9.14.20 Regular Board

VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE

Regular Board Meeting

Monday, September 14, 2020  7:00 P.M.

Orfordville Village Hall

Main Board Room

CALL TO ORDER

                Village President Gary Phillips called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Present were President Phillips, Beth Schmidt, Terry Gerber, Nikki Tuffree, and Jason Knox.  Also present were Building Inspector Tim Keinbaum, Terry Morris, Jack McDermott, Peter McMahon, Librarian Sarah Strunz, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege.  Absent were Chuck Boyce and Tina Suiter Meyers.

AGENDA VERIFICATION

                Clerk Waege verified that on September 11, 2020, copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Library, Village Hall, and the Orfordville Post Office.  There were no additions made to the agenda.

MINUTE APPROVAL

                Motion by Gerber, seconded by Tuffree to approve the August 24, 2020 minutes.  Motion carried.

CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD

                None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

                Building Permit Fee Schedule.  Tim Keinbaum was present regarding the building permit fee schedule.   Keinbaum explained that he was fine with the schedule as Clerk Waege revised.    Clerk Waege explained that she would like to draft a document based on Keinbaum’s feedback for approval for the next meeting.  Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to table to the September 28, 2020 meeting. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

                Joint Powers Agreement for 2021.  Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to approve the Joint Powers Agreement with Rock County Communications for 2021.  Motion carried.

                Roads to Recovery Grant.  Knox explained that he has attended area board meetings and learned what others were doing with the Roads to Recovery Grant Money.  Knox would like the Village to consider purchasing new laptops for board members to be used in the event that meetings have to be attended via Zoom.  Knox added that the laptops would be returned to the Village if the board member did not get reelected.    Knox explained that the Town of Center and Town of Spring Valley were purchasing new laptops for board members in the event that meetings had to be conducted via zoom.   Knox explained that the Town of Plymouth was using the money for electrical upgrades so that they can spread out the voting booths for social distancing.

                Schmidt explained that she has two laptops at home now and felt it was frivolous to purchase new laptops for Village Board members if they already have one.   Schmidt would rather the money be spent on expenses for the Village for Covid.  Schmidt added that the Village purchased tablets for previous board members that didn’t use them at meetings.   President Phillips explained that we all  have a phone which can also be used for Zoom.   President Phillips explained that the Village can also purchase things for the fire department if there is money left and explained that this would serve the Village better than purchasing new laptops for board members. 

                Tuffree explained that she is in favor of the Village providing access to board meetings via Zoom.    Tuffree explained that the cost for the Zoom memberships, microphone, and laptop should not exceed $2,000.00.   Tuffree further explained that the Village would need high speed internet to provide the zoom meetings to the public.   Tuffree explained that Sonic should have high speed available by the end of October.    Clerk Waege explained that the expense of the Zoom capabilities is grant eligible.

                                Clerk Waege explained that The Village was awarded $23,913.00 for the grant.  Clerk Waege further explained that she has submitted $7,524.27 for reimbursement.  Clerk Waege further explained that she has another $5,086.00 in expenses, including payroll for November’s submittal, which will leave $11,320.21 in grant funds.    Clerk Waege explained that the grant will cover two weeks payroll for employees if they need to be out of work due to quarantine. 

                DPW Director Todd explained that he would like to purchase additional cones, barricades, and signage to be used in the event that parks need to be closed again.  DPW Director Todd explained that the caution tape for closing parks in the spring did not stay in place due to the wind.   DPW Director Todd explained that he is waiting on prices but estimates the cost to be $4,000.00.    DPW Director Todd explained that it would be a good use of the funds as the department only has two large barricades.   DPW Director Todd further explained that he would also like to purchase respirators to be used at the wastewater treatment plant, as there is a potential that the Corona Virus can be transmitted in human waste.

                DPW Director Todd further explained that the police department would like to purchase a tent or easy up to be used in the event that testing has to be done locally due to a large breakout in the Village.

                There was no action taken.

                Loan for Mill Valley Subdivision.   Clerk Waege explained that she has a 4% rate from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands for $250,000.00 for a twenty year loan.  President Phillips explained that the Village will have to pay the first year’s loan payment of approximately $19,000.00.  After the first year the plan is to have eight homes built and on the tax rolls.  The tax dollars from the eight homes will be enough to make the annual payments moving forward.    President Phillips explained that the village has other options to make the first loan payment besides raising taxes which was suggested.   President Phillips explained that there is money set aside that the TIF District owes the General Fund, as General Fund had to pay the TIF District bills until enough increment was created for the district to be self-sufficient financially.  President Phillips explained that currently the TIF district owes general fund $196,000.00.  President Phillips would like to use money that the TIF District owes general fund to make the first annual payment.   President Phillips added that he would prefer the Village not use all of the TIF District money as it may be needed elsewhere in the future. 

                Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to borrow $250,000.00 from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands for a twenty year term, and to use money owed to General Fund from the TIF District to make the first annual payment so there is no increase to taxes for residents, with the subsequent annual loan payments be made by using tax dollars created from the new homes in the subdivision.  Roll Call Vote- Schmidt, Gerber, Tuffree, Knox, and President Phillips-all YES.  Motion carried.   Knox asked if he could change his vote.   Motion by Knox, seconded by Schmidt to reconsider the previous motion to borrow the $250,000.00 from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.  Motion carried.  Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to borrow $250,000.00 from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands for a twenty year term, and to use money owed to General Fund from the TIF District to make the first annual payment so there is no increase to taxes for residents, with the subsequent annual loan payments be made by using tax dollars created from the new homes in the subdivision.   Roll Call Vote-Schmidt, Gerber, Tuffree, and President Phillips-all YES, Knox-NO.  Motion carried.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

                Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Knox to approve the Department Head reports.  Motion carried.

VOUCHERS

                Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to approve the Vouchers.  Motion carried.

CLOSED SESSION

                Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to go into closed session at 8:02 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate or negotiate the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds, or to conduct other specified business whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session-specifically to discuss an Offer to Purchase for Lot 1 of the Business Industrial Park-Roll Call Vote- Schmidt, Gerber, Tuffree, Knox, and President Phillips-all YES.  Motion carried.

                Reconvene into Open Session.  Motion by Knox, seconded by Gerber to reconvene into Open Session at 8:30 p.m.  Roll Call Vote-Schmidt, Gerber, Tuffree, Knox, and President Phillips-all YES.  Motion carried.   No action was taken on items discussed in closed session. 

ADJOURN

                Motion by Knox, seconded by Schmidt to adjourn at 8:29 p.m.  Motion carried.

                                                                                                                                Submitted by,

                                                                                                                                Village President

                                                                                                                                Gary Phillips

                                                                                                                                Sherri Waege

                                                                                                                                Village Clerk