Minutes: Special Mtg March 31. 2010
A Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
Others Present: Bob Schweiss; Connie Schweiss; Kevin Kraemer; and, Nick Ruhland, Public Works Director.
Notice of this meeting, along with the agenda, was posted at the following locations in the
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss and act on the Village purchasing the foreclosure property at
The meeting was called to order by President Ellenbolt at
Roll Call: Raymond Ellenbolt, President; David Buchanan; Robert Jewell; James Liegel; Duane Meise; Robert Neuheisel; and, Merry Lynn Riek, Trustees.
President Ellenbolt gave an explanation of how the purchasing of the foreclosure property at 1055 Wachter Avenue came about. The intention is to purchase the lot and remove the flood damaged building on the lot. The building is an eye sore on the Highway 23 corridor. Public Works, with help, can remove the building. There have been many complaints about the building. There is a possibility of getting a grant to purchase the property of 50% or more.
Buchanan wondered if the Village will be buying all the eye sores and was concerned about money because of the Park Master Plan not yet being engineered. Meise said he could have purchased the property for a lot lower price than the Village offered and thinks it’ll be too expensive to take down. Neuheisel is concerned about the Village buying land instead of the private industry and funds need to go to the pavilion roof and the business park. Ellenbolt stated that this is something that is now, not a month from now and it is an ideal lot for another business. Riek was concerned about not knowing what exactly what we will have for a cost for the Honey Creek Business Park and not doing shingles for the pavilion. Liegel believes maintenance should be put in the budget, that is why the pavilion was postponed a year. Perception of the Village is important and when prospective buyers come to look at the business park they’ll see this eye sore on the Village’s main corridor. Liegel feels that if the Village does not buy this property, it could be the biggest mistake the Village ever made. Jewell understands the frustration of trying to get budgetary funds. Jewell pointed out that the same thing could happen referring to the last occupants and the Village is limited on what can be done despite the ordinance. This is a chance to control what happens.
Bob Schweiss is opposed to the Village buying the property and believes the building should be condemned. Kevin Kraemer is in favor of purchasing the property. By the Village owning this property, there is control over the destiny on the Village’s main thoroughfare. The Village can tear it down and make it presentable property. By owning the property, the Village can rezone it. It could be sold to someone that is going to put a thriving a business there and it will help other businesses in town. The lot will be worth what the Village is paying for it. Eventually, the Village will get more taxes than we are getting now. The Village is taking on a risk, but there are a lot of rewards in the long run.
The money could come from a TIF#1 General Fund. The Fire Department cannot do controlled burns. Liegel recently demoed a larger building with asbestos for $3,500. Riek suggested amending the Offer to Purchase. Buchanan will talk to Pete Giese about condemning. The Department of Commerce grant will be researched further. The issue was tabled to investigate the available grant and the condemning process.
Steve Heiser representing Scott Construction, asked to rent the Village’s mower/sweeper for a project in Madison. The board feels it is not a good policy to start renting out Village equipment. The Village has a policy in place not to sell products and this would fall under the same guidelines. The board is opposed to renting out equipment.
Buchanan motioned to adjourn to closed session at 7:15 p.m. Meise seconded the motion and it carried unanimously. Roll call vote: Ellenbolt – Yes; Buchanan – Yes; Jewell – Yes; Liegel – Yes; Meise – Yes; Neuheisel – Yes; Riek – Yes.
The board returned from Closed Session at 7:19 p.m.
Meise motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:19 p.m. This was seconded by Jewell and carried unanimously.
Sheila Tafs
Clerk/Treasurer