Village Board — Minutes

Village of Benton June 19, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Scott Cruse, John Perkins, Jill Knight, Joe Slater, Cal Robbins, Chuck Wartner Absent members: Kenneth Farrey Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Jared Roling, Jim Goffinet, Brian Hammill, Emily Rath Others Present: Jerry Cullen, Mark Harvey, Greg Droessler The regular board meeting of the Benton Village Board was called to order by village president Scott Cruse at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Benton Business Incubator Building at 244 Ridge Avenue on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024. In compliance with the open meeting law, proper notice of the meeting had been posted in four public places: the Zephyr Depot, Benton State Bank, Benton Post Office, and the Benton Business Incubator Building. The minutes from the previous village board meeting were presented. Motion (Robbins, Slater) to approve the minutes from the regular village board meeting held on May 15th, 2024, as presented. Voice-all ayes. Carried Sonya introduced new deputy clerk/treasurer Emily Rath to the board. Mark Harvey and Jerry Cullen from Central Broadband (previously Cuba City Telephone) were present. Mark stated that the installation of fiber will start in the fall of 2024. Installation will be within village limits and not in rural areas surrounding Benton. The fiber will only be installed in the right-away unless the homeowner requests to be hooked up to service. A letter with more information and connection options will be sent out to homeowners. The electric hut is complete, however, there may be a change in the plans, and a smaller cabinet may be placed on the site in Benton. Greg Droessler from Town and Country was present to discuss a facilities plan for the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), lift stations one and two, and the sanitary sewer. The WWTP was built in 1998, making it 25 years old. The building and tanks are solid and in good condition; however, the equipment in the building needs to be replaced. The facilities plan will look at the growth of the village for the next 20 years. An evaluation of the facility will be completed, and a list of what is needed will be compiled in order of priority based on a priority score. The plan will also cover costs and financing. The village will need the plan to receive grant and loan funding. The board received estimates for the facilities plan from Delta 3 for $11,750 and an estimate from Town and Country that will be billed hourly, not to exceed $25,000. Jared will get more information on the pricing difference from Delta 3. There are repairs at the treatment plant that will need to be done soon and will not be part of the facilities plan. The repairs will be discussed at the next water/sewer meeting. Jim Goffinet stated he will need to purchase more light poles. Cal Robbins has a few light poles that Jim can go look at, and if they can be used, the village can have them. Brian Hammill attended the new DUI training last week. The DOT moved the speed limit sign and added a reduce speed ahead sign on the east end of the village. Cameras will be installed at the parks this weekend. Brian is working on an audit from Criminal Justice Information Systems. Sonya announced that Bill McCauley is done mowing and would like the village to find a replacement. He will help out until we find someone. Committee Reports:  The Public Nuisance Committee will meet Tuesday, June 25th. They have several properties that need cleaning up that they will be discussing.  The water/sewer committee met to finalize a new sewer ordinance and will meet again on Tuesday, June 25.  The finance committee met and reviewed the draft audit. The audit summary will be presented at the next board meeting. The current budget was reviewed and is tracking as it should. The finance committee recommended doing a simplified rate case and raising the water and sewer rates by 4.1%.  The ordinance committee met to look over zoning changes recommended by Attorney Eileen Brownlee to allow zero lot lines. The changes are needed to accommodate a request from Tim White and Steve Malone. Village of Benton June 19, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes The finance committee made a recommendation to the board to submit an application for a simplified rate case (SRC) with the Public Service Commission. The increase set by the PSC for the water is 4.1% this year. Sonya presented a spreadsheet with the new rates and a comparison of the rates of the surrounding communities. The increase will be for sewer usage and base charges as well. The water and sewer utilities continue to show a deficit in the audit reports. Motion (Knight, Wartner) to approve submitting an application to the Public Service Commission for a simplified rate case to increase water and sewer rates by 4.1%. Roll-all ayes. Sonya presented the two-year contract for the village to rent the land for the compost site from Kevin Bennett in the amount of $1,100.00. There have been no changes to the contract. Jim mentioned that the compost site has been a mess, and people are dumping items that they should not be. The gate may need to be reinstalled if it continues. The office will put out reminders for the compost site. Motion (Perkins, Robbins) to approve the 2-year contract for the village to rent the land for the compost site from Kevin Bennett in the amount of $1,100.00. Roll-all ayes. The 2023 Benton Waterworks Quality Water Report and the Complaisance Maintenance Annual Report Resolution #2024- 05 were presented to the board. Motion (Perkins, Knight) to approve the 2023 Benton Waterworks Quality Water Report and the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report Resolution 2024-05 as presented. Roll-all ayes. Scott Cruse would like to appoint Michelle Demuth to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Michelle would take the place of Mary Mowry. Motion (Wartner, Slater) to approve the appointment of Michelle Demuth to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Voice-all ayes. The 2024-2025 liquor licenses were presented. Motion (Knight, Wartner) to approve the Class “A” and “Class A” liquor licenses for Jeff’s Mart, LLC, dba Zephyr Depot. Voice-all ayes. Motion (Robbins, Wartner) to approve the Class “B” and “Class B” liquor licenses for Lawrence’s Outback, LLC. Voice-all ayes. Motion (Perkins, Robbins) to approve the Class “B” and “Class B” liquor licenses for Joseph F. McCrea VFW Post 7896. Voice-all ayes. Motion (Perkins, Slater) to approve the Class “B” and “Class B” liquor licenses for McCarthy’s Tavern, LLC. Voice- all ayes. Motion (Robbins, Knight) to approve the Class “B” and “Class B” liquor licenses for Whitey’s Bar & Grill, LLC. Voice-all ayes. The 2024-2025 operator licenses were presented. Motion (Perkins, Wartner) to approve the 2024-2025 operator licenses for Shane Lawrence, Rory Lawrence, Eldon Kruser, John Scanlan, William Sides, Nicholas Neis, Sarah McCarthy, Aaron DeMuth, Brenda Richards, Gayle Wilson, Laura Obrien, Randy Wiegman, Alivia Carius, Lora Carius, Madison Myers, Kevin Kirk. Voice-all ayes. The 2024-2025 cigarette, tobacco, and electronic vaping devices licenses were presented. Motion (Robbins, Slater) to approve the 2024-2025 cigarette, tobacco, and electronic vaping devices license for Jeff’s Mart, LLC, dba Zephyr Depot. Voice-all ayes. Pay the claims against the village. Motion (Wartner, Knight) to pay the claims against the village. Roll-all ayes. Carried The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Motion (Perkins, Slater) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes.