Minutes: September 12, 2007
Village Board Proceedings of September 12, 2007
The Regular Monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Plain was held at the Municipal Building on September 12, 2007. The following members were present: Raymond Ellenbolt, President; David Buchanan; Gary Leeck; James Liegel; Duane Meise; and, Robert Neuheisel, Trustees. Trustee Kevin Kraemer was absent.
Others present: Erik Henningsgard of General Engineering; Shannon Shelton and David Giffey of the Home News; Linda Donnelly; Loren Thering, Fire Chief; Steve Ruhland; Richard Nachreiner; Tom Alt; Phil Studnicka; Robert Schweiss; Sasha Parkevich; Joel Gaalswyk; Tom Meyer, Chief of Police; and,
Notice of this meeting, along with the agenda, was posted at the following locations in the Village of Plain: the Municipal Building; the Plain Post Office; and, The Peoples Community Bank on Monday, September 10, 2007. Notice was emailed to the Home News and the Baraboo News Republic on the same date.
The meeting was called to order by President Ellenbolt at 7:30 p.m.
With the correction of Strang Engineering to Strand Engineering, Liegel motioned to approve the minutes of the August 8, 2007 Regular meeting. Meise seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.
Phil Studnicka addressed the board regarding cutting the large elm tree in front of his residents. He would like to close the street during the removal. The board agreed it was acceptable to close the street as long as the fire department and EMS can still enter in case of an emergency. Nick will provide barricades for the street during the project.
Joel Gaalswyk informed the board of recent activities of the Sauk County board. He stated that he was a leader in opposing the new building for the Sauk County Health Care Center. Gaalswyk felt the county should get out of the health care business completely. The county is proceeding in the construction of a new building. Gaalswyk was in favor of the Reedsburg location of the proposed Sauk County Continuum of Care facility building because of the location near the Madison Area Technical College. The facility could then utilize the help of student nurses from the college. Gaalswyk is also against allowing state prisoners into the Sauk County Jail facility.
The Planning & Development Commission recommended to the board that the Emshoff deck variance at 1015 St. Luke’s Avenue be approved with the following conditions: the width of the deck is no greater than 10 feet, the west side of the deck will be parallel to St. Luke’s Avenue, and the steps be recessed into the deck. Buchanan motioned to table the decision to the next board meeting. This was seconded by Liegel and carried unanimously.
The Planning & Development Commission recommended to the board that the Parkevich request to rezone the property located at 1020 Liegel Avenue from Business/Commercial District to Single-Family Residential District be denied. Parkevich stated that this property has no significance being commercial. He asked to rezone it so a buyer would have a more favorable interest rate. Nonetheless, a bank may not approve it as a residential loan with the property having commercial setbacks. Buchanan motioned to table the decision to the next board meeting. This was seconded by Liegel and carried unanimously.
Linda Donnelly addressed the board regarding a natural step on community sustainability. A grant was obtained from the River Valley Community Learning Foundation for this study. A speaker on the topic will be at the Spring Green Library on October 4, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. A study circle is being formed for citizens and community leaders of the River Valley area wishing to better understand what sustainability means and how it can be applied to our community.
Loren Thering, Fire Chief, suggested to the board to update the Village Ordinance regarding open fire burning. It needs to be more specific. He would like to see enclosed incinerators required and a greater distance than 15 feet from any building. Thering also doesn’t feel comfortable with the terminology that the Fire Chief needs to approve burn pits because he doesn’t want to be held liable if something were to happen. All burning of rubbish should be prohibited. Buchanan also suggested that the fires should never be left unattended. There have been complaints in the Village because it is a public nuisance. The Ordinance Committee will meet to review this Ordinance.
Erik Henningsgard of General Engineering addressed the board regarding easement agreements needed to be signed with Kraemer Brothers, Edward Kraemer & Sons, and Victor & Jacquell Kraemer. The utility lines run through the named property to connect to the Kraemer Brother Maintenance Facility. Liegel motioned to approve the easements and it was seconded by Leeck. The motion carried unanimously.
