Village Board

MINUTES VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AMUNDSON COMMUNITY CENTER 200 SPRING ST., CAMBRIDGE, WI 53523 TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026, 6:30 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER: President Hollenbeck called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: Members Present – President Hollenbeck, Trustee Blackwood, Trustee Jacobson, Trustee Kreklau, Trustee Schulz, and Trustee Trendel. Members Absent – None Others Present – Mary Kay Raether and Superintendent Heather Cramer of the Cambridge School District, Supervisor Kerry Marren of the Dane County Board of Supervisors, Clerk/Treasurer Brian Wilson, and Administrator Kris Breunig. 3. PROOF OF POSTING: Confirmed - Upper and Lower levels of the Amundson Center, Cambridge Post Office, Badger Bank, Bank First, and the Village website. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT (LIMIT OF 3 MINUTES PER PERSON): None 5. SPECIAL GUEST REPORTS: a. Superintendent Heather Kramer – School District of Cambridge Superintendent Heather Kramer from the School District of Cambridge presented an update on the state of the schools, highlighting the strong partnership with the municipalities it serves: School District Staff and Programs: • The district has a dedicated team of administrators, teachers, and support professionals. • Maintenance, custodial, and food service staff were praised for their contributions. • The community program (CAP team) was noted as one of the finest in the state. • The district's goal is to offer a well-rounded curriculum and expand extracurricular opportunities. Financial Status and Challenges: • The district faces challenges from inadequate statewide school funding but aims to build a conservative, student-centered budget. • Cambridge taxpayers contributed nearly $210,000 to the state's voucher program last year, with this year's contribution expected to be just over $185,000. • 2023-2024 Financial Highlights included: - The fund balance increased by $360,265 to 14.62% of the operating budget. - The mill rate was set at $7.93 per $1,000, a decrease of $0.30 from the prior year. - The total off-fund levy was adopted at $9,498,038. • Current Enrollment: 853 students total (Elementary: 365, Middle School: 193, High School: 268, Charter Program: 27).  Achievements and Successes: • The high school received its highest report card rating in the last decade. • Student participation in extracurriculars increased significantly. • Nicollet Middle School had a staff retention rate of 97%. • Cambridge Elementary implemented a new reading curriculum. • The boys' basketball team was the runner-up in the state tournament, fostering community pride. Facilities and Future Planning: • The district has a 10-year long-term facilities plan. • Major systems like HVAC and roofing are nearing the end of their life expectancy. • Kraus Anderson has been engaged for a feasibility and facilities study, and a technology audit is also being conducted. • The board is considering whether the operating budget can cover deferred maintenance or if community support will be needed. b. Supervisor Kerry Marren - District 37, Dane County Board of Supervisors Kerry Marin, Dane County Supervisor for District 37, provided an update on Dane County Board of Supervisors activities: • She was appointed to the new Advisory Committee on Data Centers (ACDC) to evaluate the impacts of large-scale data center development on infrastructure, resources, and farmland. The ACDC expects to have a report by year-end. • Broadband expansion remains a top priority, with construction continuing. • The county faces a challenging budget cycle due to state-imposed levy limits, focusing on maintaining core services. • A legislative agenda for 2026-2028 was passed to protect local municipalities from state oversight on issues like zoning and growth planning, aiming to give communities a stronger voice in major infrastructure decisions. • In response to a business owner's concerns, it was noted that the ACDC was formed to ensure communities are informed and that newer data centers are using less energy and water. Towns are considering a moratorium on large-scale projects until more information is available. • Cambridge-Deerfield Connector Trail Update: - Conversations with the Glessinger family about an easement have been sporadic, but they have tentatively agreed to consider it. - Progress is on hold pending a county appraisal of the land, which has been delayed by weather and scheduling issues. 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: Approval of Village Board Minutes for March 10, 2026, and Water & Sewer Committee Minutes for February 17, 2026. Trustee Blackwood moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Second by Trustee Kreklau. Motion carried by voice vote. 7. APPROVAL OF BILLS: Motion by Trustee Kreklau to approve bills totaling $158,723.99. Second by Trustee Jacobson. Motion carried on a roll call vote. Yes – President Hollenbeck, Trustee Blackwood, Trustee Jacobson, Trustee Kreklau, Trustee Schulz, and Trustee Trendel. No – None 8. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Library Board Trustee Trendel reported that the annual report was submitted, 2025 programs were well-attended, and HVAC repairs were completed. A new catalog system is launching on April 17th, requiring the library to close on April 13th for training. A vacancy for a Village of Cambridge resident on the Library Board is open. b. Water & Sewer Commission President Hollenbeck reported that the Commission is awaiting a third quote for sewer lining work. A leaking valve in the water tower will be replaced in April, requiring the tower to be drained. Maintenance, cleaning, and painting will be done concurrently, saving money long-term. Water pressure may be lower for approximately three days, and mutual aid arrangements are in place with the fire department. 9. VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Administrator Breunig reported that a local developer received a fraudulent bill, prompting the removal of the fee schedule from the village website. The Rockdale regionalization project is 75% complete, and the Frontier/Verizon fiber project is 40% complete. The Cambridge Foundation awarded a $37,000 grant for Veterans Park improvements ($20,000), downtown beautification ($7,000), and landscaping at the Amundsen Center. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – ACTION REQUIRED: a. Discussion and Approval of Resolution No. 2026-02 Terminating the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of Cambridge and the Town of Oakland Dated June 20, 2006. Motion by Trustee Kreklau to approve Resolution No. 2026-02 Terminating the Intergovernmental Agreement Between the Village of Cambridge and the Town of Oakland Dated June 20, 2006. Second by Trustee Trendel. Motion carried on a roll call vote. Yes – President Hollenbeck, Trustee Blackwood, Trustee Jacobson, Trustee Kreklau, Trustee Schulz, and Trustee Trendel. No – None 11. NEW BUSINESS – ACTION REQUIRED: a. Discussion and Possible Action on placing Welcome to Cambridge sign in Veteran’s Park to replace current sign. The Village Board discussed placing the new east side "Welcome to Cambridge" sign in Veterans Park as part of its upcoming $20,000 renovation. The old sign will be repurposed at West Side Park. Motion by President Hollenbeck to place the new east side "Welcome to Cambridge" sign in Veterans Park. Second by Trustee Schulz. Carried by voice vote. b. Discussion and Possible Action on proposal from Accurate Appraisal to conduct a full revaluation of the Village. The board reviewed a proposal from Accurate Appraisal for a property revaluation, as the village's assessment ratio is out of compliance. Staff recommended a 5-year contract with market updates in 2027 and 2031 at a blended price of $19,440 per year for long-term cost stability. Motion by Trustee Blackwood to approve a 5-year blended contract with Accurate Appraisal for 2027 through 2031 at an annual cost of $19,440. Second by Trustee Kreklau. Motion carried on a roll call vote. Yes – President Hollenbeck, Trustee Blackwood, Trustee Jacobson, Trustee Kreklau, Trustee Schulz, and Trustee Trendel. No – None c. Discussion and Approval of Resolution No. 2026-03 Approving Additional Election Inspectors for the 2026-2027 Term. Motion by Kreklau to approve Resolution No. 2026-03 Approving Additional Election Inspectors for the 2026- 2027 Term. Second by Jacobson. Carried by voice vote. 12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None 13. PUBLIC COMMENT (LIMIT OF 3 MINUTES PER PERSON): None. 14. NEXT MEETING DATES: a. In-Person Absentee Voting for Spring Election – Tuesday, March 24 – Friday, April 3, 2026 b. Personnel Committee – Monday, March 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. c. Spring Election – Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. d. Village Board – Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. e. Library Board – Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. f. Water & Sewer Committee – Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. g. Plan Commission – Monday, April 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. h. Village Board – Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. i. Open Book – Monday, June 22, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. j. Board of Review – Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. 15. ADJOURNMENT: Trustee Blackwood made a motion to adjourn. Second by Trustee Schulz. Motion carried by voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Brian Wilson, Clerk/Treasurer, Village of Cambridge These minutes were approved by the Village Board of Trustees on April 14, 2026.