VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
November 8th, 2021
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, November 8th, 2021.
Village President Shane Trott presided and called to order the meeting at the Village Hall facility at 7:00 p.m. Board members present were Mark Zimmer, Jim Johnson, Kim Grasley and Galen Brainerd. Jessica Hayes attended also. Loren Beebe was absent.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to approve the October 4th, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to approve the October 12th, 2021 Special Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Hayes reported that all but $100,000.00 from the general fund and one savings account are transferred from Superior Choice Credit Union to Chippewa Valley Bank. Funds remain in SCCU until remainder of outstanding checks are posted. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Casey Gudis reported that they have closed the park for the season and are busy getting things ready for the upcoming winter months.
Gudis and Will visited Thorp to view their filtration system they have installed. This is the same filtration system that will eventually be installed in the Village of Bruce.
Water Meter Purchase: Gudis presented the Board with quotes for new water meters for the Bruce Housing Authority building on Coleman Street and for the Bruce Public School. Both meters are in need of replacement. One quote presented would be for a complete meter rebuild of both meters at the cost of $4,080.00 with an additional cost just to replace the low side measuring chamber in both meters for the cost of $380.00. A quote was also submitted from Dakota Supply Group, which is where we have been purchasing our new meters from, for a cost of $4,480.00 for two brand new meters for the two properties. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to go with the two brand new meters from Dakota Supply Group for the cost of $4,480.00, carried. The Board was informed of a possible charge for shipping.
Air Compressor Purchase: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Air Compressor Purchase’ issue until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Bruce Garden Club: Arlene Knops submitted a letter to the Board asking if the Village crew would take on the responsibility of maintaining the garden space on Main Street between Wally’s Saw & Gun and the café. The Garden Club is down to two individuals and are not able to maintain the area any longer. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to send the item to committee, carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:Myrle Hoover, Jr. attended the meeting in audience and asked the Board if the new filtration system that is planned to be installed will allow residents to be able to consume the water. Trott responded that it is the Board’s full intention to make sure the Village has clean water for its’ residents and that the Village is still in the early stages of planning and applying for every avenue of funding that we qualify for. Hoover, Jr. stated that he does not believe residents should have to pay their full bill when they have undrinkable water. Trott responded that residents are only being charged for water that they are using.
APPLICATIONS:
Operator’s License: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve an operator’s license for Holly M. Howard, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
Discussion and Action Regarding Corrective Work on Village Wells: Larry Gotham of Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. gave an update on the progress of the corrective work being done on the Village wells. The Village’s original contract with CTW was to rehab both Well #1 & #3. The Village did not receive the results it needed from the rehab on Well #3 so decided not to spend the additional costs and proceed with the work on Well #1 but rather go the route of a filtration system instead. With CTW’s original contract, and not including the work for Well #1, there is about half of the contract monies left. CTW had the chemicals ordered to do the work for Well #1 already on site. To dispose of the chemicals correctly with a hazmat company, there will be a charge to the Village in the amount of $1,435.00. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve paying the costs of $1,435.00 for CTW to dispose of the chemicals, carried.
The second item Gotham discussed was the starter on the pump for Well #3. Most municipalities have a variable frequency drive on their pumps to regulate the flow of the water when the pump is called on which would allow you to speed it up or down. CTW would install the VFD for $5,840.00. There is already one installed on Well #1. Both costs would be reimbursable through the Village’s Rural Development grant that they currently have for the Well corrective work. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Johnson to approve installing a variable frequency drive on Well # 3 at the cost of $5,840.00, carried.
The third item Gotham discussed was that the preliminary application for funding with the DNR for the filtration system project was submitted at the end of October. The project would consist of a transmission main from Well #3 to Well #1, restoration of the blacktop damage from that work, and new sewer main and water main. Plans will need to be completed and application submitted by the end of June 2022. Then in August/September of 2022, the Village will find out its’ ranking and eligibility for funding. The project construction would be bid in January of 2023 and construction started in spring/summer of 2023.
The fourth item Gotham gave an update on was the pilot study that was approved at the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Meeting. The study has been put on hold until the DNR has approved the final plans for the work.
Lastly, Gotham submitted engineering data from the assessment of water quality from the soil borings and monitoring wells that took place in September & October to determine the quality of water and from which direction the water flow was coming in to Well #3. The water coming in to Well #3 is coming from the west which does not show high levels of manganese. The biofilm surrounding the well is what is showing that increases the levels of manganese in the water.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Discussion and Action Regarding Corrective Work on Village Wells’ issue until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
PSC-Water Rate Application: The Village has been notified that the new water rates approved by the Public Service Commission will become effective January 1st, 2022. Residents will see the new rates reflective on their April 1st, 2022 quarterly bills. A typical 5/8 inch water meter will now see a base rate of $36.00 quarterly. This would be an increase of $11.28 from the previous rates. The Final Decision from the PSC will also include a Public Fire Protection Charge on the quarterly bills of $18.15 on a 5/8 inch meter. Public fire protection service includes the use of hydrants for fire protection service and such quantities of water as may be demanded for the purpose of extinguishing fires within the municipal limits. This fee was previously being assessed to residents through the levy. With 50% of the charge continuing to be levied, the remaining 50% will now be applicable to non-general service customers who own property that is located within the municipal limits as well. Copies of the full Order and Final Decision can be obtained at the Village Hall Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to remove the ‘PSC-Water Rate Application’ item from the agenda, carried.
