament July 17–19, 2026 at Nouryon Sports Complex iii. Baseball/Softball Tournament July 23–26, 2026 at Nouryon Sports Complex e. Class A Beer License Renewals for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: i. Fleet Farm Group LLC/Fleet Farm Fuel Mart, 201 N. Taylor St. ii. Fleet Farm Group LLC/Fleet Farm Retail Store, 213 N. Taylor St. f. Class A Beer and Liquor – Behl 2 LLC/Shell, 1773 Cardinal Ln. g. Class B Beer and Liquor for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027: i. Hot Sake Sushi Bar & Kitchen LLC, 1773 B Cardinal Ln ii. LJSW LLC / River’s Bend, 792 Riverview Drive iii. Howard Commons Activity Complex, 550 Commons Place iv. Olde 41, LLC, 1966 Velp Ave v. Mexico Lindo, 445 Cardinal Ln # 104 vi. Village Green Golf Course, 302 Riverdale Drive h. Appointments to the Police & Fire Commission with the following expiration dates: FIRST LAST ST# STREET CITY Term Expire Ann Watzka 2523 Telluride Trail Unit E Howard 5/1/2027 Alonzo Kelly 953 Coggins Ct. Howard 5/1/2028 Mike Ruby 3168 Atlantis Dr. Howard 5/1/2029 Patrick Laughlin 803 Windover Ct. Howard 5/1/2030 Ilya Dayter 3543 Becket Drive Howard 5/1/2031 Village Board Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2026 Page 3 of 5 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OR OLD BUSINESS ITEMS (NONE) 11. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS a. Review and take action on Resolution 2026-15 Terminating Tax Incremental District #3 C. Haltom explained that the Village Board approved a one-year extension of TIF District #3 last year to allow the Village to set aside increment revenue for affordable housing purposes. He noted the Village plans to establish a new affordable housing fund using the remaining increment generated by the district. C. Haltom explained that because the TIF was closed after April 15, the Village will receive one additional year of tax increment revenue before the district officially closes. He said TIF District #3 has recovered all project costs and was considered a successful district that generated significant tax base growth for the Village. He noted the remaining excess revenue would be placed into the future affordable housing fund and could be used for qualifying affordable housing projects within the Village. C. Hughes made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-15 closing Tax Incremental Financing District No. 3. R. Suennen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. b. Review and take action on Ordinance 2026-05 Amending Section 1-17c Deposits P. Evert explained that the State recently increased the maximum municipal court costs that municipalities are permitted to charge. He reviewed how forfeiture amounts are structured and noted that a portion of the fees collected are remitted to the State. He said the Village has not increased court costs in several years and that the proposed ordinance would allow the Village to adopt the updated maximum court cost amount permitted by the State. R. Suennen made a motion to approve Ordinance 2026-05, increasing court costs to $48. A. Lemorande seconded. The motion carried unanimously. c. Review and take action on Resolution 2026-16 Amending the Village Bond Schedule P. Evert explained that the revised bond schedule reflects the updated municipal court costs approved under Ordinance 2026-05. M. Lasecki made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-16, adopting the revised bond schedule. C. Nielsen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. d. Review and take action on Ordinance 2026-06, amending Village Parking Regulations on a portion of Millwood Lane G. Farr explained that the proposed ordinance relates to parking within the undeveloped Millwood Lane right-of-way. He said the Village has experienced ongoing issues with vehicles being parked within the right-of-way and noted the ordinance would allow the Village to issue citations or tow vehicles if necessary. He added that the intent of the ordinance was to address ongoing compliance concerns and maintain the public right-of-way. Board discussion followed regarding the existing use of the area, future roadway development, enforcement concerns, and potential impacts to neighboring property owners. C. Hughes moved to suspend the rules to allow public comment regarding the item. R. Suennen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ryan Malueg, owner of property adjacent to Millwood Lane, addressed the Board regarding concerns with the proposed ordinance. He explained that Millwood Lane provides legal access to his property and said he periodically uses the area while conducting activities on his property. He requested the Board consider restricting only overnight parking rather than all parking within the right-of-way. C. Hughes moved to return to regular order. J. Muraski seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Additional Board discussion followed regarding enforcement consistency and the need for clear parking regulations within the right-of-way. C. Hughes made a motion to approve Ordinance 2026- 06 prohibiting parking on a portion of Millwood Lane. C. McAllister seconded. Motion carried 7-1 (No: R. Suennen) Village Board Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2026 Page 4 of 5 e. Review and take action on Transportation Resolution 2026-17 G. Farr explained that the League of Wisconsin Municipalities is encouraging municipalities throughout the state to adopt a transportation funding resolution urging the State Legislature to continue addressing transportation