Village Board

MINUTES OF THE ALBANY VILLAGE BOARD December 9, 2024 The regular meeting of the Albany Village Board was called to order at 6:40 p.m. in the Albany Village Hall by President Kim Blumer. Members present were: Blumer, Michelle Monson, Fred Johnson, Tonya Stephan, Kimberly Klein, Paul Rhyner and Berty Hefty. Also present: Scott Vosters, Ray Thurow, Brooke Helley, Luke Eastwood, Brandon Williams, Sterling Evert, Brian Hauri, Jasmine Perrin, Lonnie Gill, Robert Ritter and Clay Spooner. The Pledge of Allegiance was shared. Proof of posting was verified. AGENDA: Motion by Monson, seconded by Klein, to approve the agenda as posted. Carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS BOARD MEETING: Motion by Johnson, seconded by Hefty, to approve the minutes of the previous board meeting of November 11, 2024 as printed. Carried. PRESIDENTS MESSAGE: Blumer welcomed Officer Spooner and congratulated him on his completion of the police academy. PUBLIC APPEARANCES: Nothing. LIBRARY UPDATE: Nothing. GREEN COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: There is a meeting on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Hall with the riverside downtown businesses and the UW Platteville students regarding the finalization of their proposed plan for the riverwalk/retaining wall. Brewer mentioned that this is still preliminary planning, plans still needs to go before the board and the village engineers. There will be a potential TID meeting in January before the board meeting. More information will follow. ALBANY COMMUNITY 1ST/CHAMBER: Vosters reported they had a successful lighting of the Christmas tree and the next meeting is scheduled for January 2025. SET DATE FOR 2025 CAUCUS: Motion by Blumer, seconded by Monson, to set the caucus for January 13, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Carried. PUBLIC WORKS ON-CALL PAY: Brewer explained it was already approved at the November board meeting to increase the public works weekend on-call pay from $50 to $60 per day but did not  Village Board, December 9, 2024 – Page 2 indicate a start date for the increase. Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to start the on-call increase on January 1, 2025. Carried. EMPLOYEE VACATION CARRYOVER: Blumer explained that Brewer may have some vacation hours that she is not able to use prior to the end of the year; Brewer stated all the hours are scheduled and should get them all used, but in the event something happens and is not able to, would like to be able to carryover. Motion by Blumer, seconded by Monson, to allow Brewer to carryover any unused hours. Carried. GREEN COUNTY LANDFILL CONTRACT: Brewer explained that we have not yet signed the member contract for 2025. The village did not have enough time to discuss whether to move forward with membership; therefore, will need to sign the contract for 2025 membership and then have more detailed discussions going forward. The original contract included the landfill’s increase of 50% and 100%; but the landfill decided to amend the contract and not do the 100% increase at this time, continuing with the 50% increase. Motion by Blumer, seconded by Rhyner, to approve the 2025 Landfill Contract. Carried. FENCE PLAN: A fence plan for 405 E Main Street was presented and it looks as though the owner is proposing to put the fence right on the property line for two sides; it was questioned whether there was a survey to show proof that it is in fact on their property line and the board was also concerned about placing the fence exactly on the property line since the ordinance states that both sides of the fence need to be maintainable and that would be difficult since it would require being on the neighboring properties. Motion by Monson, seconded by Hefty, to approve the fence plan contingent on owner obtaining a certified survey to be sure of property lines and a recommendation of a setback off the property line so the fence is maintainable without being on the neighboring property. Carried. COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS: The following committee and commission reports have been placed on file: Building/Grounds/Cemetery/Recycle 11/12/24 Police, Fire & License 11/26/24 RECYCLE CENTER FEES: Much discussion over the Landfill 50% increase and the proposed Recycle Center fees increase. Monson would like to schedule more meetings to discuss the landfill increase, recycle fees and other options as necessary. Motion by Monson, seconded by Rhyner, to approve the recycle center fees increase, except tires, due to the 50% Landfill increase, effect January 1, 2025. Carried. Motion by Hefty, seconded by Rhyner, to approve the tire fee increase effective immediately. Carried. This topic will be added to the January Recycle committee. OPERATOR’S LICENSES: Johnson congratulated Officer Spooner on his graduation. Motion by Monson, seconded by Johnson, to approve operator’s licenses for Michelle Bauwens, Isabel Huebner and Cassandra Swanson. Carried.  Village Board, December 9, 2024 – Page 3 Motion by Johnson, seconded by Monson, to move the December meeting to Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. due to the holiday. Carried. Monson inquired on the village hall fire inspection; Brewer reported it was our EXIT signs that needed lighting to be fixed, which Gill has scheduled. Johnson explained that the Fire Department hired an inspection company to complete the inspections to be compliant with the 2% requirement. Some discussion on the previous 2% failure that resulted in lost money for all municipalities covered by the Albany Fire Department. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Monson, seconded by Rhyner, to approve the bills as printed. Carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: In January will begin discussions at Recycle meeting regarding Landfill/Pellitteri/etc. Perrin questioned when assessments will begin and Brewer explained the village will look at doing a market update or a full assessment, more information will be coming. Officer Spooner thanked the board for their support and looks forward to getting busy. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Hefty, seconded by Monson, to adjourn. Carried. MICHELLE C. BREWER, Clerk 7:06 p.m.