Henningsgard next reviewed a payment request submitted by A-1 Excavating for the second phase of construction completed. A change ordered has been submitted on the Village’s behalf for the following: Village of Plain invoice to A-1 for supplies used for Kelly Walsh’s sanitary lateral, Foster Plumbing invoice for Kelly Walsh’s sanitary lateral connection and service call, Kleen Pavement invoice for street cleaning, and Village of Plain invoice to A-1 for one-half of Robert Fredrick’s water line repair. These four items totaled a deduction from A-1’s payment of $1,175.21. This leaves an amount due of $152,889.29. Water and sewer payments are still being withheld because the area still has not been compacted appropriately. Liegel motioned to pay A-1 Excavating for the second phase of construction with the change order adjustments. This was seconded by Buchanan, and it carried unanimously.
Henningsgard has been in contact with A-1 and they will be starting back up on Monday, September 17, 2007. They are required to finish on September 26, 2007. The Village has the option to fine $500.00 per day in the event they do not finish on time.
An invoice for engineering services provided by General Engineering was presented to the board for payment. The estimate for engineering services was 15% of construction costs. A question was presented regarding charges for compaction testing. Liegel was adamant about this being an expense of A-1 Excavating. Henningsgard will look into the compaction charges. Liegel motion to approve General Engineering’s bill providing Henningsgard will be checking on compaction charges. This was seconded by Meise and it carried unanimously.
The board would like Henningsgard to explore warranty options with A-1 Excavating considering the concern about their workmanship.
General Engineering would like to donate engineering services for the upcoming Well House project. The Utilities Committee is developing a plan for next year.
A proposal from Meise Construction was resubmitted. Fill now needs to be imported to the lift station area which has increased the proposal. Leeck motioned to approve the $6.00 per compacted cubic yard proposal and shot rock stabilizer for $10.00 per cubic yard. This was seconded by Neuheisel, and then carried with Trustee Meise abstaining.
Vic Kraemer’s maple tree has roots exposed and there is concern that it may die. It was brought up at the pre-construction meeting to be careful during construction. Henningsgard will look into if there would be recourse if the tree would not make it.
A-1 Excavating is agreeable to working with Kelly Walsh regarding the repair of his garage. A-1 will pay for the repair of the garage and Kelly will in turn pay A-1 for the concrete work instead of doing a trade. A-1 Excavating will contact Kelly directly.
Police Department Report
Chief Meyer presented the Case Report for August. Buchanan questioned Chief Meyer regarding his thoughts on the new time sheet. Chief Meyer stated that they are time consuming. Chief Meyer was on vacation the first week of school, so the school was not patrolled during that time. The school has been patrolled this week.
Public Works Department Report
Rocket Construction was in town to complete piecemeal work that had to be done because of water repairs. The alley approach was widened on Oak Street where the alley east of Nachreiner Avenue intersects. It was not wide enough and as a result there was damage from the garbage trucks.
Nick sent to the Home News the Sauk County Clean Sweep notice. It will be held October 5th & 6th and located at the old garbage site between Baraboo and Reedsburg. It is an opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste that Peterson Sanitation does not take.
Committee Reports
Water & Sewer - Liegel
Water Pumpage for August:
Well No. 1: 303,000
Well No. 2: 2,174,000
Total for August: 2,477,000 gallons, which was 179,800 gallons more than last year.
Two bacteria samples were sent to the State Lab. Both samples tested safe.
Monthly fluoride average: 1.097 p.p.m.
Wastewater Report for August:
Influent Monthly Average B.O.D.: 148 mg/l
Effluent Monthly Average B.O.D.: 7 Limit: 15 mg/l
Influent Monthly Average T.S.S.: 157 mg/l
Effluent Monthly Average T.S.S.: 9 Limit: 20 mg/l
Monthly Average Nitrogen Ammonia: .447 mg/l
Limit: 20.0 mg/l Monthly
29.0 mg/l Daily
Total gallons treated: 2,333,000
The Utilities Committee met to establish the budget for 2008. Also, a plan was constructed to repair several damaged man holes over the next few years. The Committee is also working on implementing a plan for the repair or replacement of Well House #1 building. It is hopeful that the project will happen next year. The Village has been reprimanded for several years because of the condition of the building.
Police & Golf Course – Meise
Nick met with FEMA to inspect the golf course bridges damaged by the flood waters. FEMA was originally contacted by Trustee Meise. The Village may receive federal grant money to help with repairs. It is unknown if the total amount needed would be received. The DNR needs to be notified of any work done on the bridges. If the creek was dredged north of Highway B it would help the golf course drainage considerable and it would also be a plus for the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The WWTP was bypassed after heavy rains in August because the creek was rising. The DNR was contacted because of protocol along with a follow-up letter pleading for help with dredging the creek. The creek is the problem and the WWTP is at a juncture where there could be continuing damage. The utility division of the DNR is now aware of the problem with the creek.
