VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 8th, 2024
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, January 8th, 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 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 Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to approve the December 4th, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT:
Water Meter Purchase Approval: Gudis reported that there are (99) meters left to install to get the entire Village on remote read meters. Gudis asked the Board for approval to purchase (50) 5/8 inch meters as well as (2) 1 ½ inch meters. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to approve Gudis purchasing the meters upon PSC approval, carried.
Gudis also mentioned the bulbs on some of the light poles on Main Street need to be replaced. He mentioned going with LED lighting to save on electrical costs. There is a state grant available for energy upgrades that will be looked in to for eligibility for the project.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Backpack Blessings – Donation request: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wundrow to donate $250.00 to the Backpack Blessings Program with the Bruce School, carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jack Rassmussen attended the meeting to ask that his ordinance violation fines be waved. Letters were sent regarding an unsightly fence along with fines imposed due to not removing the fence per the letter. The Board informed him that they will look in to the matter further and respond at next month’s meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Safety:
Purchase of Speed Bumps & Safety Signs: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to send the item to committee and to table the item until the February, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Utility:
Garbage Contract Discussion: The truck has been purchased and carts ordered with delivery scheduled in the next few months. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Zimmer to obtain financing through Chippewa Valley Bank for the loan, carried. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Garbage Contract Discussion’ item until the February, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works:
LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds: The Village has been granted $7,994.55 from the LRIP program. These funds will be used to rehab Business Highway 40. 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 February, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue:
-DISCUSSION & ACTION-
– UPDATE –
Well House #3 is complete other than sealing the floors which will be done in the spring. Work on Well House #1 continues. The outside steel siding is being installed but some of the trim is still on back order. The interior walls are completed. The water treatment filter has been delivered and set in place. The short pieces of connecting pipe have been measured and ordered. Completion date is still set for May 1st, 2024.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Water Filtration – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue’ item until the February, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Haas Sons – Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to pay the invoice to Haas Sons in the amount of $444,851.75 for work completed on the Water Filtration Project through December 20th, 2023, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to send the item to committee and to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the February, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Park Dugout Update: The netting for the backstop will be installed in the Spring. Nothing further to discuss at this time. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Park Dugout Update’ item until the February, 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 February, 2024 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
NEW BUSINESS: Trott reported that the Village’s assessor, Elk River Appraisals, had sent a letter detailing the software that she, along with many other surrounding Townships and Villages’ assessors use, has increased there cost significantly and ultimately ‘holding the assessment data hostage’. This substantial cost and unavailability of open data records prohibits the municipality from selecting other reasonably priced software to perform annual assessments. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to adopt Resolution #24-01, carried. Copies of the resolution will be mailed to several contacts in the State. A full copy of the resolution can be obtained at the Village Hall.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $160,492.40, carried.
CORRESPONDENCE: Bruce Lion’s Club ‘Giving Tree’ Donation: Trott reported to the Board that the Bruce Lion’s Club donated $1,000.00 to the ‘Giving Tree’ this year. The funds were used to purchase toys and winter clothing for Bruce School students in need.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 7:43 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer