Minutes: November 8, 2006
Village Board Proceedings of November 8, 2006
The Regular Monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
Others present: Tom Meyer, Chief of Police; and,
Notice of this meeting, along with the agenda, was posted at the following locations in the
The meeting was called to order by President Gruber at 7:30 p.m.
Murry motioned to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2006 Regular meeting. Kraemer seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
Public Works Department Report
The new dump truck should arrive within the next two weeks.
Public works has been doing repair work on the snow plow. It needs a new trip edge that will cost about $450-$460. The company doesn’t make the plow that the Village needs any more so it will need to be bored out again.
Nick checked into new Well House meters. The current meters were installed in 1984 and are in need of replacement. The meters are reading inaccurately. Two prop meters would cost approximately $4,200. However, the new flow meters most people are using called a mag meter would run about $6,700. Labor would have to be involved in that installation and the price would then be $8,100-$8,500. The Water Fund would pay for this purchase.
Police Department Report
Chief Meyer presented the Case Report for October. There were no Halloween related incidents this year. 230 Trick-or-Treat bags were given to the two elementary schools for Halloween. The bags contained the following: mood pencil with the Police Department name and phone number, a bicycle safety booklet, three pieces of candy, and a junior officer sticker.
Chief Meyer has been in contact with the River Valley Superintendent regarding increase patrol at the Plain schools. Residents are very happy to see the presence at the schools as well.
Analysis of incidents over the past few months was presented to the board. Saturdays constitute almost half of the occurrences. Part of this is from police initiated traffic stops. The officers are regularly on duty on Saturdays. Chief Meyer answered various questions regarding his analysis.
Committee Reports
Streets - Studnicka
No Streets Committee report.
Water & Sewer and Cable TV - Liegel
A few changes are going to be made to the Website’s home page.
Water Pumpage for October:
Well No. 1: 358,300
Well No. 2: 1,546,100
Total for October: 1,904,400 gallons, which was 905,300 gallons less than last year.
Two bacteria samples were sent to the State Lab. Both tested safe.
Monthly fluoride average: 1.19 p.p.m.
Wastewater Report for October:
Influent Monthly Average B.O.D.: 204 mg/l
Effluent Monthly Average B.O.D.: 9 Limit: 15 mg/l
Influent Monthly Average T.S.S.: 175 mg/l
Effluent Monthly Average T.S.S.: 10 Limit: 20 mg/l
Weekly Average Nitrogen Ammonia: 0.276 mg/l Limit: 3.0 mg/l
Total gallons treated: 2,181,200
Building & Swimming Pool - Buchanan
Two building permits were issued since the October meeting, #06-12 for a Single Family Residential at
The Pool Committee met to set rates and salaries.
Finance & Ordinance – Kraemer
The Finance Committee met on October 30, 2006 to review wages. The budget stayed within the 2% mandated levy limit. The Public Hearing is scheduled for Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
No Ordinance Committee Report.
Police & Library Liaison - Leeck
No Police Committee report.
The library will receive the 100% nonresident usage payment for 2007.
Parks & Golf Course - Murry
The Public Works Director has planted trees in the park and on the golf course. The extensive variety of trees included Swamp Oak, Littleleaf Linden, Blue Spruce, Baby Blue, and Limber Pine. About 12-15 trees were planted.
A question arose in regards to an ice skating rink. The Village has done an ice skating rink in the past, but due to warmer than normal winters, it has been impossible to set one up.
Other Business
A possibility of a water rate increase was discussed. The Utilities Committee met with the Village Auditor. The return on the water utility has dropped below 3 %. It was recommended by the Auditor that the Village submit an application with the Public Service Commission to allow an increase of approximately 3.4%. An increase of this caliber will get the Village back in line for revenues generated on the Water Utility. However, a need for a new Well House may force the Village to go before the Public Service Commission Board for a larger increase in rates. The DNR has been indicating the need for a new Well House. A motion to apply for an increase was made by Liegel. Kraemer seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
The issue of purchasing a new pool cover was discussed next. It was explained that there are holes in it and the bubbles which hold the heat in are deteriorating. It is assumed that the cover defects could be from outside storage. The current pool cover is approximately four years old. The point that a new cover would cut down on LP costs for heating the pool. Buchanan motioned to purchase a new pool cover in 2006. This was seconded by Kraemer and carried unanimously.
Murry motioned for the Village to accept December tax payments on January 2, 2007 at the Village office as well as a postmark on that date. This was seconded by Liegel, and then the motion carried unanimously.
Liegel motioned to place special assessments for curb and gutter for Parcel numbers
171-0041-00000, in the amount of $133.98; and, 171-0236-00000 in the amount of $192.93, on the 2006 tax roll. This was seconded by Buchanan, and then carried unanimously.
Kraemer then motioned to adopt Resolution 2006-08, authorizing the Village to borrow not more than $57,193.00 for not more than eight years, at an interest rate not to exceed 4.75%, to finance the purchase of the 2007 Sterling Dump Truck. This was seconded by Leeck. President Gruber asked for a roll call vote, with the following result: Buchanan – yes; Gruber – yes; Kraemer – yes; Leeck – yes; Liegel – yes; and, Murry – yes. The motion carried.
Correspondence
Kraemer Brothers did some repair work at the swimming pool. They sent the Village a “No Charge” invoice. A thank you letter should be sent to them and an acknowledgement should be put on the website.
A motion for the Village to pay River Valley Schools $200 for the use of the Plain Elementary gym for the Winter Rec Program “Open Gym” was made by Kraemer. This was seconded by Leeck and carried unanimously.
The new scoreboard has arrived that was paid for by a donation from the Plain Elementary School from a benefit carried out by the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes and a matching donation by Kraemer Brothers. The scoreboard will be installed in center field in the spring. Berry Electric will donate the services to hook up the electrical.
Review and Audit of Invoices:
A motion to pay the monthly invoices as presented was made by Kraemer. Murry seconded, and then the motion carried unanimously.
General Fund: $54,236.96 Water Utility: $ 4,795.54
Library Fund: $ 1,884.91 Sewer Department: $ 1,031.96
Golf Course: $ 2,539.32
Wages and Reimbursements: $11,314.04
Buchanan motioned to adjourn to Closed Session at 8:59 p.m. This was seconded by Kraemer, and then the motion carried unanimously.
Sheila Tafs
Clerk/Treasurer