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CITY OF GILLETT COMMON COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES Council Chambers – Municipal Building 150 N McKenzie Ave – Gillett, WI 54124 THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2025 AT 6:00 PM MINUTES 1. Mayor Blaskowski called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll Call Present: Mayor Jon Blaskowski, Deputy Clerk Treasurer Lisa Anderson, Alderpersons Nanette Mohr, Keri Hicks, Jerry Luther, David Bunker, Ashley VanStraten, and Matt Young, and Utility Operator Matt Wickman. Public Works Foreman Nate Anderson, Police Chief Shane Breitenbach, Fire Chief Kurt Hicks, City Attorney Robert Gagan, Librarian Shannon Stoner. Public: Kevin Smith, Chris Byars and Ben Piaskowski. 3. Deputy Clerk Treasurer Lisa Anderson informs the Council that the Open Meeting Law has been complied with. 4. Public Input: None 5. Discussion on parking lanes on Highway 22. Ben Piaskowski addressed the council with his concerns on two lane parking in front of his business. Ben and his wife Kris thought they were on top of the issue of parking. Ben stated that when the state sent out paperwork letting property owners know what they were doing on their property, and after Kris attended meetings, the state insisted it was two side parking. Mayor Blaskowski stated originally it was going to be two lanes, then there was no parking on either side of Highway 22. He said shortly after he was elected that we need to have at least one side for parking. Ben said he talked to Clerk Chelsea Anderson, and she told him there were safety issues from bank parking lot. He brought up a few concerns like elderly customers having to cross the road, delivery for him and other concerns without the curbside parking. He said without parking on both sides people with trailers for instance ATV and snowmobiles, won’t see parking and keep going. He said he would lose tens of thousands of dollars of potential business, and he doesn’t think he could recover from that as a business owner. Ben said they did purchase the lot behind Spirits from the bank, but it would be a while before he could swing the money to make it a parking lot. Ben said he got minutes from City Clerk from 2021, he said thank for that. Ben said parking on both sides of the street were passed at that time cost then was between $11,000 to $14,000 per side. He said it’s a small cost when you weigh it out against the economic impact of himself and other businesses. Groups use his business for meetings like Christmas in the park, and We Believe. Alderperson Vanstraten asked if he could apply for the forever fund grant for his back lot? Deadline was end of July for 2025. He will have to apply next year. Ben does want parking behind his business with a ramp that he is going to do. Alderperson Luther said that we are getting pretty far in Hwy 22 project, if the state does allow change at this point would Ben be willing to put any money into it? Alderperson Luther said when road project was done where he lives on Robinhood lane they put curb and gutter in, and he had to pay for it. Also, Alderperson Luther said Ben could apply for Tedcor loan up to $25,000 at 2%, Ben said that he doesn’t like to do debt. Ben said cost to put money into it would be something he would be willing to talk about. Ben said he knows the cost of the lanes has gone up. Ben asked what the path forward would be as far as his role and the city’s role. Council members said we need to ask the state find out cost and if it is possible for parking lanes on both sides of Hwy 22.can be done at this point. Mayor Blaskowski said we will have to contact the state and move forward from there. Alderperson Mohr said at bid opening with Robert E Lee it could be discussed at that time, if there is a possibility of 2 changing. City Clerk Chelsea Anderson is going to contact the state. Alderperson Vanstraten asked Ben to do a google map overview, of where he would like parking to be and get it to the City Clerk. 6. Park and Cemetery Committee Report: Alderperson Luther a. Discussion & possible action on CDBG Grant and MSA Contract Alderperson Luther said the CDBG grant was a success, we cannot publish anything on that. We did receive it. MSA contract to handle things moving forward to make sure the project is handled properly. Art Bahr from MSA has to get paperwork through the state. Alderperson Luther said hopefully we could get bids out in November to start work in the spring. He said by the time you get all the federal programs satisfied 2027. We will have to set up a line of credit at the bank for the playground project we pay the bills upfront, and they reimburse us. Alderperson Luther said we have another grant we are waiting on; we should have answer by first part of September. Alderperson Mohr said if we have the engineering done, we have a better chance of getting grant. MOTION: Mohr/Vanstraten Motion to approve to accept the contract from MSA for $30,000 lump sum and labor standard fee for $7,500. Voice Vote: All Voting Aye - MOTION CARRIED Roll Call Vote: All Voting Aye – MOTION CARRIED 7. Discussion & possible action on Meeting Minutes from July 3, 2025 MOTION: Luther/Mohr Motion to approve minutes from July 3, 2025 Voice Vote: All Voting Aye - MOTION CARRIED 8. Library Report: Library Director Alderperson Hicks thanks Librarian Shannon Stoner and Chief Shane Breitenbach on a very fun and successful National Night Out. Librarian Stoner said National Night Out was a big success. She received a lot of positive feedback; on location and things they had. She also thanked everyone who supported it. Police Chief Breitenbach said he would like to thank these groups that helped put National Night Out together: City of Gillett Police Department, Gillett Public Library, Oconto County Sheriff’s Department, Gillett City Fire Department, Gillett Area Ambulance, Gillett Lions Club, Pat’s Market, Oconto County Health and Human Services, Gillett Chamber of Commerce, La Mexicana, Tattooed Mannequin, Gillett School District, American Legion Auxiliary Post 300, Seneca Foods, University of Wisconsin Regional Outreach Program, Finnegan Lake Walleye Club, Peshtigo National Bank, Gillett Bumper To Bumper, Gillett Milling, Gillett Women’s Club, Homegrown, and Saputo Cheese. Individuals that helped make this a success Linda Hogus, Rachel Weckler, Tammy McQuillan Irène Drake, Gary Jaeger, Nanette Mohr, and Ann Ammerman. August 2025 Programming Friday, August 1, 10:30-11:30 am: Mindful Art Tuesday, August 5, 5:30-7:30 at Gillett Elementary school Thursday, August 7, 630-715 pm: Pink Size Polkas Monday, August 11: Annie’s Angels School Supply Distribution/Lt. Governor Sarah Rodriguez visit Wednesday, August 13, 10-11 am; Unsinkable Ships National Night Out 2025 is now in the books and it was a success. Thanks to everyone who helped contribute to this fun program. Next year’s theme is “Unearth A Story”, so Paleontology, Dinosaurs, and Archaeology. 2026 Budget 3 I’m working on the fall newsletter that will be released before my vacation at the end of August. 9. Tourism & Marketing Commission/Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce: Alderperson Luther a. Discussion & possible action on Trail Signs The meeting prior to council is going to go out for quotes again for the signs. May have to have a meeting to get things moving on it. b. Discussion & possible action on Discovery Guide The meeting prior to council it was decided the city would have their page and pay for it. Chamber of Commerce will have their page and pay for it. Chamber of Commerce member Chris Byars gave update. They got five applications from the Forever Fund. That closed on July 31st, this year its $3000.00. They will be putting out things about that soon. The Forever Fund committee met and formed some guidelines, they may develop a emergency fund portion because of the recent tornado. The Chamber did help Telford with the damage they received; it is something the Chamber can do to help our members. There are limits so the fund doesn’t get drained if there is a major event. The next meeting will be next week at the ambulance garage. The Chamber is working on the walking trail putting together a system of places people walk; this is a way people will go out walking and see our community. Working on developing signage for the trails, hoping it will be done by the end of Fall. The fresh food stand by the Community Center is being well used. Keri Hicks did signage, so people knew where to go which helped. Harvest and Homecoming starts the week of October 3rd they being working on activities that tie in with homecoming. Saturday of that week they have vendors, activities for kids, the bonfire the night before. They have contacted businesses to be in raffle for cash drawings that are done during homecoming week. This helps promote their business. They will do their live Facebook drawing again each day to announce the daily winner. 10. Financial Report: Clerk Treasurer – a. Updated Monthly Check Register Provided MOTION: Luther/Mohr Motion to approve the Financial Report. Voice Vote: All Voting Aye – MOTION CARRIED 11. Police Department Report: Police Chief Breitenbach a. Discussion on Training, Public Relations, and Incident Summary Report -Chief Breitenbach provided the incident report: Training and Public Relations- From the Chief's Desk Gillett Police Department \ 282 incidents \ July 2025 The Gillett 4th of July Celebration Event and Parade was a success and went off without any major issues. If anyone has any questions, comments, or would like to assist with next year’s parade, please contact the police department for more information. SRO Hull participated in two training events that will help enhance her teachings in the schools. AWR 148: Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents – Partnering Rural Law Enforcement and the Local School Systems was an 8-hour, DHS-approved course designed to educate rural law enforcement personnel as well as school administrators and staff on the elements that would allow for an effective response to school-based emergencies. The other training