RecordWell Data

_02092026-691

Village of Howard · Brown County · meeting of Feb 9, 2026 · Minutes

Open the original document More from Village of Howard

Text

Extracted automatically from the original. Tables and formatting may not survive; the original document is authoritative.

Minutes of the Village Board Meeting Feb. 9, 2026 Village Board Room at Village Hall 1. CALL TO ORDER Village President Burt R. McIntyre called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL President McIntyre called for a roll call. Present: Village President Burt R. McIntyre; Trustee Maria Lasecki, District 1; Trustee Chris Nielsen (virtually), District 2; Trustee Cathy Hughes, District 3; John Muraski, District 4; Trustee Scott Beyer, District 5; Trustee Adam Lemorande, District 7; Trustee Craig McAllister, District 8 Absent during roll call: Trustee Ray Suennen, District 6 (R. Suennen joined the meeting virtually at 6:38 p.m.) Staff: Administrator Paul Evert, Director of Administrative Services Chris Haltom, Director of Public Works Geoff Farr, Director of Engineering Josh Gerrits, Fire Chief Dennis Staeven, Directed Enforcement Officer Brandon Dhuey, PIO/Deputy Clerk Ciara Hurrish 3. RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE President McIntyre led the meeting in the pledge. 4. REPORT BY THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT REGARDING COMPLIANCE WITH OPEN MEETING LAWS President McIntyre 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 moved to approve the agenda. A. Lemorande seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. PUBLIC APPEARANCES President McIntyre invited public comment. No members of the public came forward. Public appearances were closed. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/ANNOUNCEMENTS (NONE) 8. COMMUNICATIONS (NONE) 9. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA A. Lemorande moved to approve the consent agenda. J. Muraski seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the following items were approved: a. Village Board meeting minutes from Jan. 26, 2026 b. Plan Commission meeting minutes from Jan. 26, 2026 c. Municipal Invoices totaling $308,795.26, paid with checks 86459-86539 d. Change Order #5 to Triple P Inc. dba Peters Concrete Company for the Red Oak Street and Lancaster Creek Residential – Utility Contract involving a $1,295.00 decrease e. 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. Liz D Vega Village Board Meeting Minutes, Feb. 9, 2026 Page 2 of 4 ii. Charlie Joseph Klaus iii. Tara Kay Rettler iv. Erin Stephanie Collette f. The following committee appointment: Committee Name First Last Term Yrs Expiration Plan Commission Ellery Gulbrand 3 Apr-28 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS OR OLD BUSINESS ITEMS a. The sale of and terms of a development agreement for village-owned lots VH-4017, VH-4018, VH-4019, and VH-4020 on Security Boulevard with Tycore Built, LLC P. Evert explained that the Village previously attempted to market the four lots for office use but did not receive viable proposals. The Board later directed staff to solicit development proposals, and Tycore Built, LLC submitted a proposal for single-family homes. Due to significant grading challenges and infrastructure costs associated with the site, Tycore obtained estimates indicating total development costs of approximately $1 million for earthwork, a private road and limited public utility extensions. Under the proposed agreement, Tycore Built, LLC will purchase the lots for $120,000. The developer will finance the site improvements upfront and may recapture eligible public improvement costs through a pay-as-you-go reimbursement structure based on tax increment generated by the development, through April 2035. C. Nielsen made a motion to approve the sale and Development Agreement between the Village and Tycore Built LLC for VH-4017, VH-4018, VH-4019, and VH-4020. J. Muraski seconded. M. Lasecki stated she would abstain from the vote. The motion carried 8-0 (Abstained: M. Lasecki). 11. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS a. Review and take action on purchase of VH-29-4 – Steven and Susan Pamperin property P. Evert explained that this property is located on the west side of the development area extending from Fire Station #2 west toward Shawano Avenue. He noted that the Village previously acquired the adjacent Pamperin property and that this purchase would allow the Village to complete long- term stormwater planning for the area. J. Gerrits stated that the proposed stormwater pond would be located near the Shawano Avenue end of the property on the north side of the future roadway. The pond is anticipated to be approximately one acre in size. A wetland delineation has been completed to ensure adequate space for the pond, roadway and potential future regional trail connection. Trustees asked questions regarding pond placement, wetlands, property value, funding sources and whether the Village has sufficient cash reserves. Staff indicated that funds are currently available in the applicable fund, though future borrowing projects are anticipated as outlined in the 2026 budget. J. Muraski made a motion to approve the Offer to Purchase for VH-29-4 for $339,669.70. M. Lasecki seconded. The motion carried 8:1 (No: C. McAllister) b. Review and take action on Resolution 2026-06 authorizing the application for an Outdoor Recreational Trail Program Grant G. Farr explained that the Village is planning for future replacement of aging boardwalk sections along the trail system. The existing boardwalks were constructed in the late 1980s and are showing signs of deterioration. The project is currently identified in the Village’s long-term capital plan. He stated that the Village has the opportunity to apply for funding through the Outdoor Recreational Trail Program grant. The proposed project would replace approximately 700 feet of boardwalk at an estimated cost of $130,000–$140,000. If awarded the maximum $100,000 grant, the Village’s Village Board Meeting Minutes, Feb. 9, 2026 Page 3 of 4 local share would be approximately $30,000. Public Works staff would complete the installation, limiting the project cost to materials only. Trustees asked questions regarding grant requirements, matching funds, long-term obligations, and future funding opportunities. Staff indicated that the grant requires the facility to remain in operation for a minimum of five years but does not obligate the Village to complete additional phases if future grant funds are not secured. C. Hughes made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-06 authorizing the submittal of an application for an outdoor Recreational Trail Program grant. C. McAllister seconded. The motion carried unanimously. c. Review and take action on Ordinance 2026-03, amending Village Parking Regulations on a portion of West Deerfield Avenue G. Farr explained that the proposed ordinance addresses parking concerns near Velocity Baseball on West Deerfield Avenue. He stated that vehicles have at times parked on both sides of the roadway during peak activity periods, creating restricted travel lanes and raising safety concerns for pedestrians and emergency vehicle access. West Deerfield Avenue is approximately 22 feet wide with narrow shoulders. Staff recommends prohibiting parking on the west side of the roadway between West Deerfield Avenue and Devon to maintain adequate clearance and improve visibility, particularly along the curved section of the roadway. Trustees discussed roadway width, pedestrian safety, visibility concerns, winter conditions, and potential long-term parking solutions. Staff indicated that the recommendation is intended as an interim safety measure. C. Hughes made a motion to approve Ordinance 2026-03 prohibiting parking on a portion of West Deerfield Avenue. C. McAllister seconded. The motion carried unanimously. d. Review and take action on Resolution 2026-07 amending the 2025 budget C. Haltom explained that the proposed resolution amends the 2025 budget to adjust for year-end revenue and expenditure variances. He noted that while the Village operated within available resources, certain departments, primarily Public Safety and Public Works, exceeded original budget estimates, while other functions were under budget. Additional revenues, including interest income and grant funds for the Fire Department, offset those variances. He stated that current auditing standards require formal budget amendments to be reflected in the financial statements. A minor correction was noted in the resolution to update a reference from 2024 to 2025. M. Lasecki made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-07 amending the 2025 budget as proposed. R. Suennen seconded. The motion carried unanimously. e. Review and take action on awarding the Valley Brooke Pond Construction project to McKeefry & Sons, Inc. for $182,690.75 contingent on attorney review of the contracts and WNDR Grant Approval Letter J. Gerrits explained that the Valley Brooke Pond project has been in development for several years. The Village previously applied for grant funding and was recently awarded funding through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) program. The project was estimated at approximately $230,000; however, the bid from McKeefry & Sons, Inc. came in at $182,690.75, below the engineer’s estimate. The grant will reimburse a percentage of eligible costs, up to the program cap. Staff anticipates construction beginning in spring 2026, following salvage of existing landscaping and completion of required documentation. The project is expected to be completed by July. Village Board Meeting Minutes, Feb. 9, 2026 Page 4 of 4 M. Lasecki made a motion to award the Valley Brooke Pond Construction Project to McKeefry & Sons, Inc. for $182,690.75, contingent on Attorney review of the contracts and WDNR Grant Approval Letter. B. McIntyre seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 12. REPORTS OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS a. P. Evert provided a status update on the Strategic Plan process. He reported that the Strategic Planning Committee has met multiple times and is working through revisions to the Village’s goals, mission, vision, motto, and values. No action was taken. b. C. Haltom presented the unaudited financial report for the period ending December 31, 2025, including the General Fund, Village Green Golf Course, and the three utility funds. He also reviewed anticipated 2026 borrowing needs for utility projects, stormwater improvements, fire station construction, and Tax Increment District (TID) infrastructure. The Board discussed borrowing strategy, development timing, stormwater funding, rate impacts, and balancing long-term investment with affordability. No action was taken. 13. CLOSED SESSION C. Hughes moved to convene to a closed session. A. Lemorande 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)(c), Wis. Stats, to consider the employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of the village administrator. 14. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION C. Hughes moved to return to open session. J. Muraski seconded. The motion carried unanimously, and the Village Board returned to open session at 8:35 p.m. 15. ACTION (IF ANY) No action was taken. 16. ADJOURNMENT M. Lasecki moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. S. Beyer seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Ciara Hurrish PIO/Deputy Clerk

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