VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
July 7th, 2025
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, July 7th, 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, Jim Johnson, Kim Grasley & Mark Zimmer. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes and Deputy Nicole Frisinger attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Dolan, seconded by Brainerd to approve the June 2nd, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Casey Gudis attended the meeting to report that the part-time summer help have started, as well as the new full-time maintenance hire. They have been busy with mowing, painting and getting the park ready for the Blue Hills Festival.
The new plow truck is currently in Cameron and will be delivered in the next week.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Jackie Johnson: Jackie Johnson attended the meeting to express her gratitude and appreciation to the Board. She stated that she appreciates them giving up their time and efforts to help keep things running smoothly in the Village. She also stated her appreciation for all the employees. She said that we can all be proud of our community. She also expressed her condolences for Peggy Weinert, a former Village employee who passed suddenly last year.
Trevor Richards – Bruce Library Director: Trevor Richards attended the meeting to give the Board a brief update on the Library. The summer reading program is already half over. He thanked Trott for opening the time capsule at the last program event. The next upcoming event, the Library will be having chickens and ducks.
Richards also wanted to mention a program called Author Talks. This would be a virtual program where readers can meet authors of their choice and interact with them virtually. The cost for the program is $100.00 a year and will be available starting in August.
He stated that this year’s budget is on track.
Lastly, he stated that he came across an American Disability Act audit that was done in 2022 for the Library. He will be reaching out to previous Director’s to see if anything was completed or needs completed.
Village of Weyerhaeuser Garbage Collection: The Village of Weyerhaeuser approached the Village Hall office and asked if the Village would be interested in taking on garbage collection for them. Questions were asked regarding manpower and truck use. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to send the item to committee to discuss the possibility further. With Wundrow opposing, the motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: (Please state your name – Limited to 5 minutes per person)
Mike Newman attended the meeting with concerns regarding the Village of Weyerhaeuser garbage collection. He stated that the Board should check with the Wisconsin League of Municipalities if it would be feasible to go in to business with another community given that the garbage collection is here for the taxpayers of Bruce. He stated there could be some legal ramifications.
Jim Locke asked about the liability of collecting Weyerhaeuser’s garbage. Trott stated that there was a lot of things to figure out if it were to happen.
Brad Frisinger came for clarification and understanding on a few items. He asked how many additional residential and business accounts were found and added to the collection for garbage when Bruce started in January. He was told that the definite number was not known off hand but he would be supplied that at a later date. Frisinger stated that the reason for having any flexibility for properties to opt out of collection was because it stops individuals from burning trash, throwing it in yard, etc., he asked if this was the reason. Trott stated that you can’t stop residents from throwing garbage in their yard. That requiring residents/businesses to have collection services is one way of trying to keep the Village clean. Frisinger asked if there were ordinances in place regarding throwing your trash out in your yard. Brainerd responded yes. Frisinger asked why that would not be a good reason to have flexibility.
Leah Newman had asked if there was any updates on the Village getting a part time officer. Trott said budget wise, the Village is not there yet, but the item is still in the scope of discussion. Mike Newman stated there was talk on possibly picking 5 ordinances of the Village to have the County adopt so there could be enforcement through the County. Trott stated there has not been any headway on that issue.
Leah Newman voiced her dislike of garbage pickup on the street side.
Brad Frisinger discussed garbage pricing that the City of Ladysmith charges versus the Village.
Colleen Kopras attended the meeting in regards to her bill received from her garbage carts for her rental from January, 2025 with interest accrued monthly. She read aloud a script from the Bible. She stated that she would pay for the carts but she will not pay the interest as that’s a usury and a sin.
Kurt Kopras stated that as of August 1st, the individuals that are currently using the building will no longer be occupying it. He asked what will happen with the garbage collection services at that time. Trott stated that if there is not a lease attached to the property, and there is no business there, then the property would not be required to have services, per our ordinance. Trott stated that if the cans were not needed at that point, carts could be returned, fees for the carts would be refunded, but not the late fees on the original delinquent bill. Trott said that discussion could be had when that time comes.
Jackie Johnson stated that it’s a difficult position to be in, as how do you regulate someone who generates garbage but states that they do not. Jackie said it’s a way the Village is trying to hold people accountable.
After twenty minutes of debate, Trott stated it was time to move forward with the agenda.
APPLICATIONS:
Operator’s Licenses:
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to approve an operator’s license to Victoria M. McCullick, carried.
Motion by Dolan, seconded Johnson to approve an operator’s license to John M. Yeuger, carried.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Wundrow to approve an operator’s license to Amanda M. Shimko, carried.
Picnic License:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to approve a Picnic License to the Bruce Blue Hill’s Lion’s Club, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. – Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve paying an invoice in the amount of $1,520.00 to Morgan & Parmley, Ltd, for water service line inventory services, carried.
Public Works:
Alley Paving: Gudis spoke with Monarch Paving regarding the south end of the alley between Bruce Telephone and Chippewa Valley Bank. Monarch stated that they could not beat the $7,000.00 quote that was submitted by Thompson’s for the demo and gravel. Monarch stated they could beat the pricing by roughly $500.00 but it would be eight inches less of gravel. Monarch would still complete the blacktopping portion. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to approve the quote submitted by Thompson’s to complete the work, carried. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Alley Paving’ item until the August, 2025 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Monarch stated they would give Gudis bids for the blacktopping on Coleman Street at a later date.
Resolution #25-02 – A Resolution Regarding the Discontinuance of a Public Way: Motion by Zimmer seconded by Grasley to approve Resolution #25-02 – A Resolution Regarding the Discontinuance of a Public Way, carried. This would be for an alley vacation at the end of Blackburn Street. All property owners being affected by the vacation of the alley will be notified. A public hearing is set for September 8th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Committee Meeting 6/17/25 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on June 17th, 2025. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss upgrading the Village owned streetlights to LED and also a streetlight pole that needs replaced and/or removed. Gudis spoke with Xcel Energy who stated they would put up an Xcel Energy owned streetlight across from the intersection on Hwy 8/S. 40 at no cost. The Village owned light that is currently on the east side of the street is broke and would be very expensive to replace. The committee asked Gudis if he would check to see if the DOT would come and fix the Village owned pole for free since it was damaged from the Hwy 8 reconstruction. If they decline to do so, the committee is recommending going with the plan from Xcel Energy.
Discussion was had on upgrading the remaining Village owned streetlights to LED. Keeping the existing globe style and upgrading to LED would cost $2,100.00 each. If a newer cobra style globe were installed with the LED, it would be a cost of $700.00 each. The committee is recommending going with the cobra style globe with LED’s but wants to see if the electric company can wait to do the upgrades until the fall and wait for payment of services until after the 1st of year 2026, that way the project can be budgeted for 2026. The committee is also recommending having 2-3 of the Village owned streetlights replaced with the cobra style globe and LED as soon as possible.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to approve the committee’s recommendations from the June 17th, 2025 meeting, carried.
Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue:
-DISCUSSION & ACTION-
– UPDATE –
Motion by Grasley, seconded by Wundrow to remove the ‘Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue’ item from the agenda, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion: Trott reported that the Booster Club and Lion’s Club are planning to set a meeting after the Blue Hills Festival to decide on what updates they would like to complete on the concession stand. There is no update on the contract with the school. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the August, 2025 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting 6/16/25 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on June 16th, 2025. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss businesses having the ability to advertise on the back stop at the Bruce Park.
There are a total of 9 spots at 5ft x 2 1/2ft. The committee is recommending charging $250.00 for the first year to install a sign and $125.00 per year thereafter annually.
The committee is recommending removing ordinance 8-3-10 from the Village Code of Ordinances regarding refuse disposal and collection.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to approve the committee’s recommendations from the June 16th, 2025 meeting, carried.
Administration:
Committee Meeting 6/20/25 Minutes/Report: A committee meeting was held on June 20th, 2025. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met with Jeremy Hause for the open maintenance position. They offered the position to him at $21.00/hr with a $.50 raise available for every license earned. Jeremy will let the office know Monday morning, June 23rd, if he’s accepted the offer.
The committee is recommending hiring Joelle Hegeholz to assist the office with inputting records for the new cemetery software and any other helpful tasks in the office for 2-3 days a week at $14.00, same as the outside summer help, only through the summer.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to approve the committee’s recommendations from the June 20th, 2025 meeting, carried.
NEW BUSINESS: There are two funding opportunities through the state for local roads and alternative transportation routes, Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Transportation Alternative Program (TAP). Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to set a committee meeting to discuss the programs in more detail, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $73,320.76, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Cruise Nights-Classic Auto Collision Center has set the calendar for Cruise Night in the parking lot at 705 N. Main Street in Bruce, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. July 15th & August 19th.
Saturday July 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will be the annual Open House/Craft/Car Show. Contact Classic Auto Collision Center at 715-868-CARS or classicauto@brucetel.net for more details.
Bruce Blue Hills Lions Club ‘Blue Hills Festival’ – Located at the Bruce Park. July 11th, 12th & 13th, 2025
Bruce Community Farmer’s Market: Every Friday thru the end of October, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Bruce Park
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 6:15 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer