8.14.23 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, August 14, 2023 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, Beth Schmidt, Nikki Tuffree, Terry Gerber, and Jason Knox. Also present were Nick Bubolz from Town & Country Engineering, Kerry Knutson, Dianne Myhre, Mike Olson, Chief Jeremiah Burdick, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege. Absent were Cami Myers Alstat and Chuck Boyce.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on August 11, 2023, copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Village Hall, Library, Bank of Brodhead, and the Orfordville Post Office. There were no additions made to the agenda.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to approve the July 24, 2023 minutes. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
None.
UNFINISHES BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Operator Licenses. Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to accept the Police Committee Recommendation to grant Operator Licenses to expire June 30, 2024 to Heidi Melton, Kasey Nelson, and Deanna Schultz. Motion carried.
Leaf Box Purchase. DPW Director Todd explained that the current box has deteriorated and has been falling off of the truck. Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to accept the Public Works Committee recommendation to purchase a leaf box from Titan Leaf Solutions for $6,103.00 using money set aside in the equipment fund at the Local Government Property Investment Fund. Motion carried.
Street Closure Request. Kerry Knutson was present to request permission to close the first block of Dickson Street for his anniversary party on August 26, 2023. Knutson explained that he would like to have access to the street for overflow parking for the car show, if necessary. Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to grant permission to Kerry Knutson to close the first block of Dickson Street from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023, to accommodate the car show. Motion carried. DPW Director Todd advised Knutson that he could use the barricades that are available at the Market Day parking lot.
Pay Request #6 for Maddrell Excavating. Nick Bubolz from Town & Country Engineering was present to explain Pay Request #6. Bubolz explained that the amount was for $95,281.41, and that there is a retainage yet of $13,349.92. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to approve Pay Request #6 for Maddrell Excavating for $95,281.41. Motion carried.
Continuation of Land Easement for Dianne Myhre at 108 S. Center Street. Dianne Myhre was present to explain that they put their house on the market last week. Myhre explained that in 2017, she was granted an easement to be able to extend her fenced yard to the back and part of the side of Well #1 on Well Street which adjoins her property. At the time, Myhre requested permission to do so to enlarge her yard for training service dogs. Myhre explained that she would like to extend the easement to the new buyer as the fenced yard is a good selling point.
Gerber explained that he felt the agreement was clear in stating that the easement was only for Myhre and was not transferrable in the event of a sale of the property.
Schmidt explained that the agreement was granted in 2017 for the specific use of training the service dogs.
Knox asked what the current use of the building was. DPW Director Todd explained that the well is no longer in service and is used for storage of water repair parts. Knox wondered if the building could be torn down. DPW Director Todd explained that he was not sure and that the Department of Natural Resources may dictate what could be done with the building. DPW Director Todd further explained that if the building was torn down, it could be an opportunity for parking for the downtown area if needed. Knox asked if the continued use of the fenced property was affecting anything. DPW Director Todd explained that it would be hard to say and that they do use the building for storage.
Gerber explained that he is concerned with setting a precedence for other village owned properties in town. Schmidt explained that she agreed with Gerber’s precedent concern and that the village board, at that time, made it explicit to the Myhre’s and did not want it transferrable. President Burtness agreed with the precedent concern.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to deny the request of Dianne Myhre to transfer the easement for continued use of the property to a new home owner, and to require Myhre to remove the fence as agreed upon in the signed easement document. Motion carried with Knox voting against.
Mobile Food Truck Parking Request for Market Day. President Burtness explained that the request is no longer necessary as a different parking plan has been arranged. No discussion held, no action taken.
Lease Agreement with the Bank of Brodhead. Mike Olson from the Bank of Brodhead was present regarding the proposed lease agreement. Olson explained that they will be doing an extensive remodel at the Orfordville Bank beginning in September. Olson further explained that the bank will be closed, most of the staff will be working at the Brodhead Bank, except for two employees that he would like to have remain at an alternate location in Orfordville. Olson further explained that he didn’t foresee a lot of customers using the temporary location in Orfordville, mostly those that do not drive outside of town.
Tuffree asked about security for their documents and internet requirements. Olson explained that they would primarily be using Conference Room A and the doors would be locked when they were not there. Olson further explained that they would have to install their own private internet that meets their security needs.
Chief Burdick wondered if there was a safety plan in place. Olson explained that they do have a safety plan and would share that with Chief Burdick privately.
Chief Burdick explained that the judge uses the conference room on court day to confer with the attorney on trials. Chief Burdick further added that juveniles have to be kept separate from the court and sometimes use the conference room for discussion with attorneys.
Chief Burdick explained that he is concerned that customers that may come in through the main entrance. Clerk Waege explained that there will be signage directing the customers to use the Community Room entrance. Clerk Waege further added that the hallway will be closed off so that bank customers do not have access to the hall and the rest of the building.
Chief Burdick further explained that there may be a false sense of security for the bank being in the same building as the police department, when in fact he is not always in the building.
President Burtness will meet with the Judge Rucker and Chief Burdick regarding the court requirements. Chief Burdick and Olson will also meet to address the safety plans.
Tuffree wondered if the board could approve the Lease Agreement contingent on the court items be addressed and the safety plan be confirmed. Knox explained that he would like the agreement to come back to the board after those two items are addressed.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to table approval of the Lease Agreement with the Bank of Brodhead to Monday, August 21, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. to allow more time to work out the concerns for court and safety. Motion carried.
Use of Village owned P.A. System. Tuffree explained that Viking Youth Wrestling would like to use the P. A. System for their fundraiser at Knutes Anniversary Party. Tuffree added that she is fine with local groups using the equipment for events, but did not feel it should be available for private parties. Discussion on requiring a signed waiver in the event that the equipment gets damaged. Tuffree asked Clerk Waege to draft a waiver that requires replacement of damaged equipment. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Knox to approve the request of Viking Youth Wrestling to use the P.A. system at the Knutes Anniversary party, pending signing a waiver in regards to damage to equipment. Motion carried.
Amend Resolution R-2023-02. Clerk Waege explained that the library has someone to fill the vacancy on the Library Board. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to amend Resolution R-2032-02 by adding Allan Morris to the Library Board to fill the citizen member vacancy. Motion carried.
Repairs or Replacement of a Roof Top Heating/Air Unit at Village Hall. DPW Director Todd explained that the Village Hall has three roof top units. The unit that heats and cools the police department is leaking refrigerant. The condenser is also going bad. DPW Director Todd explained that there has been no air conditioning in the Police Department as he has been waiting for estimates. DPW Director Todd explained that he has an estimate from Lloyds Plumbing & Heating to replace the condenser unit for a cost of $11,055.00. DPW Director Todd had estimates from Rock Valley Services and Lloyds Plumbing & Heating to replace the entire unit for $12,800.00. DPW Director Todd lastly explained that he has a bid from Rock Valley Services to repair the condenser coil for $1,808.00. DPW Director Todd explained that there is no guarantee that repairing the condenser coil will last. DPW Director Todd explained that it could last six months or five years, it is unknown. DPW Director Todd further added that it is hard to find contractors that handle commercial rooftop units. President Burtness and Tuffree both knew of contractors that may be able to give a bid. Motion by Knox, seconded by Tuffree to have Rock Valley Services do the repair for $1,808.00 which will allow more time to explore other options. Motion carried.
Amend Ordinance 304-34 Regarding ATV/UTVs. President Burtness explained that he spoke with Drew Hollenstein from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Hollenstein would like to see changes to the Village’s ATV/UTV ordinance. The changes provided by Hollenstein were reviewed and discussed by the Village Board.
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to amend Village Ordinance 304-34 with the following changes: Reference Wisconsin State Statutes 233.33(11)(am)4 to reflect that all roads are open to the ATVs except for State Highway 11; authorized routes shall be signed in accordance with State Statute 23.33 (8)(e) stating that the Village, or it’s designee, shall maintain route signs in the Village, new signs will be erected by Rock County Public Works, and all references in the ordinances that state ATV/UTV shall all be changed to ATV for brevity. Motion carried.
President Burtness will continue to work on the state sign permit, based on input from Hollenstein.
DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Tuffree to approve the Department Head Reports. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to approve the vouchers with a check range of 36032-36069. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
Motion by Knox, seconded by Schmidt to adjourn at 8:32 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Dennis Burtness
Village President
Sherri Waege
Village Clerk