VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
January 6th, 2025
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, January 6th, 2025.
Village President Shane Trott presided and called to order the meeting at the Village Hall facility at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were Galen Brainerd, Darlene Wundrow, Tim Dolan and Mark Zimmer. Members Kim Grasley and Jim Johnson were absent. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes and Deputy Nicole Frisinger attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Dolan to approve the December 2nd, 2024 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:
Water Meter Purchase Approval: Casey Gudis attended the meeting to ask the Board for approval to purchase the remaining meters left to have the entire Village on remote read meters. There are 54 total meters left including two (1) inch and one (2) inch. Discussion was had on if the (2) inch meter would be necessary given its property location. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to approve purchasing all needed meters except for the (2) inch meter, carried.
Gudis reported that there is approximately $70,000.00 of extra funding remaining from the Filtration Project. Gudis is asking for approval to purchase a skid steer with the remaining funds. Quotes would be submitted to the DNR for approval. Gudis provided the Board with three quotes, one from Johne Deere for a 2024 with broom, grapple and forks for $66,300.00, one from Baribeau for a 2024 Case for $60,849.00, no attachments and an additional quote from Baribeau for a 2024 New Holland for $56,629, no attachments. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to approve the purchase of the 2024 John Deere with broom, grapple and forks for $66,300.00, upon DNR approval, carried.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Erin Webster: Erin Webster attended the meeting as a representative from the Salvation Army to give a brief explanation of their voucher program and how it works.
APPLICATIONS:
Operator’s Licenses:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to approve and operator’s license to Dawn M. Kelley, carried.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Dolan to approve an operator’s license to Shaylee R. Kaiser, carried.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Dolan to approve an operator’s license to Jason A Frey, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
Committee Meeting 12/11/24 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on December 11th to discuss the Village’s garbage collection. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss a few items of concern regarding the collection of the Bruce garbage that will start in January, 2025.
One item was regarding picking up in the alleys. After much discussion, the committee is recommending leaving the garbage pick-up as previously approved and the mass mailing letter had stated, street side only. After a month or so of running the route, the item will be revisited to see if adjustments need to be made.
Bids need to be obtained from Waste Management for the dumpster at the park and also determine how many times a month we would need that serviced.
Discussion was had on several properties regarding having service with the Village and determinations were made.
Garbage Contract Discussion: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Garbage Contract Discussion’ item until the February, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works:
LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds: All paperwork has been submitted to the DOT for reimbursement through the LRIP Program and payment to the Village should be made within the next couple months. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Dolan to table the ‘LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) Funds’ item until the February, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting 12/5/24 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on December 5th, 2024. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss the replacement of the sewer line in the alley in front of the old grocery store, between Main Street and Alvey Street. The businesses within the area are looking at replacing the blacktop.
Discussion was had on assessments to property owners for the work. The committee will meet additionally to get these figures determined. There was discussion had on possibly putting in underground power to two of the streetlight poles. A quote will be obtained from Xcel Energy.
Thompson’s bid is approximately $88,000 for the sewer line portion of the project and Monarch’s bid is approximately $28,000 for the paving portion.
An additional committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss the project further.
Committee Meeting 12/9/24 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on December 9th, 2024. Below are the minutes from that meeting:The committee met to discuss the replacement of the sewer line in the alley in front of the old grocery store, between Main Street and Alvey Street. The businesses within the area are looking at replacing the blacktop.
The Village Ordinances need to be inspected regarding assessing of alleyways. Determination on what defines an alley and also a corner lot need to be determined. Determining what interest rate will be used if assessments are assessed needs to be decided. Discussion was had on leasing the parking lot on Main Street from the property owner. Gotham does not believe engineering would be needed as long as the replacement of the pipe is strictly that and no changes are added.
Bids need to be requested by January and granted at the January meeting. Gotham volunteered to help with that process as well as the assessment process if the project is decided to move forward.
An additional committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss the project further.
Sewer Line Replacement – Alley Between North Main & Alvey Street: No information has been determined regarding assessments as well as bids at this time. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Dolan to send the item to committee to discuss further, carried. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘Sewer Line Replacement – Alley Between North Main & Alvey Street’ item until the February, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue:
-DISCUSSION & ACTION-
– UPDATE –
The project is completed and the Village is working on closeout paperwork with the DNR.
Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. – Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Dolan to approve the invoice in the amount of $14,175.00 to Morgan & Parmley, Ltd., for engineering services for the Filtration Project thru December 31st, 2024, carried.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue’ item until the February, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, 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 February, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $330,796.39, carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
A letter was submitted to the Board from a Village resident requesting to be exempt from Village garbage services. Motion by Dolan, seconded by Brainerd to deny the request, carried.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Dolan, seconded by Zimmer to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 6:22 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer