9.28.20
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, September 28, 2020 7:00 P.M.
Orfordville Village Hall
Main Board Room
CALL TO ORDER
President Gary Phillips called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were President Phillips, Tina Suiter-Meyers, Beth Schmidt, Chuck Boyce, Terry Gerber, Nikki Tuffree, and Jason Knox. Also present were: Rob Balsamo from Blackhawk Technical College, Nate Beal, Steve Haberman, Gustavo Guzman, Steve Lutzke, Sharyl Mahlum, Betty Olsen, Attorney Michael Oellerich, Chief Brian Raupp, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Knox to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2020 meeting. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
Betty Olsen was present to ask about the status of the UTV vehicles being allowed on Village Streets. President Phillips explained that there have been no changes made. Olsen asked why the Public Works Department could use one on the streets, but nobody else in the Village could.
Olsen also asked why the Village borrowed $250,000.00 for the new subdivision. Olsen stated that she did not want her taxes to go up. President Phillips explained that there is no plan to raise taxes for the payment. President Phillips further explained that the TIF District has money that is due to General Fund, the first years payment will come from that money that is set aside. President Phillips explained that the tax revenue from the subdivision should make the annual payment after the first year. President Phillips added that the Village had two options, the first being to invest now to create future revenue, or do nothing and have to borrow money for expenses due to lack of increase in revenue.
Steve Lutzke explained that he was present regarding the Contract with the Village of Footville. Lutzke explained that he is concerned that the Village will spread themselves too thin with the limited amount of staff that they have now. President Phillips explained that the item is on the agenda and an explanation will be given during the discussion.
VILLAGE PRESIDENT UPDATE
No update was given.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Revising the Building Permit Fee Schedule. Clerk Waege explained that the building inspector provided a condensed version of the fee schedule with lower fees and much more user friendly. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Tuffree to approve the revised fee schedule for Building Permits. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Planning Commission Recommendation for a Conditional Use Permit for Gustavo Guzman for 315 W. Brodhead Street. Gustavo Guzman was present for the hearing with an interpreter. President Phillips explained the recommendation from the Planning Commission. Motion by Boyce, seconded by Knox to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to grant a Conditional Use Permit for Gustavo Guzman to sell vehicles at 315 W. Brodhead Street with the following conditions: no more than 15 vehicles for sale at one time, business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and outside lighting must be downward directional lighting and has to be approved by the Village prior to installation. The motion also acknowledges that Clerk Waege spelled Guzman’s last name as Gutzman in the publication and letter sent to adjoining land owners with no intent to mislead residents. Motion carried.
Blackhawk Technical College presentation regarding the referendum for the proposed Public Safety & Transportation Center. Rob Balsamo was present from Blackhawk Technical College. Balsamo provided those present with a brochure explaining the proposed Public Safety & Transportation Center. Balsamo explained that it is a training center for emergency services, training course for truck drivers, electric power distribution training, motorcycle training course, confined space training, and water rescue training. Balsamo explained that they do not have the facilities to do the training and have to pay to do the training elsewhere. Balsamo explained that if approved, the referendum would cost a $100,000.00 home $3.00 a year. Balsamo explained that the referendum has a minimum impact on the tax payers as the cost is equalized over Green and Rock Counties. Balsamo further explained that the annual cost of $3.00 per $100,000.00 in valuation will decrease after two years and resume current tax costs by five years, which means very little impact to the tax payers. Balsamo reviewed the pamphlet that he provided and explained that the project, if approved in the November referendum, will have a significant economic impact to the area. President Phillips explained that Orfordville Fire Department will benefit greatly for training if this referendum is approved. Knox asked if building eight was for classes. Balsamo explained that it was. President Phillips thanked Balsamo for attending.
Amend Election Board Resolution R-201-11. Clerk Waege explained that she would like to add three people to serve as tabulators for the November 3, 2020 election. Clerk Waege explained that the library staff is working shifts on election day, and will also be available to come in at 8:00 p.m. when the polls close to help with end of the night duties. Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Schmidt to amend Resolution R-2019-11 to add Ruth Mohr, Pamela Shoemaker, and Sarah Strunz as tabulators. Motion carried.
Police Services for the Village of Footville. Chief Raupp explained that he was contacted by the Village Clerk in Footville in March to assist with requirements the Village had to do regarding COVID 19. Chief Raupp explained that he was then contacted again in July to see if the Village would be interested in offering Police Services to the Village of Footville. Chief Raupp met with the Village Clerk to discuss what they were looking for. Chief Raupp explained that they are looking for enforcement for ordinance violations, property cleanup, and parking and traffic enforcement.
Chief Raupp reviewed the proposal that, upon approval from the Police Committee, was provided to the Village of Footville. Chief Raupp explained that a second full time police officer would be hired to help both Villages. The cost of the officer would be mostly paid for by the income from Footville. A second full time officer would provide additional hours to Orfordville as well. Chief Raupp explained that Footville is looking to have an officer for 1,200 hours per year.
Knox asked what would happen if the hours were used up before the end of the calendar year. Chief Raupp explained that a big event may use more hours than scheduled per day, which would have to be worked out with the Village. Chief Raupp explained that the Spillman software system would track the hours and monthly reports would be provided.
Lutzke explained that more hours for Orfordville would be beneficial with things that are happening.
Nate Beal from the Village of Footville was present and explained that you get a different officer every time with Rock County and he likes the idea of just a couple of officers to deal with.
Steve Haberman from the Village of Footville was present and explained that initially he was not in favor of changing, but has realized the response times from Rock County can be an issue if they are not close. Haberman added that he felt this contract would benefit both Village’s.
No formal action was taken. Chief Raupp will speak with the Footville Village board about approving a final contract for services for 2021.
Trick or Treat for 2020. Chief Raupp explained that he checked with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services who does not recommend house to house contact for Halloween this year, they would rather people stay home and celebrate within their own homes. The Rock County Health Department recommends that people comply with the state suggestions. Chief Raupp explained that the City of Beloit has cancelled Halloween and both Clinton and Footville are having it. Chief Raupp suggested that the Village leave the decision up to the people, residents can turn on the porch light if they want to participate and that the Village will remain neutral and not have extra officers on that night. Schmidt agreed that it is not up to the Village to legislate parents. Motion by Knox, seconded by Boyce to have Trick or Treating on Saturday, October 31st from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with participation optional. Motion carried.
Ordinance Regarding Electronic Meetings. Attorney Michael Oellerich was present and explained that an ordinance change is not required if the Village simply wants to allow people to observe the meetings from home. Attorney Oellerich added that an ordinance change is required if Village Board members are participating from another location. Knox suggested that the Village consider an ordinance change in the event of an emergency such as a tornado. Motion by Knox, seconded by Boyce to table to the October 8, 2020 meeting to allow Attorney Oellerich time to prepare an ordinance. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Knox, seconded by Suiter-Meyers to approve the vouchers. Motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION
Motion by Knox, seconded by Suiter-Meyers to go into closed session at 8:31 p.m. pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is in or may be likely to become involved-specifically Lot 2 of the Business/Industrial Park and Mike Eggleston of Eggleston Construction. Roll Call Vote- Suiter-Meyers, Schmidt, Boyce, Gerber, Tuffree, Knox, and President Phillips-all YES. Motion carried.
Reconvene into open session. Motion by Knox, seconded by Boyce to reconvene into open session at 8:45 p.m. Roll Call Vote-Suiter-Meyers, Schmidt, Boyce, Gerber, Tuffree, Knox, and President Phillips-all YES. Motion carried.
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Boyce to accept the settlement of $5,000.00 from Mike Eggleston of Eggleston Construction regarding cost incurred to the Village for expenses involved in the transactions for Lot 2 of the Business/Industrial Park. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Gary Phillips
Village President
Sherri Waege
Village Clerk