VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 6, 2018
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, August 6, 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 July 2, 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 R & R Waste Systems Cleaning has completed televising sections of the sewer system recently. There is an issue with the sewer line from the lift station on Johnson Street all the way to the east end of River Avenue. Ground water is infiltrating the system and it will have to be addressed in the future. Wundrow was contacted by the DOT regarding the “Engine Breaking” signs on Highway 8 (Arthur Avenue) in the Village. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to remove the “Engine Braking” signs if told by the DOT to do so, carried. She also asked the Board for permission to purchase a new sewer jetter cutter, saw blade & wire skid for $1,363.00. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Trott to approve purchasing a new sewer jetter cutter, saw blade & wire skid for $1,363.00, carried. Brainerd asked if the center lines can be painted on Main Street (Business 40) out to Highway 40 on the west side of the Village. Wundrow will get pricing for the striping work. Hoiby asked if a sign can be installed at the collection site at the east end of Washington Avenue for composting yard & garden materials.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Rusk Rider ATV Club-Dave Williams: Dave Williams of the Rusk Rider ATV Club attended the meeting. The group is seeking approval from the DOT to allow access to cross the bridge on Highway 8 for ATV’s. They will be meeting in the near future with the Rusk County Board to discuss the issue. The Village Board offered their support in opening Highway 8 to ATV & UTV traffic. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Hoiby to approve the Village opening access for ATV & UTV traffic on the Highway 8 Bridge, carried. Logistics with the DOT is an issue and the club is pursuing securing approval to cross the Highway 8 Bridge. They will have to get written agreements from private property owners to designate a trail that will connect with the Village’s property and streets to gain access to the existing trail that includes many Village streets.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
APPLICATIONS:
Building Permit: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to approve a building permit for the Joe Vojtasek to install a 20 x 18 foot car port at 1632 N. 2nd Street, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
PSC Application Submittal for Water Meter Replacement: Wundrow reported that we are waiting for approval from the PSC to purchase and install new electronic water meters. Motion by Trott, seconded by Zimmer to approve tabling the “PSC Application Submittal for Water Meter Replacement” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Flushing Hydrant on South Alvey Street: Wundrow reported the flushing hydrant has not been installed yet. Motion by Trott, seconded by Fillion to table the “Flushing Hydrant on South Alvey Street” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works:
Potential New Village Shop: Larry Gotham attended the meeting and explained that we should hear from the DNR on their determination regarding the application for possible funding sometime in September, 2018. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Trott to table the “Potential New Village Shop” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
North Main Street Reconstruction Project-USDA Rural Development Funding: No decision has been made to pursue funding from USDA-Rural Development. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to table the “North Main Street Reconstruction Project-USDA Rural Development Funding” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works Financing Goals: Larry Gotham discussed the financing goals of the Village. A Committee meeting was held on July 18, 2018 and is reported in the minutes under Finance.
Committee Meeting July 30, 2018 Report: A Committee meeting was held on July 30, 2018 to discuss and review the status of the Wester Street septic and property issue.
Sheryl Wester-Sanitary Sewer Easement Request: The Village is currently consulting with our legal counsel as to the best course of action to take. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to table the “Sheryl Wester-Sanitary Sewer Easement Request” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Park Playground Equipment-Purchase Approval: The new park playground equipment has been delivered. Volunteers are being sought to help install it. We are waiting to hear from the company on an installation date. Motion by Trott, seconded by Fillion to table the “New Playground Equipment at the Village Park” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Continue to Pursue Legal Action to Raze Building on W. Railroad Avenue: Newman reported he was contacted by our legal counsel today on the status of the action being taken against the property owner on West Railroad Avenue. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to table the “Continue to Pursue Legal Action to Raze Building on W. Railroad Avenue” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Flower Baskets on Main Street: Newman reported he has inquired about pricing on flower basket brackets and banners from the company that made the street light poles on Main Street. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to table and refer the “Flower Baskets on Main Street” issue to committee, carried.
Committee Meeting July 17, 2018 Report: A Committee Meeting was held on July 17, 2018 to inspect unsightly properties, discuss the playground project, flower baskets on Main Street issue and information from the DOT on the ATV signs in the Village.
Administration:
Update Ordinances: A Committee finished reviewing Section #15 of the Ordinances. The Board will review recommended changes and continue with the process to update the Ordinances. Motion by Fillion, seconded by Zimmer to table the “Update Ordinances” issue until the September, 2018 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Employee Wage Negotiations: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Trott to table the “Employee Wage Negotiations” issue and schedule a meeting in August to continue negotiations with the employees, carried. A meeting will be scheduled in August to hear the employee’s requests.
Committee Meeting July 16, 2018 Report: A Committee Meeting was held on July 16, 2018 to review and discuss employee’s requests for wage negotiations.
Finance:
Committee Meeting July 18, 2018 Report: A Committee meeting was held on July 18, 2018 to review the new village shop status, discuss funding options for North Main Street Reconstruction Project and discuss a strategy for future financial goals and projects along with budget items. April Anderson and Larry Gotham attended the meeting and worked together to create a schedule for the Board to refer to. Larry Gotham submitted a draft of capital investment plan and schedule for the board to review. The Board discussed potential plans to move forward with future projects.
Industrial Site: Newman reported that he has had correspondence with Canadian National Railroad regarding the industrial park and considerations to donating to the community to support local projects such as the playground project.
NEW BUSINESS:
Schedule September Board Meeting-Holiday Conflict: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Trott to approve scheduling the September Board Meeting for Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., carried.
Village Hall Hours of Business Changes: The Board considered changing the Village Hall office hours in the future due to the declining foot traffic in the Hall during the current hours. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to change the Village Hall hours to Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. beginning September 1, 2018, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to pay vouchers and electronic tax payments totaling $108,643.60, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Partisan Primary Election-Tuesday, August 14, 2018. Poll Hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Village residents may vote at the Village Hall, 100 W. River Avenue, Bruce, WI 54819.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Fillion to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 8:25 p.m.
Terry Hegeholz
Clerk/Treasurer