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April 5, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Mercer Town Board of Supervisors – April 5th 2012 – Minutes
Chairman Jim Kichak called the meeting of the Mercer Town Board of Supervisors to order on Thursday the 5th of April 2012 at 6:30 pm in the Haines Civic Building.
Roll Call: Jim Kichak, Jim Lambert, Jeff Stenberg, Bonnie Banaszak, Charles Schroepfer, Christan Brandt, and Opal Roberts. Absent: Atty Schellgell.
Motion made by Banaszak, seconded by Schroepfer, to approve the minutes from the March 20th 2012 board meeting. Carried.
Open comment: Andy Fowler suggested sample ballots for upcoming elections be placed on the town website. Other news about upcoming town board discussions would also be helpful.
New Business: a) Discuss/Approve rezone application from RRI to C1 at 131 US Highway 51 to bring parcel in to consistency with the Mercer Comprehensive Plan, owner Kai Kempen
Motion made by Lambert, seconded by Stenberg, to approve the rezone application from RR-1 to C-1 for Lot D CSM #266, located in part of the SE-SE Sec 1, Twp42N, R4E (site address is 131 US Highway 51) owned by Kai Kempen. Carried.
b) Discuss/Approve $3,000 for fireworks pontoon.
The requirements are that the public be a certain distance from the area where fireworks are being ignited and last year this eliminated a large area in the park for those in attendance. The pontoon will be used to set off the larger fireworks and then the public area will have the usual boundaries during the display.
Motion made by Lambert, seconded by Stenberg, to approve the expenditure of $3,000 for the fireworks pontoon. Carried.
c) Discuss/Approve amendment to Land Use Ordinance for permitting of Green Cemeteries.
Atty Schellgell was not present and had not given the board a draft amendment.
Motion made by Schroepfer, seconded by Banaszak, to postpone this item until Atty Schellgell is present. Carried.
Old Business: a) Discuss/Approve location of Community Garden.
Lambert stated that any other location is not feasible. The garden can be placed so that booths can be set up along the sidewalks for Loon Day. After discussion between the board and Tina Brunell, of the Mercer Chamber, it was determined that the garden could be located so as to give the Chamber as much space as possible for vendor booths. Brunell explained that the area between Railroad Street and the Grade cannot be used for vendors because that is the designated emergency fire lane during Loon Day. There were letters of support for the garden from the Mercer Library director and from Joy Schelble, WNEP coordinator for the UW-Extension.
Motion made by Lambert, seconded by Schroepfer, to locate the Community Garden in the West area of the Town Hall lots. Carried.
b) Discuss/Approve addition of two seats to the Library Board of Trustees.
Lambert suggested leaving the library board at five. When applications for library board trustee are received copies are to be sent to the Town Board. Banaszak stated that whenever a library term is up an ad should be placed in the newspaper asking for letters of interest. Schroepfer gave his reasons as to why a seven person board might be more beneficial. Marge Pemble, President of the Library Board, explained that in some years, when requests for letters of interest were advertised in the newspaper, there were no responses. Victor Oiumette explained that a seven member board would represent a broader geographical area and expertise. The board agreed that if the library trustee position will be advertised whenever a term is due to expire then the Planning Commission and Park Board should have the same requirement.
Motion made by Schroepfer, seconded by Lambert, to increase the Library Board of Trustees to seven (7) members. Carried.
c) Discuss/Approve appointments to Library Board.
The town board will require library board trustee positions to be published in the Miner and Northwoods FYI newspapers. This will be a Class 2 notice (noticed for 2 weeks). The library board appointments will be made at the May 3rd town board meeting.
Legal: none.
Officer Reports: Clerk’s Report - Roberts presented the receipts list and vouchers. The disbursements include the $1,000,000 loan payoff to Associated Bank in the amount of $72,789.67.
Motion made by Lambert, seconded by Stenberg, to approve the vouchers and issue the checks. Carried.
Communications: the Clerk had received a call from a funeral director stating a family wanted to bury the cremains of a family member themselves in the Mercer Cemetery. The board stated that cemetery policies do not permit this practice. All burials must be made by authorized personnel and recorded in the town office.
The DNR has reviewed and approved the dam maintenance and operations plan. The town board cannot change the spelling of the dam to Shay because historically the name is spelled “Shea”.
Horton has requested information on what the town wants in new liability coverage requirements. The board made decisions on the coverage and agreed to ask for quotes for the liability and road equipment insurance.
Mercer Chamber of Commerce submitted a copy of their February meeting minutes.
Treasurer’s Report – Brandt presented the Treasurer’s report. Balance forward was $118,976.58. Receipts were $91673.30, disbursements were $63,421.10, with an ending General Fund balance of $147,228.78. Total of all funds is $1,590,607.05.
Motion made by Banaszak, seconded by Stenberg, to approve the Treasurer’s report. Carried.
Board Reports: Chair/Garage reports – Patching is in progress on the roads. The roads are in very good condition for this early in the year. Hadley Brush Pit has been graded and will be open Monday the 9th. The tennis courts at the park will need to be repaired this spring. There is a culvert problem on Moose Lake Road. The garage crew is picking up at the cemetery. The mowers are all set for the season. The board agreed to contract with Tom Thompson this year for the mowing of the park. The contract with Noel Brandt for the cemetery will be renewed for 2012. The road weight restrictions will be removed the 16th of April.
Supervisors: Stenberg – has anyone heard from the structural engineer about his investigation of the problem at the library? The answer was “no”. Dollar General is going up rapidly. Stenberg asked if the drainage for the storm water is sufficient. There were a number of complaints about how the water ran off during the snow melt. This question will be raised at the Project Informational meeting on April 17th. Banaszak reported that Musson Brothers will not start earlier than the beginning of May due to the possibility of bad weather (snow) during April.
Lambert – none.
Banaszak - Jay Knoke, of CWE, was at the Town Hall last Friday to rework the spreadsheet for the Storm Sewer Project. The last DNR grant will be for $160,000. The percentage for the EPA reimbursements can be anywhere from 43% to 55%. The cost to the town with the five grants will be $496.771. The grant application to Land & Water Conservation for the landscaping has been approved The TRIP-D for Beachway Drive have not been approved at this time. Banaszak read Dianne Keefe’s report. The DNR has reimbursed the town about $60,000 for the North Basin and $102,000 for the Central Basin. The first EPA reimbursement for $243,000 was received. Blake Theisen, the design engineer for the bike path, informed Banaszak that, due to the rising cost of fuel, the town will not be able to complete the entire 7-miles of the project. We will get as far as we can.
Kichak explained that the town will need to erect permanent fencing around the catch basins for the safety of the public.
Schroepfer – Ken Sholts had told Schroepfer that the issue with Klick Road and his [Sholts] property has never been resolved. He had agreed to deed to the town the area for the road bed that is now on his property in exchange for an equal amount on the other side of the property. The ownership of the strip in question was unsure but the thought is that the County owns it. Kichak will contact the Register of Deeds and see about this.
Public Comment: Kathy Tutt asked about the barrels blocking the end of Weber Road. Kichak explained that he gave Xcel Energy permission to move heavy equipment using heavy matting on Weber Road up to the new sub-station.
Marge Pemble asked if the curb line has changed from the original plans for the Vet’s Memorial. They plan to pour the base for the second memorial soon.
Tina Brunell said the Chamber is experimenting with various methods of marking the street and sidewalk for Loon Day. Spray paint can no longer be used due to the new streets and sidewalks that will probably be in place by Loon Day. It was suggested that sidewalk chalk be used. Banaszak said to use the cheaper sidewalk chalk because the sidewalk paintings at the park lasted a long time after Lupine June Fest.
For Consideration and Approval: Liquor/Bartender: Motion made by Banaszak, seconded by Schroepfer, to approve a Temporary Beer permit for the Mercer Lioness Affiliate Honors Night to be held on May 22, 2012 at the Mercer Community Center. Carried.
Cemetery: Motion made by Schroepfer, seconded by Banaszak, to approve the deed transfer from William and Janis Flesch to their sons William, Adam and Matt Flesch for Section 3, Block 27, Plot 2, Sites 1 thru 8. Carried.
Vouchers:
Payroll: #29757 J Hammond $1,150.36; #29758 K Brunell $1,196.28; #29759 J Hahn $992.02; #29760 G Reynolds $118.90; #29761 J Huffmaster $236.93; #29762 S Huffmaster $64.07; #29763 G Lawrence $633.63; #29764 D Keefe $236.22; #00010 Assoc. Bank $1,493.20; #29766 O Roberts $1,698.12; #29767 C Brandt $622.92; #29768 J Kichak $248.92; #29769 B Banaszak $326.88; #29770 C Schroepfer $217.96; #29771 A Kussard $422.12; #29772 J Roberts $568.63; #29773 J Huffmaster $134.92; #29774 T Schmidt $1,761.09; #29775 B Banaszak $75.48; #29776 J Stenberg $75.48; #29777 K Tutt $75.48; #29778 D Gentile $75.48; #00011 Assoc. Bank $2,432.06
Town: #29755 Delta Dental $85.10; #29756 WPS Insurance $6,910.24; #29792 DWD-UI $1,892.04; #29793 F Schellgell $1,310.50; #29800 J Hammond $120.61; #29803 Marshfield Clinic $72.03; #29808 Mercer Chamber $1,250.00; #29811 P Carlson $1,500.00; #29816 Victory Janitorial $143.80; #29817 Warehouse $11.13; #29818 WE Energies $149.82; #29819 Xcel Energy $22.99
Office: #29786 Clermont Supply $53.98; #29795 Iron Co Miner $643.66; #29818 WE Energies $54.65
Election: #29782 A Guild $76.00; #29783 A Springer $105.00; #29785 C Kowaleski $105.00; #29787 C Yeakle $112.00; #29788 D Gibbs $122.00; #29790 D Sullivan $108.75; #29796 J Slivinski $112.00; #29797 J Georgi $101.50; #29798 J Koleno $112.00; #29801 J Brundage $108.75; #29804 M Klopatek $108.75; #29805 M Vaughn $150.00; #29812 R Baxter $108.75; #29813 S Falkowski $140.00; #29814 S Thomas $108.75
Garage: #29765 Town of Woodruff $200.00; #29779 Armark $49.38; #29781 AT&T Mobility $68.56; #29784 AW Direct $182.82; #29802 Lange Ent. $2,279.95; #29810 Mid-State Int. $175.00; #29815 Veolia $60.99; #29817 Warehouse $28.66; #29818 WE Energies $70.89
Fire Dept: #29791 D Pelkowski $210.77; #29794 ICO $160.20; #29807 Mercer BP $95.00; #29815 Veolia $69.20; #29817 Warehouse $123.80; #29818 WE Energies $293.26
Rescue Barn: #29806 Mercer Ambulance $3,500.00; #29818 WE Energies $77.12
Library: #29818 WE Energies $46.33
Other: #01204 Assoc. Bank $6,208.51; #29780 Assoc. Bank $72,789.67; #29789 D Keefe $265.64; #29799 J Roberts $65.04; #29809 Mercer Scouts $50.00
The next regular meeting of the Mercer Town Board of Supervisors will be held on Thursday, the 19th of April at 6:30 pm in the Haines Civic Building.
Motion made by Lambert, seconded by Schroepfer, to go into Closed Session at 7:51 pm to discuss Garage personnel issues. All yes.
Motion made by Lambert, seconded by Schorepfer, to return to Open Session at 8:22 pm. All yes.
No action taken on Closed Session.
Motion made by Lambert, seconded by Banaszak, to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 pm. Carried.
Archive:
May 2, 2013 Meeting minutes
April 18, 2013 meeting minutes
April 16, 2013 Annual Town Hall Meeting
April 4, 2013 Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2013 Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2013 Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2013 Meeting Minutes
February 7, 2013 Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2013 Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2013 Meeting Minutes