Minutes: December 12, 2012

Village of Plain

Village Board Proceedings of December 12, 2012

The Regular Monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Plain was held at the MunicipalBuilding on December 12, 2012. The meeting was called to order by Village President Raymond Ring at 7:30 p.m. 

Roll Call: Raymond Ring, President; Stephanie Box; John Dischler; Raymond Ellenbolt; Walter Gerber; Kevin Kraemer; and James Liegel, Trustees. 

Others present: Duane Meise; Marion Copus of the Home News; Carolyn Forde, Library Director; Chief Kevin Wilkins; Officer Chuck Schreiber; Shawn Murphy, Green TTEC Director; and, Nick Ruhland, Public Works Director. 

Notice of this meeting, along with the agenda, was posted at the following locations in the Village of Plain: the MunicipalBuilding; the Plain Post Office; and The Peoples Community Bank on Monday, December 10, 2012. Notice was emailed to the Home News and the Baraboo News Republic on Friday, December 7, 2012. 

Kraemer motioned to approve minutes from the November 14, 2012 Regular Board meeting. Box seconded. Motion carried. 

Ellenbolt motioned to approve minutes from the December 5, 2012 Budget Hearing. Gerber seconded. Motion carried with Ring and Liegel abstaining. 

Box motioned to approve minutes from the December 5, 2012 Special Board meeting with noted corrections. Dischler seconded. Motion carried with Ring and Liegel abstaining.

 

Agenda Guest 

Duane Meise addressed the Board regarding the Village’s lot for sale at 1055 Wachter Avenue. He pointed out a discrepancy in a letter dated December 28, 2011 stating that the lot shall have a minimum completed building area of 5,000 square feet. The Sales Conditions document has that number being 3,000 square feet. Regardless, Meise feels it is a rather large building for the size of a lot. Kraemer mentioned that the lot is almost 13,000 square feet. Meise questioned why the American Legion cannot buy that lot. Ellenbolt indicated that a commercial building is desired for the Village to receive taxes on the property. Ring stated that if the American Legion can meet all of the prerequisites of the Sale Conditions approved by the board then the Village would be interested in looking at their proposal. Meise said they would not build a 3,000 square foot building. Meise wished the Village luck in selling all of the lots.

 

Police Department Report 

Chief Kevin Wilkins discussed the 2013 Police Contract with the board. Nothing has changed from last year. The contract passed last Wednesday unanimously in the Village of Spring Green. Ring stated that it is a very good relationship with lots of good comments from the public. Kraemer motioned to approve contract. Liegel seconded. Motion carried.

 

Green TTEC Director Report 

Shawn Murphy reported to the board that the close-out documentation and reports for the EDA grant was submitted last week. 

Charter has started installation of the high speed internet for Green TTEC. It is hopeful that they will finish by Christmas. 

The Kraemer Company utilized the building last week. Next week Workforce Development is holding an outreach session for their General Equivalency Program. 

Murphy will be meeting with MATC next week to discuss the transition of Green TTEC’s management and building facility maintenance and monitoring. 

The Rec Trail Project has had some additional developments. The National Guard was notified that there is a probable exercise deployment that they would be called up on next year. That would prohibit them from constructing the bridge. Alternatives are being explored. Area companies and individuals are willing to proceed on the bridge. Dan Meise has expressed a willingness to help out as well. All permits are received. Murphy will monitor it next year on his time. Ellenbolt appreciates Murphy’s follow through on the trail project without charging the Village. Ellenbolt indicated that it is beneficial to move forward otherwise the Village would have to pay the engineering fees. 

 

Public Works Department Report 

Nick Ruhland reported that there was a water main break on Wildwood Drive near Tim Cumming’s residence. Public Works repaired the problem and then had to open it back up to fix his lateral that was kinked during the repair. 

The culvert bridge at the number two tee box has been removed. A permit will be needed from the DNR to replace it. 

 

Committee Reports 

Building Committee & Fire District –Dischler 

No Building Committee or Fire District reports. 

 

Green TTEC, Parks, SCDC & Cable TV – Ellenbolt 

There is a group possibly interested in both shops and the incubator space at Green TTEC. If that would materialize, only the conference rooms and some usage of the classrooms would be available. Box questioned if the MATC contract should be reviewed in light of the new information. John Alt is in talks with an agriculture group. Kraemer asked if the 20 hours could be reduced. Box is concerned about paying a lot of money to a person with the job essentially accomplished. Ellenbolt pointed out that there is a six month contract to start. Ellenbolt feels if that contract was not approved there probably would not be discussions with this new interest. Kraemer mentioned that we need to wait for something to happen before any decisions are made. 

No Parks, SCDC or Cable report.

Library, Police & RV Court – Gerber 

At the last board meeting, there was a discussion in regards to library personnel being Village employees or not. Inquiries have shown that they are indeed Village employees. 

Jeni prepared a fiscal report for RV Court. The report includes a year’s worth of citations and deposits. By having a municipal court, fines are lower for the offenders and more funds stay with the municipality. Plus, the Municipal Judge has a lot more leeway. 

No Police report. 