aid funding needs. He noted the resolution highlights concerns regarding deteriorating road conditions and transportation funding not keeping pace with inflation. He added that adoption of the resolution would support the League’s ongoing legislative advocacy efforts. C. Nielsen made a motion to approve Transportation Resolution 2026-17. M. Lasecki seconded. The motion carried unanimously. f. Review and take action on Resolution 2026-18 declaring the intent to vacate a portion of Security Boulevard G. Farr explained that the proposed resolution is related to the Grid Iron Plat development currently under review by the Village. He said the request involves vacating a portion of the Security Boulevard right-of-way to allow for the creation of additional residential lots as part of the development. He noted the area of right-of-way is larger than necessary and that the action is complementary to the proposed plat approval process. If the resolution is approved, the Village would publish the required notices, notify adjacent property owners, and schedule a public hearing for final consideration at a future Village Board meeting. Board discussion followed regarding the location of the property, ownership of the vacated land, and the proposed residential development associated with the plat. Staff clarified that the area would be developed with single-family homes/townhomes as part of the Grid Iron development. M. Lasecki made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-18. C. Hughes seconded. The motion carried unanimously. g. Review and take action on awarding the Hillsdale Heights utility project (bid opening on 5/11/26) J. Gerrits explained that the Hillsdale Heights project includes the construction of a single-family subdivision south of Hillsdale Court consisting of residential lots and a cul-de-sac roadway. He said the project includes installation of utilities, roadway infrastructure, and stormwater improvements connected to the regional stormwater pond completed previously. He noted that much of the project cost will be borne by the developer and that the Village’s portion relates primarily to a planned off-street trail connection near the stormwater pond. J. Gerrits said Dorner was the low bidder for the utility project and noted construction is anticipated to begin in late June and continue into early fall. C. Nielsen moved to award the Hillsdale Heights Utility Project to Dorner Inc., contingent on attorney review of the contracts. A. Lemorande seconded. The motion carried unanimously. h. Review and take action on awarding the Hillsdale Heights roadway project (bid opening on 5/11/26) J. Gerrits explained that McKeefry & Sons was the low bidder for the roadway portion of the Hillsdale Heights project. M. Lasecki moved to award the Hillsdale Heights Roadway Project to McKeefry & Sons, Inc., contingent on attorney review of the contracts. C. Nielsen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. i. Review the draft 2026-2030 Strategic Plan P. Evert reviewed proposed updates to the Village’s draft 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, including revisions to the mission statement, vision statement, motto, values, and goals. He explained that the Strategic Planning Committee focused heavily on strengthening communication with residents, visitors, and stakeholders, which resulted in communication becoming a standalone goal within the updated plan. He also noted revisions emphasizing long-term financial sustainability and the Village’s continued focus on public safety and health services. J. Muraski explained the distinction Village Board Meeting Minutes, May 11, 2026 Page 5 of 5 between the Village’s mission statement and vision statement, noting that the mission reflects the Village’s current role and services, while the vision reflects long-term aspirations for the community. P. Evert stated that future meetings would include additional discussion regarding objectives and implementation strategies within the Strategic Plan. Board members thanked the Strategic Planning Committee for their work and collaboration throughout the process and expressed support for the proposed direction of the draft plan. No action was taken. 12. REPORTS OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS a. C. Haltom presented a financial report for the period ending April 30, 2026, for the General Fund and the Village Green Golf Course. No action was taken. 13. CLOSED SESSION R. Suennen made a motion to move into a closed session. C. McAllister seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The Village Board of the Village of Howard convened into closed session pursuant to Sec. 19.85(1)(e), Wis. Stats, to discuss a development agreement with T. Wall Enterprises. 14. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION C. Nielsen made a motion to return to open session. C. Hughes seconded. The motion carried unanimously. a. No action was taken on the T. Wall Enterprises development agreement. b. Due to Memorial Day Holiday, staff and board members discussed whether to hold the second meeting of May 2026 on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. J. Muraski made a motion to cancel the second meeting in May. C McAllister seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 15. ADJOURNMENT C. McAllister made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m. R. Suennen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ciara Hurrish PIO/Deputy Clerk

Source: Village of Howard website. First collected Oct 15, 2026.