SRO Hull attended was the "What Do You Consider Lethal?" program. This program is an interactive and engaging training class designed to educate teens about the dangers of reckless and distracted driving. The program includes two personal stories and emphasizes the importance of making safe choices as drivers and passengers. The program 4 aims to raise awareness and encourage teens to take the lead in peer-to-peer messaging about safe driving practices. Thank You to all who helped make the National Night Out 2025 such a success! We had an incredible amount of community support this year and I would like to acknowledge the supporting organizations that made this year’s event the best yet! Gillett Police Department, Gillett City Public Library, Oconto County Sheriff’s Office, Gillett City Fire Department, Gillett Area Ambulance, Pat’s Market, Gillett Lion’s Club, Oconto Health and Human Services, Gillett Area Chamber of Commerce, La Mexicana, The Tattooed Mannequin, Gillett School District, American Legion Auxiliary Post #300, Seneca Foods Corporation, University of Wisconsin Regional Outreach Program, Finnegan Lake Walleye Club, Peshtigo National Bank, Gillett Bumper to Bumper, Gillett Milling, Gillett Women’s Club, Saputo Cheese, and Homegrown. These individuals also assisted with the event; Linda Hougas, Rachel Weckler, Tami McQuillian, Irene Drake, Gary Jaeger, Nannette Mohr, and Ann Ammerman. You could not have asked for a better evening! We look forward to seeing everyone next year for NNO 2026! The planning has already begun! If anyone is interested in donating to or assisting with planning for next year’s event, please let us know! 12. Fire Department Report: Fire Chief Hicks a. Discussion on Training, Public Relations, and Incident Summary Report July 7 - Fire Call smoke Detector-Gillett July 9 - Seneca- False Alarm July 10 – Structure Fire- Auto Aid-Underhill July 23 - Storm Damage July 24 – Auto Aid -Underhill -Storm Damage July 26 – Auto Aid – Underhill Aug. 1 – Auto Aid - Underhill – Ditch Fire Aug 3 – Lift Assists – Gillett EMS at Spirits Chief Hicks said that they had Drivers Operation training, everyone in the fire department has to know how to drive every fire truck. The training had each member go through a course that was set up by the national and federal agencies. If they do not go through this training and pass, they are not able to drive fire trucks. They had hose testing and all the trucks were tested, this is mandated by federal law. At the next meeting they will be watching a power point on grain bin entrapment. Two fire inspectors and Fire chief from Pulaski will be attending. Fire Departments Underhill, Town of Gillett, Suring, and Gillett EMS will also attend. This will be a two- to -three-hour training. August 18th the fire department will be going to the Mahoney Farm in Suring to work on grain bin entrapment. The city has rails that are used for extracting someone. Chief Hicks thanked Zahn farms for providing a couple of Augers for training and drivers. The city will be using the Ariel truck with harness to get individuals out during training. They will be having the golf outing at Golden Sands Golf course on Saturday the 9th, this is a major fundraiser for the fire department. Fire department was at National Night Out. EMS fire bootcamp was on July 14th to July 18th ,11 students attended. There is an article on this if anyone would like to know more about it on Gillett Area Firefighter Association. Chief Hicks thanked his wife Alderperson Keri Hicks for taking pictures of the event which will also be on the website. The fire chief expressed the importance of young individuals getting training in the events and possibly going to tech school for EMS programs. Chief Hicks said he got a quote for a generator from Telford’s for the fire department. He stated we must get a generator at the fire house and city hall should get a generator too. During the recent storm/tornado there was a 12 -13-minute delay getting out of the fire station. Without power they need a generator, the delay could cost lives. Telford’s gave them a good deal. Alderperson Luther asked how much Fire chief Hicks said $11,000. The bid is good for 90 days. The mayor asked Police chief 5 Breitenbach to get a bid for City Hall to get squads out during a power outage and battery power for radios. The mayor asked for the bids to be given to HPL. 13. Health, Protection and License Committee Report: Alderperson VanStraten a. Discussion & possible action on Golf Cart Ordinance Alderperson Vanstraten said this was discussed at previous committee meetings, Chief Breitenbach didn’t see any red flags just looking for approval. City Attorney Robert Gagon said he would make a edit in section 3b to add a phrase that states, every golf cart operating within the City operating on city streets. They must have headlights and taillights must be displayed from dawn to dusk. He asked to have that amendment when it is approved. MOTION: Mohr/Luther Motion to approve the Golf Cart Ordinance with the amendment from the City Attorney. Voice