Sewer Rate Increase: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to table the “Sewer Rate Increase’ issue until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Garbage Rate Increase Discussion & Action: After the annual Budget Workshop in October, it was determined that the Village is losing money with the rates they are charging customers. To cover costs incurred by the Village, the Board voted to raise the rates. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to raise the garbage rates $2.50, carried. Customers will now see a quarterly refuse base rate of $55.00 on their bills.
Public Works:
Parcel #106-00081-0000 & #106-00082-0000 – 914 N. Main Street – Bid Opening & Action: The Village did not receive any bids for the sale of the property. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Parcel #106-00081-0000 & #106-00082-0000 – 914 N. Main Street – Bid Opening & Action’ item until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting and to cease advertisement, carried.
Veteran’s Memorial Park Site: Some discussion was had on the best locations for the memorial signs. Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Veteran’s Memorial Park Site’ issue until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting October 18th, 2021 Report & Approval: A committee meeting was held on October 18th to discuss the costs the Village incurs from the ambulance garage building. The Village is paying all utilities for the building and receives very little in donations to pay for the expenses and the County receives the funding for ambulance services. The committee recommends the following: 1) Start charging the County $100.00 per month rent for use of the building, 2) The County will now start paying all utilities on the building and 3) The County can now take on the job of asking for donations to help with costs instead of the Village. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to approve the committees’ recommendations and to move forward with the item, carried.
Street Striping and Curb Painting Approval: A quote was submitted by Kauffman & Son for the striping of Village streets and curbs for the amount of $850.00. This quote would include restriping of the white in 2022. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve paying Kauffman & Son $850.00 to stripe Village streets and paint curbs, carried.
North Main Street Reconstruction Project:
-DISCUSSION-
Larry Gotham of Morgan & Parmley gave the Board an update on the progress of the North Main Street Reconstruction Project. All of the construction is complete except for the work on the two list stations, one hydrant install and landscaping restorations. Completion date for the project is still set for November 30th, 2021 with landscaping restorations to be completed in the spring of 2022.
Haas Sons, Inc – Invoice Payment Approval: An invoice was submitted from Haas Sons, Inc. for contracted work on the North Main Street Reconstruction Project thru October 31st, 2021 with an attached change order. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to approve change order #6 and to pay Haas Sons, Inc. $425,131.75 for contracted work on the North Main Street Reconstruction Project, carried.
Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. – Invoice Payment Approval: Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. did not have an invoice for approval for the meeting.
Public Welfare:
Additional ATV Route Signage Cost: The Board received a quote from the ATV Club for additional ATV route signage costs for $318.00. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve paying the invoice to Rusk Riders ATV Club in the amount of $318.00 to install additional ATV route signs, carried. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to remove the item from the agenda, carried.
Administration:
Committee Meeting October 11th, 2021 Report: A committee meeting was held on October 11th, 2021 to discuss employee wage negotiations and the employee manual. The committee met with Darlene Wundrow and Casey Gudis to discuss filling Wundrow’s vacant position when she retires October 31st, 2021. Gudis will take on the new roll as Public Works Director. No other actions were taken at this time.
Committee Meeting October 18th, 2021 Report: A committee meeting was held on October 18th, 2021 to discuss employee wage negotiations and the employee manual further. No action on either topic were taken at this time.
Employee Manual Update: Updates to the manual are complete and in electronic form. Only updates left would be any negotiations approved for 2022 wages. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Employee Manual Update’ issue until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Employee Wage Negotiations: Gudis requested an additional meeting with the committee to discuss the item further. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Employee Wage Negotiations’ item until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting and to send the item to committee, carried. The committee scheduled a meeting for November 10th, 2021 at noon to meet with him. A Special Board Meeting was also scheduled for November 15th, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. to approve the committees final recommendations.
Board Member Meeting Pay Increase Discussion and Action: The Board discussed raising their committee meeting pay from $25.00 per meeting to $50.00 per meeting. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to increase the Board members meeting pay from $25.00 per meeting to $50.00 per meeting, effective January 1st, 2022, carried.
Finance:
Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to send the item to committee and to table the ‘Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action’ item until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Write Off Uncollectible Utility Charges: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve writing off the uncollectable charges of $199.57 for utility customers, that date back to 2013, carried.
Plow Truck Purchase Discussion & Action: After some discussion on different options, the Board set a committee meeting to discuss this item further. The meeting was set for Monday, November 15th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. and a Special Board Meeting scheduled for November 15th, at 1:30 p.m. to approve the committee recommendations. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Johnson to send the item to committee and to table the ‘Plow Truck Purchase Discussion & Action’ item until the December, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Resolution Designating Public Depository and Authorizing Withdrawal of Village Moneys with Chippewa Valley Bank: The Clerk is in the process of moving all Village owned Superior Choice Credit Union bank accounts to Chippewa Valley Bank and finishing up required paperwork. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Zimmer to sign the ‘Resolution Designating Public Depository and Authorizing Withdrawal of Village Moneys with Chippewa Valley Bank’, carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Shop with a Cop – ‘Christmas for Kids’ Donation Request: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve donating $50.00 to the Shop with a Cop – ‘Christmas for Kids’ event, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $64,982.48, carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Christmas in Bruce – December 11th, 2021: Due to COVID, the annual ‘Christmas in Bruce’ celebration was not able to be held last year and some hesitation was had on going forward with it this year. After some discussion, motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to go ahead with hosting the annual ‘Christmas in Bruce’ celebration for December 11th, 2021, carried. Board members will work together on a list of items each person will be donating for the event.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Village Hall Thanksgiving Holiday Hours: The Village Hall will be closed on November 25th and November 26th, 2021 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 8:46 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer