Village Board

MINUTES OF THE ALBANY VILLAGE BOARD May 13, 2024 The regular meeting of the Albany Village Board was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Albany Village Hall by President Kim Blumer. Members present were: Blumer, Fred Johnson, Michelle Monson, Roald Henderson, Kimberly Klein, Tonya Stephan and Bert Hefty. Also present: Robert Ritter, Clay Spooner, Derek Doescher, Kurt Soderberg, Melissa Everson, Scott Vosters, Mary Ellen Parker, Dennis Parker, Brooke Helley and Jasmine Perrin. The Pledge of Allegiance was shared. Proof of posting was verified. AGENDA: Motion by Hefty, seconded by Stephen, to approve the agenda as posted. Carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to approve the minutes of previous board meetings of April 8, 2024 and April 30, 2024 as printed. Carried. PRESIDENTS MESSAGE: Nothing PUBLIC APPEARANCE: Parker had questions regarding who owns the fire department and bylaws. Blumer gave a brief explanation on how the fire department is owned and the bylaws. Parker also mentioned the Sonic camera on South Water Street was still down due to an accident, Ritter said he would call the company when time allows. LIBRARY UPDATE: Everson was present to give an update on the library. The summer library program is officially scheduled to start on June 11, 2024. This year’s theme is “Adventure begins in your Library” which will let kids explore the different Albanys in the U.S. with different materials and through zoom meetings. Everson also stated that they are adding reading challenges that range from children to adults and everyone is encouraged to participate. Other programs set to take place are reading time with Laura Roth in conjunction with a young moms group for 9 weeks; open adult craft night monthly; children’s author visit and adult conversation. The library is also starting “A Library of Things” which will include supplies needed for outdoor events such as outside yard games, Nesco roasters, pop up tents and folding tables. GREEN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: Otte was not present; Vosters reported that there was a meeting with local riverside business owners to discuss downtown beautification. Business owners discussed different options to use space such as a riverwalk. Otte will look into additional grants to possibly help with this project. DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION GRANT: Gill received pricing for two pedestrian street crossing signs in the amount of $421.00 each and suggested that any funds left will go towards the downtown flower pots. Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to purchase two pedestrian crossing signs in the amount of $421 each and any remaining fund to go towards downtown flower pots. Carried. Village Board May 13, 2024 Page 2 ALBANY COMMUNITY 1ST / CHAMBER: Vosters reported that the Hooked on Fishing Event will take place on Saturday June 1, 2024. The chamber will be having food trucks at legion park along with duck races. All proceeds will be split between the Albany Chamber and Hooked on Fishing committee. ALBANY SCHOOL DISTRICT – VILLAGE ENTERANCE SIGNS: Derek Doescher and Kurt Soderburg, both from Albany School District, gave a presentation on new Albany entrance signs. These signs would replace the current Welcome signs on the edge of the village that would include the school and sports accomplishments. Doescher presented the board with a packet that shows an example of what the signs would look like upon completion. Each sign would be aluminum composite and would be 9’x10’ in size and would highlight all the sports state championships. Rolli Works of Brodhead quoted Doescher a cost of $9,791.08 for the total project including installation. Albany schools will cover $5791.08 and is asking the village to cover the remaining 4000. Motion by Stephan, seconded by Johnson, to approve the two new village entrance signage contingent on available funding. Yes—6; No—1. Carried. DANNY MUELLER FIRE CHIEF RETIREMENT RECOGNITION: The board would like to recognize Danny Mueller for his years of service on the Albany Fire Department and thank him for his service. Motion by Hefty, seconded by Stephan, to have plaque made including picture and years of service. Carried. COMMITTEE/COMMISSION MEMBER LIST: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to approve new committee / commission list as presented. Carried. VILLAGE HALL, PW SHOP, PW WATER SHOP SOLAR: Much discussion about the possibility of purchasing solar for some of the Village buildings. Motion by Henderson, seconded by Stephan, to approve going forward with the solar project through Full Spectrum Solar, contingent on budget funding; waiting on audit for official numbers to authorize. Yes—1; No—6. Motion failed. VILLAGE HALL HOURS – WEDNESDAY CLOSURE: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Johnson to continue Wednesday Village Hall closure to the public; the board will revisit in January 2025. Carried. FIRE DEPARTMENT BYLAWS: Much discussion on fire department bylaw suggestions. Motion by Monson, seconded by Stephan, to send the suggested bylaw additions along with village social media policy to the fire department. Carried. RE-HIRE BALL PARK COMMISSIONERS: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Monson to rehire Jeff Inabnit and Don LaPointe as ballpark commissioners. Carried. RE-HIRE REC DIRECTOR: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Hefty, to rehire Cindy Mauerman as Rec-Director. Carried. Village Board May 13, 2024 Page 3 REC-DIRECTOR TO HIRE ASSISTANT: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Hefty, to allow Cindy Mauerman to hire her own assistant rec director. Carried. RE-HIRE SUMMER PARKS LABORER: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Johnson, to rehire summer parks laborer Avary Briggs. Carried. REIMER FARMERS PHOSPHORUS PAYMENT: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Monson, to approve Reimer Family Farms yearly phosphorus payment. Carried. WATER TOWER & STANDPIPE BIDS: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Hefty, to award bid to Maguires in the amount of $5350. Carried. ORDINANCE 114-5 (E): Motion by Blumer, seconded by Klein, for the village to adopt draft #1. Carried. TRAINING: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Klein, to send Gill to Plover for the sanitary collection training in the amount of $110. Carried. Motion by Blumer, seconded by Hefty, to send Dan Blumer to Watertown June 6 for a water collection system seminar in the amount $45. Carried. Village to possibly sell truck #1 to school with approval of school board in the amount of $2,500. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to approve bills ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Stephan informed the board of a 50- year Celebration of Service for John Frydenlund being held on May 19, 2024 at the EMS. Johnson would like to add quarterly budget updates to meetings and would like to look into possibly buying a village projector for meeting presentations. Stephan mentioned still needing to discuss an ordinance regarding boat launch fees, etc. Gill is measuring space to find replacement park playground equipment. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to adjourn. MELISSA PRYCE, Deputy Clerk 8:10 p.m.