Village Board — Minutes

Village of Benton February 21, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Scott Cruse, John Perkins, Jill Knight, Kenneth Farrey Absent members: Cal Robbins, Chuck Wartner, Joe Slater Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Jim Goffinet, Jared Roling, Brian Hammill Others Present: Bill Calvert 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, February 21st, 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 (Farrey, Knight) to approve the minutes from the regular Village Board meeting held on January17th, 2024. Voice-all ayes. Carried Bill Calvert would like to annex approximately a ½ acre of land into the Village from the township. There is a potential buyer for the property. The buyer would like to have the pond that is currently in the township included in the sale of the property. Bill would also like to detach a small section of land behind one of the sheds from the Village into the township. Sonya reached out to attorney Eileen Brownlee prior to the meeting regarding the process for annexation and detachments, the associated cost, and responsibility of those cost. Eileen’s email responses and a map of the land from Bill were provided to the board in the meeting packet. The Village would like Bill to get an estimated cost for the annexation, the detachment, and an agreement that he will pay any cost incurred. Sonya will reach out to Eileen regarding questions about detaching the whole property from the Village. Bill also requested to be hooked up the Village sewer. Prior to the meeting, Jared Roling looked into the feasibility and potential cost of providing sewer to the property. There is not a sewer main adjacent to the property, meaning the connection would consist of easements, pumps, and going under State Hwy 11. The board would like to further investigate the feasibility and cost for the Village to provide sewer to the property. Discussion was held. A review of the sewer ordinance will be done and Sonya will reach out to attorney Eileen regarding the Villages obligation to provide sewer. Bill will come to the March Board meeting. Jim Goffinet has 2 transformers that are in need of some repairs. Sending the transformers into T&R will cost approximately $5,700.00. Replacing the transformers with refurbished units would be $5,000.00 each. If the transformer is unrepairable T&R will purchase the unit from us for a very small amount. Approval for repairs will be added to the March agenda. Brian Hammill attended the 2024 Chiefs Conference in the Wisconsin Dells. Brian is working on grants for the police department. He is also still working with the State Legislators to change a some speed limit signs in the Village on Highway 11. Committee Reports:  The Police Committee has been discussing signage, moving the electric speed sign on Galena Street, and a new squad car in the next few years. Scott Cruse has been researching information relative to a new squad car such as; the cost, necessity and timing. He also talked to Ron Fawcett for his input regarding the squad car. Scott met with Ryan Kern after the February board meeting to discuss the decision to not sign the lease and remove the sign from 590 E. Main Street. Ryan would also like the boys’ basketball sign removed. Removal of the sign will take place when weather permits. The park committee will discuss options for a new location. Village of Benton February 21, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes Ben Cernek would like to hook up to Village water. Jared presented the cost to hook the property up to the Village water in the February meeting. It is recommended that the Village workers tap the water main and put a curb stop in at the Village’s expense. Ben can then connect to the water main at his expense. The board would like a copy of the rules set by the PSC. This will be added to the March board meeting. Spooky pinball currently does not have a parking lot. Stated in the business park covenants 4.2.1 parking shall be provided on the premises and shall comply with all the provisions of the applicable Village of Benton zoning regulations. Scott is drafting a letter to determine the plans of a parking lot in the new location. Scott mentioned that staff had a working meeting for the Main Street water main project for the purpose of gathering information for the engineer and Vierbircher. Keith will provided an updated estimate. Pay the claims against the Village. Motion (Perkins, Knight) to pay the claims against the Village. Voice-all ayes. Carried Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Motion (Perkins, Farrey) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes. Carried