Village Board

MINUTES OF THE ALBANY SPECIAL VILLAGE BOARD April 30, 2024 The special 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, Kimberly Klein, Tonya Stephan and Bert Hefty. Absent: Roald Henderson. Also present: Village Attorney Todd Schluesche, Robert Ritter, Clay Spooner, Lonnie Gill, Melissa Pryce, Jasmine Perrin, Mark Riedel, Justin Mueller and other Albany Fire Department members, Brooklyn Township Representative(s), Albany Township Representative(s), several members of the community. The Pledge of Allegiance was shared. Proof of posting was verified. AGENDA: Motion by Stephan, seconded Monson, to approve the agenda as posted. Carried. ACCEPT LARRY NIPPLE VILLAGE TRUSTEE RESIGNATION: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Stephan, to accept Village Trustee Larry Nipple’s resignation. Carried. APPOINTMENT/OATH OF BERT HEFTY AS VILLAGE TRUSTEE: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Johnson, to appoint Bert Hefty as Village Trustee to fulfill previous Trustee Larry Nipple’s term until the next election in April 2025. Carried. Hefty was given his Oath. FIRE DEPARTMENT AUDIT/INSPECTIONS: Blumer read the letter from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services stating the Albany Community Fire Department had failed two inspection audits, one in 2023 and one in 2024; therefore, found non-complaint. Justin Mueller found a company out of Lake Mills that can complete the inspections for a fee, about $23 per occupancy for a total of just under $2,000. Mueller says it would be helpful to have business licenses so the Fire Department could be notified of new businesses that would need inspections. Monson mentioned that the Village has talked about it; Brewer mentioned that will still be brought to planning at some point but still doing research on fees associated with business licenses. Monson would like to see the inspection duty kept within the Fire Department so as not to spend the money on a different company. Johnson mentioned bringing some more information about the inspection company to the Police, Fire & License committee meeting. The board would like to see inspection violation fees before passing the Ordinance to reduce inspections to one per year. Mueller explained he has done numerous research and has not found anyone that administers violation fees. The board would like to see violation fees brought back to the committee and then can discuss the ordinance change again. FIRE DEPARTMENT BYLAWS: The board looked at the Fire Department Bylaws dated 8/12/2020 and some discussion, this will need to go before the Police, Fire & License Committee for further discussion. Motion by Blumer, seconded by Johnson, to table and take to the next board meeting to be looked at, then sent to the Police, Fire & License committee. Carried. Mueller mentioned that the Village Ordinances are outdated and specifically brought up Chapter 33, section 33-6 that needs to be addressed. Riedel commented that our Fire Department ordinance is specifically outdated and should be made with the fact that the Fire Village Special Board April 30, 2024 Page 2 Chief is an elected official. The model that most communities look at is having the municipal board appoint the public Fire Chief. Much discussion at looking over the village ordinances and re-doing them as needed. ADJORN TO CLOSED SESSION UNDER WI §19.85(1)(f) and §19.85(1)(c): At 7:37 p.m., motion by Blumer, seconded by Hefty, to move into closed session. Roll call: Monson—yes; Johnson— yes; Blumer—yes; Hefty—yes; Stephan—yes; Klein—yes. Carried. The Fire Department members were invited to stay for the closed session. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION: At 8:41p.m., motion by Blumer, seconded by Johnson, to reconvene to open session. Roll call: Monson—yes; Johnson—yes; Blumer—yes; Hefty—yes; Stephan—yes; Klein—yes. Carried. POSSIBLE VOTE ON CONFIRMATION OF PROPOSED FIRE CHIEF: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Stephan, to accept Justin Mueller’s election of Fire Chief by the Fire Department. Carried. The Fire Department had an election and it’s being confirmed by the village board; the board would like to see Mueller make the necessary needed changes. Monson also wanted to remind Mueller to respect the board and Police Chief by being careful what he posts on social media; while remaining professional. Reidel reminds the board that the Chief is a sworn public official and should be sworn on oath. Brewer will prepare an oath and Mueller will stop in the clerk’s office to sign. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS, IF ANY, FROM CLOSED SESSION: Changing the fire department ordinance to include removal of the Fire Department electing the Fire Chief, rather the Village Board appointing. The Village will do some research and look further into completing the necessary changes. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Bylaws and proposed changes will be brought to the next board meeting and then the Fire Department needs to review and act on them by a 2/3 vote. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to adjourn. MICHELLE C. BREWER, Clerk Village of Albany 8:50 p.m.