VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
June 5th, 2023
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, June 5th, 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 Galen Brainerd, Darlene Wundrow, Tim Dolan, Kim Grasley, Jim Johnson and Mark Zimmer. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes attended also.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to approve the May 15th, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve the May 22nd, 2023 Board of Review Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT:
CMAR & CCR Reports: Casey Gudis attended the meeting and reported to the Board that both CMAR (Compliance Maintenance Annual Report) and CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) have both been submitted to the DNR. These are mandatory reports due to the DNR annually. No violations were issued on the CCR. This will be posted in the Ladysmith News and also copies available to pick up at the Village Hall. The CMAR came back with grades of all ‘A’s’ in every category.
Water Line Dig @ 821 N. 4th St. Approval: Gudis is asking permission to dig up the water line at 821 N. 4th St. due to not being able to find the water shut off valve. Due to the delinquent account with the Village, the Village needs the accessibility to shut the water off. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve the crew to dig up the water line at 821 N. 4th St. and install a new water shut off valve, carried.
Computer Purchase Approval: Gudis is in need of a new computer. He currently has a laptop that needs to be replaced. Bruce Telephone has attempted to fix it multiple times and has mentioned that it’s time to upgrade and a desktop would be a better purchase. Gudis presented the board with a quote for a PC from Dell for $559.99. Bruce Telephone would donate the monitor. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to approve Gudis to purchase the Dell PC for $559.99, carried.
Summer Help Hire: Trott mentioned that he has been receiving interest from a highschooler to help out around the Village for the summer. Gudis said that they could use the help. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve hiring someone for summer help, carried. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to pay the summer help $12.00/hour with 18-20 hours worked in a week, carried.
Lastly, Gudis asked for approval to get some black dirt from H & S Excavating, LLC to fill the hole from when the stump was ground at the Veteran’s mural park site. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to approve Gudis getting black dirt from H & S Excavating, LLC at whatever the cost would be, carried.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Bruce Blue Hills Lion’s Club-Festival Donation Request: At the May, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, the Board denied the donation request from the Bruce Blue Hills Lion’s Club do to budget concerns. Republic Services, per contract, issues a $2,000.00 community donation that is used for small projects throughout the Village. After some discussion, motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to donate $500.00 of the $2,000.00 community donation from Republic Services, carried.
The costs for the additional dumpster for the festival weekend is paid for by the Village. The Board asked the Clerk to contact Republic Services to see if they would be interested in donating the dumpster this year.
Zimmer asked if an additional light could be installed in the kitchen of the pavilion as it is extremely hard to see.
Trott also mentioned that the Kiwanis would need to be contacted as three refrigerators have been plugged in and running with nothing in them, as well as one of the freezer doors was left open.
APPLICATIONS:
Building Permit: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to approve a building permit to Karen Hanson to install a porch at her property located at 620 N. 1st St., carried.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve a building permit to James Petrus to install a concrete driveway at his property located at 620 N. Johnson St., carried.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to approve a building permit to David Jandrt to do roof repairs on his storage building located at 808 N. Blackburn St., carried.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve a building permit to Gerald Czyscon to install snow stops on his roof located at 226 S. Coleman St., carried.
Temporary Class ‘B’ Liquor License: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wundrow to approve a Temporary Class ‘B’ Liquor License to the Bruce Blue Hills Lion’s Club to sell fermented malt beverages and/or wine coolers at their annual festival at the Bruce Park on July 7th, 8th & 9th, 2023, carried.
Liquor Licenses:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve a Class ‘A’ Liquor License to Dollar General, Store #19877, carried.
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve a Class ‘A’ Beer license to Dollar General Store #19877 and J & S Sales of Chippewa Falls, LLC d/b/a Express Mart, carried.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve a Class ‘B’ Combo Liquor & Beer license to JB & SM Enterprises, LLC d/b/a Hot Shots and JC Quinn International, LLC d/b/a Glory B Irish Pub, carried.
Cigarette Licenses:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve a cigarette license to Dollar General, Store #19877, Express Mart and Hot Shots, carried.
Coin Machine Licenses:
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to approve coin machine licenses to Hot Shots, Glory B Irish Pub, Bruce Public Schools, Bruce American Legion and DairiConcepts, carried.
Operator’s Licenses thru the end of June, 2023:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve an Operator’s License to Vida M. Smith, carried.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to approve an Operator’s License to Alicia L. Baldree, carried.
2023-2024 Operator’s License Renewals:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve Operator’s Licenses to Brenda M. Gauthier, Jessa R. Campbell, Shirley R. Liazuk, Mark J. Campbell, Brooke A. Gauthier, Justin E. Quinn, Sandra J. Murray, Jerald L. Johnson, Catalina R. Quinn, Holly M. Howard, Charles F. Thorman, Jason A. M. Frey, Joshua L. Shimko, Freida K. Smith, Sylanna R. Smith, Isabella M. Lawson, Vida M. Smith, Kenna L. Sinette, Savannah M. Ziehme, Robert F. Lorkowski, Alicia L. Baldree and Lynn M. Johansson, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
Garbage Contract Discussion: The Village is looking in to the idea of starting their own garbage service for the Village. There are two years left on the current contract with Republic Services, with a 4% increase annually. Nothing further to report at this time. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Garbage Contract Discussion’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Sewer Main Replacement on East Arthur /S. Main St.: Morgan & Parmley are currently working on the mapping for the project. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Sewer Main Replacement on East Arthur /S. Main St.’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
CMAR Resolution #23-04: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve Resolution #23-04 for the submittance of the 2022 CMAR to the Department of Natural Resources, carried.
2022 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) submitted to DNR: Information only. The 2022 CCR report has been submitted to the DNR and no violations were issued.
Public Works:
Committee Meeting 5/30/23 Report/Minutes: A Public Works committee meeting was held May 30th, 2023 to discuss the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss updates on the second location for the Veterans mural as well as the progress on the current location.
– An application has been submitted to Xcel Energy to install power
– The committee would like to speak with Derek about who is planning on paying for the lights. The Village does have some funds to help.
– The committee is recommending building the second location at the park facing Highway 8 and to install it between the East & West driveways.
– Recommending to build the next mural frame to be able to add on but building it to suit how many applications we have at that time.
– Committee is recommending putting lamps on each pole, which would be approximately 9 lights
– Looking at building the frame work this fall or early spring to fit approximately 25-30 murals to start
The artist gave a timeline of fall of 2024 to be completed with the second round of applications which we currently have 20 of.
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve the committees recommendations from the May 30th, 2023 Public Works committee meeting, carried.
Veteran’s Memorial Park Site: Nothing further to report at this time. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Veteran’s Memorial Park Site’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Water Filtration Project – Corrective Work on Village Wells & River Avenue:
-DISCUSSION & ACTION-
A Public Hearing will need to be scheduled to discuss special assessments. The Board scheduled it for July 10th, 2023 at 6:30 p.m., thirty minutes before the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Water Filtration Project-Corrective Work on Village Wells and River Avenue’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand Discussion: Nothing new to report at this time. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand Discussion’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Park Dugout Update: A quote for the repairs of the backstop was submitted from Affordable Fencing, LLC in the amount of $22,450.00 which would be covered with the Village’s insurance. The work will be completed in the fall. The Board asked Hayes to reach out to Adam Frisinger from Northland Construction Services to see when he anticipates starting construction on the dugout. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Park Dugout Update’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Approval of contract between Bruce School & the Village on Park Use: The contract is not ready to be signed for approval at this time. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to table the ’Approval of contract between Bruce School & the Village on Park Use’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Administration:
Maintenance Position Hire: A meeting is to be scheduled with John Runstrom. The Board would like an answer from him by July 1st. Nothing further to discuss at this time. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Maintenance Position Hire’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Property Assessor Hire: The current Village Assessor’s contract is up in July of 2024. At that time, she had originally planned to retire. A notification from the Assessor to the Clerk stated that she would like to continue her contract with the Village for an additional three years at $2,500.00 annually. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to approve extending the contract with Elk River Appraisals for an additional three years at $2,500.00 annually, carried.
Revision of Deputy Clerk Position & Potential Modifications to Benefits: According to the Village of Bruce’s Employee Handbook, to be eligible for holiday pay, an employee would have to work the day prior to and day following a holiday. The Deputy currently works Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Most all holidays for the year would land on days where the Deputy would not qualify for holiday pay. Discussion was had on getting the employee manual updated so there would be no questions as to what a full time and part time employee consisted of. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to leave the holiday pay the way the manual states through the end of the year 2023, with the Deputy getting holiday pay on the days that land on a scheduled day she works, then as of January 1st, 2024, no holiday pay would be given to part time employees, only full time employees, update the manual as of January 1st, 2024 to state that a part time employee is one who works up to 30 hours a week and a full time employee is one who works 30 plus hours per week and if there is no work to be completed the remainder of the day, the Clerk has the authority to send the employee home. With Wundrow and Zimmer opposing, the motion carried.
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Grasley to schedule a Special Board Meeting to go in to closed session to talk with the employees regarding the issue, carried.
Finance:
Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Ambulance Garage Building Discussion & Action: Trott reported Town of Atlanta donated $400.00 to go towards last year’s expenses for the ambulance garage. Nothing further to report this month. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Ambulance Garage Building Discussion & Action’ item until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Discussion & Action on Delinquent Bill from Village Owned Property Damage: Back in February of 2022, a resident of Bruce crashed their snowmobile in to the cemetery fence, resulting in a $1,425.00 expense to the Village to repair. After numerous attempts to get the individual to reimburse the Village for the damages, the Board is looking in to options on recouping their money from the individual. The resident rents a property in town so tacking on the expense on their taxes is not feasible. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Dolan to send the item to small claims and to table the ‘Discussion & Action on Delinquent Bill from Village Owned Property Damage’ issue until the July, 2023 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Village Hall Repairs: Northwest Refrigeration Services – Quote Approval: Two blower motor assemblies in the Village’s make up air units as well as a condenser fan motor in the a/c unit need to be repaired. A quote from Northwest Refrigeration Services in the amount of $2,751.63 was submitted. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Zimmer to approve the repairs in the amount of $2,751.63, carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $92,458.88, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Village Wide Garage Sales: June 10th, 2023
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. June 20th, July 18th & August 15th.
Saturday July 8th from 10:00 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 Festival: Located at the Bruce Park – July 7th, 8th & 9th, 2023
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 8:41 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer