Minutes

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS TOWN OF CRESCENT MINUTES FOR MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022 6:00 P.M., CRESCENT TOWN HALL Board Members Present: Joel Knutson, Chair; Kyla Waksmonski, Supervisor; Mike Pazdernik, Supervisor; Tracy Hartman, Clerk; Carla Fletcher, Treasurer. Call to Order: Chairman Knutson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Crescent Town Hall. The meeting has been properly posted and distributed in accordance with the Wisconsin Open Meeting law and the facility is handicap accessible. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Approval of Agenda Motion by Pazdernik to approve the agenda. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Waksmonski to approve the minutes from the Town Board Meetings of October 12 and October 20, 2022. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye. Motion carried. Fifteen Minutes of Public Discussion – - Niina Threlfall-Baum spoke regarding the Heal Creek Dog Dash that was held last year and the concerns that came up about parking in front of the fire truck bays. Threlfall-Baum reported that it will be held on February 25th and 26th. Threlfall-Baum requested to come next month to discuss the parking concerns. - Greg Fielhauer spoke regarding the UTV park that has been proposed at the Crescent Dump. Fiehauer spoke against the UTV park and expressed concern with the sound that will come with it and the proximity to his property. Knutson stated that this will be put on the agenda in December. Town Chair Report – Knutson reported that in the last newsletter there was a public notice regarding traffic vests that were available. Knutson reported that within 48 hours of the newsletter being sent all of the vests had been claimed. Knutson stated that he attended an arbitration meeting with the library representatives and thanked Mike Pazdernik for his leadership on the library funding. Knutson stated that at the arbitration meeting it was abundantly clear that the library is valued and that all of the towns are on board with making sure the library is funded equitably. Treasurer’s R eport - A written report was given by Treasurer, Carla Fletcher. Library Report - Update on the library board meeting and upcoming programs being offered at the library – Whidden thanked Supervisor Pazdernik for his participation at the library arbitration meeting. Whidden gave an overview of library building committee meetings, regular library meeting and programs that have occurred and attendance at the programs. County Board Supervisor’s Report - Review of County Board meeting and committee meetings – Thome reported that the County budget hearing was yesterday and the 2021 Audit was presented. Thome reported that the period ending 12-31-2021 ended in a $4.1 million surplus. Thome gave an overview of the revenues that came in over budget. Thome reported that the general fund increased by $3.6 million. Thome reported that there was a $1.7 million deficit coming into the budget planning for 2023 and after working with departments the County Board received a balanced budget at the budget hearing and approved the 2023 budget. Thome gave an overview of the capital improvement projects and the ARPA fund projects that were approved. Fire Department Report and Approval of Purchases - Monthly Call update, purchases update, training update, fundraiser update – Mahner gave an overview of the calls during the last month and the live burn training that was held. Mahner thanked the road crew for putting up the water signs in Crescent. Mahner informed the board that the cookies for Santa event will be held in December. Mahner gave an update on the training requirements and how the fire department is planning to meet the training needs in 2023. First Responder’s Report and Approval of Purchases - None Town Road Crew Report - Road Projects update, update on vehicle repairs and shop repairs – Gerdes reported that they are putting a deaf child sign by Crescent Elementary School due to concerns expressed. Gerdes informed the board that they pumped the catch basin at the Town Shop and stated that these should be pumped every year, however, they haven’t been pumped in over 20 years. Gerdes reported that they have been sanding for the last few days and a gentleman stopped recently to thank them sanding the roads. Gerdes gave an overview of vehicle repairs. Gerdes informed the board that they have been filling the potholes on Davenport Street and have been replacing signs in the town that are no longer reflective. Discussion regarding the road off of Bay Drive and whether it is a town road or a private road. Knutson informed the board that the new truck has been delayed until December and this will cause issues with plowing in the future as the town is down to one truck. Knutson will be speaking with the manufacturer regarding the timeline. Americorps Update – Waksmonski reported that the Board has hired Nick Gorensen as the half-time Americorps member that will be working primarily on the park at the Town Hall along with a few other planning projects as time allows. Gorensen introduced himself and gave an overview of his background in occupational therapy. Knutson thanked Gorensen for his willingness to work with this project. Waksmonksi encouraged anyone to contact her or Gorensen if they are interested in helping with the planning of the park. Town Plan Commission Report – Pazdernik reported that the Town Plan Commission continues to work on updating the comprehensive land use plan. The Commission will be meeting on December 21st and January 18th and the NCWRPC will be at those meetings to begin moving forward with completing the comprehensive plan. Uniform Dwelling Inspector’s Report – Knutson reported that Robbie Davister is no longer the City Inspector and the City has hired a new inspector. Squash Lake District Report – None Crescent Lake District Report – None Crescent Elementary School surface lot drainage to Boyce Drive/Lake Julia – Knutson gave an overview of the history of the drainage on Boyce Drive. Knutson met with a number of people from the school, county, state and Musson’s last week regarding the concerns. Sue Thome provided a report on the chloride concentration in Lake Julia as an indicator of salt contamination. Thome reported that Lake Julia has the highest level of salt concentration of any lake in Oneida County. Thome reported that there is drainage from the parking lot into Lake Julia. Discussion regarding the concerns and currently where the drainage from the parking lot goes. Knutson reported that Michelle Saudaskas brought in an engineer from DatCAP who gave a few suggestions. Knutson expressed concern also with the impact the stormwater drainage will have on Boyce Drive. Discussion regarding possible solutions. Knutson informed the board that he will continue to work with the school, the county, and the Lake Julia Association regarding the concerns. Frontier fiber permit application: Birch Lane ROW to USFS – Knutson reported that Frontier is looking into installing a fiber route on Birch Lane off Hwy 47. Knutson reported that he has brought this to the town board due to concerns regarding allowing trenching along town roads without a commitment from Frontier to open up broadband to the residents along that road. At this time Frontier’s plans are to lay the fiber to the Forest Service. Discussion regarding the proposal. Knutson stated that the board will not take action on this permit pending more information from Frontier. Vertical Bridge (VB BTS, LLC) – Proposal to construct 140-foot monopole telecommunications tower at 3510 State Hwy 47 – Discussion regarding the letter received from Edge Consulting. Knutson will contact the Oneida County planning and zoning office to discuss. Improving processes for handling dilapidated property/junkyard complaints – Knutson reported that there are two different situations that are occurring. In some cases the home owners are in a position of currently being unable to clean up their yard and in other cases the homeowners are knowingly storing junk on their property. Knutson has been meeting with planning and zoning regarding solutions. Knutson would like the town to consider getting involved to help with cleanup when residents are down on their luck and unable to complete the cleanup on their own. Knutson has been working with another property owner in Crescent and has come up with a plan to slowly make progress a bit at a time. Knutson has been informed by Planning and Zoning that if the town were to create an ordinance that would mirror the Counties ordinance they would be able to help with enforcement. Knutson would like the plan commission to put this on a future agenda and discuss an ordinance. Waksmonski expressed concern with becoming a vehicle for case management. Lumberjack grant application: pollinator/naturalization project 2023 – Knutson reported that he is working on submitting a Lumberjack Grant for a pollinator planting project. Knutson gave an overview of what he is proposing in the grant application. Knutson presented the application that he has written to request $10,000 for the Town of Crescent. Motion by Waksmonski to allow Knutson to move forward with drafting the Lumberjack Grant application. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. New DOT Road Improvement Grant Solicitations 2023 – Knutson reported that the DOT has released the new road improvement grant solicitations guidelines. Knutson informed the board that this cycle will only allow one application per sponsor and the board will need to decide which road they would like to proceed with. Roskoskey stated that anytime a town is awarded funding through a federal grant they will need to meet state and federal guidelines and therefore he would recommend not looking at a complete reconstruction project as that could become costly. Knutson stated that he is most likely looking at recommending Crescent Road. This would be an 80/20 split with a minimum request of $250,000 and a maximum of $500,000. Discussion regarding bridge grants that are available for rehabbing/replacing existing bridges. Roskoskey reported that there are grants for municipalities with a population under 5000 to be used for transportation alternatives (eg - trails, bike paths, etc.). Knutson reported that one of the uses for this grant may be for use around Crescent School. Transportation Alternatives Program grant update 2023 – Knutson reported that he has been approached by a firm out of Chicago with a local footprint, Ryan Peterson with Epstein, regarding what the TAP funding can be used for. Knutson stated that the state was looking at Crescent to spearhead the discussion with other municipalities regarding the grant and possible uses. Ryan Peterson gave an overview of his background in Crescent and the family history with Crescent. Peterson gave an overview of his professional background. Peterson reported that he will provide a scope of work proposal at the December meeting. 2023 Tax Bill Flier – Jonathan Jacobson and Niina Threlfall-Baum presented proposed changes to the tax bill flier and future communications with the residents. Review Correspondence – None Approval of Vouchers/Adjourn - Motion by Waksmonski to approve vouchers as submitted and adjourn at 8:57 p.m. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Tracy Hartman Municipal Clerk