Vote: All Voting Aye - MOTION CARRIED b. Discussion & possible action on Fire Charging Ordinance Alderperson Vanstraten said this was discussed in the committee meetings MOTION: Young/Bunker Motion to approve the Fire Protection Charging Ordinance. Voice Vote: All Voting Aye - MOTION CARRIED c. Discussion & possible action on Operator License for Makayla Hansen MOTION: Luther/Mohr Motion to approve the Operator License for Makayla Hansen. Voice Vote: All Voting Aye - MOTION CARRIED 14. Board of Public Works Committee Report: Alderperson Hicks- Public Works Foreman Nate Anderson a. Discussion & possible action on We Energies Light Poles Alderperson Hicks said we have received information from We Energies that we need to be responsible for cost of labor for 9 poles at the cost of $8,436. The lights will be LED. MOTION: Vanstraten/Mohr Motion to approve the We Energies light pole proposal for$8,436 Voice Vote: All Voting Aye - MOTION CARRIED Roll Call Vote: All Ayes – Motion Carried Public Works Foreman Nate Anderson reported that City did have a tornado. We received a call from the City of Oconto Falls offering their help if needed for brush chipping. They came in and helped with chipping, which helped a lot. Nate said chipping continued all week. City Clerk Chelsea Anderson sent them a thank you. While the chipper was out, they took care of a few trees one on Orchard Ave that was leaning, also dead ash trees. Cleaned up brush in the parks. They started to do maintenance on plow trucks to get ready for this winter. Did spraying of weeds around the city, sprayed lines on Main Street the parking lanes and curb. Did spraying of lines by the school too. Fire Chief Hicks thanked the public works department for working together getting the streets cleaned up after the tornado. 15. Utility Committee Report: Alderperson Young a. Discussion & possible action on hiring Alderperson Young stated they had a Utility meeting the night prior and did an interview. 6 Leave it lay until we hear from individual that was given interview. Utility Operator Wickman said he passed his Wastewater test. He also said there are things breaking every week. At the Wastewater plant the hauler station has a keypad so the hauler can put their card in and enter their code. They cannot dump unless they do this. It broke and he found out it was obsolete. They will have to upgrade. He got a quote for new one, it was $16,300. Pinch Valve failed, he noticed the ponds were dropping and system wasn’t responding. Waiting for quote on that. Seeing if we have to purchase new or get parts. They are in manual mode for now. Lift Station pump should be here on August 28th or 29th. Resurge tank pump is being rebuilt, they have another one that must be rebuilt once the other one gets here. 16. Finance and Personnel Committee Report: Alderperson Mohr said she had nothing to report. She said in the Municipality magazine the council receives; there is a small section on the City of Gillett. Cesa 8 is having small community forum on September 9th from 8:30 to 1:30. Alderperson Mohr would like the City Clerk to attend. 17. Planning Committee Report: Alderperson Bunker discussed working on the moving of the Boy Scout cabins. He is working with Rick Raatz and Pete Vorpahl. Would like to keep on City property. 18. Clerk Treasurers Report: Report provided by City Clerk Chelsea Anderson read by Deputy Clerk Lisa Anderson. The clerk filed the library tax exemption for 2026. The August dog settlement was sent to the county. She filed the SL310-video provider service report with Department of Revenue. Also, the joint review board date needs to be planned soon to review the TIF districts. 19. Attorneys Report: Conway, Olejniczak, and Jerry S.C. Attorneys at Law- City Attorney Robert Gagon. The lawyer stated he had to issue an attorney opinion letter for the highway 22 project to the USDA, he has to work through the title work, look at the maps regarding the right aways and issue that. He’s looking into limiting tobacco outlets, and dispensaries. He said he talked to Clerk Chelsea Anderson about dispensaries. 20. Public Input: None 21. Mayor's Report: Mayor Blaskowski stated he will have Clerk Chelsea Anderson email all the department heads on getting their budgets ready for the September meeting. He said so they get an idea of wants and needs for each department. He said he knows the fire department wants a blacktop driveway because of gravel issues. He said the library’s parking lot is getting pretty beat up too. These are things that have to be brought up this budget season. Once they get budgets done come together as council, Chelsea makes a spreadsheet with the last three years of everything that was spent. Cold storage building needs to be replaced because the building inspector we need it said the equipment under it isn’t safe. The mayor said he wants the budget done so it runs smoothly like last year. 22. Adjourn at 7:30PM MOTION: Luther/Vanstraten Motion to adjourn. Voice Vote: All Voting Aye - MOTION CARRIED Respectfully submitted by Deputy Clerk, Lisa Anderson