Village Board

Village of Grantsburg Village Board of Trustees Meeting Monday, September 9, 2024 The Board of Trustees for the Village of Grantsburg met on Monday, September 9, 2024, 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. Absent: Trustee John McNally Others: Director of Public Works John Erickson, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Allison Longhenry, Lynett Yoerg-Library Director, Greg Marsten-Burnett County Sentinel, Derrik Lindberg, Roger & Kim Corty, Nicki & Ben Peterson, Jeff Schinzing, Jared Woody, Al Kortan, Steve Lee-Azimuth Surveying, LLC, Brent Blomberg, Steve Dahl. Call to Order. President Kucera called the Village Board meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Clerk/Treasurer Meyer conducted roll call. The pledge of allegiance was recited. Trustee appointment. President Kucera nominated Derrik (Rick) Lindberg to fill the unexpired term of Trustee Maurice DJ Henderson. Lindberg addressed the Board saying he grew up in Grantsburg, graduated from Grantsburg High School, joined the U.S. Marine Corp. and has now moved back to Grantsburg. Motion by Trustee Java, second by Trustee Janke to approve Derrik (Rick) Lindberg to fill the unexpired term of Trustee Maurice DJ Henderson to April 2026. Motion passed unanimously. Clerk/Treasurer administered the Oath of Office to new Trustee Derrik (Rick) Lindberg. Public Comments. No one appeared. James Avenue/Johnson Street project. C/T Meyer explained as part of the James/Johnson Street project, the Village is required by the WI Department of Transportation to obtain Temporary Limited Easements (TLE) from the Grantsburg School District and all Townships listed on the ownership deeds for areas where any work will be conducted as part of this project. The firm Right of Way Professionals, Inc., Eau Claire has been hired to assist with this process. Right of Way Professionals submitted a Nominal Payment Parcel Report and Sales Study for the areas where the TLEs are necessary. The areas on each of the two parcels involved were given a value of $200. Motion by Trustee Peer, second by Trustee Janke to approve the 1  Village Board Meeting Monday, September 9, 2024 Temporary Limited Easements’ Nominal Payment Parcel Report and Sales Study figures of $200 for areas on each parcel where work will be conducted totaling $400. Motion passed 5-0 with Trustee Java abstaining. Jeff Schinzing, 104 Maple Circle entered the meeting. President Kucera addressed Schinzing saying Public Comments had already been closed but he would reopen so he could speak. Schinzing asked the Village Board if the Police Chief opening had been advertised. It had not been. Schinzing felt it should have been advertised as in the past since the Village is an equal opportunity employer and for transparency and fairness. Christmas in the Park. Kelly Gerber submitted a request to have Christmas in the Park at Memory Lake Campground with set up starting November 1st. Motion by President Kucera, second by Trustee Java to approve the request for Christmas in the Park at Memory Lake Campground with set up starting November 1st. Motion passed unanimously. 6:10 p.m. Roger Corty, 811 S. Russell Street. Corty appeared to ask the Village Board to consider installing a noise blocking fence along his property at 811 S. Russell Street to help block the traffic noise on State Road 70 and for safety reasons. Corty has been trying to sell this property and is having trouble. President Kucera informed Corty that the Village would take this under consideration and asked DPW Erickson to check into pricing and bring back to the Administration or Public Safety Committee. Request to vacate part of Pine Street. C/T Meyer explained a request has been received to vacate a 33’ x 166’ parcel designated as an extension of N. Pine Street going south from the intersection of N. Pine Street and W. Anderson Avenue. Vacating this parcel will transfer ownership to the two adjoining landowners. Motion by President Kucera, second by Trustee Barton to instruct Clerk/Treasurer Meyer to start the process to vacate the 33’ x 166’ parcel of land. Motion passed 5-0 with Trustee Lindberg abstaining. 6:20 p.m. Nicki Peterson – Grantoberfest. Peterson appeared to request street closures and Village crew assistance for Grantoberfest. Motion by Trustee Barton, second by Trustee Java to approve the following street closures for Grantoberfest on Saturday, October 5th: Madison Ave from Olson Dr to S. Robert Street, Oak Street from Olson Dr to Burnett Ave, Pine Street from Olson Dr to Burnett Ave, Brad Street from Olson Dr to Burnett Ave and E. Olson Drive from Pine Street to Brad Street and to also approve the Village crew assist with barricades and moving picnic tables. Motion passed unanimously. Correspondence Included in the Board packets for their review: Burnett County Administration newsletter, CDBG letter of denial. 2  Village Board Meeting Monday, September 9, 2024 Minutes Trustee Peer asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions to the minutes presented from the following 2024 meetings: August 12th Village Board; August 15th Public Safety; August 20th Administration Committee; September 3rd Administration Committee; September 4th Leisure & Rec Committee and September 5th Public Safety Committee. None were proposed. Minutes were accepted as presented. STAFF REPORTS Public Works 1) DPW Erickson presented his report informing the Trustees of items the Village crew has been working on since the last board meeting including a progress report on the Industrial Park project saying the sewer lift station is installed and street grading will be next, two pads were replaced at the campground at sites 35 and 38, a lawnmower lift in the garage and first aid kits for the trucks were purchased with a $600 safety grant from the League of WI Municipalities Mutual Insurance, sewer jetting is in progress, northside gate valves have been exercised, street sweeping has started and center lines were painted on S. Robert Street and Broadway Avenue. 2) a list of ongoing projects from SEH was included. 