20260812 Town Board Packet

Original Post Date: August 7, 2026 Town of Somers 7511 12th Street Somers, WI 53171 To wn Board Meeting Agenda Wednesday, August 12, 2026 5:15 pm Town Board Meeting: Item # 1 Call to order 2 Pledge of Allegiance 3 Consent and Approval of Minutes of Town Board meetings on July 14, 2026 4 Correspondence: Notice of the rezoning of Parcel #80-4-222-234-0141, located at 3718 25th Street and Notice of Residential Accessory Structure approval at 7201 60th Street 5 Citizens Comments 6 Chair & Supervisor Comments 7 Administrator’s Report 8 Update on the Financial Management Plan, and 8/4 Village Board Discussion on the Municipal Court 9 Action on application for Special Event Permits for Ukes Harley-Davidson Homecoming September 4-7, 2026. 10 Action on Applications for Class “B” (Picnic) Beer License for Ukes September 4-7, 2026 Homecoming Event and request to waive fees. 11 Approval of Operator Licenses: Vannessa Fabiszak 12 Adjourn I h ereby certify that as the designee of the chief elected official of the Town of Somers I posted this notice of the August 12th Town Board Meeting & Agenda in 3 public places. Da ted this 7th day of August. Wendy Burnette, Clerk-Treasurer Re quests from persons with disabilities who need assistance to participate in this meeting should be made to the Clerk’s Offi ce at 262- 859-2822 with as much notice as possible. Notice is hereby given that members of the Town Board may participate telephonically. Notice is hereby given that members of the Village Board may be in attendance for the sole purpose of gathering information. A quorum may be present. However, no Board action will be taken. 1/33 Town of Somers Proceedings from the Town Board Meeting July 14, 2026 Chairman Molinaro called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Present: Chairman Molinaro, Supervisor James Armes and Supervisor Richard Lesko. Also present: Administrator Jim Hurley, Assistant Administrator Kevin Poirier, and Chief Andersen Chairman Molinaro led the Pledge of Allegiance. Consent and Approval of Minutes of Town Board meetings on June 6, 2026 Supervisor Armes moved to approve Minutes of Town Board meetings on June 6, 2026 Seconded by Supervisor Lesko. Motion carried. 3-0 vote Correspondence: Correspondence: Ordinance for Zoning Change on parcel 80-4-222-234-0191 and parcel 80-4-222-304-0301. Air pollution application Review – We Energies Citizens’ comments: None Chair & Supervisor Comments Supervisor Lesko inquired whether there was any additional information available regarding the proposed ordinance amendment, specifically what it would be used for and its intended purpose. Assistant Administrator Poirier stated that the changes are made by the City of Kenosha. Once a development happens, the parcel goes directly to the city. Administrator’s Report Administrator Hurley provided an update on the Roars Development, noting that the Plan Commission referred the matter back for further review. He explained that the Commission is still evaluating several factors and has directed the Village Attorney to prepare a memorandum for consideration at the August 10 Plan Commission meeting. Administrator Hurley also noted that the applicant submitted additional information, which will be reviewed as part of the Commission's deliberations. Administrator Hurley also provided an update on the Maple Crest Development, the proposed development on the former golf course. He informed the Board that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public hearing regarding the project's wetland disturbance application on Wednesday, July 29, at 5:30 p.m. 2/33 Approval of Operator Licenses: Skyler Brown, Kimberly Cantrell, James Rogers, and Tianna Fitch Supervisor Lesko moved to approve Operator Licenses: Skyler Brown, Kimberly Cantrell, James Rogers, and Tianna Fitch Seconded by Supervisor Armes Motion carried. 3-0 vote Adjourn Supervisor Armes moved to Adjourn at 5:19 pm. Seconded by Supervisor Lesko. Motion carried 3-0 vote These minutes are a draft and have not been approved by the Town Board. Wendy Burnette, Clerk/Treasurer. 3/33 4/33 5/33 6/33 7/33 8/33 VILLAGE OF SOMERS VILLAGE BOARD WORK SESSION ITEM MEMORANDUM WORK SESSION: Aug. 4, 2026 TO: Village President Stoner and Village Trustees FROM: Jim Hurley, Village Administrator Kevin Poirier, Assistant Administrator AGENDA ITEM: #2 Administrator’s Report Below please find a bulleted summary of major issues that Administration has worked since our July 7 Work Session: Development • Met with a developer interested in a 100+ acre site for transportation and logistics. Village staff provided feedback regarding a few parcels that may be a fit. • Continue to negotiate a development agreement with Invenergy. As required by the PSC, an environmental review hearing was hosted at the Town of Paris on July 23. The review process is ongoing. • Construction on the 12 th street water transfer station by Lee Mechanical is ongoing. Per the engineer, the project will be completed before the end of the year. 9/33 • Met with Partners in Design to discuss a concept plan for 745 Sheridan Road. The proposal is for a multi-unit residential development. The concept plan will be presented at the August Plan Commission meeting. Staff is working with legal counsel to review prior approval of the rezoning of the site to R-11 so we can advise the developer regarding the next steps. • Payne and Dolan started the final paving and restoration of Highway E. The project should be completed by the time of this meeting. • The Village Board approved Truck Country of Wisconsin’s annexation into the Village. We learned from the Kenosha County Clerk that we will need to update the voting ward map by resolution. The plan is to grade and raze the site before the end of the year, and start construction in spring 2027. • The DNR held a wetland delineation hearing on the Streets of Maplecrest development. The developer is working on the agreement exhibits, which include utilities such as water and sewer, and roads. • The Shoreland Lutheran High School construction nis proceeding on schedule. They are planning an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 23. 