Minutes

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES VILLAGE OF STOCKHOLM BOARD OF TRUSTEES JULY 11, 2023 at 6:00 PM AT THE STOCKHOLM VILLAGE HALL Open Meeting & Roll Call: The meeting was called to order by village President Dave Hanson at 6 PM. Roll Call- Dave Hanson, Dennis Riechart, Matt Anderson, Jerry Larson, Dan Prokosch were present Poem by John Graber John’s poem was read on zoom.us (laptop computer – remote) but disturbed by a dog’s continuous barking outside the village hall. Poem name/author unknown. President Hanson noted that with the sudden resignation of village clerk/treasurer Nancy Wolf two days prior to meeting that there was nobody to record minutes. Hanson asked for anyone in attendance to record minutes of this meeting. Thomas Giebel of Pepin, Wisconsin stepped forward and offered. Residents and board members provided Tom with an agenda, paper and a pencil to take notes. Additions/Deletions to agenda There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. Clerk’s Report: June meeting minutes Motion to accept June meeting minutes by Jerry Larson, seconded by Dennis Riechart. Motion passed unanimously. Clerks concerns on letter written to constituents by Village President Hanson that questioned maintenance contract award process. (Dave Hanson letter to constituents made part of minutes by reference) Trustee Dan Prokosch asked to read his written thoughts about President Dave Hanson’s conduct with regard to village business. (Notes made part of these minutes as an addendum) Dan Prokosch’s c oncerns related to; Dave’s signature of checks Village Maintenance Contract with Rebecca and Chris -Updated Contract Costs -Bid Process -Dollar Threshold Requiring a Bid. Dave Hanson’s letter to constituents not authorized by board Dave Hanson’s behavior toward staff Other objectionable behavior and comments The cause of Nancy Wolfe’s resignation Potential Conflict of Interest by David Hanson Interference at Nancy Wolfe’s place of employment (Pepin branch of Bank of Alma) Dan Prokosch ended by asking for President Hanson to resign his position as president or be removed. Trustee Matt Anderson asked to read handwritten letter by Sarah Prokosch regarding Dave Hanson’s conduct with regard to village business. (Letter is made part of minutes by reference.) Sarah’s concerns related to Dave Hanson’s behavior and paralleled those of Dan Prokosch (above). Trustee Matt Anderson asked for President Hanson to resign or “we will have to take the long road.” Trustee Dennis Riechart concurred with Dan Prokosch and Matt Anderson. President Hanson responded by saying he considered this to be a ‘character assassination’ and the meeting to be a ‘kangaroo court.’ President Hanson said he didn’t know why Nancy Wolfe resigned and that he didn’t ask her to resign as Clerk/Treasurer. Regarding the lawn/snow maintenance contract with Chris and Rebecca and his letter to constituents, Dave Hanson said that he was only trying to save the village money based on a 43% increase and that the matter had been settled by awarding the contract already. Then President Hanson opened the discussion for citizen comments. Several citizens commented. Charlie said his son has psychological symptoms that reminded him of President Hanson. Larry Keturia, a former board member said that the village should get three bids for the village maintenance contract and that his only concern was containing village expenses. One citizen commented that there was no decorum during the meeting. Roy Forstrom said that the board could vote to censure President Hanson per Wisconsin Statute. Former President Harley commented on the situation by saying that the board is ineffective and needs to focus their energies to the benefit of their constituents according to an oath they all took. Trustees Prokosch and Anderson said that this matter is not about the village maintenance contract but about President Hanson’s behavior. The parties referenced §17of Wisconsin Statutes regarding ‘grounds for dismissal of an official.’ President Hanson stated that he met none of the criteria for dismissal. Trustee Matt Anderson pushed for the removal of President Dave Hanson. Anderson made a Motion to request that President Hanson resign immediately. Dan Prokosch seconded the motion. Prokosch, Riechart, Larson and Anderson in favor. Hanson against the motion. 4/1 Motion passed. Resolved, the board requested the resignation of President Hanson. President Hanson did not resign and remains as Village President. Trustee Matt Anderson said “I guess we’ll have to t ake the long road.” Trustee Dan Prokosch made a Motion to table the matter, allow the board to obtain legal counsel and to add the matter to the next agenda. Seconded by Matt Anderson. Vote 4/1 along same lines. Motion passed . Treasurer’s Report: June Financials Treasurer’s Report was accepted as written. Motion by Hanson. Second by Larson. 5/0 Motion passed Park Committee Report: Park committee states that campground is on goal for $40,000 income for 2023 Park needs 12 yards of black dirt. Steary quote at $320; Chris/Rebecca cost of $200 to spread out. Jerry made a Motion to authorize $520 cost. Second by Dennis. Motion passed 5/0. There is a garbage issue. Harlie says that the cost is $238/month and includes use by campground and village. No other discussion. There was a donation of a bench to the park (Tim) Trees need an inspection. Chris and Rebecca are extending themselves by having local youth for extra time at no additional cost to village. New signage. Great value at about 30% of normal charge. Thanks to Dennis Riechart. Jerry asked iif there was a need for help with parking management for Stockholm Art Fair. It is believed that the fair sponsors have this taken care of. There was a short discussion about the RR crossing and the railroad’s use of horns during the Art Fair. A celebration of life event was planned in the park for MaryAnn Swoboda. End of Park Report. Zoning Administrator’s Report – Roy Forstrom Per Roy ; Zick property does not appear to have an easement for driveway across stream. Discussed possibly allowing commercial use in flood plain. Typically Short Term Property Rentals. Short term rentals have been operating without variances. Terry Smith (property owner on Barney’s Point and in Village) has been operating without variances since 2017. Roy Forstrom recommended enforcing ordinances and village okaying Conditional Use Permits where appropriate. This could be a revenue source for license fees and additional room taxes for the village. Terry Smith said he would support a room tax to be collected by AirBnB and similar lodging promoters. FEMA flood insurance should be considered by those with property in the flood plain. Review/possible action on variance of ordinance. Pepin has 34 S/T Rentals to Stockholm’s 7. Pepin Room Tax Revenues is ~$80,000 per year. Roy to draft letter to Short-Term Rental operators and Street Ordinance (From June) Other Zoning Workshop nonspecific items and discussion. End of Report Planning Commission Report: No Report PRAT Committee Report: No Report Cemetery Committee Report: No Report Other Business: K & I Enterprises -Post office sidewalk repair and tuckpointing on the Village Hall updates. No movement. Approve the Village of Stockholm inclusivity for possible resolution- Matt Anderson Read the Inclusivity Statement Out Loud and Made a Motion for Acceptance. Second by Dennis. Motion passed 5/0. Discussed briefly whether IS should be posted in businesses and/or on Village website. Review and pay bills A/P Run was completed and held by Dennis with other Village assets (computer/checks, etc.). Dave Hanson signed checks and distributed to those who could deliver them. Dennis was to provide Dave Hanson with addresses for remaining checks held by David. Citizen concerns. Jerry made a Motion to pay Tom $100 for taking meeting minutes notes. Hanson seconded. Motion passed 5/0 Set the date for the next Board meeting: Next Board Meeting is Tuesday, August 8, 2023 Adjourn meeting. Dan Prokosch made a Motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Matt Anderson. Motion passed 5/0