Village Board

MINUTES OF THE ALBANY VILLAGE BOARD August 14, 2023 The regular meeting of the Albany Village Board was called to order at 6:32 p.m. in the Albany Village Hall be President Kim Blumer. Members present were: Blumer, Michelle Monson, Fred Johnson, Roald Henderson, Larry Nipple and Tonya Stephan. Absent: Bert Hefty. Also present: Robert Ritter, Lonnie Gill, Scott Vosters, Melissa Everson; and Olivia Otte appeared by phone. The Pledge of Allegiance was shared. Proof of posting was verified. AGENDA: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Monson, to approve the agenda as posted. Carried. MINUTES: Motion by Monson, seconded by Stephan, to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2023 and July 24, 2023 meetings as printed. Carried. Henderson asked to change the July 24, 2023 minutes to reflect that S&B will be putting video surveillance on the buses. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Nothing. GREEN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: Otte appeared by phone and wanted to give an update; still waiting to hear back on the downtown grant, should hear in September. She has been in touch with UW Platteville, which is known for their engineering students and interns, and they would love to send engineering interns to Green County to work on projects – such as designing community spaces in downtowns, sidewalks, gazebos, and playground equipment to go into the space. It can be a wide variety of things, depends on what projects the village would like to look into. She has also been working with local EMS in Albany on one grant right now and hopefully a couple more to come in the next few months. A local business owner has reached out to Otte and they are working on a grant right now as well. Stephan would be interested in the engineering intern coming to look at water tower park to do a design for that area and Monson mentioned if there is anything that could be done at the upper park as well. Henderson would like to see if something can be done with the upper park as well, rather than just replacing equipment. Otte said the initial application to get interns is very brief, so if/when we get approved is when we could sit down and get more detailed plans going. Henderson mentioned a way to hook the trails in the park system as well. Stephan was told a lot of fire department equipment is out of date and was wondering if Otte has been in contact with the fire department yet, she has not heard from them, but she will reach out to the fire department. Henderson also mentioned the possibility of different solar applications or funding options that could hook into the engineering interns. Otte will look into more information on the solar, the board will think more on what buildings would be good for the solar. Possibly look into having the engineer interns look at the river wall by the businesses. This would be the January – May semester, so we have some time, but would benefit from an early application. Motion by Stephan, seconded by Monson, to have Otte apply for the engineering intern program. Carried. ALBANY COMMUNITY 1ST / CHAMBER: Vosters reminded the board of the Road Rally on September 24 at 11:00 a.m. meeting at the Lion’s Club, should take about an hour and a half. The next meeting is tomorrow night at the library at 6:30 p.m. PUBLIC APPEARANCES: Everson with the Library reported they have been busy with the adult and summer library programs; Laura Roth is getting ready for story time for little ones and monthly read aloud up at school. The library is having two volunteer days: September 16 to revamp the flower gardens and September 30 to do a wide variety of indoor and outdoor projects. The concrete for the solar charging station has been installed. Annual silent auction coming up on October 13-21, 2023, which is their biggest and only fund raiser for the year. Village Board August 14, 2023 Page 2 TREE REMOVAL: Double D came down and gave a bid on 7 tree removals; three at the legion, two at tower hill, one at the ball park and one at the cemetery (all ashes that have to be removed) for $1,000. Motion by Stephan, seconded by Monson, to approve the tree removal at a cost of $1,000. Carried. OPERATOR’S LICENSE(S): Motion by Monson, seconded by Johnson, to approve operator’s licenses for Brielle Gettelman and Christoher Klapper; Glayden Wahler and Diane Harrigan-Kapel contingent on completion of the responsible server’s course. Carried. ELECTION TRAINING: Election training is scheduled for September 12, 2023 from 9am – 4pm at the Lion’s Club. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Stephan, to approve the election training and closing of the office for September 12, 2023. Carried. SEWER MAIN & MANHOLE: Motion by Nipple, seconded by Monson, to have Mead & Hunt resubmit the intent to apply application to the DNR. Carried. REPAIR / RIPRAP AT OGDEN AVE RETENTION POND: Motion by Nipple, seconded by Stephan, to repair and place large riprap stones at the Ogden Ave retention pond not to exceed $1,000.00. Carried. SEPTEMBER MEETING DATE: Motion by Nipple, seconded by Blumer, to move the meeting date to September 6, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Carried. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Monson, to approve the bills. Carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Brewer reported that the PSC has given us approval to move our water/sewer billing from quarterly to monthly. The effective date for this change will be October 1, 2023. Nipple wanted to discuss the yards that have not been mowed and where we are in the notification process. Gill said we give owner’s every opportunity to mow themselves before the village public works will come in; once public works mows, the amount will be placed on the owner’s tax bill. Ritter mentioned they will give citations for these violations as well. He has notified a few places by letter and if they do not take care of the violation, they will get a citation. Most people take care of the issue to avoid getting the citation, if they do not take care of it then another citation can be issued. Henderson would like the APRA funds information for the next board meeting. Stephan reported that the EMS is having their fish boil on Friday night and was wondering if they could move some of their furniture in the board meeting room to make space; the board does not see a problem with this request. Riverfest is this weekend. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Monson, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn. MICHELLE C. BREWER, Clerk Village of Albany 7:20 p.m.