4.16.24 ANNUAL ORGANIZATION MEETING

VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE

Annual Organization Meeting

Tuesday, April 16, 2024  6:00 P.M.

Orfordville Village Hall

Main Board Room

CALL TO ORDER

                President Dennis Burtness called the meeting to order.  Present were President Burtness, David Olsen, Beth Schmidt, Cami Myers-Alstat, and Terry Gerber.  Also present were Chief Jeremiah Burdick, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege.  Absent were Terry Morris and Nikki Tuffree.

AGENDA VERIFICATION

                Clerk Waege verified that on April 12, 2024, copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, and the Orfordville Post Office.  There were no additions made to the agenda.

RESOLUTION R-2024-03 COMMITTEES & APPOINTMENTS

                Motion by Myers-Alstat, seconded by Gerber to adopt Resolution R-2024-03 to set Committees and Appointments.  Motion carried.

UPDATE FOR NEW BOARD MEMBER

                President Burtness explained the following:

                1.     Village wide reassessment- The Department of Revenue is requiring a village wide   reassessment this year.   Our current assessment ratio is 64%,  we are required to be no      less than 90%.   

                2.     Food truck ordinance status- The Village Board has been reviewing the ordinance due to      some concerns and we have found that the food truck ordinance does not match our residential             zoning for commercial establishments. Our attorney is currently drafting the updated ordinance.

                3.     Property cleanup and ordinance enforcement-  Several properties have been out of               compliance for a while, the Village will need to more actively enforce these violations as they               should not be allowed to continue. 

                4.     Water tower project-  Updated the new board members with the status of the water tower                 maintenance and interior painting. 

                5.     Social media policy- “ Social media offers an opportunity to freely express personal views,   share family events and local opportunities in the area.  The problem arises when people feel                the need to share innuendo, hearsay, and otherwise libel others. We enjoy many freedoms in               this country, one being the freedom of speech. Each of us has our respective views and                 opinions, this is best when exercised responsibly and respectfully. Diversity without unity is     chaos. Unity is not conformity. The policy is intended to offer guidance on what is acceptable for    board and committee members. It is not meant to have any say in what the public posts.”.

                6.     Board and committee responsibilities- “Board and committee members should set the bar for responsible and  respectful discussion, whether this be in person or in other forms of       communication. This is just to put some guidelines in place to help define expectations.” 

                7.     Attorney changes-  The Village continues to utilize Nowlan, LLP for representation,  changes               have been made as to who attends meetings and handles the documentation the village           requires to operate.

                8.     Financial status- The current audit will be provided to new board members when received.

                9.     Library upgrades- Upgrades are being done to the lighting,  parking lot,  roof,  and HVAC.

                                a.     Heating and air conditioning work has been completed, replacing the original                                             system from 1986.

                                b.     Donated labor and materials for the roof have yet to be completed.

10. Sassy Chicks carpeting- Carpeting is in poor condition and was budgeted to be replaced last fall.  Project is yet to be completed. 

11. Part time police officers- The Village currently has 5 part-time officers rounding out better coverage, both during the week and on weekends.  June Days coverage will be also better staffed this year.

 12. Village Hall sewer project - there has been unsuccessful attempts at cleaning a sewer drain.  It was televised and a broken pipe was located under the community room. The floor had to be cut and soil excavated to access and repair it. Other than the broken section, the remainder of the pipe was deemed OK.

 13. Fire Department status  EMS coverage is functioning at the level we had hoped to achieve, thanks to the hard work of many people and the support of the residents of the fire district.  The focus now is building the department by encouraging those interested in firefighting. The Department  will be offering firefighting classes in conjunction with Blackhawk Tech starting this Saturday, April 20th.

ADJOURN

                Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to adjourn at 6:40 p.m.  Motion carried.

                                                                                                                                                Dennis Burtness

                                                                                                                                                Village President

                                                                                                                                                Sherri Waege

                                                                                                                                                Village Clerk