VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
December 4th, 2023
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, December 4th, 2023.
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 Jim Johnson, Galen Brainerd, Kim Grasley, Darlene Wundrow, Tim Dolan and Mark Zimmer. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes and Deputy Nicole Frisinger attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve the November 6th, 2023 Budget Hearing Minutes, carried.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to approve the November 6th, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Casey Gudis attended the meeting to report to the Board that the crew has been busy doing maintenance on street valves, flushing hydrants and hanging the Christmas ornaments on street light poles. There was an issue with the electrical coming in to one of the poles and an electrician will be coming to look at it.
The roof on Well House #3 is completed.
The roof on the filtration addition to the shop is installed and waiting on steel to complete.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Backpack Blessings – Donation request: A donation request was submitted to the Board from the Backpack Blessings Program through the school in October. After review of the budget at that time, the Board denied the donation request. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Dolan to keep the request on the agenda until year 2024, carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Becky Morgan attended the meeting to ask the Board if the snow could be plowed differently in front of her house and on the sidewalk. Gudis said he would do his best to try and put the snow elsewhere if possible.
Robert Lorkowski attended the meeting to update the Board on the renovations being done to his building located at 621 N. Main Street. The siding has been stripped, a new roof installed and all plumbing and electrical work completed.
He asked Grasley if she would be interested in letting him build a pergola on her empty lot she owns at 626 N. Main Street, north of Gateway Gourmets. This would be used for hosting community events in connection with his business. She will get back to him on if she is interested or not.
APPLICATIONS:
Operator’s Licenses:
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasleyto approve an operator’s license to Joseph J. Smilowski, carried.
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Johnson to approve an operator’s license to Kelli R. Usher, carried.
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Wundrow to approve an operator’s license to Blake A. Boie, carried.
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Dolan to approve an operator’s license to Joshua P. Nobles, carried.
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Dolan to approve an operator’s license to Christoper L. Sarnstrom, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Safety:
Purchase of Speed Bumps & Safety Signs: Discussion was had on pricing and placement for school zone/speed limit signs throughout town. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to send the item to committee to discuss further, carried.
Utility:
Garbage Contract Discussion: The ordering of the carts as well as the purchase of the truck are being completed. Loan paperwork will be done within the month.Nothing further to discuss at this time. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Garbage Contract Discussion’ item until the January, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works:
LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds: The application has been submitted for funding. Nothing further to discuss at this time. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds’ item until the January, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue:
-DISCUSSION & ACTION-
– UPDATE –
The Well House #3 roof is completed. The roof on the filtration addition to the shop is installed and waiting on steel to complete. The filter is scheduled to be shipped on or before December 12th. The construction crew will be back on site the week of December 8th to move the walk in door and put on the steel, if it has arrived by then.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Water Filtration – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue’ item until the January, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion: A meeting will be scheduled with the school administrator to discuss the item further. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the January, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Park Dugout Update: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Park Dugout Update’ item until the January, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Administration:
Maintenance Position Hire: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Maintenance Position Hire’ item until the January, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Appointment of Election Board Members: Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to appoint the following individuals for the 2024 election cycle: Karen Hanson, Bev Burnap, Carol Woodmansee, Martha Aponte and Marlys Javener, carried.
NEW BUSINESS: Set Caucus Date
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to set the 2024 Caucus date for January 8th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m., carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $621,874.26, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Christmas in Bruce: December 9th, 2023
Village Hall Christmas Holiday Hours: The Village Hall will be closed Monday, December 25th, 2023 and Tuesday December 26th, 2023 for Christmas
New Years Village Hall Holiday Hours: The Village Hall will be closed Monday, January 1st, 2024 and Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024
January, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting: The January 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting will be held on Monday, January 8th, 2024.
‘The Giving Tree’ – There will be a Christmas tree at the Village Hall supplied with a child’s information and needs for the holiday season. Come grab a card off the tree and be the person who makes a child smile this Christmas!
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 7:57 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer