Regular Board Meeting

MINUTES SUBJECT TO VILLAGE BOARD APPROVAL VILLAGE OF BIRON REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES – December 11, 2023 The December 11, 2023 Regular Village Board meeting was called to order at 5:30 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, Peggy Doughty, Kayla Lumaye, 8 guests MINUTES: Motion Honkomp, second Muleski to approve minutes of the November 8, 2023 Special Board meeting. Motion carried. Motion Biegel, second Muleski to approve minutes of the November 13, 2023 Regular meeting. Motion carried. Motion Muleski, second Honkomp to approve minutes of the November 27, 2023 Special Board meeting. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Concern was expressed by a resident regarding private well testing. Public Works Director Lumaye stated all wells must be inspected every ten years per DNR regulations. The Village had eleven deficiencies identified for correction, which included private well testing. Residents who live on North Biron Drive where new CTH U construction will occur expressed concerns with safety in the area, speeding, snowplowing, and proposed trail width. Written statements from the residents are attached to meeting minutes filed in the Clerk’s office. FINANCE COMMITTEE: Chairperson Patty Gapen reporting. All bills, non-lapsing accounts, and journal entries for the Village and utility departments are in order. The Committee recommends directing the clerk to transfer 2023 budgeted funds from the general fund to the non-lapsing fund before the end of December. Motion Honkomp second Muleski to approve the transfer. Motion carried. Motion Honkomp, second Steward 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 November: Receipts: $202,894.81 and Expenses: $217,448.08. General checking account bills were paid on check #’s 25219-25280 with six autopays to IRS, Deferred Comp and WRS for payroll deductions. A list of November bills paid from the General Fund was included for review. Village Non-Lapsing Fund: $1,053,305.56. Utilities Checking: $486,024.18. Water Money Market: $346,636.68. Utility bills were paid on check #’s 5022-5036. Wastewater Non-Lapsing Fund: $34,264.69. BIRON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: Chief Kerkman reporting. Training on SCBA orientation for probationary firefighters was given. The department prepared fire engines and brush truck for winter. Nine calls were made in November. There are four new members in training. The department provided mutual aid to Wisconsin Rapids for a commercial structure fire, supplied mutual aid to Nekoosa for two residents missing on the river, and participated in the Rekindle the Spirit parade in Wisconsin Rapids. Motion Guillemot, second Honkomp to approve the Fire Department report. Motion carried. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Mark Honkomp reporting. The committee would like to revisit sick leave and other benefit time and will be meeting in January. Motion Evenson, second Honkomp to award a $250 bonus/stipend to six full time staff. After discussion Evenson amended the motion to award $300 to six full time staff, second by Honkomp. Motion carried, with Honkomp abstaining. The bonus will be paid on a separate check and distributed by the end of this week. Motion Evenson, second Guillemot to approve the Personnel Committee report. Motion carried. LEGISLATIVE, ORDINANCE & ZONING COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Dan Muleski reporting. No report. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Tammy Steward reporting. No report. PUBLIC PROPERTY, SAFETY & RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Mike Guillemot reporting. Discussion took place on the need to update the municipal center hall. More information is needed and any possible renovations may take place in 2025. The need for a generator was discussed. The committee suggests saving for the next three years prior to making a purchase. Guillemot suggests saving $10,000 in 2024, $20,000 in 2025 and $20,000 in 2026. Saving for three years would result in having enough money set aside for half of a down payment on a generator. The parking lot at the municipal center needs to be sealcoated. The public works director will request updated proposals. It was suggested funds to pay for sealcoating could be taken from non-lapsing funds. Pricing for boat slip rental is $1,000 plus tax in 2025 and $1,050 plus tax in 2026. “End of Season” dates for dock removal were established. Motion Muleski, second Biegel to approve the Public Property Committee report. Motion carried. WATER UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT: Chairperson Jamie Biegel reporting. No report. 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 Biegel, second Muleski to approve minutes of the October 11 Commission minutes, and the Wastewater Commission report. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Waste Management will be collecting trash and recycling pickup on Fridays beginning January 2024. The collection schedule is available on the Village website and was included with property tax bills. It was reported since the bollard was removed from the recreational trail for ease in snowplowing, vehicles are again driving on the trail. CLERK’S REPORT: Arndt reported on her attendance at the Presidential Election Academy training sponsored by UW-Green Bay. There were twenty courses presented. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. 7.30(4), the Village president must nominate election officials to the Village Board no later than the Board’s last regular meeting in December. Evenson nominated Patricia Buzza, Noreen Bartosh, Susan Curry, Maggie Muleski, Robert Derezinski, Edward Morrison, and Tim Dunn. Motion Evenson, second Muleski to approve the slate as nominated. Motion carried. Motion Honkomp, second Muleski to approve the Clerk’s report. Motion carried. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Motion Muleski, second Honkomp to approve a two year contract with Pauls and Associates for assessing, consulting and appraisal services at a rate of $10,700.00 per year. Motion carried. Evenson reported on two recent Wood County LRIP (Local Road Improvement Projects) meetings he attended. ADJOURN: Motion Guillemot, second Muleski to adjourn at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully Submitted, Approved by Biron Board of Trustees Date: _________________________ Anne Arndt, Clerk Signed: ________________________ Jon T. Evenson, President