11.11.24 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, November 11, 2024 7:00 P.M.
Orfordville Village Hall
Main Board Room
CALL TO ORDER
President Dennis Burtness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were President Burtness, David Olsen, Cami Meyers-Alstat, Nikki Tuffree, Terry Gerber, and Terry Morris. Also present were Tracy Case, Andy Olsen, Chief Jeremiah Burdick, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege. Absent was Beth Schmidt.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on November 8, 2024, copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, and the Post Office. There were no additions made to the agenda.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Tuffree to approve the Regular Board Meeting minutes of October 28, 2024 and Special Board Meeting minutes of November 7, 2024. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
Andy Olsen of 304 Willow Street was present regarding the water rate increase. Andy Olsen explained that he has a lot of friends in town who are frustrated with the water bills. Andy Olsen asked why the rates went up, how much more when they will go up, and why nobody knew about the increase. President Burtness explained that the Village Board has discussed the rate increase for the last two years at board meetings. President Burtness explained that the water tower was built in 1977. President Burtness further explained that the DNR required the Village to paint the interior of the tower, and that the loan would not be approved without a water rate increase. President Burtness further explained that the rates were behind compared to the cost to run the utility. Clerk Waege explained that the water rate increase was published and also posted at three places in the Village. Clerk Waege further explained that the last fifteen years of newsletters in the tax bills have requested email addresses from residents so that they can receive the minutes to keep them informed.
Andy Olsen asked about the cost of the Fire Department. Olsen asked if anyone has considered a county combined service. President Burtness explained that that too has been discussed in the last two years, and that combined service for Fire Departments is the goal. Andy Olsen asked what happened to the referendum money from the first year that was not given to the Fire Department as the rumor in town is that we did it illegally. President Burtness explained that that is not true, the Village followed advice from legal counsel regarding the first year’s payment which can only be used for the Fire Department. . President Burtness explained that all five municipalities had to agree, which the Town of Newark did not and has since left the district. Clerk Waege explained that the money is in a Money Market at the Bank of Brodhead. Andy Olsen explained that he felt that it should be returned to the people if it was not used. Andy Olsen explained that the cost of everything has gone up and that the Village needs to contain it. Myers-Alstat explained that the Village is feeling the pressure of cost going up as well.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
September Treasurer Report. Motion by Morris, seconded by Gerber to approve the September Treasurer Report. Motion carried.
Developers Agreement with Next Generation Construction for Rime Ridge Subdivision. David Olsen asked what other municipalities have given financially where Next Generation Construction has existing developments. Clerk Waege explained that she did look into that and did find one other that participated in an incentive plan. David Olsen further stated that he feels it is audacious for the School Board President to request money from the Village, when the school will benefit just as well. David Olsen suggested that the school also contribute to the project. Morris explained that the school is not in the business of municipal development.
David Olsen explained that the current loan of $250,000.00 for Mill Valley Subdivision will be over $300,000.00 when considering interest. David Olsen explained that he doesn’t feel the Village should hand out money like that; however, would support it if it was treated as a loan for the developer and a portion of the money would be paid back with each home sale. David Olsen added that he was on the board when Countryview Estates was developed and they did not ask for anything. Tuffree explained that that development was twenty years ago and that there has not been any development since.
David Olsen asked how the Village was going to finance the Highway 213 project in 2026. David Olsen explained that these loan payments have to come out of the General Fund Budget. David Olsen explained that the Village has to do the Highway 213 project and does not have to do finance the subdivision for a developer.
Tuffree explained that she would love to have more houses in town. Gerber agreed as businesses are not coming to town.
Morris asked what the Economic Development Committee is doing to attract businesses. Morris asked if anyone has talked to the adjoining landowner of the Business Park to acquire more land. Morris would like to be ready in the event that a business wants ten acres rather than the small lots that are remaining in the Business Park. Gerber explained that former President Gary Phillips did talk to the adjoining landowner. Myers-Alstat encouraged Morris to attend to the Economic Development meetings as the Committee would love to have more people attend to give feedback.
Myers Alstat explained that borrowing the money for the Developer is a hard pill to swallow as we still have a balance on the $250,000.00 loan for Mill Valley. Myers-Alstat would like to negotiate with Zach Knutson and would like more time to run different financial scenarios. Myers-Alstat suggested that the item be tabled to come up with a negotiated number to take to Knutson. Morris asked if President Burtness could speak with Knutson in the meantime to discuss options. President Burtness explained that he would do that.
Motion by Morris, seconded by Gerber to table to the November 25, 2024 meeting. Motion carried.
Contract with John’s Disposal. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Morris to do a six-year contract extension with John’s Disposal. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Request from Parkview School District to Relinquish Parkview’s Portion of the Sign at the Intersection of Highway 11 and 213. Tracy Case was present from Parkview School District. Case explained that the school has had problems with the sign and the cost is more than they want to continue to spend. President Burtness suggested that Parkview leave their portion on the top of the sign. President Burtness explained that the school would incur cost to remove the sign, and the Village would incur cost to seal the sign if it the top was removed. Case explained that the school would be fine with that and would pay to continue to pay to light up the Parkview portion of the sign; however, they do not have interest in maintaining the marquee portion of the sign. President Burtness explained that the marquee portion would just remain black as it is now. Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to leave the lighted Parkview Portion at the top of the sign at the expense of the school, to no longer use the marquee portion of the sign, and for the village to continue to pay the electric cost for the bottom of the sign. Motion carried.
Request form Parkview School District to put Advertisement Signs on the fence at the Ball Diamond at Purdy Park. Tracy Case explained that the School District is looking for ways to generate revenue due to cuts that had to be made. The school would like to put advertising signs on the fence at the baseball diamond at Purdy Park . President Burtness explained that he would like an agreement that would state that Parkview would be financially responsible if there was damage to the fence from the weight of the signs. Tuffree suggested that Case reach out to the John Kinna Foundation as they approached the Village regarding approvements to the baseball diamond at Purdy Park. Tuffree felt it best to verify that they are not considering doing the same thing. Case will reach out to the Foundation. No action was taken.
Amend Mobile Food Ordinance Chapter 138. President Burtness explained that the ordinance was drafted in May. There was no action pending the request to be able to operate the food truck at the commercial business at 416 E. Beloit Street. President Burtness explained that he felt the designated locations in the Resolution were sufficient. Motion by Morris, seconded by Gerber to approve the amendment to Chapter 138 for Mobile Food Establishments. Motion carried.
General Fund Budget. Clerk Waege explained that the changes were made based on the recommendation from the Budget Meeting on November 7, 2024. There is a balance of $9,663.00 to either be cut from the revenues or added to the expenses. David Olsen suggested that the money be added to Streets Capital Outlay so it can be put in an equipment fund. Clerk Waege will make that adjustment.
Setting the Public Hearing Date for the 2025 General Fund Budget. Motion by Morris, seconded by Gerber to schedule the General Fund 2025 Public Hearing for Thursday, December 7, 2024. Motion carried.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Myers-Alstat to approve the Department Head Reports. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Morris, seconded by Myers-Alstat to approve the vouchers with a check range of 37677-37742. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
Motion by Morris, seconded by Myers-Alstat to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Dennis Burtness
Village President
Sherri Waege
Village Clerk