Village Board

EAST TROY VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES December 15, 2025 Page 1 of 5 Call Meeting to Order; Pledge of Allegiance Clerk Smith verified the meeting was posted according to law. Roll Call: President Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: President Johnson, Trustees Bryan Harding, Jim Holm, Dan Moody, Mary Nugent, Scott Seager, and Joe Wisniewski Excused: Others: Chief Swendrowski, Administrator Suhm, DPW Director Equitz, Clerk Smith Citizen Participation April Atkins, public affairs specialist with Small Business Association, introduced the company and let the community know about disaster relief opportunities and where to get information online in case their homes were impacted by natural disasters. Consent Agenda (One motion and second will approve all of the following items. Any item may be pulled from the list and voted on separately.) 1. Approval Minutes – 12/1/25 2. Consider approval of Election Inspectors for the 2026-2027 term - see attached list 3. Consider approval of Honey Creek Road Trail Revocable Occupancy Permit Motion by Trustee Seager, second by Trustee Nugent, to approve the consent agenda, but removing Megan Quandt from the election inspector list. Motion carried. Miscellaneous Business 1. Update and discussion regarding ordinance violations at 2954 Main Street (from 11/17/25 meeting) Victor Stanford was present to discuss his response to the various ordinance violations noted by Village staff; he requested for the use of storage containers to be grandfathered as the ordinance was passed after the containers were placed on the property. He also requested being able to resume brick work in the spring due to the costs associated with construction during the winter outdoors. President Johnson recognized that removing the containers and then bringing them back would be excessive but advised Mr. Stanford work with Village staff to obtain a temporary permit. Trustee Seager noted that occupancy would not be granted until the façade was completed outside and offered assistance with contacts to help get the project done. 2. Update and discussion regarding Well Siting Study (no packet materials) Ryan Wood, Strand and Associates quality control engineer, gave an update on the proposed well 10 siting study He spoke on the two proposed sites for the well and the need to determine the geology with a test bore to determine if the most favored site will be a good water source, and presented scenarios on whether or not to proceed with a test well. He also provided an opinion of possible construction costs for Well 6 and Well 8 PFAS treatment alternatives, as compared to a new Well 10 Site and its drilling alternatives. He also spoke on the financial  EAST TROY VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES December 15, 2025 Page 2 of 5 impact to a typical water bill. DPW Director Jason Equitz indicated that adding Well 10 would increase system capacity compared to treating Wells 6 and 8. Following consultations with two drilling contractors, it was determined that drilling a deep well at this stage is not advisable without sufficient geological data to justify the cost of a test well. Instead, drilling a bore hole is recommended to obtain critical information—such as the presence and thickness of the shale layer—which will guide decisions on casing depth. Ground-penetrating radar was evaluated but deemed impractical. The Wisconsin Geological Society expressed limited interest in analyzing bore cuttings but will not participate early in the project. Given the proximity of the landfill and uncertainty regarding subsurface conditions, collecting preliminary geological data before committing to full well construction was recommended. Trustee Wisniewski asked what confidence is to be had with doing a test bore, to which Director Equitz replied it would give confidence on what is there and helps the Village receive a more accurate bid on drilling costs. He further explained that the risk of doing a test well without a test bore, the driller would not know what depth they would need to drill to, it would change the rigging they bring and supplies they order, and this could cause delays. Trustee Wisniewski asked what would happen if doing the test bore reveals PFAS, but Director Equitz clarified that the test bore doesn’t test the water, it only determines what the geology is. President Johnson asked if the bore came back favorable, would the Village then pursue a test well or drill the well? Mr. Wood explained that would depend on the Village’s risk tolerance, but if the shale proves to be in place, the feeling is that drilling the actual well could be done, rather than incurring the costs of a test well in addition to the regular well. If the drill results mirror what the Village saw with Well 5, then that would be favorable. Director Equitz said that there are funds received from the PFAS settlement that could be used towards the project, but it would be better to get the bores done sooner than later because of the deadline to apply for WDNR funding. Due to time constraints, the Village should get some simple specs and publish a request for bids. He added that the work to complete the test bore was projected at $80,000, which includes boring and staff costs. Motion by President Johnson, second by Trustee Seager, to authorize staff to negotiate a contract with Strand and the winning bid contractor for a test bore for Well 10, using up to $90,000 out of the PFAS funds. Motion carried. 3. Financial Management Planning Workshop #4 – Water & Sewer Utilities Including Rate Discussion and Possible Direction to Staff before making a funding decision. Brian Roemer, Ehlers Senior Municipal Advisor, reviewed the water utility’s 10-year outlook and the rate impact of the Well 10 project. To remain fiscally sustainable, reserves should equal five months of operating costs plus debt service. The PSC regulates water rates, allowing annual inflation adjustments under a simplified rate case or conventional rate cases, but the Village will not be eligible to apply for a conventional rate case until at least August 2026 and currently does not meet the standards required for a simplified rate case. As for the sewer utility, President Johnson said that the Village has discussed spreading out the rates as much as possible and Director Equitz explained that sewer utility rates had not been changed since 2020, with the rate adjustment taking place in 2021. With the sewer utility project design planned for 2026 and construction in 2027, the consensus of the board was to pursue the proposed 2026 sewer utility quarterly rate adjustment and make future changes as needed.  