Board Meeting October — Minutes

October 8, 2025 - Town of Eau Pleine Board Meeting - APPROVED Attendance Elected Officials Present: Chairperson Kurt Drexler, Supervisor Wayne Trelka, Supervisor Leif Erickson, Clerk Stacy Martin, Treasurer Sue Stroik Others Present: Roger Skrzeczkoski Sr., Margie Wojcik, Roy Skrzeczkoski, Bonnie Fredrickson, Mark Fredrickson, Gary Egan, Mary Erickson, Dave Erickson, Gil Polum, Jeff Stroik, Les Metzler 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm by Chairperson Drexler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Minutes from the following meetings were read: a. September 10, 2025, Town Board Meeting Motion by Supervisor Trelka to approve the minutes. Seconded by Chairperson Drexler. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. b. September 17, 2025, Special Town Board Meeting Motion by Supervisor Trelka to approve the minutes. Seconded by Supervisor Erickson. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. c. October 2, 2025, Special Town Board Meeting Motion by Supervisor Trelka to approve the minutes. Seconded by Supervisor Erickson. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. 3. Chairperson Drexler moved to place the Treasurer’s report on file. 4. Chairperson Drexler noted the following Plan Commission items: a. 2699B Altenburg Road lean-to structure b. 3717 County Road O storage building / farm building with solar c. Chairperson Drexler attended the first meeting of the Portage County Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Advisory Committee. Town residents may access information about this committee by visiting: https://www.portagecountycodeupdate.com/ 5. The Board discussed increasing the Town’s mileage reimbursement rate to match the IRS rate and it was decided that this item would be added to the November Special Town Elector Budget Meeting agenda for electors to make a motion that the Town follows the IRS mileage rate as it changes. No backpay will be issued for mileage already paid if the reimbursement rate increases. Chairperson Drexler referenced the Wisconsin Town Officers’ Handbook (Fourth Edition, 2023), Reimbursement of Expenses, pages 4-10 and 4-11, for a definition of expenses to be reimbursed for Town employees and elected officials. No mileage reimbursement will be paid for travel between the home location of an elected official or Town employee to the Town Hall (work location). Additionally, poll workers, who are paid an hourly wage by the Town, will be paid for training that they are required to attend. 6. The Board was required by the DNR to adopt a resolution (entitled Town of Eau Pleine Resolution No. 2025-02) to participate in the DNR Road Aid project in which the DNR would entirely fund the work performed to improve Mead Lane and Memory Lane. Motion by Supervisor Erickson to approve Town of Eau Pleine Resolution No. 2025-02. Seconded by Supervisor Trelka. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. 7. At the October 2, 2025, Special Board Meeting, the Board adopted Town of Eau Pleine Resolution No. 2025-01, which allows for Town of Eau Pleine residents to take their yard waste (grass clippings, pine needles, and leaves) to the Town of Knowlton compost site. A payment of $500 was issued by the Town prior to today’s meeting and will be mailed on October 9, 2025. Residents may find additional information on this new service by visiting the Town’s website: https://townofeaupleine.com/yard-wastecompost/ 8. Chairperson Drexler outlined the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP): The total amount available is $181,430, and $45,000 of that total is available to reimburse the Town of Eau Pleine; the program completion date is June 30, 2031; funding cannot be used in conjunction with other state or federal programs; the cost of project cannot include Town labor but contracted labor is eligible. The roads identified for this program are: Johnson (North of Highway H), Plum Lane (Highway H to DNR gate), Pine Road (Victory to Highway G), and Ridge Road (Highway 34 to Highway E). Motion by Supervisor Erickson to apply for the LRIP program and prioritize Johnson Road first, Plum Lane second, Ridge Road third, and Pine Road fourth. Seconded by Supervisor Trelka. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. 9. Chairperson Drexler proposed that Town residents reference the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Facilities Development Manual FDM 13-30-1, 1.1 Channel Types and 1.2 Roadside Ditches ( https://wisconsindot.gov/rdwy/fdm/fd-13-30.pdf ), for maintaining their roadside ditches. Motion by Chairperson Drexler to use the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Facilities Development Manual FDM 13-30-1, 1.1 Channel Types and 1.2 Roadside Ditches as guidance for maintaining roadside ditches within the Town of Eau Pleine. Seconded by Supervisor Trelka. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. 10. Chairperson Drexler notified those present that the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads completed an inspection at the Wisconsin Central Ltd. (WCL) railroad crossing of CTH H and the crossing surface was discovered to be in very poor condition, requiring repair. No action by the Town is needed. 11. Because of an increase in fire and EMS protection services for 2026, Town of Eau Pleine Resolution No. 2025-03 was presented, in which the Town Board proposes to increase the town levy by $50,000. The Town Electors will need to vote on this resolution next month at the Special Town Elector Budget Meeting. Motion by Chairperson Drexler to approve Town of Eau Pleine Resolution No. 2025-03. Seconded by Supervisor Erickson. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. 12. Announcements: a. The Town is taking bids on a culvert located behind the Town Hall that is approximately 30 feet long by 30 inches in diameter. Sealed bids will be accepted until 6:00 PM on November 12, 2025. b. Fall Cleanup is October 11, 2025 c. Town Elector Budget Meeting at 5:30 PM November 12, 2025; Board Meeting to follow at 6:00 PM d. Country Wireless notified Chairperson Drexler that the company will remove their tower behind the Town Hall 13. After hearing questions and concerns from the public – Motion by Chairperson Drexler to pay bills and adjourn. Seconded by Supervisor Erickson. 3 ayes (Supervisor Erickson, Supervisor Trelka, Chairperson Drexler) / 0 nays. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted by: Stacy Martin, Town of Eau Pleine Clerk