Village Board

MINUTES OF THE ALBANY VILLAGE BOARD April 8, 2024 The regular meeting of the Albany Village Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Albany Village Hall be President Kim Blumer. Members present were: Blumer, Fred Johnson, Michelle Monson, Roald Henderson, Larry Nipple and Tonya Stephan. Absent: Bert Hefty. Also present: Robert Ritter, Melissa Everson, Scott Vosters, Kimberly Klein, Justin Mueller, Brian Hauri, Sterling Everett, Brandon Williams, Deanna Hubert, Jasmine Perrin, Brooke Helley, Luke Eastwood, Lona & Matt Graves, Clay Spooner with family and friends, Anndrea Terry with family. The Pledge of Allegiance was shared. Proof of posting was verified. AGENDA: Motion by Monson, seconded Nipple, to approve the agenda as posted. Carried. MINUTES: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Johnson, to approve the minutes of the board meeting of March 11, 2024 printed. Carried. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Thanked everyone for coming. PUBLIC APPEARANCES: None. LIBRARY UPDATE: Everson reported that the library is starting the treasure of things program. This is where they will offer other items such as cooking equipment, outdoor games, etc. Did some research on how many of the patrons used Libby, and there were 43 users who used 166 items. Circulation is down from a year ago; 10 new library cards, which is doubled what is typical in a month. The new library programs are doing well. Laura Roth attended the 4k orientation night at school and worked hard to promote the 1000 books before kindergarten program and handed out library card applications. GREEN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: Vosters reported that Otte has some dates to get the business owners together to discuss the DNR grant and she has also applied for a police grant. DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION GRANT: Previously had talked about adding a couple crosswalk signs, the ones previously purchased were $507 each. Blumer saw one that had flashers around the border of the sign. Gill will look into the pricing of crosswalk signs along with signs that have the flashing border. Stephan mentioned that some of the businesses downtown would like to see a few more garbage cans, Gill will also look into some pricing of more garbage cans. Bring this back to the May board meeting for final approval. There are currently three benches downtown. Perrin suggested finding matching money from some of the businesses; board will have to look into that option as well. Village Board April 8, 2024 Page 2 ALBANY COMMUNITY 1ST / CHAMBER: Vosters reported that they are currently working on the Hooked-on-Fishing event and will then start planning some events for the future. OFFICER ANNDREA TERRY OATH: Ritter gave the Oath of Office to Officer Anndrea Terry. OFFICER CLAY SPOONER HIRING AND OATH: Ritter gave the Oath of Office to Officer Clay Spooner. DAM BOARDS: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Monson, to wait until May 6, 2024 to put the dam boards on so as to not interfere with Fire Department training. Carried. VILLAGE HALL & PW SOLAR PROJECT: Henderson gave a presentation on the solar proposal for the Village Hall, Public Works building and Public Works Water Shop. The Village would be able to receive the Focus on Energy and IRS Direct Pay funding to help offset the costs. Hauri asked about the possibility to have the Fire Department looked at for being included in this project. Brewer explained that the Public Works Water Shop funding could come from the utility account; the other two buildings would be general and the funding would need to be borrowed. The IRS Direct Pay is a federal credit and the Focus on Energy is a Wisconsin credit. Gill worries that this is something we will have to borrow for again when we need to replace. Henderson explained we should look at this as proactive financial planning, we can save enough for preventative maintenance to be able to have the funding when the time comes to replace. Klein questioned if the village will get charged a disposal fee for the panels when we need to replace; she was also concerned about the batteries, however, Roald mentioned this system will not have a battery rather it is a converter. Motion by Blumer, seconded by Johnson, to table until May board meeting. Carried. OPERATOR’S LICENSE(S): Motion by Stephan, seconded by Johnson, to approve Lia Fry for an operator’s license. Carried. BOARD OF REVIEW TRAINING: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Nipple, to approve Board of Review training for May 8 at 6pm at the Village of Brooklyn for a total cost of $20. Carried. COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS: The following committee and commission reports were reviewed and placed on file: Police, Fire & License 3/19/24 Street & Utility 4/1/24 Village Board April 8, 2024 Page 3 ORDINANCE 01-24: FIRE INSPECTIONS: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Monson, to approve Ordinance 01-24 to reduce fire inspections from two per year to one per calendar year. Henderson questioned why the board would make this change when there are other aspects of the Fire Department that need to be addressed. Ayes – 1; Nayes – 6. Motion does not carry. 2024 VILLAGE ROADWORK: Motion by Nipple, seconded by Blumer, to proceed with South Mill Street, South Summit Street, Sunrise Lane, Fifth Avenue, Fifth Street, Madison Street, Milwaukee Street, Oak Street, South Water Street and North Water Street for sealcoating and repairs at a cost of approximately $60,000. Carried. PW WATER SHOP SOLAR PROJECT: Tabled to April board meeting. SEMI PARKING BY RECYCLE CENTER: Motion by Nipple, seconded by Blumer, to add gravel and a culvert tube at the Recycle Center parking area for a cost not to exceed $1,500. Carried. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Monson, to approve the bills. Carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Stephan asked if Gill had gotten a price on a generator yet, he is still looking into the electrical needs for a generator. Much discussion on scheduling a special village board meeting to discuss just the fire department. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Monson, seconded by Stephan, to adjourn. MICHELLE C. BREWER, Clerk Village of Albany 7:55 p.m.