Motion by Mertz, seconded by Kalata to approve the agenda as printed. Motion carried.
PUBLIC FORUM: Scott Skrzypchak, 840 West Bannerman Avenue, inquired about placing a mobile home on land he had purchased adjacent to his property. The unit has been refurbished and he would like to place it on his adjacent property and use it as a rental unit. President Sieg replied that the village would need to see that the mobile home meets current ordinances and qualifications. And if it was older than five years of age a variance application could be submitted to the Plan Commission. Mr. Skrzypchak was asked to contact the village clerk’s office. Scott’s second comment referred to the 24 hour period after the September 2nd storm when much of the village was without electricity. He stated that he felt President Sieg should have remained in the village to coordinate storm recovery efforts. Sieg replied that the village maintenance staff is continuing to work on storm clean-up daily and that all departments; police, fire and village crews did an excellent job in clearing debris from Highway 21 after the storm so that the highway was open to traffic in less than one hour. Scott also commented that some sidewalks are not passable to the Willow Creek Park and East Side Park and he would like to see life guards added to the Quarry Park.
A motion by Mertz to approve the minutes for the August 16th regular meeting was seconded by Lyles and carried.
CLERK'S REPORT: A public hearing and Plan Commission meeting has been scheduled for October 4th at 6:30 pm to hear comments and recommend action on a zone change application submitted by Farmers Exchange Bank for 401 Warren Street. A meeting will be held on October 6th at the Waushara County Highway Shop to review applications for 2012/2013 Local Road Improvement Program submission – Paul Mertz offered to attend the meeting to submit the village’s application for assistance with the Pine River Street project. Correspondence has been received from Scott Schuman, Director Waushara County Public Works & Solid Waste, informing that the County will eliminate the annual County subsidy to cities and villages for solid waste hauling in 2012. Don Rahn, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause partner, will be retiring soon and Carla Gogan will be handing the village’s account for audit purposes.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Notice has been received that the village has been awarded $143,000 in Community Development Block Grant Public Facilities funds for Pine River Street improvements; the village share of the project has been estimated at $330,000. A hearing has been scheduled for October 12th in the Tracy Janka discrimination case.
FINANCE/PERSONNEL/INSURANCE: Motion by Ralls, seconded by Mertz to approve general fund disbursements - check #6257 through #6313 (Farmers Exchange Bank) for a total of $23,304.78, water fund disbursements - check #6202935 through #6202956 (Farmers Exchange Bank) for a total of $4,524.44, sewer fund disbursements - check #6303353 through #6303375 (Farmers Exchange Bank) for a total of $15,033.79 and electronic transfers from general fund savings for payroll liabilities in the amount of $11,712.86, creating a grand total of $54,575.87 and financial reports ending August 31, 2011 for General, Sewer and Water Funds. Motion carried. A motion by Ralls was seconded by Lyles to designate Citizens Bank as a depository of the village (currently CDBG funds are on deposit with Citizens Bank). Motion carried.
A motion by Ralls was seconded by Piechowski to approve increasing the wage for Lynn Jansen, municipal building janitor, to $10 per hour. Motion carried. Lynn current works approximately 5 to 5 ½ hours per two week pay period.
A request had been received from Astar Capital Management, Inc., representing Waushara Village Apartments, to establish a real estate tax payment of $3,530 as they are looking at improvements to their property via a tax credit application through WHEDA. If their application is accepted the property will no longer be tax exempt. The village clerk had contacted our assessor who indicated that the amount suggested by Astar was fair as long as they don’t upgrade to a much higher building value. A motion by Ralls was seconded by Mertz to proceed with the negotiations with Astar Capital Management in establishing a property tax payment amount for 2012 and forward for the Waushara Village Apartment property. Motion carried.
A motion by Ralls was seconded by Mertz to adopt an updated version of a grievance procedure established by Davis & Kuelthau for the village with a few modifications to include library personnel. Motion carried.
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS: It was reported that Thoma Excavating had quoted $3,380 to install draintile on Pearl Street and Highway 21 for the Pearl Street sump pump drain problem. The proposal does not include any blacktop that may be needed or removal and replacement of fence. Recommended action included sending a letter to the property owner noting that the discharge of water from the sump pump onto the village street is an ordinance violation and include a copy of the ordinance. The letter should include information on the option available through Thoma Excavating noting the owner would be responsible for the cost otherwise the owner should divert the water discharge to his own property. If he would have questions, he could attend the October 18th village board meeting.