 

Streets & Utilities – Kraemer 

Water Pumpage for November, 2012: 

            Well No. 1:   475,000

            Well No. 2:   1,511,000 

            Total for November: 1,986,000 gallons, which was 103,000 gallons less than last year. 

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

            Monthly fluoride average: 1.27 p.p.m.  Monthly chlorine average: 0.12 p.p.m.  

Wastewater Report for November, 2012: 

            Influent Monthly Average B.O.D.:    201 mg/l

            Effluent Monthly Average B.O.D.:    7          Limit: 15 mg/l           

            Influent Monthly Average T.S.S.:      173 mg/l

            Effluent Monthly Average T.S.S.:      7          Limit: 20 mg/l           

            Monthly Average Nitrogen Ammonia: .128 p.p.m.   

            Limit:     20.0 mg/l Monthly, 29.0 mg/l Daily 

            Total gallons treated: 2,004,500 

Kraemer commended Public Works in regards to the water main break on Wildwood Drive that needed to be repaired on Thanksgiving Day. 

Westbrook Associates have completed surveying for Parkview Avenue and will now start the design. They are going to send a proposal for a signature. The project’s timeline is design in January, bid in February, start April 1^st and complete by Memorial Day weekend when the pool opens. Once the costs for Parkview are known, the Streets Committee will discuss feasibility to rebuild the Main Street wall as well. 

 

Finance & Ordinance – Liegel 

Liegel wanted to note that part of the reasons for the Village’s tax increase is the total assessed value went down over a half million dollars. Liegel also sought to clarify that the pool came in under budget, but does not make enough to operate in the black. Ellenbolt feels that everyone is pointing their finger at Green TTEC and emphasized the similarities in the pool and Green TTEC as far as taxes are concerned. 

No Ordinance report.

Pool & Golf – Box 

No Golf Course Committee report. 

With the Friends of the Plain Pool & Park sign going up, Liegel questioned what the plan is. Box responded that the committee needs to be reorganized. The original committee had a plan and the funds would go towards the Park Master Plan. Ring commented that the sign is to create awareness and get the program moving forward again. 

 

Development/Planning – Ring 

The Development & Planning Commission met earlier this evening to approve the installation of the Friends of the Plain Pool & Park sign at the park.

 

Other Business

The Board discussed the proposal for Peterson Sanitation, Inc. The rates will stay the same for 2013, but then they will not exceed four percent for 2014 and 2015. Ring motioned to accept Peterson Sanitation’s bid. Kraemer seconded. Motion carried. 

The Green TTEC Board recommended extending the Driftless Area, LLC contract for real estate services. Ellenbolt is having some larger signs made. If the Village comes up with the prospective buyer, Driftless does not earn a commission. Ellenbolt motioned to renew the listing contract with Driftless Area, LLC for the HoneyCreekBusinessPark and 1055 Wachter Avenue. Gerber seconded. Motion carried with Liegel, Box and Ring voting no. 

Murphy explained the realm of the Floodplain & Shoreland/Wetland Zoning Permit for the Recreational Trail project. Dischler will take action on this permit as the Building Committee Chair. 

The Board discussed extending Shawn Murphy’s employment past the December 31, 2012 expiration if needed. Gerber explained that it would only be if the Village would need him. Murphy pointed out that the EDA has been historically challenging. The EDA grant has not been finalized yet even though the final close-out documentation has been submitted. Liegel commented that it would be an as-needed basis. Ring feels this would be like any other department that needs help. They reach out and contract the service if their budget can carry it. Box wondered why this was not discussed earlier. Kraemer suggested that if anything is unexpected, we decide at that time to have Murphy handle the issue. Ring stated that we need to know what is going to happen before the Board could decide. Liegel stated once we know, we call Murphy and ask if he could handle it for us. Ellenbolt wants to be able to contact Shawn if something comes up. 

Kraemer read the second reading of Ordinance 183-12; to increase sewer rates for 2013. Gerber motioned to approve Ordinance 183-12. Liegel seconded. Motion carried. 

Ring motioned to set the January Caucus date for Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Box seconded. Motion carried. 

There are two influent pumps at the Wastewater Treatment Plant that are in need of replacement. The low bid came in from L.W. Allen, Inc. Kraemer motioned to accept the low bid from L.W. Allen, Inc. in the amount of $11,189. Liegel seconded. Motion carried. 

 

Correspondence  

Treats tonight were provided by Crack Filling Service. 

 

Review and Audit of Invoices:

Kraemer motioned to pay Check #18961 payable to L.W. Allen, Inc. in the amount of $712.76 from the Sewer Replacement Fund. Liegel seconded. Motion carried.

A motion to pay the monthly invoices was made by Liegel. Gerber seconded. Motion carried. 

	General Fund	$17,856.38		Capital Improvements	$0.00
	Library Fund	$2,912.78		Water Utility	$2,079.03
	Green TTEC	$416.51		Sewer Department	$3,250.64
	TIF #2	$78.76		Golf Course	$1,478.37
Wage Reimbursements:		$15,131.52

Ellenbolt motioned to adjourn at 8:37 p.m. Gerber seconded. Motion carried. 

 

Sheila Tafs
Clerk/Treasurer