Minutes: October 11, 2006

Village of Plain

Village Board Proceedings of October 11, 2006

                                                                                                                                               

 

The Regular Monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Plain was held at the Municipal Building on October 11, 2006.  The following members were present: William Gruber, President; David Buchanan; Kevin Kraemer; Gary Leeck; James Liegel; Harold Murry; and, Philip Studnicka, Trustees.

 

Others present: Don McDougal of the Home News; Tom Meyer, Chief of Police; Nick Ruhland, Public Works Director; and, John Ruhland, Public Works Assistant.

                                                                                                                                               

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, October 9, 2006.  Notice was faxed to the Home News and the Baraboo News Republic on the same date.

                                                                       

The meeting was called to order by President Gruber at 7:30 p.m.

 

Murry motioned to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2006 Regular meeting. Liegel seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously.

 

 

Public Works Department Report 

 

Nick Ruhland reported that after draining the pool it appears that the crack repair work done by Neumann Pools only partially solved the problem of leaking water.  It did help because this year 82,000 gallons of water was used versus last year’s usage of 134,500 gallons.  The basin was painted except for areas that stay wet.

 

The bathhouse floors were painted.  It had been reported that the floors were slippery this year. Grit was added to the paint for extra help.

 

A service leak was repaired in front of 1185 Cedar Street by Foster Plumbing and Bill Emer. 

 

The new dump truck should be delivered next week, but Monroe needs to install the dump box.  It should be received by the Village of Plain in the month of November. 

 

Coke picked up their pop machine at the swimming pool.  The reason being that 9 cases were sold so far this year, this is below their minimum to keep a pop machine in operation.  The Coke machine at the golf course is still there.

 

 

Police Department Report 

 

Chief Meyer presented the Case Report for September.  A concern for public safety was brought up because of all the recent unlawful activity around town.  Chief Meyer works a variety of hours in order to cover businesses during the day and criminal activity at night.  An analysis of activities and when they happened was asked for in order to review scheduling times for officers to be on duty during heavy activity timeframes. The Police Committee should discuss this and bring a recommendation to the board.

 

Chief Meyer was asked how he felt about more exposure at our local schools.  There has been an effort to be there either in the morning or the afternoon.  The resources are limited and constant observation is not an option.  The Police Committee should also discuss this subject and bring a recommendation to the board.

 

 

 

Committee Reports 

 

Streets - Studnicka

 

The Streets Committee met to discuss the 2007 budget. It was turned in to the Finance Committee for review.

 

 

Water & Sewer and Cable TV - Liegel

 

A letter from the DNR was received for the annual inspection of waterworks.  They warned us again that the well 1 building is in very poor condition and should be upgraded.  This will be discussed at a future Utilities meeting.  Murry pointed out that the DNR stated that the waterworks personnel are doing a good job maintaining the water system.

 

President Gruber question Nick Ruhland regarding the dramatic decrease in pumpage from last year to this year.  It is a decent presumption that the meters are not in good working condition.  It should be recommended that they be replaced.   

 

Water Pumpage for September:

 

Well No. 1:      351,000

            Well No. 2:   1,503,100

 

Total for September: 1,854,100 gallons, which was 1,262,800 gallons less than last year.

 

Two bacteria samples were sent to the State Lab.  Both tested safe.

 

            Monthly fluoride average: 1.048 p.p.m.

 

Wastewater Report for September:

 

            Influent Monthly Average B.O.D.:  221 mg/l

            Effluent Monthly Average B.O.D.:    6   Limit: 15 mg/l

           

            Influent Monthly Average T.S.S.:    203 mg/l

            Effluent Monthly Average T.S.S.:   9     Limit: 20 mg/l

           

Weekly Average Nitrogen Ammonia: 0.286 mg/l           Limit:   3.0 mg/l

 

            Total gallons treated: 2,403,800

 

No Cable TV report.

 

 

Building & Swimming Pool - Buchanan

 

One building permit was issued since the September meeting, #06-11 for temporary electrical service behind 550 Main Street for the Department of Natural Resources.

 

The Pool Committee met to discuss the budget.  They will meet again to address some issues before next season.

 

 

Finance & Ordinance – Kraemer

 

The Finance Committee met on October 4, 2006 to review the budgets submitted by committees.  Suggestions were made on what they felt would fit within the budget. The final 2007 budgets meeting will be held on Monday, October 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.

 

No Ordinance Committee Report. 

 

 

Police & Library Liaison - Leeck

 

The Police Committee met to discuss the 2007 budget. It was turned over to the Finance Committee for review.

  

The library’s circulation was over 3,000 items last month.  This is an all time record high.  At this time last year, year-to-date circulation was at 19,000, currently it is 22,000.  Story time has begun again.  The budget was reviewed at the last meeting.  Less revenue from the county is predicted. The library is sponsoring an open house on Halloween for kids to stop in for refreshments while Trick-or-Treating.  Maureen has been asked to be on a SCLS Committee to hire a Technology Coordinator.

  

 

Parks & Golf Course - Murry

 

The Parks Committee met on September 27th.  There was a discussion regarding the issues of the Recreational and Baseball programs.  The Parks Committee recommends adding an additional Recreational Director for a 7 week time frame in addition to the original 10 week Recreational Director position.  The two positions would be co-ed.  There is a commitment from Kraemer Brothers to donate the cost of the second Recreational Director.  The additional hours will help to organize the baseball program. The only fee that will be charged by the Village of Plain is the golf activity fee.  The coaches will decide if funds are needed for their individual team. They can levy no fee or a small fee. The Village will still provide equipment for the teams and use of the donated uniforms. After much discussion, Liegel motioned to accept the Parks Committee recommendation, Buchanan seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 

 

The Golf Course Committee met on September 27th.  The greens fees for 2007 will not change from the 2006 rates.  The committee recommends roughly a 5% increase over the 2006 membership fees.  This will stay consistent with the gradual increase in membership fees.  The committee also discussed fees and group numbers for when the golf course is closed for an event.  The golf course will not be closed for new groups unless the groups have a minimum of 36 golfers.  Current groups are grand fathered in and will not have a minimum golfer requirement.  If the course is closed, fees agreed upon were $9.00 for a member and full price for a non-member. Murry motioned to accept the Golf Course Committee recommendation, Studnicka seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. 

 

 

Other Business

 

The Village website has all the information entered.  We are just waiting on the GovOffice Design Team to finish our custom banner.  There is a generic one in place right now.  Buchanan wrote a press release for the Home News to make residents aware of the new website.

 

Murry then motioned to donate $100.00 to the 2007 River Valley High School yearbook.  This was seconded by Kraemer, and then carried unanimously.

 

Kraemer motioned to retain Johnson Block & Company, Inc. to perform the audit of the Village’s 2006 financial records for $7,050.00.  This was seconded by Liegel, and then carried unanimously.

 

Leeck motioned to set the annual Budget Hearing is for Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  This was seconded by Kraemer, and then carried unanimously.

 

Leeck motioned to set the hours for Halloween trick-or-treating on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Seconded by Buchanan, and carried unanimously.

 

 

Correspondence   

 

None to report. 

 

 

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:             $29,785.31                                Water Utility:          $ 2,169.20

Library Fund:              $  3,557.54                                Sewer Department: $ 2,355.13

                                                                                    Golf Course:           $ 4,840.44

 

 

Wages and Reimbursements: $14,340.98

 

Buchanan motioned to adjourn at 9:01 p.m.  This was seconded by Leeck, and then the motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

 

Sheila Tafs 

Clerk/Treasurer