Village Board — Minutes

Village of Benton May 17, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Scott Cruse, John Perkins, Jill Knight, Kenneth Farrey, Chuck Wartner, Joe Slater, Cal Robbins Absent members: Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Jared Roling, Brian Hammill, Jim Goffinet Others Present: Dan Wackershauser, Keri Kluck 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, May 17, 2023. 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 was presented. Motion (Farrey, Perkins) to approve the minutes from the regular Village Board meeting held on April 19, 2023 as presented. Voice-all ayes. Carried Keri Kluck addressed the board regarding her access to the Village with a UTV/ATV from the White Street subdivision, according to the Village Ordinances. The board stated that you can go from your home to a trail or from the trail to your home. Sonya Silvers mentioned that Eric Mowry has spoken to Felderman’s regarding the tree work that will be done for the tree grant and they will be meeting within the next week. Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Tasha Blindert has given her two week notice to pursue a new career opportunity. Her last day will be Friday, May 26th. Jared Roling had a consultant from William Reid inspect the chopper pump. They presented a quote to rebuild the pump at a cost of $20,346.00, and a quote to completely replace the pump at a cost of $16,325.00. The pump is designed for 10,000 hours of use and is not used much. It should last if routine maintenance is completed as directed. There is design work that would also need to be completed and the price is not included in the above quotes. Jared will get a full cost for everything and present it at the Water/Sewer committee meeting on May 25th. A special meeting may be called to approve the purchase of the chopper pump. Chief Hammill highlighted the police department stats for the month. There were under 20 calls in the last month. The electronic speed sign needs a new extension cord. The cord gets run over by the lawn mower. Jim will look for a solution to prevent this in the future. Brian will be ordering the radar gun next week. The police committee will be looking at the LEA grant money at the next Police committee meeting. Starting Monday, May 22nd, reminders will be given for lawn mowing. Committee Reports:  The Public Nuisance committee reported that the tree by Cody Claytons is in the process of being taken down.  The Police committee will be looking at the LEA grant money. The police department signed up for Lexipol. The invoice and payment will be submitted to the League of WI Municipalities for reimbursement. The police contract is currently getting updated to make it similar to the employee policy manual while still following ACT 10.  The Finance committee mentioned that they are trying to tie a full rate case in with the Main Street water project, and hydrant rent would also move to utility bills in that time.  The Personnel committee is currently working with Troy Maggied from Southwest Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to hire a Deputy Clerk/Treasurer. Village of Benton May 17, 2023 Board Meeting Minutes  Jill reported that the Library’s summer reading program has good interest this year.  The Park committee has received a cost estimate for two new doors at Swift Park. The cost is coming in above what was budgeted for. The Village will submit a grant to the Benton Community Fund to help offset the cost. Eric will be working with Felderman’s for tree removal and the purchase of trees in the parks. The Urban Forestry Grant will match up to $5,000 of this expense. Outdoor Heritage Education Corporation has donated a bottle filler and this will be installed in Swift Park. The basketball hoop will be installed in the BCDC Park. John Perkins has not had time to look into a cost estimate for completing a portion of the Main Street water main project from County J to Hwy 11 and out. Scott will ask Keith Dalsing for a rough estimate. Chuck Wartner presented the board with 2023 water/sewer rate comparison and history of water/sewer deficiencies. The Finance committee is recommending filing a simplified rate case with the PSC for water and also increasing the sewer rates at this same percent. This year’s water rate increase is 8%, which is set by the PSC. With the future water main project and a probable full rate case in the future the committee feels this 8% increase will help with the future impact of that project. Motion (Robbins, Knight) to approve submitting the simplified water rate case to the PSC and increasing the water and sewer rates at the rate set by the PSC of 8%. Roll-all ayes. Carried The Village of Benton received one sealed bid for project #1 hot mix black top on Water Street and First Avenue Extension and project #2 resurfacing North Van Buren Street, from Main Street to termination. Scott Cruse opened and read the bid aloud. Iverson Construction’s bid for project #1 was $30,336.52 and project #2 was $31299.48. The board reviewed the bid and agreed to award Iverson Construction the bid for project #1 and project #2. Motion (Perkins, Slater) to approve the bid for project #1 and project #2 to be awarded to Iverson Construction. Roll-all ayes. Carried Pay the claims against the Village. Motion (Wartner, Knight) to pay the claims against the Village. Roll-all ayes. Carried Meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m. Motion (Wartner, Slater) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes. Carried