Administration Committee

The Village Administration Committee met on Monday, February 12 at 5:00 p.m. in the Village Board room, 316 Brad Street S, Grantsburg, WI 54840. Present: Chairman/President Terrance Kucera Trustee Greg Peer Trustee Hank Java Others: Clerk/Treasurer Sheila Meyer DPW John Erickson Greg Marsten – Burnett County Sentinel President Kucera called the Administration Committee Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Memory Lake update Clerk/Treasurer Meyer reported that the Village was awarded the $10,000 grant for the development of the Aquatic Plant Management Plan. The initial application was for a $25,000 grant so now the Village will need to find the additional $15,000. An agreement is expected in mid-March and once signed, SEH can begin developing the plan. Clerk/Treasurer Meyer was asked to reach out regarding the dredging process. SEH does not believe a lake management plan is needed to dredge the lake. SEH would apply for a pre-application to help get a feel from the DNR on their thoughts with dredging the lake. SEH suggested doing some work ahead of the application to help lower costs like mapping the area that needs dredging and estimating the amount of material that needs to be removed and a plan for relocating the material. The committee also discussed potential issues with wild rice. The committee asked Clerk/Treasurer Meyer to contact Ben & Niki Peterson regarding the dredging plans. No motions made. Sewer Rate Increase Clerk/Treasurer Meyer provided the committee with a sewer rate comparison which covered both fixed rates and usage rates of several area communities of which the Village came in the lowest of both categories. It was discussed that the wastewater treatment plant project would require a rate increase and rather than doing one large increase, it was discussed to do multiple smaller increases over the next few years. The two price increase options presented included a larger increase that would be about $38 more per quarter for an average household and a smaller increase that be about $20 more. With either increase, the Village would still come in lower than most area communities for sewer rates. Motion by Trustee Java second by Trustee Peer to recommend the Village Board select the smaller sewer increase, presented as option #2 to be in effect April 1, 2024. Motion carried. Street closure request – “Rock the Block” April 13, 2024 Michael Janke approached the committee asking for street closures on April 13th for a new event, ‘Rock the Block’. The event will have music at the bars and food trucks on Main Street that will run from 2pm to dark. Motion by Trustee Java second by Trustee Peer to close Madison Avenue West from Pine Street to Olson Drive and Oak Street from Madison Avenue West to Olson Drive from 12pm to 8pm on Saturday, April 13th. Motion carried. SEH Amended Contract – WWTP Project DPW Erickson explained the amended contract with SEH for the wastewater treatment plant project. As the project developed it was discovered that the new lift station would have to be re-located out of the flood zone and a water-main installation is needed to get water to the treatment plant. The original project estimate was $2.6 million, and the revised project is $4.3 million. After a cost-share for the water-main installation with a property owner, Clean Water Fund and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding options, the Village’s portion would be about $1.2 million. Trustee Java second by Trustee Peer recommend the Village Board agree to the amended contract with SEH for the WWTP Project. Motion carried. Ehlers – Industrial Park Project financing Clerk/Treasurer Meyer updated the committee on the Industrial Park project bidding and next steps. McCabe Construction was announced as the apparent low bidder with a bid that was under budget. Prior to awarding the bid, the Village needs to file a covenant on the parcel and provide it to EDA. Clerk/Treasurer Meyer is also working with Ehlers to submit applications for temporary financing. No motions made. The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Allison Longhenry Deputy Clerk/Treasurer