VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
July 1st, 2024
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, July 1st, 2024.
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 Galen Brainerd, Kim Grasley, Darlene Wundrow, Tim Dolan and Mark Zimmer. Jim Johnson was absent. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes and Deputy Nicole Frisinger attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Dolan, seconded by Brainerd to approve the June 3rd, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Casey Gudis attended the meeting to report that the part-time summer help high school students have started working and are busy getting miscellaneous projects completed at the park. Four new doors with universal keys are being installed on the buildings.
There was a water leak on S. Main St./Hwy 40. A-1 Excavating will be here this week to directional bore under the Hwy to replace the line.
Well #3 is being synced up to the filter system so it can be ran through the filter plant.
Pull Behind Mower Purchase: The current pull behind mower is 13 years old and in poor condition. The Board asked Gudis to obtain quotes for replacing the mower as well as obtaining a quote for a new tractor that pulls the mower as that is 13 years old as well. He will present quotes at the August, 2024 meeting.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Bruce Area Girl Scouts – Day Camp Donation: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to donate $50.00 to the Bruce Area Girl Scouts Day Camp, carried.
APPLICATIONS:
Cigarette License:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve cigarette license to Dollar General Store #19877, expiring June 30th, 2025, carried.
Operator’s Licenses:
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to approve operator’s license to Jenny Bastie, carried.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve an operator’s license to April L. Hill, carried.
Liquor License: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve a Class ‘B’ Combo Liquor and Beer License to Gateway Gourmets, LLC – Robert Lorkowski, agent, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
Garbage Contract Discussion: Nothing new to report this month.Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Garbage Contract Discussion’ item until the August, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting 6/5/24 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on June 5th, 2024 to discuss a business possibly hooking up to the Village’s system. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss DFA’s (Dairi Farmers of America) interest in connecting to the Village’s water system. DFA is having the same manganese issues with their well. Versus installing their own filtration system, interest in connecting to the Village’s system is a possibility.
DFA uses 600,000 to 900,000 gallons per month – 30,000 gallons a day – with a high peak of 60,000 gallons a day. The Village’s wells and treatment plant would handle the added flow.
The proposed extension would be approximately 2,600 ft of 8 in watermain, plus all the required valves, hydrants, and a pressure reducing valve. The estimated cost is $500,000.00.
DFA has a completion date in mind of October/November of 2024. DFA had inquired if a private organization could fund the project to help expedite the project, versus the Village seeking loans and funding, which could take years. They also asked if a special rate would be possible versus current rates the Village has in place.
Gotham discussed several different scenarios that the Village would have to look in to with the PSC (Public Service Commission) before moving forward with further discussion:
1. Will the construction of the project need to have PSC authorization? Is there an expedited review process if so?
2. Does PSC regulations allow the Village to have a separate/special rate agreement with DFA in lieu of its current approved user charges?
3. Are there any restrictions regarding DFA paying for costs of the project in full or in part?
Gotham will reach out to the PSC with the Village’s questions and a follow up meeting will be scheduled with DFA within the next week or two.
Correspondence from the PSC after the initial meeting was forwarded to DFA. DFA had decided then to install their own filter system plant due to costs and timeline for completion. Gudis will follow up with them again to discuss the item further due to possible miscommunications.
Public Works:
LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds’ item until the August, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Haas Sons, Inc. – Invoice Payment Approval: An invoice was submitted by Haas Sons, Inc. for $2,029.20 for the adjustment of a manhole on W. River Avenue at the intersection of Hansen Street for work completed beyond the scope of the Filtration Project. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to pay the invoice of $2,029.20 to Haas Sons, Inc., carried.
Committee Meeting 6/19/24 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on June 19th, 2024 to discuss a sewer line replacement project. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss the replacement of the sewer line in the alley in front of the old grocery store, between Main Street and Alvey Street. The businesses within the area are looking at replacing the blacktop. The sewer line that is currently there would need to be replaced to avoid deconstruction of the new blacktop in the future. A quote was submitted from Russ Thompson Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $88,000.00 to do the work, including replacing the line, service lines and manhole, as well as compacting and leveling. (Quote does not include blacktopping)
The committee is requesting Gudis to contact Russ Thompson and have the quote itemized as well as obtain additional quotes from other companies.
The committee would also like to look in to having the alley between Main Street and 1st Street replaced as that is one of the oldest lines in the Village and in poor condition.
Discussion was had on assessing properties for the project. An additional meeting will be held in the future for further discussion on the items.
Russ Thompson, as well as Monarch Paving attended the Regular Monthly Meeting to discuss the work with the full Board. The Board is wanting to move forward with sewer line replacement as well as blacktopping of the alley.
All the businesses within the project scope are wanting to move forward with blacktopping of their own lots, but only if the Village is willing to blacktop the alley.
The alley is legally at 16ft. It currently is measuring 20-23 ft, varying down through. Monarch Paving asked if the Village would rather only pay the $21,000.00 for the legal 16ft or if the Village would be willing to pave the alley at the 23ft with a cost of $27,250.00. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve paving the alley at 23 ft, with a cost of $27,250.00, carried.
Discussion was had on if special assessments would be assessed for the project. Trott discussed that in all other past sewer line replacement projects, the costs were assessed to the properties within the scope based on frontage. To be equitable with all past projects, this project would be assessed as well.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to schedule a follow up meeting to discuss the project further, as well as discussion on the special assessments that would be assessed for the project, carried.
The project would not break ground until Spring of 2025.
Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue:
-DISCUSSION & ACTION-
– UPDATE –
Well #3 is syncing up to the filter system and should be completed within the next 2-3 weeks. Once completed, Well # 1 will be taken offline so it can be chemically treated.
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Water Filtration – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue’ item until the August, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Change Order #4 Discussion/Approval: A change order was submitted from Haas Sons, Inc. This would be for the increase in size of the dehumidifier, deduction of concrete around the filter system storage building, reconstruction of a manhole and change in erosion mat to mulch. This would increase the contract price by $90,834.36. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Dolan to approve Change Order #4, carried.
Morgan & Parmley, Ltd – Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve paying the invoice in the amount of $3,090.00 to Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. for engineering work on the Water Filtration Project thru June 30th, 2024, carried.
Haas Sons, Inc. – Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Zimmer to approve paying the invoice in the amount of $117,272.28 to Haas Sons, Inc. for work completed on the Water Filtration Project thru June 13th, 2024, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion: Trott would like to schedule a meeting with the school in the next few weeks. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the August, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Library Interior Painting: A quote from Barefoot Painter was submitted in the amount of $1,062.00 to repaint a portion of the Library interior. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Dolan to approve the quote for $1,062.00 and proceed with the work, carried. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to remove the item from the agenda, carried.
Administration:
Committee Meeting 6/20/24 Report: A meeting was held on June 20th, 2024 to discuss the maintenance part time positions.
Closed Session:
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to go in to closed session for considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, under Wisconsin Statues 19.85 (1)(e) and (1)(c), motion carried.
All responded yes – Closed session at 8:02 p.m.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to reconvene to Open Session – at 8:36 p.m. – Motion carried.
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to eliminate the part time maintenance positions effective September 30th, 2024. With Wundrow opposing, the motion carried.
Maintenance Position Hire:
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Wundrow to remove the ‘Maintenance Position Hire’ item from the agenda, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $94,262.77, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Cruise Nights-Classic Auto Collision Center has set the calendar for Cruise Night in the parking lot at 705 N. Main Street in Bruce, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. July 16th & August 20th.
Saturday July 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will be the annual Open House/Craft/Car Show. Contact Classic Auto Collision Center at 715-868-CARS or classicauto@brucetel.net for more details.
Bruce Blue Hills Lions Club ‘Blue Hills Festival’ – Located at the Bruce Park. July 12th, 13th & 14th, 2024
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 8:39 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer