2020-09-14 Board Minutes

VILLAGE OF WYOCENA VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 Call to order: Village President Kim Bauer called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Roll call: President Kim Bauer, Trustees: Rusty Schiradelly, Patty Jacobson, Kathy Morrison, Doug Rose, and Mitchell Walsh. Public Works Foreman Jared Anderson, Library Director Tracie Miller, Rocky Run Snowmobile Riders’ Representative Marty Briggs, and Citizens: Del Grimm, Allen Pease, Rebecca Sersch, and Susan Kurzinski. Proof of Posting: Village clerk posted the agenda for the September 14, 2020 Village Board meeting on the bulletin board at Wyocena Community Center, Wyocena Post Office, the United Cooperative – Wyocena and the Village website on Thursday, September 10, 2020. Recognition of Visitors: Nothing to report. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Rose, second by Schiradelly, to approve the August 10, 2020 minutes. M.C. Reports: Library Director Report: A written report was provided. No questions were asked. Police Chief Report: A written report was provided. No questions were asked. Kratky mentioned Chief Fisher requested and was granted additional grant money which was unspent by other communities. The Wyocena Police Department will use all grant hours received in September. Public Works Foreman’s Report: A written report was provided. No questions were asked. Anderson reported the 2001 Ford truck has a leaky fuel tank and bare tires, and the 2012 F350 has a check engine light on due to a faulty catalytic converter. The 2012 will cost approximately $1,000 to repair. In addition, the cost to repair the valves on the lift station will be approximately $10,000. Administrator Report: Kratky informed the board of the following items: 1) Heavy refuse is scheduled for October 13th. 2) The Village has received two grants to help with additional costs due to COVID-19. The WEC Cares Grant is $614.70 to be used for election expenses and the Routes to Recovery Grant is $11,819 which may be used for unbudgeted expenses due to COVID-19. 3) There has been some damage due to vandalism at the park and cemetery. An individual has confessed to the cemetery damage and once the case has been processed in court we may have the person serve community service by working in the cemetery. Treasurer Report: Kratky presented the following vouchers for approval. Motion by Rose, second by Morrison, to approve the following bills. Roll Call: Walsh – yes, Morrison – yes, Jacobson – yes, Bauer – yes, Rose – yes, Schiradelly – yes. M.C. Alliant $45.93 Miller & Miller $1,057.50 Alliant $3,231.38 Noth Woods $72.97 Amazon Capital Services $327.68 Oshkosh Fire & Police $385.00 Associated Appraisal $172.03 Pardeeville Curling Club $265.00 Baer Insurance $5,599.00 Portage Lumber $129.22 Bulldog Fund Raisers $265.00 Postmaster $460.00 Capital Newspapers $16.39 Rassbach Communications $156.02 Cardmember Services $900.15 Schultz Small Engine $268.33 CenturyLink $7.00 Securian Financial $35.08 Cintas $151.10 Spee Dee Delivery $84.10 Col Cty Highway $56.52 Terry Pulver $10.00 Col Cty Solid Waste $3,146.80 Tom Howe $10.00 Country Plumber $160.00 Tracie Miller $21.61 CT Labs $680.40 United Cooperative $455.93 Delta Dental $287.49 US Cellular $69.72 Demco $114.07 Vorpahl Fire $155.53 Frontier $509.02 Wisconsin Metals $1,635.48 Galls $19.68 General Engineering $1,241.00 General Fund $18,044.08 Gordon flesch $49.00 Library $720.35 Larry's Trophies $27.50 Water Fund $1,048.73 Martelle Water Treatment $116.70 Sewer Fund $2,582.17 Unfinished Business: Private Wells in Village: Del Grimm and Allen Pease each spoke of why they would like to keep the private well at their residence. A letter requesting to retain a private well at their residence was received by the board from Grimm, Pease, Bob Spear, and Wayne Emerson (on behalf of his Mother, Reba Emerson). Peases’ farming business was discussed as well as possible exceptions to allow the private well. Bauer would like to talk to neighboring communities, the WI DNR, and the village attorney regarding private wells. Kratky cautioned everyone the deadline to abandon private wells was set for December 30, 2020 and, if needed, it may be more difficult to abandon wells once winter weather arrives. Motion by Bauer, second by Schiradelly, to table the private well issue until the Octob er 12, 2020 meeting. M.C. Ordinance Regarding Cost of Abatement of Diseased/Damaged Tree: Motion by Rose, second by Walsh, to approve and adopt the ordinance regarding the cost of abatement of diseased/damaged trees as presented effective September 15, 2020. Roll Call: Morrison – yes, Jacobson – yes, Bauer – yes, Rose – yes, Schiradelly – yes, Walsh – yes. M.C. Deteriorating Tree in Jackson Street Right-of-Way: Nothing to report. The issue will be revisited after information is available from the village attorney. Hydro Dam Repair: Roy Kleisch, owner of the hydro dam, is not interested in sharing the repair expense of the village owned building which houses the dam. Kleisch believes the section of the lease which covers the shared repair cost was intended for the initial move-in time and not the 40 year term of the lease. Kleisch proposes to sell the hydro dam to the village for $70,000. Anderson will discuss the condition of the dam with Chirs at Wild Rose Machine Shop. Chris maintains and repairs the dam for Kleisch. Motion by Schiradelly, second by Morrison, to table Hydro Dam Repair discussion until the October 12, 2020 meeting. M.C. New Business: Rocky Run Snowmobile Riders Trail Request: Marty Briggs request the same snowmobile trail as last season. Motion by Morrison, second by Jacobson, to allow snowmobiles to travel on the West side of Jefferson Street to the South side of East Monroe Street so they may access the gas station and bar. M.C. Operator License Application For Nicole Dickey: Motion by J acobson, second by Schiradelly, to approve an operator license for Nicole Dickey. M.C. WEC Cares and Routes To Recovery Grants: Kratky explained the amounts received and what each grant is for. The board authorized Kratky to use discretion in spending any grant money after submitting the two items listed in the following motion. Motion by Rose, second by Jacobson, to have Kratky submit items as necessary for the WEC Cares Grant and to approve submitting the replacement of two exhaust fans in the Community Center for air circulation and to submit retrofitting the sign located outside the Community Center to digital to aid COVID-19 message communication in the community. M.C. Resolution 2020-04 Exemption From Columbia County Library Tax: Motion by Schiradelly, second by Walsh, to approve Resolution 2020-04 Exemption From Columbia County Library Tax. Roll Call: Jacobson – yes, Bauer – yes, Rose – yes, Schiradelly – yes, Walsh – yes, Morrison - yes. M.C. The resolution reads as follows: EXEMPTION FROM COLUMBIA COUNTY LIBRARY TAX RESOLUTION 2020-04 WHEREAS, The Columbia County Board levies a county library tax; WHEREAS, Section 43.64(2)(b) of the Wisconsin Statutes provides such units of government which levy a tax for public library service and appropriate and expend for a library fund as defined by s.s.43.52 (1) during the year for which the county tax levy is made a sum at least equal to the county library tax rate in the prior year multiplied by the equalized valuation of property in the village for the current year, may apply for exemption from this tax; and WHEREAS, The Village of Wyocena does levy a library tax in excess of the amount calculated in accordance with 43.64(2)(b), NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village of Wyocena be exempted from the payment of any county library tax as provided in Section 43.64(2)(b) inasmuch as it will expend for its own library fund for 2021 an amount in excess of that calculated in accordance with 43.64(2)(b). Exemption from the payment of said county library tax shall not preclude the Village of Wyocena participation in county library service in all other respects; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that confirmed copies of the Resolution be forwarded by the Village Clerk to the Portage Public Library and to the Columbia County Clerk no later than September 30, 20 20. Resolution 2020-05 Inclusion Under Group Life Insurance: Motion by Schiradelly, second by Jacobson, to approve Resolution 2020-05 Inclusion Under Group Life Insurance. Roll Call: Bauer – yes, Rose – yes, Schiradelly – yes, Walsh – yes, Morrison – yes, Jacobson – yes. M.C. The resolution is recorded in the village’s permanent resolution file. Resolution 2020-06 Adopt the 2020 Columbia County All Hazards Mitigation Plan: Motion by Rose, second by Walsh, to approve Resolution 2020-06 Adopt the 2020 Columbia County All Hazards Mitigation Plan. Roll Call: Rose – yes, Schiradelly – yes, Walsh – yes, Morrison – yes, Jacobson – yes, Bauer – yes. M.C. The motion reads as follows: ADOPT THE 2020 COLUMBIA COUNTY ALL HAZARDS MITIGATION PLAN 2020- 06 WHEREAS, The Village of Wyocena recognizes the threat that natural hazards pose to people and property; and WHEREAS, undertaking hazard mitigation actions before disasters occur will reduce the potential for harm to people and property and save tax payer dollars; and WHEREAS, an adopted all hazards mitigation plan is required by Federal Emergency Management Agency as a condition of future grant funding for mitigation projects; and WHEREAS, the Village of Wyocena participated jointly in the planning process with Columbia County and the other local units of government within the County to prepare an All Hazards Mitigation Plan, which was made available for review via a Legal Notice and a copy of which will reside permanently in the Columbia County Emergency Management Office. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the village board of the Village of Wyocena, hereby adopts the 2020 Columbia County All Hazards Mitigation Plan as an official plan; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2020 Columbia County All Hazard Mitigation Plan Update has been approved on August 17, 2020, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The expiration date of the Columbia County plan is five years from the date of approval. The Columbia County Emergency Management Office will submit, on behalf of the Village of Wyocena, a copy of the signed resolution to the State of Wisconsin and the Federal Emergency Management Agency per the approval request. FISCAL IMPACT: None Group Accident Insurance: Motion by Schiradelly, second by Jacobson, to approve eligible Village of Wyocena employees to participate in Accident Insurance, currently offered through the State of Wisconsin plan administered by Securian Financial, at no cost to the village. M.C. Trick-or-Treat Hours: Concerns regarding COVID-19 were discussed. Motion by Jacobson, second by Walsh, to hold Trick-or-Treat in the village on October 31, 2020 from 4 – 7 p.m. However, due to concerns regarding COVID-19 the Wyocena Bureau of Fire will not be present. Citizens are advised to use discretion whether to participate in passing out treats or allowing their children to participate in door-to-door trick-or-treating. If participating in passing out treats please turn on a porch light to indicate participation. All involved are asked to adhere to best safety practices. M.C. Kratky will post a notice on the village website indicating this decision. Class Action Lawsuit Against PFAS Manufacturers: A letter was received by Village Board members from WRWA containing information explaining the class action lawsuit against the manufactures of the PFAS compounds. Motion by Jacobson, second by Walsh, to opt–in the PFAS Class Action lawsuit as recommended by WRWA. M.C. Anderson will register the village as a participant. CCEDC Request For Financial Support: Motion by Morrison, second by Rose, to deny CCEDC request for funding in 2021. M.C. Closed Session: Motion by Bauer, second by Walsh, to enter closed session at 8:33 p.m. under state statute 19.85(1)(c) to discuss employee compensation for the 2021 budget year. The board will return to open session. Lori Kratky was invited to stay in the room for closed session. Roll Call: Schiradelly – yes, Walsh – yes, Morrison – yes, Jacobson – yes, Bauer – yes, Rose – yes. M.C. The board returned to open session at 8:47 p.m. Budgets: Motion by Jacobson, second by Walsh, to approve a 2% wage increase for the following positions: Police Chief, Part-time Police Officer, Village Administrator, Public Works Foreman, and Utility Operator/Public Works Employee. Roll Call: Walsh – yes, Morrison – yes, Jacobson – yes, Bauer – yes, Rose – yes, Schiradelly – yes. M.C. Budgets will be discussed in more detail at the October meeting. Village Board Trustee Position: Rebecca Sersch spoke briefly of herself and her interest in becoming a Village Board Trustee. Motion by Rose, second by Walsh, to appoint Rebecca Sersch as Village Trustee in the position vacated by Carolyn Schroeder with a term ending April 2021. M.C. Board Comments: Next board meeting is October 12, 2020 Adjournment: Motion by Rose, second by Morrison, to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. M.C. Lori Kratky, Village Clerk