Village Board

MINUTES OF THE ALBANY VILLAGE BOARD August 12, 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, Michelle Monson, Fred Johnson, Tonya Stephan and Berty Hefty. Absent: Kimberly Klein. Also present: Melissa Everson, Olivia Otte, Scott Vosters, Jay Hotchkiss, David King, Brian Hauri, Jasmine Perrin, Lonnie Gill and Robert Ritter. The Pledge of Allegiance was shared. Proof of posting was verified. AGENDA: Motion by Hefty, seconded by Monson, to approve the agenda as posted. Carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Stephan, to approve the minutes of the previous board meeting of July 8, 2024 as printed. Carried. PRESIDENTS MESSAGE: Nothing. PUBLIC APPEARANCES: Nothing. LIBRARY UPDATE: Everson reported that the summer children’s program has ended, attendance grew tremendously from last year alone. In June of this year there were 153 patrons, compared to last year with June and July combined at 136. The Treasure Trove has 40 items and to-date 41 items have been checked out. The Adult Book Club and Adult Writers Club continues to grow. Libby users is also growing, this is where people can read books on a device. The library saw increases with the children’s programing and other groups using the library; continues to grow and be a strong fixture in the community. The library also has two new employees, welcomed both last week. GREEN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT COROPORATION: Otte reported on the new program that is starting called Green Co ID. It is giving refurbished items to small businesses/non-profits or individuals who are not yet tech savvy. The devices are  Village Board, August 12, 2024, Page 2 from Green County that are no longer in regulation, so this way the devices can be given a second life to those in need. Another community program is for small businesses to help with business succession planning – this is for someone who is retiring or stepping back and will help them make a smooth transition. They are also working with Green County area High Schools to start a youth entrepreneurship, hoping to have more information in the next few months. Green County Development is hiring a new position for the office, a part-time office administrator, which will help increase other staff members’ capacity for new projects/ideas. Applying for EPA Grounds Field Grant – to have funds available for environmental assessments across the county. More information coming in next few months. Childcare funding is still available; some daycares in Albany were awarded funding. Working with Albany non-profit businesses for some grants; currently in the application stage and more information should be coming. Otte has also been working with a developer on some grants for the property located on Hwy 59 across from the cemetery. Also, working with a developer and potential TIF for the property located by the Dollar General. He worked in the Belleville area and is looking at doing some development in Albany; has not purchased the proposed property yet and is asking about doing a TID to help with the housing development. Otte can help with the TID; next step would be a consultant coming in to give a TID 101, the meeting is educational to give a better understanding what a TID is and how it can help the village and potential developer. The developer is not in a rush, so the Village has time to explore this option. ALBANY COMMUNITY 1ST / CHAMBER: The Chamber is currently working with Albany Schools for the back-to-school night, they help provide food; this will be held on Tuesday, August 27. The next event will be the Christmas Tree Lighting. ALBANY RIVERFEST REQUEST: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Monson, to close North Water Street from East Main Street to Madison Street and blocked at Oak, Milwaukee and Madison Streets from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. and to allow alcohol on North Water Street;  Village Board, August 12, 2024, Page 3 and to approve the parade route on Sunday, August 18, 2024 starting at 1:00 p.m. on South Fifth Avenue and ending at the Legion with No Parking starting at 8:00 a.m. on East Main Street from South Fifth Avenue to North Water Street. Carried. ASSESSOR CONTRACT: The renewal contract with Associated Appraisal was discussed. The new contract is for a three-year term at $10,000 per year; at the end of the third year, the contract will be on yearly auto renewal with an annual increase of 5%. The three-year renewal amount is nearly double our current rate. Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to research other assessor’s pricing. Carried. FENCE PLAN: Motion by Stephan, seconded by Monson, to approve the fence plan located at 103 South Mechanic Street. Carried. CONSIDERATION OF LIQUOR/BEER/LICENSE APPLICATIONS AT 108 N. WATER: Nothing. COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS: The following committee and commission reports have been placed on file: Building, Grounds, Cemetery, Recycle 7/9/24 Police, Fire & License 7/23/24 Plans Commission 8/1/24 Street & Utility 8/5/24 OPERATOR’S LICENSES: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Monson, to approve operator’s licenses for Tina Kivistad and for Amber Robinson, contingent on her completing responsible server’s course. Carried. WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM FACILITIES DRAFT PLAN: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to submit the proposal with the sanitary sewer upgrades to the DNR. Carried. DRAINAGE/CULVERTS NORTH CINCINNAI STREET: Motion by Monson, seconded by Stephan, to have Gill order culverts and help Hauri install. Carried. TRAINING: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to send Gill, or an alternate public works employee, to the Rodeo in Plover, WI on August 22, 2024 at a cost of $85. Carried.  Village Board, August 12, 2024, Page 4 APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Monson, seconded by Stephan, to approve the bills as written. Carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Check into the automatic aid for the Fire Department and see if that is in place and if not to find out why. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to adjourn. Carried. MICHELLE C. BREWER, Clerk 7:36 p.m.