6:30 p.m. Public Hearing – Fiedler Estate, owner and Superior Fuel, applicant CUP app. President Kucera called the Public Hearing to order at 6:30 p.m. C/T Meyer read the Notice of Public Hearing. President Kucera asked for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the Conditional Use Permit request received from Gerald Fiedler Estate, owner and Superior Fuel, applicant to install and operate a propane bulk plant at 601 W. State Rd 70. No one spoke. President Kucera asked if anyone wished to speak against the request. Roger Corty, 811 S. Russell Street spoke saying the neighbors don’t want this bulk tank there and no Village residents use propane since natural gas lines serve the Village. Jeff Schinzing, 104 Maple Circle spoke saying he was not in favor of the bulk plant, Ben & Nicki Peterson, 130 W. Olson Drive spoke about the unsafe intersection with the shared entrance off State Rd 70 and the additional truck traffic. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:37 p.m. President Kucera asked for comments from the Trustees. Trustee Peer expressed his concerns with traffic and relayed the Plan Commission’s recommendation to not approve the CUP application received. Trustee Janke did not think 601 W. State Rd 70 was the place for the propane bulk plant, Trustee Barton was undecided. Trustee Lindberg expressed concern that Superior Fuel did not show up at the meeting. Motion by Trustee Java, second by Trustee Janke to deny the request for a Conditional Use Permit received from Gerald Fiedler, Estate, owner and Superior Fuel, applicant to install and operate a propane bulk plant at 601 W. State Road 70. Motion passed 5-0 with President Kucera abstaining. STAFF REPORTS (continued) Police. The police report and graph showing 86 calls for service in August were included in the packets. 3  Village Board Meeting Monday, September 9, 2024 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 $172,524.78 after all vouchers are paid, and a Treasury account balance of $243,966.07. Also included was an actual to expected budget report for the General Fund. 6:45 p.m. Alan Kortan/Steve Lee-Azimuth Surveying. Kortan explained he had two of the lots he owns on Linden Street, each split creating a total of 4 - 1/3rd acre lots. Lee presented the Certified Survey Map (CSM) showing Lot 3 and Lot 7 split creating Lots 21, 22, 23, and 24. Motion by Trustee Peer, second by Trustee Java to approve the CSM presented by Alan Kortan, owner, splitting Lot 3 (parcel 07-131-2-38-19-11-5 15-085-013000) into two parcels (lots 21 and 22), and splitting Lot 7 (parcel 07-131-2-38-19-11-5 15-085-017000) into two parcels (lots 23 and 24). Motion passed unanimously. President Kucera signed the CSM. STAFF REPORTS (continued) Library 1) The monthly Library report showing August activities and upcoming September programs was included in the board packets. Director Yoerg reported she is working on a presentation to the Burnett County Board asking for reimbursement for E-Circulation items. COMMITTEE REPORTS Public Safety Committee 1) Ordinance enforcement Trustee Peer reported the ordinance enforcement review is going well. Eleven properties were reviewed, and three citations have been issued. 2) Natural Lawn ordinance Trustee Peer reported the Public Safety Committee recommends leaving the Natural Lawn ordinance as is and to require residents to submit a Natural Lawn plan. President Kucera asked who would be enforcing the ordinance and reviewing any plans submitted? Trustees Java and Lindberg liked the idea of natural lawns. The Natural Lawn Ordinance will stay as is. 3) No parking on Olson Drive-south side. Discussion was held on the Public Safety recommendation to have No Parking on the south side of Olson Drive from Oak Street to the campground entrance. Trustee Janke felt it was difficult to meet another vehicle when there are vehicles parked on both sides of Olson Drive. Ben & Nicki Peterson added they could see the need for no parking at certain times for larger vehicles or RV’s but also felt it would hinder people from coming to the Farmer’s Market, their establishment, Brickfield Brewing, and pointed out it is not a main thorough fare for emergency vehicles. Jared Woody-Burnett County Deputy agreed this was not an emergency route. Trustee Java felt it was best to either have parking or have no parking and not try to describe the vehicles that might not be allowed to park along the street. Motion by Trustee Barton, second by Trustee Java to not eliminate parking on Olson Drive from Oak Street to the campground entrance. Motion passed 4-2 with Trustees Janke and Peer opposing. 4  Village Board Meeting Monday, September 9, 2024 Leisure & Rec Committee 1) 2025 campground rates and rules. Recommendation from Leisure & Rec Committee was to leave rates, rules & agreements the same for 2025. Motion by Trustee Java, second by Trustee Janke to leave camping rates, rules, and seasonal agreements the same for 2025. Motion passed unanimously. Administration Committee 1) Memory Lake – SEH contract amendment. Motion by Trustee Peer, second by President Kucera to approve the amendment to the Memory Lake Aquatic Plant Management Plan contract adding $7,800 for additional work caused by submitting necessary information to WI DNR so the Watercross harvesting permit could be submitted. Motion passed unanimously. 2) Street closures President Kucera reported the Administration Committee approved closing the south side of E. Olson Drive on September 21st for the American Legions ATV/UTV ride. Bills Motion by Trustee Janke, second by Trustee Java to approve payment of the bills as presented: Checks #35939-35989 $560,689.93 Payroll vouchers #V9084-V9148 $44,023.68 ACH/EFTPS payments $54,158.36 Total $658,871.97 Motion passed unanimously. THE VILLAGE BOARD WILL CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION to consider wage adjustment for a member of the Public Works crew and to discuss Police Chief position pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85 (1) (c) “Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the government body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.” Motion by Trustee Barton, second by Trustee Java to convene into closed session at 7:20 p.m. THE VILLAGE BOARD WILL RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85 (2). Motion by President Kucera, second by Trustee Java to reconvene into open session at 7:45 p.m. Any motions from closed session. Motion by President Kucera, second by Trustee Peer to extend an offer to Jared Woody to fill the Police Chief position once the current Chief’s employment has ended as per discussion. