Village Board — Minutes

Village of Benton October 19, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Gary McCrea, Chuck Wartner, John Perkins, Scott Cruse, Cal Robbins, Jill Knight, Kenneth Farrey Absent members: Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Ryan Carver, Jared Roling and Brian Hammill Others Present: David Halloran, David Ralph, Dan Wackershauser The regular board meeting of the Benton Village Board was called to order by Village President, Gary McCrea, at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Benton Business Incubator Building at 244 Ridge Avenue on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. 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. Motion (Farrey, Robbins) to approve the minutes from the regular Village board meeting held on September 21, 2022. Roll-all ayes. Carried David Halloran arose concerns associated with the sale of 150 Whaley Court to Lafayette County Housing Authority for a housing Development. Currently the property is home to a ballfield that is used by children quite often. He questioned whether another recreation area had been thought of for a ball field. There has not been discussion regarding a new space for a ball field at this time. Gary thought there maybe room down by the football field where something could be done in the future. Concerns about financial responsibility for utilities and maintenance were questioned, as well as if the housing development will produce tax revenue for the Village. The Village will be responsible for getting utilities to the property line and the land owner would be responsible for anything after that. The housing development will produce an annual payment in lieu of taxes. Ryan reported that while working on the Water Street water main project it was discovered that William and Jody Feuchtenberger’s curb stop was not tapped into the correct water lateral that Ryan had previously thought. This is thought to be the cause of their water problems. It is suggested to move the curb stop to the correct water lateral to provide them with quality water. Jared Roling has completed a week of training towards his wastewater certification. There is another class in November and then Jared will test for his wastewater certification for operator. Ryan reported a phosphorus discharge violation due to an obstruction. The obstruction has been cleared and everting is back on track. Committee Reports:  Kenny spoke to Adele Rowe who would like trees trimmed that are on her fence line protruding from Village property.  Scott mentioned that the Village office sent letters out for tree trimming and missing house numbers.  Gary had a request from the Red Church to place trees in the street right away off County J at about 12’. There are electrical lines there so it will not be possible. Officer Hammill informed the board that the building the police department currently resides in is being sold and he will need to find a new location for his office. Discussion was held on possible locations and a police committee meeting will be held. Speeding on County J is a continued problem and Officer Hammill believes a speed limit sign will help. He will contact the County for this. The STH 11 project estimate and contract from WIS Dot was presented. The estimated project cost for the Village would be $110,000. Discussion was held and the board would like details on the charge for Village of Benton October 19, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes $15,000 to adjust municipal utilities. Shared revenue was mentioned and the board would like some information to go out in the newsletter. Sonya mentioned that Tasha Blindert and Eric Mowry worked on submitting a DNR Urban Forestry grant. This grant is a forestry program start up grant that would total $10,000 with a 50% match from the Village. This would be for the removal of five trees, planting of four trees, and pruning of fourteen trees from the parks in Benton. Notifications will be sent in November if the grant is awarded. As part of the application a authorizing resolution needs to be submitted. Motion (Farrey, Knight) to approve and submit the authorizing resolution that is needed for the DNR Urban and Forestry grant. Roll-all ayes. Carried Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Committee is to approve the rezoning of 150 Whaley Court from Public Grounds District to Planned Development Unit for the future housing development by Lafayette County Housing Authority. Possible locations of a new ballfield will be looked into. Recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Committee is to approve rezoning of 94 Park Avenue from Business Park District to Single Family Residential – Medium Density for John Perkins. Motion (Wartner, Cruse) to accept and approve the recommendations from the Planning and Zoning Commission to rezone 94 Park Avenue from Business Park District to Single Family Residential-Medium Density and 150 Whaley Court from Public Grounds District to Planned Development Unit with possible locations being looked into for a new ballfield. Roll-all ayes. Carried Sonya presented budget item requests in the board meeting packets. Recommendations from the personnel committee regarding increases to wages for the budget were presented by Chuck Wartner. Discussion was held regarding the increase to the electric workers’ wages. A raise of a flat rate was approved rather than a percentage. Motion (Robbins, Perkins) to approve the wage increase to $33 for the electric department workers. Roll - Gary-NO, CAL-YES, Chuck-YES, John-YES, SCOTT-YES, Jill-YES, Kenny-YES. Carried Gary announced the next LDC meeting will be November 7th, 2022 at Kelli’s Place at 6pm. Gary announced that after 27 years on the Village board, 23 of those serving as Village president in the Village of Benton, he will be turning in his resignation and his last day will be 10/20/2022 at 4:30 p.m. Gary recommended to the board that Scott Cruse fill the vacant position of interim Village president. Motion (Perkins, Knight) to approve the recommendation to appoint Scott Cruse as interim Village president to fill the vacant position for the Village of Benton effective October 21, 2022. Roll-all ayes. Carried Kenny Farrey made a recommendation to the Board to appoint David Ralph to fill the vacant interim Village trustee position effective on October 21, 2022. Motion (Perkins, Knight) to approve the recommendation to appoint Dave Ralph as interim Village trustee to fill the vacant position for the Village of Benton effective October 21, 2022. Roll-all ayes. Carried The claims against the Village were presented for payment. Motion (Perkins, Wartner) to pay the claims against the Village. Roll-all ayes. Carried Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Motion (Robbins, Perkins) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes. Carried