VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
September 4, 2018
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
Village President Mike Newman presided and called to order the meeting at the Village Hall facility at 7:00 p.m. Board members present were Mark Zimmer, Shane Trott, Gayanne Skogen, Bobbi Jo Fillion, John Hoiby and Galen Brainerd. Terry Hegeholz attended also.
Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to approve the Agenda, carried.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Trott to dispense of the reading and approve the minutes of the August 6, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Skogen to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Darlene Wundrow attended the meeting and reported that the PSC has approved the Village’s request to upgrade water meters. By April of 2019 a water audit will be conducted and reported to the PSC. RCAP will help with the audit. She had a quote of $4,200.00 from the City of Ladysmith and one from Washburn County for $900.00 to stripe Main Street from Arthur Avenue on Business Highway 40 to the west side of the Village. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Hoiby to approve hiring Washburn County to stripe Main Street from Arthur Avenue on Business Highway 40 to the west side of the Village for $900.00, carried. Fall Clean Up is scheduled for October 12th & 13th with curbside pick-up on October 15th. Wundrow discussed the “No Parking” Signs along Arthur Avenue/Highway 8. A representative from the DOT contacted her regarding a road project slated for 2022 or 2023 on Highway 8 and said if there were none along the route a “Declaration for No Parking” on Highway 8/Arthur Avenue will be needed from the Village ahead of time.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Rusk Rider ATV Club-Dave Williams: Newman reported that Dave Williams was not in attendance at the meeting to give an update on the ATV routes. Brainerd reported that he attended the Rusk County Board meeting where it was discussed to open up the ATV trail to cross the Highway 8 bridge on the east side of the Village.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
APPLICATIONS:
Operator’s Licenses: Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to approve regular operator’s licenses for Lisa D. Craemer and Rebecca L. Grasley, carried.
Building Permit: Motion by Fillion, seconded by Zimmer to approve a building permit for Judith Harding to install a 10 foot by 16 foot portable shed on her property at 919 N. Blackburn Street, carried. Motion by Fillion, seconded Trott to approve a building permit for Dollar General to build a commercial retail store at 710 W. Arthur Avenue, carried.
Demolition Permit: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Trott to approve a demolition permit for Dollar General to demolish site buildings at 710 W. Arthur Avenue, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
PSC Application Submittal for Water Meter Replacement: Information reported under “Employees Report”. Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to approve tabling the “PSC Application Submittal for Water Meter Replacement” issue until the October, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Flushing Hydrant on South Alvey Street: Wundrow reported that the parts for flushing hydrants have arrived and will be installed this fall. Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to table the “Flushing Hydrant on South Alvey Street” issue until the October, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works:
Potential New Village Shop: Larry Gotham attended the meeting and reported the Village will receive a principal forgiveness grant through the DNR estimated at $347,686.00. The Village would be able to borrow the remaining $230,000.00 from the DNR through a loan at 1½ percent for twenty years. The PSC will have to approve the building to be constructed because the well house is in the building. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to continue with the project to build a new Village Shop building, with Hoiby voting no, carried. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Trott to table the “Potential New Village Shop” issue until the October, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Cooper Engineering Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to approve paying an invoice from Cooper Engineering in the amount of $4,600.00 for professional services for submitting the Safe Drinking Water Loan Application for the Village Shop/Wellhouse project, carried.
North Main Street Reconstruction Project-USDA Rural Development Funding: Larry Gotham discussed areas that may need to be addressed if the Village ever moves forward with the North Main Street Reconstruction Project. Motion by Hoiby, seconded by Trott to refer the issue to the Public Works Committee and Finance Committee and to table the “North Main Street Reconstruction Project-USDA Rural Development Funding” issue until the October, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Sheryl Wester-Sanitary Sewer Easement Request-Septic Tank Lease Approval: The Board reviewed a Septic Tank Lease Agreement with the Village and Sheryl Wester regarding the private septic system that she owns on Wester Street. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to approve the Septic Tank Lease Agreement, carried. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to table the “Sheryl Wester-Sanitary Sewer Easement Request” issue until the October, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Park Playground Equipment-Border Purchase Approval: Newman reported that the new playground was installed on Sunday, September 2nd . Many members from the community showed up to help and the installation was completed that day. Thank you to everyone who donated monetarily and donating their time to make this project a success. The Board discussed purchasing edging for $1,500.00 to contain the wood chips around the equipment. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to purchase edging for the playground equipment, carried. Motion by Trott, seconded by Fillion to table the “New Playground Equipment at the Village Park” issue until the October, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried. September 12th there will be a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at 6:00 p.m. at the Village Park for the project.
Continue to Pursue Legal Action to Raze Building on W. Railroad Avenue: Newman reported that he was contacted by our legal counsel today on the status of the action being taken against the property owner on West Railroad Avenue. The current owner has agreed to deed the property to the Village and our attorney has prepared the Quit Claim Deed. Motion by Hoiby, seconded by Trott to approve the Quit Claim Deed for the property on W. Railroad Avenue, carried.
Flower Baskets on Main Street: Newman reported he has several style options and cost estimates for flower baskets or banners for Main Street. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Trott to refer to Committee and table the “Flower Baskets on Main Street” issue, carried. A meeting will be set up in September to discuss options.
2019 Library Budget Approval: Motion by Hoiby, seconded by Zimmer to approve the 2019 Library Budget for $42,040.05, carried.
Administration:
Update Ordinances: Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to refer to table the “Update Ordinances” issue until the October, 2018 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting August 9, 2018 Report: A Committee Meeting was held on August 9, 2018 to review and discuss employee’s requests for wage negotiations.
Committee Recommendation for Employee Wages: The Committee recommended paying employees a 2.5 percent wage increase for 2019 and a one-time annual payment of $50.00 to Casey Gudis, Bob Ewald, Peggy Weinert, Terry Hegeholz and Jessica Hegeholz for their personal vehicle use.
Employee Wage Negotiations: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Hoiby to approve a 2.5 percent wage increase for 2019 and a one-time annual payment of $50.00 to Casey Gudis, Bob Ewald, Peggy Weinert, Terry Hegeholz and Jessica Hegeholz for their personal vehicle use, with Fillion opposed, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to pay vouchers and electronic tax payments totaling $49,787.75, carried.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 8:17 p.m.
Terry Hegeholz
Clerk/Treasurer