Town Of New Hope Regular Board Meeting — Minutes

Minutes (Amended) Public Comment - Emergency Mitigation Plan 6:30 p.m. Town of New Hope Regular Board Meeting 7:00 p.m. Immediately after Public Comment Monday November 25, 2024 North New Hope Church, 845 County Road T North Members present: Chair Todd Knepfel, Supervisor Timm Raddatz, Supervisor Ray Reser Also present: Treasurer Dorene Stolpa, Clerk Pat Zellmer Guests: Laurie Stoltenberg, Andrew Wegner, Bob Wiza, Patty Wiza Public Comment - Emergency Mitigation Plan 1. Persons who wish to address the Board: Prior to the Public Comment Session for the Emergency Mitigation Plan, Rosholt School District Administrator Dennis Kaczor presented on the state of the Rosholt School District. The district will circulate a survey before the end of 2024 regarding a request for a $2.2 million dollar budget increase. Based on the survey results, a referendum may be placed on the 2025 Spring Election ballot (April 1, 2025). 2. The Public Comment Session for the proposed Emergency Mitigation Plan was called to order by Chair Knepfel at 7:20 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Emergency Mitigation Plan was posted on the town website mid-November, with a request for public comment. Copies were provided to the Board (email and hard copy). Chair Knepfel and Clerk Zellmer summarized the document and its potential impact. Laurie Stoltenberg offered positive support of the plan. Hearing no further comments, Supervisor Reser moved to approve the Emergency Mitigation Plan as written, seconded by Supervisor Raddatz. Motion carried. Supervisor Reser moved to adjourn the Public Comment Session at 7:35 pm, seconded by Supervisor Raddatz. Motion carried. Town of New Hope Regular Board Meeting for November 2024 1. Call to Order: Chair Knepfel called the December Regular Board Meeting to order at 7:35 pm. 2. Approval of Minutes: · 10/21/2024 Open Meeting and October Regular Meeting – Supervisor Raddatz moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Supervisor Reser . Motion carried. · 10/24/2024 2025 Budget Workshop Minutes – Supervisor Reser moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Supervisor Raddatz. Motion carried. · 11/8/2024 Public Hearing and Special Meeting of Town Electors– Supervisor Raddatz moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Supervisor Reser . Motion carried. · 11/8/2024 Budget Meeting – Supervisor Reser moved to approve the minutes as written, seconded by Supervisor Raddatz. Motion carried. 3. Elections: Clerk Zellmer reported on the 2024 Fall Election results: 538 of the 584 eligible voters (92.1%) in New Hope are registered. 503 of the 538 registered voters (93.5%) participated. The efforts of poll workers and the use of Badger Book, Express Vote, and DS200 tabulator made the process go smoothly. All board members, treasurer, and clerk will be up for re-election on April 1, 2025. Various requirements for the 2025 Spring Election (including EL-163 non-candidacy notification if needed), a packet of candidacy forms for those planning to run, and the January Caucus were discussed. Two class A notices for Spring Election and January Caucus will be posted on the town website and the two kiosks. 4. Town Hall: Discussion of the old Town Hall ensued, including the possible purchase and restoration of the building through private funds, and a plan to restore and add on to the existing building. Bob and Patty Wiza asked that the Board consider a delay before any decision is made. Supervisor Reser moved to open a six-month window to allow residents to investigate and present concrete options to the Board. All options will be considered. Supervisor Raddatz seconded the motion; motion carried. 5. Budget: The 2025 Budget has been approved, including the tax levy. No discussion occurred. 6. Town Roads: Chair Knepfel requested that Noah Swenson (Swenson Tree Service) could begin brushing along the following roads: Rolling Hills (east of bridge), Nelson, Nerlien, Krogwold, and Cary Ridge. Chair Knepfel will work with Swenson to discuss possible flailing on some of the smaller areas. Supervisor Reser moved to approve $30,000 to begin the project, seconded by Supervisor Raddatz. Motion carried. 3. Payment of Bills: The October bills for New Hope totaled $84,943.86. Supervisor Raddatz made a motion to pay the bills, seconded by Supervisor Reser; motion carried. 4. Next meeting dates. · Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:00 am (North New Hope Church) - New Hope Planning Commission Meeting Re: Larry and Rhonda Fetcher - Zoning change petition. B · Tuesday, December 17 2024 at 6:00 pm (North New Hope Church) - The regular December Board Meeting. o Please take note of different start time. · Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 6:00 pm (North New Hope Church) – Caucus for Spring Election. 5. Adjournment. Supervisor Raddatz made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:08 pm, seconded by Supervisor Reser . Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned. Amended to include statistics for November Elections. Respectfully submitted by Clerk Zellmer 12/1/24