Kalata had reviewed the drainage problem in the Wood Street area and in his opinion the water will not flow where it should unless something is done to direct the flowage. The property where the apartment buildings are located used to be lowland prior to their construction but now that the property has been built up the water from the parking lots and apartment building run off and affect 220 Wood Street and the property behind the apartments. An estimate to correct the drainage issue was given as $2,600 to $2,800. A representative from Seek Investments (apartment complex owner) was in attendance and reported that she and her husband had owned the property for about seven years. President Sieg stated that the village is willing to share in the cost of installing a culvert in the area. The owner of the mobile home on Irving Street will be invited to attend the October 18th board meeting to discuss options.
A culvert at the intersection of Highway 21 and County Road N has rusted out on both ends and the bottom. Replacement has been estimated at $9,000; another option suggested would be to insert a plastic culvert inside the existing culvert. Harold Koch is checking with the County Highway Dept. on the second option.
POLICE & FIRE: Chief Olander reported on letters of job performance recognition that have been issued to two village officers. Officer O’Neill had responded to an incident with a suicidal person and using his taser was able to take the individual into custody without further incident. Additionally recognition was given to Officer Krueger for making arrests of individuals spraying graffiti in the Quarry Park and in apprehending persons involved in thefts and break-ins in the Quarry Park.
SEWER/WATER: A motion by Piechowski was seconded by Mertz to approve the purchase of a backflow preventer for hydrants from H-D Supply Waterworks at an estimated cost of $625. Motion carried. The unit will be used when filling construction trucks from a hydrant.
A motion by Piechowski was seconded by Mertz to approve the purchase of a hydrant meter from Badger Meter at an estimated cost of $647. Motion carried.
A motion by Piechowski was seconded by Lyles to approve the distribution of educational material to residential water customers regarding cross-connection hazards by utility personnel as water meters are updated in compliance with DNR requirements. Motion carried.
The village is now required to provide the lead and copper sample results to customers participating in periodic water sampling.
A motion by Piechowski was seconded by Mertz to approve a donation of $100 to the Wisconsin Rural Water Association aiding in construction of a new training facility, increasing emergency response equipment storage and improving the inventory of loaner equipment. Motion carried.
Markowski publicly thanked Alliant Energy for the quick restoration of electrical service for water and sewer building sites in from 6 to 12 hours however water tower #2 serviced by Adams-Columbia Electric was without power for 99 ½ hours. Markowski suggested purchasing a generator for tower #2; originally he had considered involving Bug Tussel as their equipment had been without power during the outage as well. However that may prove costly as a natural gas line would have to be added in addition to a generator. Piechowski requested that Markowski obtain cost estimates on installation of a transfer switch and generator and have the information for the next board meeting. It was suggested that an inquiry be made of the warden at the correctional facility to see if it would be possible for the utility to use one of their generators during an outage in the future.
MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS: Nothing to report.
PARKS/CEMETERY: Lyles reported that during the last rescue effort at the Quarry Park rescue personnel had difficulty getting equipment and a boat to the person in need. Fire department members offered to move the rocks necessary and install a gate to provide better access. Police Chief Olander stressed that the gate must be secure so that no one can drive through the area. A motion by Lyles was seconded by Mertz to permit the fire dept. to move rocks and install a gate to improve access to the quarry for their equipment. Motion carried.
A motion by Piechowski was seconded by Mertz to grant permission to the Rinaldi family to install a bench in the Veterans Memorial Park. Motion carried. Location to be determined.
MACHINERY/SOLID WASTE/ORDINANCES: A motion by Mertz was seconded by Ralls to approve Ordinance 2011-01 amending Title 9, Chapter of the village’s code of ordinances. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote; Eannelli absent. (Copy attached).
Action on updating the village ordinance on prohibiting firearms in village buildings was tabled for further review and discussion by the Ordinance Committee.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: A motion by Piechowski was seconded by Kalata to approve the operator’s license applications submitted by Christopher Dake, Tammy Hansen, Amanda Ridarelli, Anita VanOrnum – Dollar General, Ricky Gustke, Chris Schmidtke – Stumble Inn, Brandi Rilling – Piggly Wiggly and Mischell Hopp Granite Inn. Motion carried.
President Sieg informed that a plaque had been presented to the Redgranite Fire Dept., the Village of Redgranite and the Redgranite Police Dept. on Labor Day weekend by the VFW, the Disabled American Veterans and AMVETS Post 13 in commemoration of lives lost in the 911 terror attack (in 2001). The plaque is to be displayed in the Municipal Building.
A motion by Mertz to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. was seconded by Piechowski and carried.
(All motions carried by voice vote unless stated otherwise.)
Respectfully submitted by: Madonna G. Berube, Village Clerk