Village Board

Village of Grantsburg Village Board of Trustees Meeting Monday, May 8, 2023 The Board of Trustees for the Village of Grantsburg met on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room, 316 S. Brad Street, Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Present: President Terrance Kucera, Trustee Greg Peer, Trustee Diane Barton, Trustee Leo Janke, Trustee Hank Java, Trustee Maurice DJ Henderson, Trustee John McNally. Others: Police Chief Mitch Olson, Director of Public Works John Erickon, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Allison Longhenry, Library Director Lynett Yoerg, Greg Marsten-Burnett County Sentinel, Marie Vannelli-Vannelli Enterprises LLC, Larry Ebersold, Michelle Arneson, Brent Blomberg Call to Order President Kucera called the Village Board meeting to order at 6:09 p.m. Clerk/Treasurer Meyer conducted roll call. The pledge of allegiance was recited. Newly elected President Terrance Kucera and Trustees Diane Barton, Henry Hank Java, and John McNally were sworn into office by Clerk/Treasurer Meyer. Appearances 6:10 p.m. Scott DeRocker. DeRocker appeared before the Village Board to ask for permission to use the public parking area on E. Olson Drive and the Village owned lot west of the intersection of N. Oak Street & E. Olson Drive. Motion by Trustee Barton, second by Trustee Java to allow use of the public parking area on E. Olson Drive for truck/trailer parking and the Village owned property west of the intersection of N. Oak Street/E. Olson Drive for tractor parking during Big Gust Days on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Motion passed unanimously. Public Hearing 6:15 CUP President Kucera called the Public Hearing to order at 6:15 p.m. C/T Meyer read the Public Hearing Notice. President Kucera asked for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application received from Crex Development Corp., owner and Marie Vannelli, Vannelli Enterprises, LLC dba Puff N Stuff, applicant, for a smoke shop at 441 State Rd 70 E. Marie Vannelli addressed the Board explaining her desire to operate a smoke shop in the Village. She stated her intention was not to harm the community or entice children to the shop. The products she would be selling are more expensive than most gas station items. A large part of her clientele are expected to purchase CBD creams and lotions for pain management and CBD items for sleep assistance. Vannelli indicated she had been a responsible resort/bar owner in Pine City, MN on Lake Pokegama until the last few years. President Kucera asked for anyone wishing to speak against the CUP application. Michelle Arneson, an RN at Burnett Medical Center, and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist spoke in opposition to vaping products primarily for children and the unknown long-term effects. LuAnn Ebersold, 304 S. Russell Street, spoke indicating her belief that the Plan Commission’s responsibility is also to enhance the community. With Burnett County being a largely deprived county, she felt new enticements were not needed. Larry Ebersold, 304 S. Russell Street, asked 1  Village Board Meeting Monday, May 8, 2023 if the legal age is 21 to purchase tobacco products, would any high school students or anyone under the age of 21 be allowed in the shop. Marie Vannelli said no, they would not be allowed in the smoke shop. President Kucera closed the Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. The Trustees were asked if they had any questions or comments on the CUP application. Trustee Barton commented that Chief Olson had reported there had been no police issues with the Hudson, WI shops that the Vannellis are involved with. Trustee Peer voiced his vaping concerns. Trustee Janke felt he was in opposition for health reasons. Trustee McNally had no questions but commented that some may not like the smoke shop and its’ products, but if all procedures and laws are followed, how could the Village deny allowing this business to locate here. Trustee Janke and Trustee Henderson agreed with Trustee McNally’s statement. President Kucera reported the Plan Commission’s recommendation to approve the CUP application and also did not see how the Board could deny the application. Motion by Trustee Java, second by Trustee Barton to approve the Conditional Use Permit application submitted by Crex Development Corporation, owner and Marie Vannelli, Vannelli Enterprises, LLC dba Puff N Stuff, applicant, to operate a smoke shop at 441 State Rd 70 E. (parcel #07-131-2-38-19- 23-1 01-000-017000). Motion passed 6-1 with President Kucera, Trustees Barton, Peer, Java, Henderson, and McNally voting yea and Trustee Janke voting nay. Public Comments No one appeared. Correspondence Included in the Board packets for their