VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
October 5th, 2026
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Monday, October 5th, 2026.
Village President Shane Trott presided and called to order the meeting at the Village Hall facility at 5:30 p.m., 100 W. River Avenue. Board members present were Galen Brainerd, Jim Johnson, John Hoiby, Jim Moore and Darlene Wundrow. Clerk/Treasurer Jessica Hayes attended also. Trustee Mark Zimmer was absent.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to approve the September 8th, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wundrow to approve the Treasurer’s report as given, carried.
EMPLOYEE’S REPORT: Casey Gudis attended the meeting to report to the Board that the main plow truck was serviced to have a master switch installed.
The Village Shop offices are being moved back in after temporary Hall offices were moved back to the Village Hall facility.
Heater Installation Approval in Garbage Building: Gudis obtained a second quote from Coolsys for two 75,000 btu gas fired units for $9,985.00. The original quote was obtained from Dave’s Heating & Cooling for one 250,000 btu gas fired unit in the amount of $7,099.42. The Board discussed the advantages of having two heaters, versus one, due to the size of the building. Gudis was asked if he could get an estimate on what Dave’s Heating & Cooling would quote for two 75,000 btu gas fired units, same as Coolsys. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Hoiby to have Gudis look in to the costs and give approval for Gudis to make the final decision on the best option, carried.
PETITIONERS-CITIZEN COMPLAINTS AND REQUESTS:
Trevor Richards – Library Report: Richards attended the meeting to give the Board an update on recent library activities. The community survey is still available for completion. Inquiry about community needs and wants is the topic, with focus groups scheduled for later this fall to discuss feedback.
October is booked with weekly story times, coffee & conversation on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and virtual author talks.
October is domestic violence awareness month, and there is a display set up with helpful information.
October is also ‘Banned Book’ month.
‘Jingle Bells & Badges’ Donation Request: Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to approve donating $50.00 to the ‘Jingle Bells & Badges’ program for 2026, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Safety:
Village Hall Water Damage:
Village Hall offices are up and running with a few small details left for construction completion. Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Village Hall Water Damage’ item until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Discussion on E-Bikes, Scooters & Gas-Powered Bikes:
Motion by Wundrow, seconded by Brainerd to remove the ‘Discussion on E-Bikes, Scooters & Gas-Powered Bikes’ from the agenda, carried.
Utility:
Simplified Water Rate Increase Application Approval: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘Simplified Water Rate Increase Application’ item until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Sewer Rate Increase: Sewer rates were on a schedule to be increased annually at 1%. After discussion with the auditor during the USDA audit, there was a loss in the utility in 2025. Discussion was had on the future of the rehab of the treatment plant and costs. Motion by Moore, seconded by Brainerd, to approve a 3% increase in sewer rates, effective 1/1/27, carried.
The 2027 budget workshop is scheduled for October 14th. Discussion will be had with the auditor if a 3% increase would be sufficient to cover the deficit, and based on her information, the item will be sent to committee to discuss further and brought to the Board for a second vote, carried.
Public Works:
Alley Paving: After further correspondence with Monarch Paving, the Village was informed that the project is fully completed, and that the Village will not be receiving further invoices, although the final invoice stated that the project was only at 73.36% completion. Monarch stated that the completion percentage on the invoice was due to an accounting system error on their part. The original project was approved at $27,250.00 in July, 2024. With this final payment, and the first installment paid in January, 2026, the project came under completion costs by $6,962.46. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Hoiby to pay the invoice to Monarch Paving Company in the amount of $5,235.16 for the final cost due for the alley paving project between Main Street & Alvey, carried. The project is finalized and at 100% completion.
Main Street Repairs: Chip sealing from River Avenue south to Hwy 8 is complete. Discussion was had on centerline and parking space painting. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Hoiby to wait until the spring to complete centerline and handicap parking zone only painting and to table the ‘Main Street Repairs’ item until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting 9/23/26 Report: A committee meeting was held on September 23rd, 2026. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
‘Welcome to Bruce’ Signage: The committee discussed installing two ‘Welcome to Bruce’ signs, one on each end of town, East & West. The Village crew could possibly build the pillars. Dan Kempen would be contacted for the stonework. The school could possibly help or build the signs with the new school technology/equipment. A meeting will be scheduled with them to discuss further. Reserved spots on the sign would be left blank for local club insignias. ‘Gateway to the Blue Hills’ will be incorporated in the sign as well. A couple options would need to be set with an approved plan from the Board before the project could move forward.
Property Inspection on Wester Street: The Board was approached by Myron Kempen, property owner of 735 W. Railroad Avenue regarding acquiring a small portion of Village owned property adjacent to his property. The Village will obtain legal advise as to vacating the Street and what the Village’s obligations/options are in doing so. The committee reviewed state funding for that section of road, and if vacated, the Village would lose out on $330.00 annually in transportation aids.
Discussion of Selling of Village Owned Property: The committee will contact the adjacent property owners to the Village land in the town of Atlanta to make an offer and see if they are interested before the Village lists it.
The committee plans to walk the property located by the dairy/river to get an idea of the property. A survey might possibly need to be done before the property is listed.
Offer to Purchase Village Owner Property: An offer to purchase Village owned property in the Town of Atlanta was received from the adjoining property owners, Thomas & Jerilyn Michaud, for the purchase price of $6,000.00 with an earnest payment of $1,000 down. The property is approximately six acres and is a land locked parcel. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘Offer to Purchase Village Owned Property’ issue until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Board meeting, until legal opinion is obtained regarding the issue, carried.
735 W. Railroad Avenue Property Survey/Sale: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘735 W. Railroad Avenue Property Survey/Sale’ item until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting until legal opinion is obtained regarding the issue and possible vacation of Wester Street, carried.
‘Welcome to Bruce’ Signage: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wundrow to table the ‘Welcome to Bruce’ Signage item until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Welfare:
Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion:
The Booster Club along with the Lion’s Club have future project ideas for the park. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Bruce Park Concession Stand/Contract between Bruce School & Village Discussion’ item until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting 9/21/26 Report: A committee meeting was held on September 21st, 2026. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met to discuss the possibility of installing a splash pad at the Bruce Park. They reviewed options and plans from Gerber Leisure Products. A recirculating system would be the preferred option. Approximate size of the splash pad would be 36’ by 36’. The Village would need to make sure it was ADA compliant.
The committee is recommending contacting Josh Brinker for a fencing quote.
Theme examples and features will be obtained from the company and inquiry of what the Village could get for $100,000 or less for the project.
Donations and grants will be sought for the project if the Village decides to proceed.
Park Splash Pad Project: Gudis received an updated quote from Gerber Leisure Products for the smallest version of a splash pad that they offer, which is 43ft, with a recirculatory system for approximately $220,000.00. Discussion was had on the pros and cons of the recirculatory system versus runoff. Gerber Leisure has a version that is 48×48 with the recirculatory system. Gudis asked the representative if it would be possible to start with a 24×24 version, and if it turns out successful, to add on in the future. This would get the project down to the price point of where the Village would like to be. Gudis is waiting for the response from the Gerber Leisure rep on his inquiries.
Nothing further to discuss this month. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Hoiby to table the ‘Park Splash Pad Project’ issue until the November, 2026 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Administration:
Committee Meeting 9/23/26 Report/Minutes: A committee meeting was held on September 23rd, 2026. Below are the minutes from that meeting:
The committee met with employees to discuss wages & benefits for 2027.
The committee’s recommendations are as follows:
– 7% raise to Gudis, Will, Hayes & Frisinger
– 7% raise to Hause plus an additional $1.00/hour increase
– An additional $50.00/month towards the monthly health insurance stipend for Gudis, Hayes, Will, Hause & Frisinger
– Three extra days of vacation added for Gudis, Hayes & Will for 2026
– One more day of vacation added for Gudis, Hayes, Frisinger & Hause for 2027
– Bump Will’s vacation up to 184 hours annually
– Change the sick time wording to ‘PTO’ hours
– Change the wording in the employee manual for sick payout to: upon retirement, max payout of 70 days is given at the employees pay rate, 5 years is 25% payout, 50% payout at 10 years and full payout at 15 years +.
– Update the employee manual as approved.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to approve the committee’s recommendations for employee wages for 2027, carried.
Gudis reported that K. Will will be retiring as of next summer, and the Board should consider looking at options soon to fill the position for training purposes.
Workhorse Cemetery Module Cancellation: Hayes reported that the cemetery module used in accounting for records keeping is not satisfactory for what the program was believed to provide. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Moore to approve the cancellation of the cemetery ad on for the office software, carried.
NEW BUSINESS: Gudis supplied the Board with a survey map of the Village owned round lake property. There are discrepancies with the adjoining property and Village buildings.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to send the item to committee to discuss further, and have the engineer, Larry Gotham of Morgan & Parmley attend the meeting to explain the situation in detail and what further actions need to be taken, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $158,440.14, carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Bruce Fire Hall Budget Meeting – October 7th, 2026 @ 7:00 p.m.
Budget Workshop – October 14th, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 6:59 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer