February Board Minutes

VILLAGE OF NELSONVILLE VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES Via Zoom Meeting Tuesday 2/9/21 6pm UNAPPROVED MINUTES The meeting was called to order by President Josh Stolzenburg. Present at the meeting were: President Josh Stolzenburg, Trustee Mark Brueggeman, Trustee Walter Leppen and Clerk/Treasurer Daniel Bootz. Citizens present: Gary Anderson, Jery Dunn, Mark Pearson, Meeting was called to order. M/S, Brueggeman/Leppen move to approve the January Board, Caucus and Special Meeting Minutes, all in favor, motion carried. Treasurer’s report submitted by Clerk/Treasurer Daniel Bootz. M/S, Leppen/Brueggeman, move to pay the bills as presented by Clerk/Treasurer Daniel Bootz, all in favor, motion carried. Correspondence was reviewed. Public Statements – Jery Dunn asked about grants being pursued by the Parks Commission. Stolzenburg indicated that grants are being looked into. Gary Anderson expressed that for a new village hall, he doesn’t see renovation as being a feasible option, but would propose that the existing buildings be demolished and a new building be built at the site. Gary also stressed the importance of developing a building that the village can be proud of. Jery Dunn spoke on a plan that he was working out an alternative plan to build on the corner of High St. and First Street which would also replace the building currently housing the Post Office. Discussion/Action – Village Hall Ad-hoc Committee Recommendation Stolzenburg reported that the survey showed support to the fire hall reconstruction project and the committee was recommending that the board pursue the reconstruction option. A letter has been drafted to the board with this recommendation. Stolzenburg expressed that he believes that the need to build a new Village Hall is urgent and that for too long the Village Board has put off this decision for too long. Leppen expressed that he believed that the recommendations on the survey is due to the limited options presented and that alternative options be pursued. Leppen indicated he is not opposed to a new village hall, but the current options are not good. The results of the survey reflect people choosing between two bad options. Brueggeman indicated that he disagreed that planning should start over as it is necessary to move forward with an option as the current building is not usable. It will be impossible to come up with a plan that is universally agreed to and, as a result the Village needs to move forward with one of the options that have already been developed. VILLAGE OF NELSONVILLE VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES Via Zoom Meeting Tuesday 2/9/21 6pm M/S Stolzenburg/Brueggeman to reallocate original design budget to the following related to the fire hall building and property: Structural engineering review and recommendation, well evaluation and septic specification for the site. Leppen expressed that he does not believe that the Fire House renovation is the right option for the village, but that getting more information associated with renovating the fire house would help with understanding the cost and scope of the renovation. Brueggeman said that getting more people engaged is important, but difficult. Getting an engineering firm involved will give the Village more information on whether moving forward with the renovation is feasible and the Village needs to move forward with a decision including continuing to put it off. Citizen Comments: Jery Dunn indicated that the board should not dismiss alternative sites and that the ad hoc committee has not properly examined or considered alternative locations. He believes that Village Residents would support a building that met Nelsonville’s needs and remodeling the Fire House is not a good investment. Mark Pearson said that he believes that mist Village Residents is not aware of the decisions being made because of the circumstances, but more people would be interested in building a new village hall if the options were better and communication on the project was improved. All in favor, motion carried Recognition of Alchemy Concrete for assisting with Christmas Decorations Leppen expressed thanks to Alchemy Concrete for helping with decorations and asked that the board send a thank you card to Alchemy Concrete. Election Update Spring Primary is on February 16th, 2021 at the Alchemy Concrete Office ATV/UTV Signage Leppen signs have been ordered and he is looking at where they can and need to be posted. GCAC – No update Water – Met with Allison Warner from the River Alliance and development of the referendum question on clean water access. The committee is also gathering public statements on water concerns within the village and preparing information for legislators and the public on local water issues. Park – No meeting Village Hall – Presented survey results and recommendation to board Fire – No updates Plan – No updates. Adjourned 6:56 pm