Rosholt, WI Minutes December. 2007

December 2007 MINUTES
Note: These are the proposed minutes that will be approved at the next board meeting.

Minutes

Village of Rosholt Joint Meeting of

Village Board & Zoning Plan Commission

Tuesday December 4, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

at the Village Hall (137 Main St)

Approved January 14, 2008

Call to order: by President, Rick Osowski

Pledge of Allegiance:

Roll Call:

Village Board: Arnie Kaminski, Joy Garski, Rick Osowski, Jessica Moore and Betty Williams (Absent: Cindy Gemza)

Zoning Plan Commission: Arnie Kaminski, Ron Pliska and Rick Osowski

(Absent: Cindy Gemza, Debbie Peplinski and Jason Woyak)

Ad Hoc: (absent: Gregg Johnson, Tammy Beckland and Jill Kumenius)

Also Present: Dennis Lawrence (NCWRPC), Donald Malek and Kate Zdroik

Dennis Lawrence of NCWRPC reviewed final changes to the Comprehensive Plan and asked the Zoning Plan Commission to approve the Resolution to recommend comprehensive plan adoption. This action is tabled due to the absence of a quorum and will be added to the Agenda for the December 10, 2007 Board Meeting.

Zoning Ordinance:

The revised draft of the proposed zoning ordinance was reviewed. Items discussed include accessory building height, storm water control, side yards and required permits and a current zoning map. Once the comprehensive plan is adopted, the zoning ordinance can be processed and should be completed by the end of June, 2008. There is no recommendation by the Zoning Plan Commission necessary at this time.

Animal Control ordinance:

Dennis supplied a sample ordinance that addressed language for Pet Fostering. Since the animal control ordinance, being created through the codification process, will regulate pet fostering and limiting the number of pets a person can own, there is no need for a recommendation from the Zoning Plan Commission.

Motion to adjourn: Kaminski/Moore. All in favor. Carried.

Adjournment: 8:10 p.m.

Theresa K. Hartvig, Village Clerk-Treasurer

Minutes

Village of Rosholt Joint Meeting

Of Village Board & Zoning Plan Commission

Monday December 10, 2007

7:00 p.m. @ the Village Hall (137 Main St)

Approved January 14, 2008

Call to order: by President, Rick Osowski

Pledge of Allegiance:

Roll Call:

Village Board: Cindy Gemza, Joy Garski, Arnie Kaminski, Rick Osowski, Jessica Moore and Betty Williams.

Zoning Plan Commission: Arnie Kaminski, Rick Osowski, Cindy Gemza, Jason Woyak, Debbie Peplinski and Ron Pliska

Also Present: Stacy Johnson, Sharon Johnson (& son), Barb Mlodik, Norma Anderson, Jill Kumenius, Larry Kumenius, Nancy Osowski, Jim Zdroik, Carol Beckland, Jim Beckland, Kelly Hodge, Ronald Kurszewski and Kate Zdroik

Resolution for Comprehensive Plan:

Motion: Kaminski/Osowski to approve the Resolution to recommend adoption of the Comprehensive Plan.

Roll Call Vote of Zoning Plan Commission: Pliska (aye), Gemza (aye), Peplinski (aye), Woyak (aye), Kaminski (aye), Osowski (aye) All in favor. Carried.

Public Request for Consideration:

~Stacy Johnson asked about the progress on Reconstruction of Water Street. The board explained it was submitted as the Local Road Improvement Project.

~Ronald Kurszewski asked about the response regarding the height requirement on his accessory building. The board explained that he should be receiving a response from the Zoning Administrator. Kurszewski expressed concerns about the manner in which this request was processed. Kaminski read parts of the zoning ordinance to him and expressed again that he would be receiving an explanation from the zoning administrator.

Minutes:

Motion: Garski/Kaminski to approve the November minutes as read with a change to page one of the November 12, 2007 minutes regarding the request from Bob for a meeting with the Attorney. The last line should read” The board agreed to take the meeting into consideration.” All in favor. Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Caucus Date:

Motion: Kaminski/Williams to set the Caucus date as January 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall (137 Main St) All in favor. Carried.

** Changing to a Primary Election instead of a Caucus was never discussed.

Election Inspectors:

Motion: Garski/Moore to appoint the following as Election Inspectors: Arlene Malek, Marianne Gann, Jim Beckland, Carol Beckland, Kelly Hodge, Beverly Mansavage, Jerry Landowski, Cindy Gemza, MaryAnn Wieczorek, Tammy Beckland, Jill Kumenius, Betty Williams, Frank Wieczorek and Judie Schauer-Wiener (Chief Election Inspector). All in favor. Carried.

Operator’s License:

Applications were received from Daniel Kranski and Jennifer Schmidt. The clerk explained that Jennifer Schmidt gave a false statement on her application, and according to State Statute, the board may revoke the provisional license.

Motion: Moore/Kaminski to revoke the provisional license for Jennifer Schmidt to allow for further background check and to approve the license for Daniel Kranski. All in favor. Carried.

Garbage Fees: The clerk explained the Tipping fees in the State Budget process increased by $2.10 a ton and the landfill increased tipping fees by 1.50 per ton. Our contract allows a $.10 per ton increase in service fees thereby increasing the unit price by .36 a month or $4.32 per year. For budget purposes, we will be billed for the increased amount and will collect for the increase on the 2008 tax roll.

OLD BUSINESS:

Generator: Osowski explained the generator is currently at Motors & Controls. Most replacement parts cannot be obtained but they are replacing the resister in hopes they can get it back in operation. If that does not work, we will have to purchase a different generator.

Meeting with Attorney: Osowski spoke with Attorney Brian Formella who does not think it’s within the Village’s best interest to involve him in the meeting regarding employee performance or communication. He suggested the Village Board conduct a Closed Session meeting with the Maintenance employee to resolve these issues. Therefore, a Closed Session meeting is scheduled for Tuesday December 18^th 2007 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Village Office.

Banner Brackets:

The clerk removed herself from Clerk duties and spoke as a resident. She stated her initial objection to purchasing the brackets was based on the idea that they would be used for advertising purposes. She since learned that they would be used for Centennial Logo banners being sponsored by area businesses and organizations which generated a different opinion. If advertising is ever considered in the future she asked the board to consider the following:

The aspect of a rental contract including a fee for the use of Village poles and brackets.
The aspect of installing the banners. We currently have a free community service provided by Central WI Electric Coop. There may come a time when we are charged for this service. ** A resident stated that the Coop probably won’t charge due to their requirement to provide a certain amount of customer service hours.

Gemza stated she checked with other communities and most of them indicated purchases of this type were obtained through Fund Raisers.

A resident voiced his opposition to the Village funding advertising and shared concerns about banners creating a traffic hazard.

Kate Zdroik spoke on behalf of the centennial group. Approximately 40 sponsors have been obtained. The Village would need to purchase approximately 7 brackets to support 20 banners at one time. All of the sponsors will eventually be displayed through a rotation process as the banners are guaranteed for 16 seasons (3 years)

The price of the brackets are $65.00 each, the sponsors will purchase the banner at $95.00 each.

Motion: Gemza/Moore to purchase 10 brackets using $650.00 from the general fund with a stipulation that the first dollars received for the centennial celebration be used to replace the cost from the general fund. All in favor. Carried.

Centennial Celebration Committee: Following the example of the Village of Tigerton, a committee consisting of a Chairperson, a secretary and a treasurer will be appointed by the Village Board. The committee will provide monthly reports for the board and will establish a temporary checking account for centennial purposes. This appointment will be made at the January 14, 2008 meeting.

Resolution for Trustee Salaries:

Motion: Garski/Moore to approve the Resolution to Increase the Trustee Salaries. All in favor. Carried.

Residents questioned the process for approving this increase; the board assured them the procedure described in the State Statutes was followed and the increase was not for personal gain but rather that an increase had not been given since 1993.

Resolution to Transfer funds:

Motion: Kaminski/Williams to approve Resolution to transfer appropriated funds from the 2007 Equipment Fund to the 2008 Donation for Threshermen Tractor Pull Event. All in favor. Carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Health & Safety:

Snow Removal: The committee makes a recommendation that the snow removal ordinance be amended to state the minimum path width must be at least three (3) feet.

Making a path at least 3 feet allows the sidewalk to be accessible and takes into consideration those with limited space, to discard the snow, such as retaining walls.

** A resident suggested the entire width of the sidewalk be maintained and to make allowances for hardships created by limited space such as retaining walls.

They also recommend a clause that allows an extra 24 hours to remove drifts that have recovered the sidewalk. All other aspects of the ordinance will remain the same.

Motion: Kaminski/Moore to consider a Resolution to make the changes to the snow ordinance, if this is not feasible; the Clerk is authorized to contact the Village Attorney to draft an amendment to the Snow Removal Ordinance.

Based on information gathered from 12 other municipalities, the committee suggests purchasing a snow blower or brush to remove snow from Village owned sidewalks as well as those who are out of compliance with the ordinance.

**The Equipment Planning & Purchasing Committee will consider snow removal equipment.

Village Hall Well: They also report that there is a cracked conduit in the well at the Village Hall. Repairs have been ordered and the water is being tested for DNR requirements.

** It was suggested that the Village conduct a Village wide water test using free service from the University or Ruth Gilfrey Health & Human Services.

Payment of Bills: Motion: Gemza/Moore to approve all the invoices and statements as read. All in favor. Carried.

Setting Dates and Educational Opportunities: The board considered a time to take a group picture to welcome Flume Creek Bar & Grill as a new business. It is preliminarily set for January 14, 2008. During the process of picking a date, Williams expressed her disappointment in the Stevens Point Journal’s processing of previous pictures. They have not been published for at least 2 months. She will consider publication in a different newspaper.

