Minutes

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS TOWN OF CRESCENT MINUTES FOR MONTHLY TOWN BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 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 Knutson. All aye. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes Motion by Waksmonski to approve the minutes from the Monthly Town Board Meeting of August 17, 2022 with changes as discussed. Seconded by Knutson. All aye. Motion carried. Fifteen Minutes of Public Discussion – None Town Chair Report – None Treasurer’s Report - 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 – None County Board Supervisor’s Report - Review of County Board meeting, Administration Committee meeting, Public Works Committee meeting, Conservation and UW-EX Education Committee, Technology Committee meeting and Open Meetings Complaint – Thome reported that sales tax revenue through August is over $4,000,000 with the 2023 budget being $5.5 million. At this time it is anticipated that it will come in approximately $800,000 over budget. Thome presented a revamped job description for the Community Development Position. Thome noted that the CAFO moratorium has expired. Thome reported that the Crescent TRH recommendations were well received at the Planning and Zoning meeting. Fire Department Report and Approval of Purchases - • Monthly Call update, purchases update, training update, fundraiser update – Mahner reported that there were 7 calls during the month of July and August. Mahner stated that they purchased 4 handheld imaging cameras to help find hot spots in a home or searching wooded areas after an accident. Mahner noted that they raised $2500 during the fundraiser this summer. Mahner informed the board that all equipment is in service at this time. Mahner reported that Noah McCann and Noah King are leaving the department and thanked them for their service. Knutson thanked the members of the fire department and first responders for their actions at the at the Houg death in August. First Responder’s Report and Approval of Purchases - None Town Road Crew Report • Road Projects update, update on vehicle repairs and shop repairs – Gerdes gave an overview of current projects and reported that the new truck will be out of the assembly line and will be shipped to DePere next week where it will go to have the plow and other apparatus installed. • Discussion/Decision: Sale of plow truck – Knutson recommended that the town sell the 2007 sterling and an offer has been received for $13,000 from Greg Oettinger. Knutson is looking into using the funds from the sale to purchase a hydraulic trailer and a blower for the tractor. Knutson stated that a trailer will be approximately $11,000-$12,000. • Discussion/decision: Repairs to sand shed – Knutson reported that he has met with a crew to look at extending the eave, redoing the siding and replacing the OSB for the salt shed with the labor costing approximately $5000 and the town will purchase the materials as needed. Knutson is waiting for the proposal to come and may schedule a special meeting. • Discussion/decision: Crack sealing budget – Gerdes reported that he has look into renting a crack sealer, however, the closest available unit is in Iowa. Knutson reported that he spoke to Oneida County about renting their equipment and that is an option. Gerdes reported that American Asphalt has also stated that they have a crack sealer that they would consider renting to the town. Town Plan Commission Report – Pazdernik reported that the last meeting looked at the ARP for Lee Jensen. Pazdernik reported that the plan commission is recommending approval of the APR. Pazdernik informed the board that they discussed additional changes for the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and they will be contacting Dennis Lawrence at the NCRPC. Anderson reported that things went as well as could be expected at the Planning and Zoning meeting regarding the Town of Crescent recommendations for Tourist Rooming House permitting. Uniform Dwelling Inspector’s Report - None Squash Lake District Report – Butkus reported that this month the board will be acting on what the residents and commissioners approved at the annual meeting. Butkus reported that they would like to add buoys in an area of the lake that is shallow and they would like to approach the town about how to accomplish that. There are two options and the Lake District could apply for a permit from the Town of Crescent and the Town of Woodboro or the towns could grant the lake district the authority to do that. Crescent Lake District Report – Thome reported that the Crescent lake District annual meeting was August 20 with 55 electors in attendance. Thome noted that there were 66 acres treated this summer with four main areas beings targeted. There will be a lake study this fall to see how well it worked. Thome informed the board that the 2023 budget is approximately the same as 2022. Discussion/Decision: Administrative Review Permit application by Lee Jensen, applicant/owner to construct a building to operate a professional service for construction and tree service on the following described property: Part of the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4, Section9, T36N, R8E, PIN #CR 121-12, 6662 Prune Lake Road, Town of Crescent – Knutson reported that the Jensen’s are on Prune Lake Road and they are proposing construction of a building to operate a professional service for construction and tree service. Motion by Knutson to approve the ARP application by Lee Jensen as submitted and recommended by the Town Plan Commission. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Discussion/Decision: Expanding Oneida County broadband fiber/tower project into Crescent – Knutson reminded the board and residents that the town previously approved $1000 of the ARPA funds to go towards a countywide broadband project. Knutson gave an overview of the Bug Tussle proposed project and areas of broadband concerns in Crescent. Knutson informed the board that the original mapping for broadband has changed and Knutson believes this changes how Crescent should view this project. Knutson would like the board to signal that we want to have a conversation with the OCEDC on reevaluating how Crescent will be served by this project. Knutson stated that there is another company, Norvado, that is also looking into extending into Oneida County and specifically the Rhinelander market coming down highway 8. Discussion regarding broadband in Crescent and Oneida County. Motion by Knutson that the Town of Crescent wishes to pursue the possibility of developing fiber through the Oneida county boardband project and will enter into discussion with the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation and the supervisors towards that end. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Knutson reported that he would like the town to issue a letter of support. Motion by Knutson that the Town of Crescent support of Norvado Companies middle mile application to the national telecom administration granting program. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Discussion/Decision: Federal Affordable Connectivity Program (income-based discounts on broadband service) – Knutson informed the board that the FCC has developed a program called the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program which is a $30/month subsidy for broadband services for low-income families. Knutson would like the town to publicize that this program exists and gave an overview of the program eligibility guidelines. Motion by Knutson that the town promote the Federal Affordable Connectivity program on the website and to residents in Crescent. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Discussion/Decision: Letter of Support for Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce – Knutson notified the board that he met with Lauren Sacket at the Chamber of Commerce regarding projects the town is working on. Knutson reported that the Rhinelander Chamber is in the process of rebranding and the chamber was chasing a $40,000 grant from the state tourism. Knutson would like to write a letter of support for the branding being done by the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and it’s tourism and marketing committee. Motion by Knutson that with the boards permission a letter will be submitted to the state on behalf of the town that the Town of Crescent is in support of the Rhinelander Area chamber of commerce and it’s rebranding in regards to tourism and marketing. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Discussion/Decision: Rhinelander-area Room Tax – Knutson gave an overview of the Rhinelander-Area Room Tax and stated that the state caps the tax at 8%. The Town of Pelican is currently at 1.7% and the Town of Minocqua is currently at 4%. Knutson gave an overview of the room tax, where the tax goes and what it can be used for. Knutson noted that in the Town of Crescent this would only apply to the Tourist Rooming Houses that have been approved as there are not any resorts or hotels in Crescent. Motion by Waksmonski that the Town of Crescent express interest and have the green light to discuss becoming a member of the Rhinelander Area Room Tax with the Chamber of Commerce. Seconded by Knutson. All aye; motion carried. Discussion/decision: Recommending engine-braking restrictions on County Highway K to Oneida County – Knutson stated that he has received consistent concerns about speed of large trucks and use of compression (jake) brakes on Highway K. Knutson has spoken with local companies that have load haulers used on Highway K and has expressed concern with the trucks in use on the highway early in the morning. Knutson spoke with the Highway Commissioner and the town can make a formal request to the Public Works Committee that the County establish this section of Highway K as a no engine/compression (jake) brake zone. Discussion regarding the request and what area of K should be included in the request. Motion by Knutson that the Town recommend to the Oneida County Public Works committee that the portion of County Highway K that goes through the Town of Crescent be subject to engine braking restrictions with emergency exceptions. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Motion by Knutson that the Town recommend to the Oneida County Public Works committee that the portion of County Highway N that goes through the Town of Crescent be subject to engine braking restrictions with emergency exceptions. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Discussion/Decision: Michael Schnautz Assessor Contract Renewal – Knutson reminded the board that the contract for Michael Schnautz Assessment is due for renewal for 2023-2024. Motion by Knutson to approve the contract for Town Assessor Mike Schnautz to be compensated Thirty-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars total for 2023 and 2024 with each year being $17,400. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye; motion carried. Update: BIL road grants – Knutson reported that there is no update on the status of the local road projects. Knutson noted that there will be future opportunities for similar grants and that there will also be additional TAP Grants available for shovel ready projects. Driveway Permit – Application received from Christopher Schuster on Long Lake Road. Knutson reported that there has been a fair amount of lot clearing and a large tree is hanging over Long Lake Road. Gerdes has reviewed the request and is not recommending a culvert for the driveway. Motion by Knutson to approve the driveway permit with no culvert. Seconded by Waksmonski. All aye; motion carried. Review Correspondence – None Future Meeting Dates and Topics – Thursday, September 22 at 10:00 a.m. budget workshop Approval of Vouchers/Adjourn - Motion by Knutson to approve vouchers as submitted and adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Seconded by Pazdernik. All aye. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Tracy Hartman Municipal Clerk