EAST TROY VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES December 15, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Motion by Trustee Seager, second by Trustee Holm, to increase the sewer utility rate to the recommended amount of $14.50 for 2026. Motion carried. 4. Consider funding options for Honey Creek Nature Area Project (from December 1, 2025, Village Board Meeting) Administrator Suhm spoke on the funding possibilities for the Honey Creek Nature Area project. The total project cost is $817,832.50 but is eligible for a Stewardship grant of up to $458,300 from the WDNR, requiring a 50/50 match at $408,916. The Village has reserved $200,000 in the capital fund for the project, leaving a funding gap of $208,916. Staff had been asked to explore options to cover the difference. She provided figures including an estimate of the general fund’s 2025 operating surplus. Another funding option is using ARPA interest earnings, which did not have a designation requirement. Additionally, she said that the board could include any remaining project cost in 2027 borrowing. President Johnson noted that in looking at credit ratings, the Village’s policy is to maintain 35% for operating costs in general fund balance as undesignated, and how there is some desire to get to 40% with some the credit agencies. The consensus of the board is to update the policy to 40% for fund balance designation, use the ARPA interest, and wait for final 2025 surplus figures to determine how to fund the Honey Creek Nature Area Project. President Johnson requested estimated costs of what the pavilion and play area would look like. 5. Discussion regarding snow removal around the square (no packet materials – Trustee Seager) Trustee Seager noted the increased number of activities on the Village Square and raised concerns about snow removal during December events. Director Equitz explained the current process: snowfalls over two inches are cleared by staff, with snow moved from sidewalks and streets onto the Square; whereas when under two inches, businesses handle the sidewalk snow in front of their business. Alternatives like hauling snow or using the municipal lot pose challenges due to staffing, equipment and timing, especially during consecutive storms. Additional removal would increase labor hours and require safety checks for snow piles. President Johnson requested cost estimates for December snow removal should the Village experience December snowfall like 2025, and Director Equitz said he and staff would explore options for redistributing snow. 6. Review School Street Lift Station Landscape Plan Director Equitz reviewed potential plans for the landscape around the lift station on School Street. The consensus of the board is to include trees in the plan rather than shrubs, which could be added in the future if desired. Ordinances & Resolutions 1. Ordinance 2025-12 Amending 366-8(B)(7) pertaining to Loud and Unnecessary Noise Motion by Trustee Nugent, second by Trustee Wisniewski, to approve Ordinance 2025-12. Motion carried. 2. Resolution 2025-19 Approving the purchase of Parcel RA376700001 in the East Troy  EAST TROY VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES December 15, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Business Park from Marcus Consid LLC and Authorization of the Execution of All Steps Necessary to Effectuate the Transaction. Motion by Trustee Nugent, second by Trustee Harding, to approve Resolution 2025-19. Motion carried. 3. Resolution 2025-21 – Approving the purchase of 4 lots in the East Troy Business Park and Authorization of the Execution of All Steps Necessary to Effectuate the Transaction a. Consider Resolution Motion by Trustee Nugent, second by Trustee Wisniewski, to approve Resolution 2025-21. Motion carried. b. Designate Village Officials to serve on Business Park Association Board of Directors Motion by Trustee Nugent, second by Trustee Harding, to recommend the appointments (within the memo) to take place after the closing. Motion carried. 4. Resolution 2025-20 – Resolution to adopt the Municipal Fee Schedule for 2026 Motion by Trustee Nugent, second by Trustee Seager, to approve the 2026 Municipal Fee Schedule with changes as identified. Motion carried. Staff Reports 1. Municipal Court – November 2025 2. November Financial Report 3. 2025 PASER Ratings President Johnson recommended discussing in the budget process in the pavement plan for the future. Director Equitz said staff had discussed coming up with a master plan for streets. Committee Reports 1. Airport Advisory Committee Minutes – 11/10/2025 2. Library Board Minutes – 11/11/2025 Trustee Nugent said that the Library Board will be coming to the Village Board to request impact fees to request funding for a study to project operational costs of a new facility and said that the library board had been informed that there is a donor who is going to start a substantial endowment fund for the Library. Preliminary Discussion regarding Closed Session Matters Preliminary discussion as to the need to go into closed session to discuss bargaining postures and negotiation strategies related to a proposed development and terms related to that development on Village-owned property in TID 4 and an offer to purchase a portion of that property, as well as a proposed development and offer to purchase Village-owned property located in TID 5. Closed session Motion to go into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85 (1)(e) to discuss Village’s  EAST TROY VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES December 15, 2025 Page 5 of 5 bargaining postures and negotiations strategies with respect to a proposed development and offer to purchase for a portion of Village-Owned Property located on Highway 120 in TID 4 (RXUP 00256), and a proposed development and offer to purchase Village-owned property in TID 5 (RXUP 00149). Motion by President Johnson, second by Trustee Moody, to adjourn to closed session at 8:32 pm. Motion carried on at roll call vote: President Johnson Y Trustee Harding Y Trustee Holm Y Trustee Moody Y Trustee Nugent Y Trustee Seager Y Trustee Wisniewski Y Reconvene in Open Session The Village Board will reconvene to take possible action of the offers to purchase property. Motion by President Johnson, second by Trustee Moody, to adjourn closed session and reconvene in open session. Motion carried at 8:58 pm. No action taken. Adjourn Motion by President Johnson, second by Trustee Harding, to adjourn. Motion carried at 8:59 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Dannett Smith, Clerk Note: Recordings of the meeting may be found on our YouTube Channel - Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPfzVwLzE2Pqt4-g450Klg