Motion to adjourn: Moore/Gemza. All in favor. Carried.

Adjournment: 9:15 p.m.

Theresa K. Hartvig, Village Clerk-Treasurer

VILLAGE BILLS PAID-December 2007

Check #	Vendor	Amount	Check#	Vendor	Amount
10252 &10253	Payroll	$712.25	10254	Office Supplies 2U	$8.90
10255	Gannet Newspaper	$164.84	10256	Citgo Petroleum	$131.10
10257	BP Amoco	$119.86	10258	WI Dept. of Justice	$5.00
10259	WI Public Service	$202.19	10260	Roosevelt Lighting	$198.15
10261	BLI Lighting	$224.84	10262	Alliant Energy	$1004.82
10263	Veolia Environmental	$1611.46	10264	Flag Center	$200.39
10265	Clabough & Assoc	$4.00	10266	MN Life Ins.	$37.00
10267	Anderson Law Firm	$344.25	10268	Firkus Lumber	$33.44
10269	NorthAmerican Salt	$972.86	10270	Service Motor	$99.32
10271	Gordy’s 66 Service	$106.20	10272	Amherst Telephone	$105.75
10273	MasterCard	$24.95	10274	WIDept Revenue	$133.80
10275	Mileage	$34.92	10276	Payroll	$847.23
10277	Escrow refund	$11.25	10278	Payroll	$882.83

SEWER BILLS PAID-December 2007

Check #	Vendor	Amount	Check#	Vendor	Amount
4041 & 4042	Payroll	$806.31	4043	Energenecs Inc	$648.75
4044	Commercial Test Lab	$263.20	4045	AmherstTelephone	$69.74
4047	Roosevelt Lighting	$8.70	4048	Alliant Energy	$638.00
4049	Team Lab Chemical	$642.50	4050	Diggers Hotline	$2.84
4051	Alltel	$24.92	4052	WI Dept Revenue	$72.60
4053/4054	Payroll	$721.54	4055/4056	Payroll	905.52
4057/ 4058	Health Care Benefit	$2250.00

Minutes

Village of Rosholt Special Board Meeting

Tuesday December 18, 2007

7:00 p.m. at the Village Office (125 Grand Ave)

Approved January 14, 2008

Call to order: by President, Rick Osowski

Pledge of Allegiance:

Roll Call: Cindy Gemza, Joy Garski, Jessica Moore, Rick Osowski, Arnie Kaminski and Betty Williams

Also Present: Bob Kurszewski

Provisional Operator’s License:

The clerk explained that she had made an error when reading the background report for Jennifer Schmidt. She was charged with a felony but it was dismissed before conviction, therefore, she did not make a false statement on her application.

Motion: Moore/Kaminski to reinstate the provisional license for Jennifer Schmidt. All in favor. Carried.

** The clerk expressed the need to establish a license review committee for more adequate processing.

Motion: Moore/Williams to adjourn to Closed Session to discuss the job performance of the maintenance employee. All in favor. Carried.

Closed Session:

Topics Discussed:

Hauling and storing wood on Village Property. The board explained it was a liability issue.
Removing Culverts at Food Bridge Park and 180 Grand Ave E.
Obtaining Price Estimates; there is a lack of consistency. Bob is required to obtain two estimates but sometimes the board acts on only one estimate. The example of landscaping was mentioned.
Generator for Sewer: The sewer committee said they gave Bob permission to take it to Wisconsin Rapids for a repair estimate so no blame should be placed on Bob.
Attendance at regular board meetings: The board feels that some of the communication problems could be eliminated if Bob were at the Board meetings to answer questions. Making attendance mandatory will be considered.

** At this point in the meeting, letters submitted by Kelly Hodge and by Jim & Carol Beckland were read aloud.

Communication about Bob’s request to have this meeting with the Attorney. A simple communication about picking a date was misunderstood.
Sewer Procedures: The automated emergency response system was discussed. The need for implementing a procedure was not fulfilled. Some of the responsibility was Bob’s and some of it was the Sewer committee’s. The Village of Amherst is coming for training on December 19, 2007. Duane Dobbe will be removed from the phone tree to be replaced by Arnie Kaminski. A standard protocol for emergency response will be created.

What is the Resolution to the lack of communication?

Bob is willing to attend board meetings.
More and More job duties are being given to Bob. He is the sole maintenance operator and the board should give him a chance to adapt to the demands. If problems occur, someone on the board should discuss the concerns with Bob. Taking pictures behind his back and processing complaints without discussing the situations with Bob is not the way to conduct business.
Each time the Board members change, communication needs to happen. Everyone needs to stop being defensive and try a more supportive communication. The idea of a maintenance committee was discussed. Committees that are already established should be sufficient to process public concerns, therefore, items that need to be resolved will be placed on the regular monthly Agenda.
At the very least, the Village president should communicate with Bob on a regular basis. Any board member should feel confident to address Bob about issues of concern and vise versa. Rick is willing to meet with Bob a couple mornings a week for a routine check.