10/33 Administration • Village staff is coordinating with Strand to finalize the flood study and recommendations. The plan is to present the study in fall to the Village Board. • Coordinated with staff and presented proposed items for the Village’s capital improvement plan. After all items are presented, Ehlers will review the potential impact to the budget reserves and discuss at an upcoming work session meeting. • Attended an initial meeting to discuss the timeline and next steps for the Village’s new website. Staff is working with the vendor to review options and provide our preferences for an initial design draft. • Met with Kenosha County IT to discuss the current contract. Rates have not changed since 2018, and will change to reflect current staffing costs. The Village was also able to reduce some of services it no longer needs. • Worked with Ehlers to develop materials and information for the Village Board to consider as part of the financial management plan. The Village Board directed staff to include a public fire protection fee for all eligible properties (water and non-water customers) in the village. • Met individually with department heads to discuss ongoing projects and goals for the organization. • Met with representatives both SWRPC and the PSC to discuss the KR water and sewer service areas. Staff learned about the process to potentially amend the boundaries, review timeline, and the roles of each party. Currently, this area is covered by the Village’s agreements with the City of Racine. • In-person voting is underway at the Village Hall for the Aug. 11 Partisan Primary Election 11/33 • Met with the Fire Station #2 committee to review the RFP specifications. The plan is to issue the RFP by this week. • Met with staff to discuss options the Village Hall generator. Currently, only emergency / exit lighting, parts of auditorium, and a few outlets are connected, limiting functionality if the power is out. If the Village moves forward with the Pike Creek Lift Station upgrades, the Village could use the generator and supporting equipment at Village Hall to connect all remaining critical areas. Staff is discussing options with Baxter & Woodman and will report back to the Village Board. • Working with BS&A to install a credit card terminal. The terminal would handle both online and in-person credit card payments. Payments would be automated into BS&A, reducing staff time. We are working to finalize the agreement, which is expected to be completed this month. • Assistant Administrator Poirier and Account Manager Ealy are going through GFOA training. • Staff keep meeting with the lobbying team and other communities to put pressure on Senators to add the eight Wisconsin municipalities to the Senate Bill S 4050. The Village’s press release was use for a front page story in the Kenosha News on July 29. 12/33 • Somers was also featured on TMJ4 about the ZIP Code efforts: https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/in-your-community/kenosha-county/one-city- one-zip-code-village-of-somers-fights-for-its-own-zip-code Following that story, Senate Bill S. 4505 was successfully and unanimously amended to include all the Wisconsin municipalities. The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee voted to approve the amended bill on a 10-5 vote to be brought in front of the full Senate (which will not happen until Senate is back in session this September). The Senators opposed to the bill were Sens. Johnson, Peters (D-MI), and Kim (D-MI). Unofficially Sens. Gallego (D-AZ) and Slotkin (D-MI) voted no by proxy. All other members of the committee were in favor.t • The Village has implemented a pilot meeting schedule. So far, it seems to be working well. • Staff has been meeting with the Wisconsin League of Municipalities and Kenosha County to prepare for ADA requirements for website and mobile apps meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. The deadline for those changes has been extended. The Village will need to comply by April 26, 2028. • KABA is presenting its Housing Study on Sept. 15 at the Club at Strawberry Creek. If you plan to attend, please let Assistant Administrator Poirier know so we can post the required quorum notice. • The Village of Somers now has an official Facebook page. Designated Staff has been given access and have started posting. We encourage all of you to follow it. 13/33 TOWN OF SOMERS TOWN BOARD MEETING ITEM MEMORANDUM MEETING DATE: August 12, 2026 TO: Town Chair Molinaro and Town Supervisors PREPARED BY: Jim Hurley, Village/Town Administrator AGENDA ITEM: #8 F inancial Management Plan Update and 8/4/2026 Village Board Discussion on the Municipal Court BACKGROUND: Earlier this year, Ehlers presented options to the Village Board to reduce the projected gap in the operating budget beginning in year 2028. The gap is due to a reduction in the Village/Town’s available abated debt, which the Village/Town uses to pay for operation expenses. This is due to a reduction in debt paid for by tax increment districts (TIDs), and utilities, which State law allows to be added to municipal levy limits to cover operating expenses. Compounding the issue is the Village/Town’s net new construction is not keeping pace with inflation, and the annexation of Town properties into the City of Kenosha. The Village Board reviewed a variety of options to add non-property tax sources of revenue, and closure of TIDs to increase the tax base. So far, the Village has submitted a rate case to the public services commission (PSC) for a public fire protection fee (PFP) for both water and non-water customers. This fee would not apply to Town residents because it is outside of the water utility boundaries. Further options are still under consideration, including the closure of TID #2, and converting recycling charges from the levy to a direct fee. Last week, the Village Board discussed the municipal court. Since the beginning of the year, the Village/Town has appointed three judges to serve for the remainder of the term that will end on April 30, 2027. To date, Village/Town administration and the Village Board have not received any inquiries from qualified residents who are interested in running for the position. The Village Board discussed several options, including raising the salary for the municipal judge, reducing the qualifications, or abolishing the municipal court. While abolishing the court could improve administrative efficiencies and prevent future cost increases, changes in State law this year increased the fees that a municipal court could collect, and the fees a municipality must pay for forfeitures if tried by the circuit court 14/33 that will go into effect in November 2026. While still under review, the direct savings would be minimal, if any. Judge Antaramian was present for the meeting and reviewed a memo explaining the benefits of the municipal court, which was supported by the Village Board. With that said, there is still concern about filling the municipal judge’s position. If no one runs, then the Village/Town will have to appoint a judge for the next four years. 15/33 TOW N OF SOMERS TOWN BOARD MEETING ITEM MEMORANDUM MEETING DATE: August 12, 2026 TO : Town Chair Molinaro and Town Supervisors PRE PARED BY: Wendy Burnette, Cl erk/Treasurer AGENDA ITEM: #9 Action on application for Special Event Permits for Ukes Harley- Davidson Homecoming September 4-7, 2026. BAC KGROUND: Uk es Harley Davidson has submitted an application for Special Event Permit for the following event: Uke ’s Harley Davidson Homecoming September 4-7, 2026, at 5995 120th Ave Kenosha WI 53144 SUGGE STED ACTION/ACTION REQUESTED/COMMENTS: In t he event that the Town Board proceeds with suggested action, a suggested motion to approve would be as follows: “M otion to approve application for Special Event Permits for Ukes Homecoming on September 4-7, 2026” ATT ACHMENTS: Uk es Special Event Homecoming application 16/33 17/33 18/33 19/33 20/33 21/33 TOW N OF SOMERS TOWN BOARD MEEITNG ITEM MEMORANDUM MEETING DATE: August 12, 2026 TO : Town Chair Molinaro and Town Supervisors PRE PARED BY: Wendy Burnette, Cl erk/Treasurer AGENDA ITEM: #10 Action on Applications for Class “B” (Picnic) Beer License for Ukes September 4-7, 2026 Homecoming Event and request to waive fees. BAC KGROUND: Th e Somers Fire and Rescue Association approached the Village to request a Class “B” (Picnic) Beer License for the following event. Uke ’s Harley Davidson Homecoming September 4-7, 2026 at 5995 120th Ave Kenosha WI 53144 As this is a fundraising event for the Association, they have requested waiver of fees associated with the applications. SUGGE STED ACTION/ACTION REQUESTED/COMMENTS: In t he event that the Town Board proceeds with suggested action, a suggested motion to approve would be as follows: “M otion to approve Applications for Temp B for Uke’s September 4-7, 2026 Homecoming Event and request to waive fees” ATT ACHMENTS: Tem porary Class “B Applications and Waiver of Fees Request Letter for September 4-7, 2026 22/33 23/33 24/33 25/33 26/33 27/33 28/33 29/33 30/33 Somers Fire & Rescue Association To Whom It May Concern, The Somers Fire & Rescue Association respectfully requests a waiver of the fees associated with the Temporary Class "B" Retailer's License for fermented malt beverages and the Operator's Licenses required for members of our association. The Somers Fire & Rescue Association is a nonprofit organization that has proudly supported the Somers Fire & Rescue Department for the past 30 years. We are requesting authorization to waive the licensing fees to help us continue serving our community and supporting department activities and fundraising events. The following members have successfully completed the Wisconsin Responsible Beverage Server Training and will be applying for Operator's Licenses: • Austin Hoecherl • Niccolo Celebre • Faith Grams • David Peoples • Marcus Foss • Dan DiMaria • Cade Lawson We appreciate your consideration of this request. Granting this fee waiver will help our nonprofit organization maximize the funds raised for the benefit of the Somers Fire & Rescue Department and the community we serve. 31/33 If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Austin Hoecherl Somers Fire & Rescue Association President 32/33 TOW N OF SOMERS TOWN BOARD MEETING ITEM MEMORANDUM MEETING DATE: Augus t 12, 2026 TO: Town Chair Molinaro and Town Supervisors PREPARED BY: Wendy Burnette - Clerk /Treasurer AGENDA ITEM: #11 Action to approve operator licenses for Vannessa Fabiszak BACKGROUND: Van nessa Fabiszak has applied for an operator’s license for the Town of Somers. No discrepancies with application. PR IOR ACTION TAKEN: Ba ckground checks were performed, and no discrepancies were found. SUGGE STED ACTION/ACTION REQUESTED/COMMENTS: St aff recommends approval. In the event that the Town Board agrees with the recommendation to approve applications, a suggested motion would be as follows: “Mot ion to approve Operator Licenses: Action to approve operator licenses for Vannessa Fabiszak” ATT ACHMENTS: None 33/33