7.25.22 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, July 25, 2022 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, Chuck Boyce, Beth Schmidt, Cami Myers-Alstat, Nikki Tuffree, Terry Gerber, and Jason Knox. Also present were Tayna Burtness, Fred Carr, Darla Grenawalt, Michael Moore, Jason Ostrander, Attorney Michael Oellerich, Engineer Nick Bubolz, Jeremiah Burdick Jr., David Cliffe, Preston McIntosh, Chief Jeremiah Burdick, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on July 22, 2022, copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, Post Office, and the Bank of Brodhead. There were no additions made to the agenda.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to approve the July 11, 2022 minutes. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
Chuck Boyce explained that the Go Fund Me page for Don Cox is up to $1,200.00, and the 50/50 Raffle resulted in $790.00. Boyce also mentioned that Cox was told that he couldn’t have a mailbox in the downtown and asked if it was a village ordinance. Clerk Waege explained that she wasn’t aware of the ordinance.
UNFIINISHED BUSINESS
Jason Ostrander of Hononegah Archery was present. Ostrander explained that he is an archery instructor and 4-H Leader. Ostrander explained that he is looking for a location in the Village where he could offer classes to train people to shoot. Ostrander explained that it is a safe and supervised program, he also explained that he has training nets so that the arrows are confined. Ostrander explained that the training bows pull at 10-20 pounds so they can be contained. Ostrander added that he works with a Veteran from Iraq who was able to get at Action Track Wheelchair that is available to be used at no cost.
Attorney Oellerich explained that Ordinance 232 prohibits bow and arrow shooting in village parks. Discussion held on using the back parking lot. Attorney Oellerich further explained that ordinance 240-4 allows Ostrander to submit a written application to the Chief and Village Board to be able to do his training in the Village, as long as it is in not in a Village Park.
Ostrander will submit an application to Chief Burdick so that it can be discussed at the August 8, 2022 Regular Board Meeting.
No action was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
Operator License. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Knox to approve the Police Committee recommendation to grant an Operator License to expire June 30, 2023 to Dynally Mould. Motion carried.
Pay Request #2 for McCann’s Underground. Engineer Nick Bubolz was present to explain the final Pay Request for McCann’s Underground for the sewer utility. Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to approve Pay Request #2 for McCann’s Underground for $61,367.75. Motion carried.
Lease Buyout Request of Towernorth Leasing. President Burtness explained that he reviewed the buyout offer from Towernorth for the tower located on Clark Street. President Burtness explained that the tower is up but not complete. President Burtness further explained that the Village receives $1,000.00 a month for rent for the tower. President Burtness explained that the Village has received a Buyout Offer to Purchase the lease outright for $165,000.00. Knox prepared a spreadsheet showing the revenue for the rent that was forecasted out to the possible 50 year lease. President Burtness explained that the lease renews every five years, with the annual rent increasing 7% upon renewal . President Burtness explained that it will take 13 years of rent payments to equal the $165,000.00 offer. President Burtness further explained that the lump sum is nice but he doesn’t feel we will reap the benefits financially if we didn’t stay with the long term lease.
Tayna Burtness was present and explained that the money up front is nice but we will be giving up the extra money that we could get later, and felt that we should think of the longevity of the financial benefits.
DPW Director Todd explained that accepting the buyout will affect future budgets. DPW Director Todd further explained that the $1,000.00 per month is significant to the budget, especially if growth were to slow down.
Attorney Oellerich explained that the initial lease is for five years, and that they can take the tower down after five years if they wish to do so. President Burtness further added that Verizon needs the service in the Village.
Motion by Knox, seconded by Myers-Alstat to deny the lease buyout request from Towernorth. Motion carried.
Resolution R-2022-03 Fire Department Referendum. President Burtness explained that there were citizens present that attended the Fire Commission meeting on July 20th. President Burtness asked them to speak.
Fred Carr of 313 Willow Street was present. Carr explained that he was not at the Fire Commission meeting but wanted to let the board know that the coverage has been a little better. Carr further explained that the need is still there as existing volunteers are pulling more shifts to help until more people are hired.
Darla Grenawalt of 610 E. Church Street was present and explained that she did attend the Fire Commission meeting. Grenawalt explained that the Village has to approve the Referendum in November to make sure that we will still have Orfordville Fire & EMS service. Grenawalt added that she is glad that the coverage has gotten better; however, she doesn’t want that message to hurt the Referendum chances. Grenawalt explained that she thinks the coverage is up due to an increase in the wages, and also added that the community has settled down which may have helped.
President Burtness explained that coverage is a little better as existing people are taking on more shifts. President Burtness further explained that he is concerned that the existing people will get burned out doing the extra shifts.
Tayna Burtness explained that the pace the volunteers are working is not sustainable. Burtness further explained that the existing volunteers are trying to fill in until more money is available to hire people.
Attorney Oellerich asked if there was a specific proposal for the Referendum. Attorney Oellerich explained that the Referendum has to be clear on how much is needed and what the money is going to be used for. Attorney Oellerich further explained that Fort Atkinson just approved a Public Safety Referendum for Police and Fire and it was very specific and that more information is better.
Tuffree asked what would happen if we stated we were hiring six full time people and ended up hiring less full time and more part time with the Referendum money if approved. Attorney Oellerich explained that sometimes plans don’t come to fruition, but the use has to be for what was approved.
Michael Moore from the Town of Avon was present. Moore explained that he is the former chair from the Town of Avon and is very invested in the Fire Department. Moore explained that if the Referendum is not approved, we will lose our Fire and EMS Department. Moore further explained that if that were too happen, the state would come in and take over. The Village would lose control of the local service and could spend more money for the services.
Moore explained that eventually the departments are going to have to combine with Brodhead and Footville. Attorney Oellerich explained that the northern part of Rock County has started that process.
Howard Franklin of 507 S. Richards Street was present and asked if the Referendum request would be strictly for personnel. President Burtness explained that it would be strictly for personnel and that they would not be able to use it for anything else.
Clerk Waege asked if the Referendum was a recurring Referendum. Attorney Oellerich explained that is would be a recurring Referendum. Clerk Waege asked what needed to be done when personnel costs increase over time. Attorney Oellerich explained that they would have to come back for additional money in the event that it is needed. Moore explained that the cost may go down in time if departments combine.
Franklin explained that he felt the Referendum was the way to go for now and then the regional combined department would need to follow.
Boyce explained that the service levels should increase with a combined department and additional funding.
President Burtness explained that the Fire Commission meets again on August 10th. Defined numbers and questions should be decided at that meeting, so that the Village can approve the required Resolution in August. Attorney Oellerich explained that it has to be approved by the second meeting in August to comply with state statutes for the November Election.
No action was taken.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to approve the vouchers for $171,820.98 with a check range from 34463—34691. Motion carried.
VILLAGE PRESIDENTS UPDATE
President Burtness explained the following:
· The water and sewer are in on S. Richards Street with storm sewer work starting next. President Burtness thanked the residents that live there for their patience during the project.
· The new signs for Haugen Park and Stavn Park are up and thanked the DPW for doing the work.
· Traffic has increased in the Village due to the bridge project on Highway 11. President Burtness reminded the residents to be careful with the additional traffic.
· The planters by the Sassy Farm Chicks are being moved back a little. President Burtness reminded the residents that the project is not complete, the curbs will be painted, the crosswalk will be painted, and crossing lights are going in.
· The bump outs and planters will prevent vehicles from passing on the right downtown which has been an issue during school crossing times.
· Thanked the Bank of Brodhead and the Ding a Ling for the Music in the Park on July 21st.
· Thanked Nikki Tuffree for the Movie in the Park work that she has done.
· Reviewed the Library month end report and added that the Library Staff is doing a great job.
· Encouraged the residents to follow the Library Facebook Page to see their events. Schmidt added that the Library offers story time on Fridays and also hosts the Senior Luncheons.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to go into closed session at 8:08 p.m. 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-specifically to hire part time officers, increase the wage for part time officers, and to approve a contract for Chief Burdick. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Reconvene. Motion by Knox, seconded by Gerber to reconvene into Open Session at 10:05 p.m. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to approve the contract for Chief Burdick as revised and approved by Chief Burdick. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to increase the hourly wage for part time police officers to $25.00 per hour. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to promote Officer Mike Rufer to Senior Part Time Officer for $26.00 per hour with an updated job description which includes being the Court Officer, scheduler for part time officers, supervision of part time officers, to conduct an initial assessment for ongoing six month employee review of part time officers, to be the Officer in Charge in the absence of Chief Burdick, responsible for the WIBERS data entry, coordinator of Badger tracs and Spillman Software, to be the Field Training Assistant, and to assist with regular duties. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to offer a Conditional Offer of Employment for a Part Time Police Officer to Jeremiah Burdick Jr. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to offer a Conditional Offer of Employment for Part Time Police Officer to Preston McIntosh. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to offer a Conditional Offer of Employment for Part Time Police Officer to David Cliffe. Roll Call Vote-Boyce, Schmidt, Myers-Alstat, Tuffree, Gerber, Knox, and President Burtness-all YES. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
Motion by Knox, seconded by Gerber to adjourn at 10:12 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Dennis Burtness
Village President
Sherri Waege
Village Clerk