Regular Board Meeting

MINUTES SUBJECT TO VILLAGE BOARD APPROVAL VILLAGE OF BIRON REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES – April 10, 2023 The April 10, 2023 Regular Village Board meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Jon Evenson at the Biron Municipal Center. The meeting was properly posted according to Wisconsin State Statutes. PRESENT: Jon Evenson, Tammy Steward, Mark Honkomp, Jamie Biegel, Mike Guillemot, Dan Muleski, Patty Gapen. Also present: Anne Arndt, Samantha Daugherty, Kayla Lumaye, Peggy Doughty, Chief Kerkman, 7 guests MINUTES: Motion Honkomp, second Guillemot to approve minutes of the March 13, 2023 Regular Board Meeting as printed. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: A resident owns chickens and Village Ordinance limits the number to six. She would like to have ten. She’d also like to have ducks and there is no Ordinance for those. Muleski requested the Clerk contact the League’s attorneys to find out if a public hearing is required. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Chairperson Patty Gapen reporting. All bills, non-lapsing accounts, and journal entries for the Village and utility departments are in order. A vendor notified the clerk he has not yet received a check for equipment that was mailed several weeks ago. The clerk will contact the bank and stop payment on the check. Another check will be issued 4/14/2023 and President Evenson will deliver it to the vendor. Motion Evenson, second Muleski to approve all bills, non- lapsing accounts, and journal entries for the Village and utility departments and to approve the Finance Committee report. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Samantha Daugherty reporting. Totals reported to the Finance Committee: Receipts for March: Receipts: $84,294.08 and Expenses: $2,148,364.12. General checking account bills were paid on check #’s 24652-24743 with ten autopays to IRS, Deferred Comp and WRS for payroll deductions. A list of March bills paid from the General Fund was included for review. Village Non-Lapsing Fund $1,138,757.86. Utilities Checking: $448,825.60. Water Money Market $331,846.25. Utility bills were paid on check #’s 4871-4886. Wastewater Non- Lapsing Fund: $34,138.97. A list of all checks paid for Utilities was included for review. Evenson reviewed an updated loan chart. Motion Muleski, second Gapen to approve the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. BIRON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief David Kerkman reporting. March training was ice rescue. There were twelve medical and one fire call in March. The Department held an EMR training and safety committee meeting. Keep the Forest Green program began for 2023. Motion Muleski, second Honkomp to approve the Volunteer Fire Department report. Motion carried. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Mark Honkomp reporting. The committee did not meet in March. LEGISLATIVE, ORDINANCE & ZONING COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Dan Muleski reporting. The Public Works Director spoke with the Highway Commissioner who stated any county road can be used for an ATV route unless otherwise designated. Any road posted 35 mph or less can be deemed an ATV route at the discretion of the municipality. The Saratoga ATV club will assist with signage of the routes. The Board must approve all routes. Muleski stated he again spoke with a business owner wanting to build onto his existing building. He was notified there is a water main under the section of road he intends to build on and he would have to move the water line or not build on it. He would also assume all costs of obtaining the road. The cross connection ordinance reads the state code as being COM 82 and should be updated to SPS 382. Motion Muleski, second Guillemot to update the ordinance. Motion carried. Motion Honkomp, second Gapen to approve the Legislative, Ordinance and Zoning Committee report. Motion carried. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Tammy Steward reporting. The Public Works Director provided pricing of each piece of equipment to be listed for sale. President Evenson provided an update on the wastewater agreement with the City. The committee hopes to have a bulk item disposal plan by the next meeting. Discussion held considering blocking entry by motorized vehicles to the pedestrian trail near the boat landing. A furnace at the Village shop needs replacing. The public works director will be contacting Guelzow’s for installation. Motion Honkomp, second Muleski to approve purchase of one Modine (HotDawg) Unit Heater not to exceed $3,330. Motion carried. Motion Honkomp, second Guillemot to approve the Public Works Committee report. Motion carried. PUBLIC PROPERTY, SAFETY & RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Mike Guillemot reporting. More quotes will be obtained for doors for the hall and entry doors. It was decided that for safety, we would be getting away from glass entry doors. Lights mounted to the Municipal Center are not bright enough due to the globes being cloudy and old. It was reported that the sign located in the business park needs repair. There are twelve boat slips unrented. Motion by Evenson, second Muleski to support the suggested install/removal rates provided by MSC Boat Lifts and Docks as maximum rates and to allow Trustee Guillemot to negotiate a tiered rate for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Motion carried. JZ’s Helping Hands sponsors vendor events for organizations and would like to hold an event at the Village Hall that benefits the Pets Plus Program. All advertising is done with flyers, social media, and radio ads. JZ’s Helping Hands will cover all expenses incurred for the event. Motion Honkomp, second Gapen to waive the hall rental fee for the event day. Motion carried. Motion Honkomp, second Guillemot to approve the Public Property Committee report. Motion carried. WATER UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Jamie Biegel reporting. The committee reviewed a handout of DNR deficiencies. A solution was presented for each. To properly adhere to DHR regulations for flushing fire hydrants a total number of gallons flushed from each hydrant must be given. The need to perform a simplified rate case was discussed. Motion Muleski, second Evenson to apply for a simple rate case as soon as we are eligible. Motion carried. Village crew members have done sixteen water meter exchanges and cross connection surveys to date. Another letter will be mailed to residents who have not responded. Lane Tank will begin tower repairs May 10. Motion Muleski, second Steward to approve the Water Utility Committee report. Motion carried. WASTEWATER COMMISSION REPORT: Note: The Wastewater Treatment Plant is operated & staffed by the City of Wisconsin Rapids. One member of the Village of Biron Board of Trustees is an acting member of the Commission. Motion Evenson, second Muleski to approve the March 8, 2023 Commission meeting minutes and the Wastewater Commission report. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS CLERK’S REPORT: Arndt reported voter turnout was 56.2% at the April 4th election. This was the last election to be held in 2023. There are four elections in 2024. Motion Muleski, second Biegel to approve the Clerk’s report. Motion carried. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: The annual reorganizational Board meeting will be April 18 at 6:00 p.m. Wisconsin Rapids City Band has requested sponsorship of a concert. Motion Evenson, second Steward to approve sponsorship of $250. Motion carried. ADJOURN: Motion Steward, second Honkomp to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Approved by Biron Board of Trustees Date: _________________________ Anne Arndt, Clerk Signed: ________________________ Jon T. Evenson, President