VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 3rd, 2026
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, August 3rd, 2026.
Village President Shane Trott presided and called to order the meeting at the American Legion Hall facility at 5:30 p.m., 804 N. Main Street. Board members present were Galen Brainerd, Jim Johnson, Mark Zimmer & Darlene Wundrow. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes attended also. Deputy Nicole Frisinger and Trustee John Hoiby were absent. One Trustee position remains vacant.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to approve the July 6th, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Gudis attended the meeting to report to the Board on recent events/completed tasks.
Blue Hills Festival was a success. They will possibly have to look in to some electrical upgrades for next year.
R & R Televising was here to televise and clean various lines throughout town. The crew has also been flushing hydrants and cleaning/jetting sewer lines.
The concrete slabs have been poured at the park Veteran’s mural for the bench donation from the American Legion.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Wreaths Across America – Donation Request: Rick Ensenbach attended the meeting to request a donation for this year’s ‘Wreaths Across America’ program. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to approve donating $500.00 towards the program, carried.
Trevor Richards – Library Director Update: Richards attended the meeting to give the Board an update on recent Library events. Their Summer Reading Program is complete.
A survey is on the Library website, requesting public input on various Library wants/needs from the community..
The Library budget will be brought to the September, 2026 Regular Board Meeting for approval.
Author talks events are still being held monthly.
Robert Lorkowski – Main Street Business: Robert Lorkowski attended the meeting to discuss his Main Street concerns.
He discussed Village Board policies set in place regarding ordinances, statutes, budget, taxes, controlling Village properties, etc. He discussed vacant buildings and lots on Main Street and ideas on restoring/razing buildings and/or gaining occupancy of said buildings. He mentioned getting a group of individuals/groups and trustees together to get a plan together of different ideas to further the restoration of buildings/vacant lots on Main Street and also have a list of businesses and resources available for residents and other business owners. He also discussed advertising of the Village owned industrial site and speed limit signs on Main.
The Board discussed frustrations pertaining to lack of ability to enforce Village ordinances and lack of County assistance with the same.
APPLICATIONS:
Building Permits:
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to approve a building permit to DFA/DairiConcepts for interior and exterior plumbing work for their commercial building located at 832 W. Arthur Avenue, carried.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve a building permit to Paul Javener to install a solar panel on his property located at 635 N. 1st Street, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Safety:
Village Hall Water Damage:
Reconstruction is on schedule for completion at the end of August. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Village Hall Water Damage’ item until the September, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Temporary Village Offices will be located at the Village Shop, 228 E. River Avenue, Board and Committee meetings will be located at the American Legion Hall, 804 N. Main Street, unless posted otherwise and elections will be located at the American Legion Hall until further notice.
Committee Meeting 7/28/26 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on July 28th, 2026. Below are the minutes from that meeting:The committee met to discuss safety concerns regarding e-bikes, scooters, etc.
The committee’s recommendation is to put an announcement out on the website, social media, etc., letting residents know that e-bikes, scooters, gas-powered bikes are not allowed on the sidewalks, and when occupying such, to follow traffic laws and signs accordingly.
The committee also discussed the stop sign located at the intersection by Glory B’s on Main Street. The committee would like to bring the item to the full Board for discussion/decision.
Discussion on E-Bikes, Scooters & Gas-Powered Bikes:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to reinstall the stop sign on the west side of N. Main St., across from Glory B’s, heading south, and look in to pricing for sign lighting, carried.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to approve the committee’s recommendations for posting an announcement for rules, regulations and safety concerns, carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Discussion on E-Bikes, Scooters & Gas-Powered Bikes’ item until the September, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Utility:
Simplified Water Rate Increase Application Approval: The Village received a letter from the Public Service Commission regarding the annual PSC Report filed and rate case history of the Village. The letter stated that the Village is eligible for a simplified rate case with a current rate increase of 3%. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to approve submitting a simplified rate case application to the PSC for a 3% rate increase, carried. The SRC process includes an application and a notice to customers but does not require a public hearing.
Public Works:
Alley Paving: A second invoice was received from Monarch Paving for the work completed on the alley paving portion of the project. Monarch was contacted with discrepancies within the invoice. The invoice is currently outstanding. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Alley Paving’ item until the September, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Main Street Repairs: Gudis received a quote back from Scott’s Construction for chip sealing Main Street in the amount of $7,700.00 for 550 ft., from River Avenue south to Hwy 8. They will be in the area at the end of August/early September and could complete the work then.
The project could be included in the loan for machinery replacement from Chippewa Valley Bank, with a first installment payment in 2028. A motion to approve or deny will be made in the machinery replacement section of the agenda.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Main Street Repairs’ item until the September, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Snow Fence Removal @ 1117 N. 2nd St.: Stewart & Jenniffer Towers attended the meeting to discuss with the Board the ongoing property line disputes with neighboring properties. In accordance with Village of Bruce ordinances, a snow fence is considered a ‘temporary’ fence and has to be removed within 45 days but can be reinstalled at a later date.
No action was taken on this item.
Lawnmower/Side x Side Replacement Schedule: Gudis reviewed the equipment list with the Board. The 2012 John Deere cab tractor is needing upgraded along with one of the 2023 JD side by sides and 2020 JD mower w/bagger. All have several hours on them. The Board is wanting to keep the equipment on a regular trade schedule. Gudis received quotes from Tractor Central. With the purchase of one 2026 John Deere side by side, trade in of the 2023 JD side by side, purchasing one 2026 John Deere utility cab tractor, trade in of the 2012 JD cab tractor, purchasing one 2026 John Deere mower with bagger, trading in of the 2020 JD mower and including the cost of main street chip sealing, the total loan amount would come to approximately $71,000.00. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to approve getting a loan from Chippewa Valley Bank in the amount of $71,000.00 to cover replacement for a 2026 John Deere side by side, trade in of the 2023 JD side by side, purchasing one 2026 John Deere utility cab tractor, trade in of the 2012 JD cab tractor, purchasing one 2026 John Deere mower with bagger, trading in of the 2020 JD mower and including the cost of main street chip sealing, carried. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Lawnmower/Side x Side Replacement Schedule’ item until the September, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried
Committee Meeting 7/29/26 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on July 29th, 2026. Below are the minutes from that meeting:The committee met to discuss the Village Round Lake property. There are some line discrepancies with the adjacent property. Gudis will look at getting a quote from Morgan & Parmley for a survey to be done. If it turns out that the round lake property is owned by the adjacent landowner, the committee recommends meeting with the properties executers about purchasing the land.
The committee also discussed Village property located south of Hwy 8 by the bridge/DairiConcepts. The committee recommends exploring the possibility of lotting off and selling the property.
Lastly, the committee recommends exploring the sale of the Village owned land in the Town of Atlanta.
Gudis read aloud an email correspondence received from Morgan & Parmley regarding the survey inquiry. A CSM survey cost would be approximately $2,000-$3,500 to complete.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to approve completing the survey, exploring selling of the land by DairiConcepts/bridge and selling of the land in the Town of Atlanta, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion:
Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the September, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Park Playground Equipment Slide Repair/Replacement: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to approve repairing the slide at the park in the amount of $1,227.00 from M & E Plastic Repairs, carried.
Library Rent Increase: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to increase the Library rent 3% for 2027, carried.
Finance:
Cemetery Rate Increase: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to increase the cemetery rates 3%, effective August 3rd, 2026, carried.
Building Permit Fees Increase: Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Brainerd to increase the building permit fee schedule $10.00 per $1,000 cost, carried.
NEW BUSINESS: September, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting – September 8th, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m.: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to approve setting the September, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting for September 8th, 2026 @ 5:30 p.m. to accommodate for the Labor Day holiday, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $102,840.06, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Farmer’s Market: Every Friday from 1p.m. – 5 p.m., located at the Bruce Park, from July 3rd thru September 25th.
Cruise Nights-Classic Auto Collision Center has set the calendar for Cruise Night in the parking lot at 705 N. Main Street in Bruce, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., July 21st & August 18th.
Saturday July 11th from 9:00 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.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 7:22 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer