VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
February 6, 2017
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, February 6, 2017.
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, Bobbi Jo Fillion, Gayanne Skogen and Jim Moore. 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 January 3, 3017 Regular Board Meeting and the January 16, 2017 Caucus, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Fillion, seconded by Trott to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Darlene Wundrow attended the meeting and reported that the workers are removing snow on the Village Streets and changing out water meters. Well #3 had some maintenance work done to it this week also. The impellor was raised to eliminate some debris that had ceased up the motor. Two stop signs were vandalized this past month and the maintenance workers are making repairs to them as needed. Wundrow will provide costs for the repairs and the authorities will be notified.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS: Bruce High School Post Prom Committee-Annual Donation Request: Motion by Trott, seconded by Fillion, with Zimmer abstaining from voting, to approve donating $100.00 to the Bruce High School Post Prom Committee for the post prom lock-in at the Bruce School on April 29, 2017, carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None.
APPLICATIONS: Operator’s License: Motion by Fillion, seconded by Zimmer to approve a regular operator’s license for Shannon M. Evans, carried. Motion by Trott, seconded by Zimmer to approve a regular operator’s license for Devon M. Penney, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Works:
Potential New Village Shop: Newman reported that the DNR contacted him and we are not being considered for the application cycle this year.
Morgan & Parmley, Ltd.: Larry Gotham of Morgan & Parmley attended the meeting to discuss with the Board the options for applying for funding for a new Village Shop. He explained that what the Village was requesting was a variance for the October 31, 2017 deadline to submit a “Notice of Intent” with the DNR. After several emails back and forth with the DNR, they decided not to grant the variance. If the Village would like to continue to move forward with plans to build a new shop building and seek possible DNR funding, he explained two options in doing so. The accelerated option would be for the Village to begin to build the building before receiving information on the status of DNR funding for the project, and the routine option would be to wait to get DNR response before beginning construction of the building. Gotham recommended putting together a “Notice of Intent” to apply for October of 2017. Then in the Spring of 2018, we would submit the application with final plans. In August of 2018 we would receive notice from the DNR on the status of the loan and principal forgiveness. The project would be published once we know where we’re at with funding. The building would then be built in 2019. The plans would have to be done before June of 2018. The accelerated option would be the same grant program process but specifying that the building would be built before we know what funding is available. In the winter of 2017, the plans would be done, advertised, and the project would be awarded when the application is submitted. Construction would be in the summer of 2018. The Village would be notified by the DNR in August of 2018 of what funding is available. Money will be available through the DNR for the project and there is a possibility for up to 60% principal forgiveness also. A priority ranking formula is used by the DNR to determine eligibility for principal forgiveness. Inflation and cost of maintaining the current building are also things to consider when deciding to move forward with the project. Discussion was held and the Board considered all the information provided. Motion by Trott, seconded by Zimmer to approve moving forward with a preliminary design phase for the plans for a new Village Shop building, having the plans completed by the winter of 2017, carried. Motion by Trott, seconded by Zimmer to table the “Potential New Village Shop” issue until the March, 2017 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Committee Meeting January 17, 2017 Report: A Committee Meeting was held on January 17, 2017 to discuss funding for new playground equipment at the Village Park. Those who attended shared ideas on what type of equipment is needed and grants that may be available to help fund the project. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Trott to table the “New Playground Equipment at the Village Park” issue until the March, 2017 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Administration:
Committee Meeting January 24, 2017 Report: A Committee Meeting was held on January 24, 2017 to review Sections 8 & 9 of the Village Ordinances and make suggestions on updates to them.
Update Ordinances: Motion by Trott, seconded by Zimmer to table the “Update Ordinances” issue until the March, 2017 Regular Board Meeting, carried.
Finance:
2011 Street Rehab Project Loan Payment & Re-Finance: The 2011 Street Rehab Project loan payment will be made in early March. The loan matures then and the balance of approximated $110,000 will be refinanced. Information will be provided at the March 6, 2017 Board Meeting regarding terms of financing.
Industrial Site:
Committee Meeting January 13, 2017 Report: A Committee meeting was held on January 13, 2017 to meet with Larry & Emily Meisegeier who presented a power point presentation on the status of the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy Cooperative. The Committee also discussed the possible sale of wetland in the Industrial Park. The Committee recommends not selling the property at this time and removing the issue from the Agenda.
Potential Sale of Wetland in Industrial Park: Motion by Trott, seconded by Moore to not take any action on the “Potential Sale of Wetland in Industrial Park” issue and remove it from the Agenda, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Trott to pay vouchers and electronic tax payments totaling $167,383.77, carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Village received a thank you from ‘Shop with a Cop/Christmas for Kids Program’ for the annual donation of $50.00.
The Village received a thank you from Rusk County Animal Shelter for the annual donation of $500.00.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Spring Primary Election-February 21, 2017. Village of Bruce Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction are on the ballot.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Trott to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 7:37 p.m.
Terry Hegeholz
Clerk/Treasurer