2.27.23 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, February 27, 2023 7:00 P.M.
Orfordville Village Hall
Main Board Room
CALL TO ORDER
Village President Dennis Burtness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were President Burtness, Chuck Boyce, Beth Schmidt, Cami Myers-Alstat, Nikki Tuffree, and Jason Knox. Also present were Attorney Mike Hahn, Mitzy Deal, Kerry Knutson, Steve Lutzke, Dianne Myhre, Tina Suiter-Meyers, Chief Jeremiah Burdick, and Clerk Sherri Waege. Absent was Terry Gerber.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on February 24, 2023, copies of the revised agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, Bank of Brodhead, and the Post Office. There were no additions made to the agenda.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Schmidt, seconded by Boyce to approve the February 13, 2023 minutes. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Parkview School District Referendum. Steve Lutzke, Dianne Myhre, and Tina Suiter-Meyers were present on behalf of the Parkview School District. Lutzke explained that the school district reviewed the feedback from the unsuccessful November referendum and have come up with a revised referendum question for operational funding. Lutzke explained that the current operational referendum will expire this year. The revised referendum on the April 4, 2023 ballot is for 1.45 million for three years. Lutzke further explained that the referendum, even if approved, will lower the tax levy for residents in the school district as the debt payments will be going down. Lutzke explained that Parkview has done very well on the state report card which is a grading system for schools. Lutzke added that having a successful school district in a small community is also a success for the community. President Burtness thanked Lutzke for coming and explaining the referendum.
Amend Resolution R-2022-02 regarding Fees for Gaming Machines. Boyce explained that he has had conversations with local business owners who have gaming machines in their business. Boyce explained that the business owners were disappointed with the $250.00 annual license fee for each machine. Boyce further explained that he surveyed surrounding municipalities to see what they charge per game. Boyce explained that Evansville & Monroe Charge $25.00, Janesville charged $33.00, Brodhead charges $7.00, and Beloit and Footville do not charge an annual license fee.
Kerry Knutson was present and explained that he has the five gaming machines as allowed, which cost him $1,250.00 per year in licenses. Knutson explained that he attended the meeting several years ago when the fee was increased from $25.00 to $250.00. Knutson explained that he spoke against the large increase at the meeting but was unsuccessful. Knutson explained that he does not own his machines, and that most businesses do not. Knutson further explained that the company that owns the machines comes out every two weeks to total out the machines. Knutson keeps 70% if the net proceeds and the owner of the games keeps 30%. Knutson explained that he pays tax on all of the money(gross) that the machines bring in which includes paying tax on what is paid out.
Tuffree explained that she agrees that the fee is high compared to others, but is concerned that the 2023 approved budget reflects the $250.00 fee and that changing it for this year will result in a loss of revenue this year.
Mitzi Deal was present and explained that she was shocked when she was charged the $250.00 fee, as she only paid $5.00 in Brodhead. Deal explained that the cost of doing business has gone up and that this fee is a hardship.
Motion by Knox, seconded by Boyce to amend Resolution R-2022-02 by changing the fee for gaming machines to $30.00 effective July 2023. The motion failed with Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, and President Burtness voting against.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to amend Resolution R-2022-02 by changing the fee for gaming machines to $50.00 effective 2023. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Postings at Purdy Park. President Burtness explained that he would like to have a posting/messaged center board at Purdy Park to highlight village events.
Myers-Alstat explained that the message board could have the Village Event Card, local events, and school events posted on the enclosed board. Myers-Alstat further explained that most communities have these in their parks and that the Village is behind the times when it comes to this. Myers-Alstat further explained that Purdy Park would be a great location as many people use the park.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Myers-Alstat to purchase a message center board/case for Purdy Park, contingent on the Economic Development and Community Engagement Committees using budgeted money to pay for it. Motion carried with Knox voting against.
Ordinance 135 Direct Sellers. Clerk Waege explained that the Village receives many complaints from residents regarding door-to-door sellers. Clerk Waege further explained that the ordinance exempts direct sellers that offer a service unconnected with the sale or offering for sale of goods ( internet services, cable tv, etc). Chief Burdick explained that he had two calls last month, the county had one, both dealt with the same door to door sales person on different days, who could not be verified that he worked for who he said he worked for, and was unruly to the officer. Motion by Knox, seconded by Boyce to amend Chapter 135, by eliminating 135-3(g) so that direct sellers that offer a service unconnected with the sale or offering for sale of goods is no longer exempt. Motion carried.
Amendments to the Employee Handbook/Personnel Policy for Department of Public Works and the Police Department. Discussion was held on the draft provided by Attorney Mike Hahn. Motion by Knox, seconded by Tuffree to approve the amendments to the Employee Handbook/Personnel Policy for Department of Public Works and the Police Departments as edited and updated by Attorney Mike Hahn. Motion carried.
TREASURER REPORT
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to approve the January Treasurer Report. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to approve the vouchers with a check range of 35441-35452. Motion carried.
VILLAGE PRESIDENTS UPDATE
President Burtness explained the following:
*Freezin for a Reason, which helps Veterans in crisis, will be held at the American Legion March 17-20, 2023. A drawing for a chest freezer with ¼ beef will be held on March 18th.
* The Orfordville Public Library is hosting “Never a Gamble, Always a Bet!” which is a promotion that gives out cards to go towards a prize for every item that is checked out. Prizes will be given to the top three poker hands.
* Congratulations to the Parkview solo and ensemble state qualifiers. The Parkview Jazz Band is going to state!
* Parkview FFA had their FFA Week last week and hosted a contest to guess what breed of livestock has 72.2 million animals that are raised in Wisconsin.
* Parkview Youth Wrestling hosted their annual wresting tournament on February 26th at the High School.
* Congratulations to the three Parkview Wrestlers that qualified for the state tournament.
* Parkview FFA Alumni will be hosting a Donkey Basketball night on Monday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m.
* The Fire Commission is still working on a plan to work with other municipalities for future Fire & EMS needs. Discussion has been held on selling some of the equipment, which was decided against. Having the equipment helps keep the ISO rating lower, which is used to determine home owners’ insurance.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 19.85(1)( c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility-specifically to discuss employee wage increase for 2023. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Reconvene. Motion by Knox, seconded by Boyce to reconvene into open session at 10:18 p.m. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
No action was taken on items discussed in closed session.
ADJOURN
Motion by Knox, seconded by Tuffree to adjourn at 10:20 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Dennis Burtness
Village President
Sherri Waege
Village Clerk