VILLAGE OF BRUCE
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
September 7th, 2021
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a scheduled monthly meeting of the Village Board was held on Tuesday, September 7th, 2021.
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 Mark Zimmer, Jim Johnson, Kim Grasley and Galen Brainerd. Jessica Hayes attended also. Loren Beebe and Rob Grabon were absent.
– PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE –
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Grasley, seconded by Johnson to approve the August 2nd, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Minutes, carried. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to approve the August 30th, 2021 Special 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:
Water Meter Purchase Request: Wundrow requested to purchase 30 new 5/8 inch radio read meters at $6,060.00 and 4 one inch radio read meters at $1,500.00. With the meters and gaskets included, the total price would be $7,580.56. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve the purchase of 30 new 5/8 inch radio read meters at the price of $6,060.00 and 4 one inch radio read meters at the price of $1,500.00 all with gaskets and a total purchase price of $7,580.56, carried.
Air Compressor Purchase: Wundrow did not receive any new quotes for the purchase of a new air compressor. She will discuss the item with the Board at the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board meeting.
Flushing Hydrants: The flushing of the water hydrants needs to be scheduled. Both of the wells would need to be used to complete the work. With well #3 being offline due to high manganese levels, Wundrow will have to post a ‘No Drink Order’ for the entire Village while the work is being completed. Flushing will be scheduled for September 27th thru October 3rd from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Board asked if advertisement of the flushing could be put in the Ladysmith News for two weeks as well as postings around town, the Village website, the Village’s Facebook page and also to put a ‘One Call’ notice out to residents.
APPLICATIONS:
Operator’s License:
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to approve an operator’s license for Constance Whitcome, carried.
Bow Hunting Permit:
Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to approve a bow hunting permit for Jim O’Donnell, carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Utility:
Discussion and Action Regarding Corrective Work on Village Wells: Jana Nyhagen from SEH, which is an engineering firm, attended the meeting to discuss the current well corrective work project with the Board. They are currently working with Balsam Lake, who is dealing with the same issues with their wells. SEH discussed possibilities of the Board contracting with them to help with the ongoing project.
Larry Gotham from Morgan & Parmley, Ltd attended the meeting as well to discuss the report received back from WQI, Water Quality Investigations, pertaining to the Biofilm Indication Test on well #3. The original rehab work that was done on the well did not work. The well needs additional investigation to determine if it is impacted by the nearby wetlands and thus ‘unsavable’. The wetlands would leach nutrient laden water, which would make biofilm and aquifer corrosion extremely difficult to control. It is possible that long term pumping of well #3 has altered the groundwater flow patterns to pull groundwater from the wetlands area. Gotham submitted an estimate to the Board for proposed monitoring well installation to determine the quality of water that is coming in to the well. The proposed work would be for three monitoring wells, which would be drilled at different distances and depths from the well and tested. The proposed work would be eligible under the current grant received from Rural Development for the project. The work that would be done would be the last option available before installation of a water treatment plant or drilling a new well would need to be done, which would be very costly. After much discussion, motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to go ahead with the monitoring well work for the cost of $11,675.00 and to have Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. submit a pre application with the DNR for funding for the possibility of putting in a water treatment plant or well in the future, carried. The deadline to submit the application is November 1st, 2021, and funding approval could be up to two to three years out before approval of funds is determined. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to table the ‘Discussion and Action Regarding Corrective Work on Village Wells’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
PSC-Water Rate Application: The Village held a Public Hearing with the PSC on August 31st, 2021 regarding the application that was filed for a Water Rate Increase. The Village is still waiting for a response and determination back from the PSC. Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘PSC-Water Rate Application’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Sewer Rate Increase: Nothing new to report this month. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to table the “Sewer Rate Increase’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Public Works:
Purchase Property from County – Parcel #106-00081-0000 & #106-00082-0000 – 914 N. Main Street: The Village has received the deed and are now the owners of 914 N. Main Street. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to advertise for bids in the Ladysmith News for three weeks for the sale of the property, contingent upon the buyer demolishing the buildings, and asking for a minimum bid of what the Village has in to the property for costs, carried. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘Purchase Property from County – Parcel #106-00081-0000 & #106-00082-0000 – 914 N. Main Street’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Light Pole Decorative Banner Discussion & Action: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to remove the ‘Light Pole Decorative Banner Discussion & Action’ item from the agenda, carried.
North Main Street Reconstruction Project:
-DISCUSSION-
Gotham reported that there has been a set-back in the paving on the project due to a delay in the delivery of the electronics for the lift station portions of the project and also due to waiting to get three clean bacteria samples back from the water on the line out in front of the Village Hall building, which was the additional 525’ of transmission main added on River Avenue. Now that the samples have come back clean, the temporary hydrant will be pulled, reconnection of the lines will be made, and paving will be completed. All paving should be completed in the next two to three weeks. By the end of September, 2021, the lift station portions of the project will begin.
Discussion was also held on the purchase of a portable generator, which is one of the bid items currently in the plans. The bid for the new generator is $89,000.00, which is included in the contract. The Village currently has a portable generator that was purchased back in 2011 and only has thirty-seven hours on it and in good condition. One option would be to install a stationary generator that would sit at the lift station permanently and if the power were to go out, it would start up automatically, allowing the Village to have the portable generator on hand as a back-up if needed. Discussion was held on which option would be best as far as diesel vs. natural gas vs. gas vs. propane. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to keep the portable generator that we currently have, to install a stationary generator and give Public Works Director Wundrow the approval to decide on what type to purchase, carried.
Morgan & Parmley, Ltd – Invoice Payment Approval: Motion by Brainerd, seconded by Grasley to approve the invoice in the amount of $6,975.00 to Morgan & Parmley, Ltd. for contracted work completed through August, 31st, 2021 on the North Main Street Project, carried.
Haas Sons, Inc. – Invoice Payment Approval: An invoice in the amount of $84,174.51 was submitted to the Board for payment along with Change Order #5. Change order number five is requesting a time extension of sixty days due to delays in obtaining needed electrical components for the Lift Station portions of the project and also would delete Change Order #2 in the amount of $22,042.80. Change Order #2 was replaced by Change Order #4 which was updated after the plans were approved for the additional work that added 525’ of transmission main on River Avenue which was not part of the original project plans. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to approve Change Order #5 and the invoice in the amount of $84,174.51 to Haas Sons, Inc. for contracted work completed through September 1st, 2021 on the North Main Street Project, carried.
Public Welfare:
Additional ATV Route Signage Cost: The Board is still waiting to receive a quote from the ATV Club for additional ATV route signage costs. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Additional ATV Route Signage Cost’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
2022 Library Budget Approval: The Library Director has not yet received approval from her Board for the 2022 Library Budget. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to table the ‘2022 Library Budget Approval’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Park Playground Equipment Part Replacement Purchase Discussion & Action: A bubble window on the new playground equipment at the Bruce Park has been vandalized. Roxie Kemmitz from Bruce Telephone Co. had received two quotes to replace the part. Creative Recreational Systems, which is the company that the equipment was purchased from, submitted a quote of $965.54. ADF in Ladysmith submitted a quote of $87.10. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Grasley to accept the quote from ADF in Ladysmith to replace the bubble window at the price quote submitted of $87.10, carried.
Administration:
Employee Manual Update: Trott stated that he would like to keep passing the manual from Board Member to Board member to get any updates they deem necessary. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Brainerd to table the ‘Employee Manual Update’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Committee Meeting August 11th, 2021 Report: A committee meeting was held on August 11th, 2021 to discuss employee issues with payroll along with personnel issues. The committee talked about possible fixes and determined that another committee meeting needed to be scheduled to discuss courses of action.
Committee Meeting August 17th, 2021 Report: A committee meeting was held on August 17th, 2021 to follow up on the committee meeting that was held on August 11th, 2021. The committee is recommending the following:
1) Allow Public Works Director copies of all payroll sheets
2) Assign two Board Members to review all payroll before checks are printed or finalized
3) Time sheets are to be turned in 1st and 16th of the month. (The payroll dates) The checks will be issued after being reviewed by assigned Board Members. Approx. 3-5 days issue checks. Further discussion with the Clerk will be done to lock down actual dates.
4) Print outs of the time clocks will be given to assigned Board Members to review beside the time sheets
5) Update the current time sheets to have “Comp Time” slot to avoid further confusion on whether time is earned or used by the employee
No action was made on either committee reports.
Employee Wage Negotiations: Trott reported that a committee meeting needed to be scheduled to discuss employee wage negotiations for 2022. He would also like to follow up on the August 11th, 2021 and August 17th, 2021 committee meetings at the same meeting. The Committee will get something scheduled. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Zimmer to table the ‘Employee Wage Negotiations’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
Finance:
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Bank Authorization Approval: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to give the Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Jeanne Nelson, the approval to sign checks and any other necessary items for all Village Bank accounts, carried.
Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action: Discussion was held on the idea of contracting services with the Rusk County Sherriff’s Department. Currently we are not contracted with the County. Due to the Village not having a municipal officer, the Village has no way of enforcing its’ ordinances. An issue had came up recently with a sex offender residing at a location across the street from the school. Without being contracted with the County, there is no way of enforcing our ordinance, which clearly states that the individual is in violation. Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to send the item to committee for further discussion and to table the ‘Rusk County Sheriff’s Department Contract Discussion & Action’ issue until the October, 2021 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, carried.
NEW BUSINESS: Resignation of Village Board Trustee: Trott read aloud a letter from Board Trustee Rob Grabon. Grabon stated that effective August 30th, 2021, that he would be officially resigning from the Bruce Village Board due to moving outside of the Village limits. Motion by Grasley, seconded by Brainerd to accept Rob Grabon’s resignation as Bruce Village Board Trustee effective August 30th, 2021, carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Grasley to pay vouchers and electronic payments totaling $442,105.10, carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Blue Hills Cruise-In Open House/Car Show Dates: August 7th & October 2nd. Contact L’Cars at bob@lcars.com or Classic Auto at classicauto@brucetel.net for more information.
Bruce Community Farmer’s Market-Friday’s from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., June 4th through October 1st. The market will be located in the Bruce Telephone lot.
Bruce Kiwanis Club: Packer Party in the Bruce Park – September 12th, 2021 starting at noon
Board of Review: September 30th, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Fall Clean Up – October 15th, 16th & 18th, 2021: An attendant will be on duty at the collection site from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Curbside Pick-Up will be on Monday, October 18th, 2021. For those unable to haul their own refuse please call the Village Hall at 868-2185 by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15th to arrange for pick-up.
ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Zimmer, seconded by Johnson to adjourn, carried. Adjournment was at 9:10 p.m.
Jessica Hayes
Clerk/Treasurer