review: Burnett County Administration newsletter. Minutes President Kucera asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions to the minutes presented from the following 2023 meetings: April 10th Village Board; April 24th Administration Committee; April 24th Special Village Board/Organizational Meeting. No changes, corrections or additions were proposed. Minutes were accepted as presented. BOARD, STAFF and COMMITTEE REPORTS Public Works DPW Erickson presented his report updating the Trustees on projects since the last meeting. Spring cleanup went well, the pool boiler will be installed tomorrow, the pool was painted by volunteers on Friday evening, sidewalks and streets are being swept, hydrant flushing is starting, and potholes continue to be filled. Police Chief Olson presented the police report and year-to-date graph. Chief Olson reported Grantsburg Officers have spent 35 hours 12 minutes at the schools since January 1st, 2023, noting these are only for those calls through Burnett County Dispatch. Chief Olson reported no major issues during the Pinko Jam event held the previous weekend. Clerk/Treasurer C/T Meyer presented a list of licenses and permits issued since the last meeting, the cash report showing a checking account balance of $95,747.19 after all vouchers are paid, a Treasury account balance of $460,872.56, and a year-to-date budget to expected report. C/T Meyer reported being at the Municipal Treasurer’s Association of WI’s conference where discussion centered around 5-year Capital Improvement Plans, long-term funding for 2  Village Board Meeting Monday, May 8, 2023 these capital items and financing difficulties being experienced by all municipalities in WI. Library Lynett Yoerg, Library Director went through the monthly Library report showing April activities and upcoming May programs. Yoerg indicated she and the Webster Library Director would be attending the Burnett County Supervisor’s meeting to request the County consider increasing the percentage of funding given to each library. Fire Association Trustee Barton reported the Fire Association Board did not meet last month but may be calling a special meeting to discuss the mutual aid agreement with Pine City, Rock Creek and Rush City, MN departments. Ambulance Trustee Peer’s ambulance report included year-to-date information for 2023 and for the same time period in 2022. Next meeting will be in July. Pickleball Trustee Peer reported the Village was not awarded the Vibrant Spaces grant. Trustee Peer indicated the Pickleball Committee has decided to continue with their plans for installing pickleball courts at the entrance to the James N. McNally Campground. Additional fundraising will be needed. Trustee Peer said a Rotary Grant was applied for to purchase tables, benches and trash receptables for the area. Rotary should hear if that grant application was successful by July 1st . President Kucera extended a thank you to former Trustee Kayla Woody for her time on the Village Board. Administration Committee recommendations 1) SEH Contract for Wells 1 & 2 pilot study. DPW Erickson gave an overview of the contract and the proposed pilot study for water treatment at Well No. 1 and Well No. 2. Motion by Trustee Peer, second by Trustee Java to approve the contract presented by SEH Engineering for a water treatment plant pilot study for Well No. 1 and Well No. 2 in the amount of $22,800 including all expenses and equipment (unless additional outside lab testing is required by WI DNR). Motion passed unanimously. 2) State Municipal Maintenance Agreement for WisDOT 2028 State Rd 70 project. Motion by Trustee Janke, second by Trustee Henderson to approve the State Municipal Maintenance Agreement for the WisDOT 2028 State Rd 70 project. Motion passed unanimously. 3) Storage shed at 460 E. North Avenue. President Kucera reported the Administration Committee denied this request as it did not comply with Village ordinances. Library Board of Commissions Motion by Trustee Java, second by Trustee Janke to reappoint William Norine and Tiffani Johnson to the Library Board of Commissions for terms to expire May 1, 2026. Motion passed unanimously. Plan Commission Appointment Motion by Trustee Peer, second by Trustee Barton to reappoint LuAnn Ebersold to the Plan Commission for a term to expire May 1, 2026. Motion passed unanimously. 3  Village Board Meeting Monday, May 8, 2023 Bills Motion by Trustee Janke, second by Trustee Janke to approve payment of the bills as presented: Checks #35061-35120 $111,052.01 Payroll vouchers #V8367-V8401,16700-706 $43,116.74 ACH/EFTPS payments $34,012.18 Total $188,180.93 Motion passed unanimously. Adjournment President Kucera adjourned the Village Board meeting at 7:15 p.m. Sheila Meyer Clerk/Treasurer 4