Police, Fire & License

POLICE, FIRE AND LICENSE COMMITTEE August 26, 2025 The regular meeting of the Police, Fire and License Committee was called to order by Chairperson Michelle Monson at 6:30 p.m. in the Albany Village Hall, 206 North Water Street, Albany, WI. Members present were: Monson, Fred Johnson, Tonya Stephan, Deanna Hubert, Scott Roth, Fire Chief Hauri and Police Chief Robert Ritter. Absent: Dennis Atkinson. Also present: Kim Blumer, Brandon Williams and Luke Eastwood. Proof of posting was verified. MINUTES: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Stephan, to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Carried. PUBLIC APPEARANCES: None FIRE CHIEF UPDATES: Chief Hauri reported that there are two new members; many members are starting classes; training for safety officers; calendars were distributed; river calls are down; had 8 teams for the water fights at Riverfest; September 13 fireman’s dance at Cincinnati Street; September 27 cancer fundraiser. The department is looking into redoing/updating contracts with all municipalities. FIRE DEPARTMENT AUDIT: Looking at doing an audit in 2026; possibly have the Village contribute some money towards the cost. FIRE DEPARTMENT CHARGING FOR CALLS: All municipalities that are covered by the department will need an ordinance allowing for this; investigate what other departments/municipalities have for legal contracts for charging for calls; possibly charge a use tax on top of the budget requests. FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET: Fire Chief reported that the 2026 budget will be a 4% increase; there are concerns regarding future budgets, 8 sections are gone causing budget restraints; contracts should be based on assessed value; air packs are getting to expiration dates; truck 704 needs to be replaced at a cost of around $400,000; need to think about replacement for brush truck as well; received a $14,000 grant to replace out of date gear and $15,000 in donations for PE gear and safety repairs. POLICE CHIEF UPDATES: Chief Ritter reported that two officers are currently at the police academy and doing well; Riverfest went well with no big issues. OPERATOR’S LICENSES: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Hubert, to approve operators’ licenses for Jennifer McCord upon completion of Responsible Servers Course, Anna Ellinger, Jennifer Schmidt, and Elizabeth Klitzman. All ayes. Motion carried.  Police, Fire & License, August 26, 2025 - Page 2 of 2 TRAINING: Fire Department has airplane training on September 11, 2025. ANNOUNCEMENT AND FUTURE ITEMS: Olivia Otter of Green County Development Corporation to help find grants for the Fire Department. ADJOURN: Motion by Hubert, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn. All ayes. Motion carried. 7:45pm MICHELLE MONSON, Chairperson Police, Fire & License Committee