Parks – Neuheisel
The Parks Committee met to plan the 2008 budget. Also, trees will be planted again this fall. The scoreboard needs to be finished off with electrical this fall. Then a decorative mound can be put in beneath the scoreboard with mulch and shrubs. The unpainted conduit at the pavilion is still an issue. It was expected to be painted before it was installed. There would be complications in painting it now, but Loren Thering will look at it. Master Plan ideas were also discussed at the meeting. Trustee Liegel is in touch with the DNR regarding grants for the project. A proposal from Westbrook Engineers for the Master Plan will be submitted within the next few days. The exceptional performance by the 2007 Rec Directors was also discussed at the Committee meeting.
Finance & Ordinance – Kraemer
In Trustee Kraemer’s absence, Trustee Liegel presented the Finance Committee report. A meeting was held on September 6th to review year to date budget numbers. A meeting is planned for Wednesday, September 26th with a schedule for 15 minute intervals for Committees to present their budgets.
Streets & Library Liaison – Leeck
No Streets report. No Library report.
Building & Swimming Pool – Buchanan
The Building Committee needs to meet to review the permit fee schedule. A recommendation was received from General Engineering to revise the fee schedule to be more in line with other communities.
Three permits were issued in the past month. Jerry Schluter obtained a permit for his addition. He graciously moved his design out of the setbacks to avoid a variance. Kraemer Brothers will be building additional buildings behind their maintenance facility. Ron Nolan plans to build a detached garage with a variance obtained in August of 2000. The variance issued was pending the old garage being remodeled into living space before the new detached garage could be started. The old garage to living space remodel being the substantial work commenced pursuant to the grant would make the variance still good since work was started on the condition of the variance.
The Pool Committee met to prepare the 2008 budget. This year was a good season. There were very minor complaints. There will be some purchases made with the pool budget surplus: a new chlorine metering pump; a valve replacement; and, a chemical controller totaling $3,100. The pool sound system was installed. It needs to be put away for the winter.
Other Business
Buchanan read the second reading of Ordinance Number 156-07, amending Section 1 of Chapter 14 “One and Two Family Residential Dwellings” to clarify appropriate construction practices to create a drive or walkway through existing curb and gutter. Leeck motioned to approve Ordinance Number 156-07. This was seconded by Neuheisel, and then carried unanimously.
Liegel motioned to adopt Resolution 2007-10, a final resolution to exercise special assessment powers under Wisconsin Statute 66.073 for the removal and replacement of curb and gutter and installation of initial sidewalk on Willow Street and Park Avenue. This was seconded by Meise, and then carried unanimously.
Buchanan motioned to approve Resolution 2007-11, requesting exemption from the Sauk County library tax levy. This was seconded by Liegel, and then carried unanimously.
Liegel motioned to renew the auditing services from Johnson Block and Company, Inc. for the Village’s 2007 financial records. This was seconded by Buchanan, and then carried unanimously.
Correspondence
Village President Ellenbolt will be attending a meeting for the Local Road Improvement Program. This meeting is to get the forms to apply for road grants and Ellenbolt is hopeful to get on the Committee for the program.
Review and Audit of Invoices:
Liegel motioned to pay Voucher #9510 payable to Nachreiner Plumbing, Heating & Air in the amount of $71.40 and Voucher #9521 payable to Prairie Plumbing & Heating, Inc. in the amount of $4,295.00 from the Sewer Parts Replacement Fund. This was seconded by Buchanan, and then carried unanimously.
A motion to pay the monthly invoices as presented was made by Liegel. Buchanan seconded, and then the motion carried unanimously.
General Fund | $45,915.61 | Water Utility | $3,263.83 | ||
Library Fund | $2,246.44 | Sewer Department | $7,059.74 | ||
Golf Course | $1,242.93 | ||||
Wage Reimbursements: | $19,529.40 | ||||
Meise motioned to adjourn at 9:21 p.m. This was seconded by Leeck, and then the motion carried unanimously.
Clerk/Treasurer