Village Board — Minutes

Village of Benton July 20, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes Members present: Gary McCrea, Chuck Wartner, John Perkins, Scott Cruse, Cal Robbins, Jill Knight, Absent members: Kenneth Farrey Village employees present: Sonya Silvers, Ryan Carver, Brian Hammill Others Present: 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, July 20, 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 (Wartner, Knight) to approve the minutes from the regular village board meeting held on June 15, 2022. Voice-all ayes. Carried Motion (Perkins, Cruse) to approve the minutes from the special board meeting held on July 07, 2022. Voice- all ayes. Carried Officer Hammill gave the monthly police report. Fraud of seniors has been an area of concern. Officer Hammill will stop by the meal site at the VFW and talk to some of the seniors to raise awareness. The Village will try to put out some informational material as well. Speeding is still an issue, it was recommended that the solar speed sign and the electric speed sign get switched around. Officer Hammill would like to get a department issued cell phone to conduct police business rather that his personal cell phone. The $40 cell phone allowance will be used for this. A request has also been made for a safe at the police department to store ammunition, guns, and evidence in a safe place and he would like to be able to keep the squad car at his house for when he is called out off duty. Ryan Carver reported that they have received the materials for the Water Street water project but are still waiting on the state approval of the plans. The process of approval should start in the next few weeks. Once approval is received the project should take roughly a week and will start after Labor Day. The new piece of play equipment was installed at the BCDC Park. The pickle ball courts are being pressure washed and the crack filling was completed. Sonya reported that Eric Mowry and Dan Aurit met to look at the water drainage issue and they will extend the pipe down to the lower property line. Eric called Dennis Kearn to set up a time to look at the Kearn property water issues reported at the last board meeting and Eric did not receive a call back. Mulch was ordered for the orb rocker at the BCDC Park and we are still waiting for the border to be delivered. John presented a Certified Survey Map to the board for approval. He is wanting to move property lines on his land located on Railroad Avenue and Park Avenue. Currently there are buildings that are located on two different parcels. Motion (Knight, Cruse) to approve the Certified Survey Map to change the lot structure that John Perkins owns on Railroad Avenue and Park Avenue. Roll - Jill Knight - Yes, Cal Robbins -Yes, Scott Cruse – Yes, Chuck Wartner – Yes, Gary McCrea – Yes, John Perkins - Abstain. Carried Village of Benton July 20, 2022 Board Meeting Minutes Committee Reports:  Chuck mentioned that the Public Nuisance Committee created a report that will be shared on a monthly basis at the board meetings.  Gary mentioned Hwy 11 will be getting milled and seal coated in 2028. There will be some cost to the Village for the area where the parking spots are. The donation made to Cole Acres before the fire was reimbursed. The Finance committee would like the board to approve the USDA loan application for the Library/Museum/Community Center project. Proceeding with the project would be dependent upon the success of the Capital Campaign. The Village does not have to accept the loan if the campaign funds are not raised. Motion (Knight, Wartner) to approve the USDA application to apply for funds for the Library/Community Center Building project. Roll-all ayes. Carried Ryan Carver will be retiring December 31, 2022. We will look to hire a water/sewer operator the middle of September. Basic General Wastewater class will be October 10-14th. Sonya will get a personnel meeting set up. Approval of operator license for Lora Carius and Fred Huseman for Hoppy’s Bar and Grill. Motion (Robbins, Perkins) to approve operator license for Lora Carius and Fred Huseman for Hoppy’s Bar and Grill. Roll-all ayes. Carried Approval for Sonya Silvers to attend the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association Conference in the Wisconsin Dells August 24-26. She was chosen for a full scholarship to pay for expenses. Motion (Wartner, Cruse) to approve Sonya Silvers to attend the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association Conference in the Wisconsin Dells, August 24-26. Voice-all ayes. Carried The claims against the Village were presented for payment. Motion (Cruse, Wartner) to pay the claims against the Village. Roll-all ayes. Carried Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Motion (Knight, Perkins) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes. Carried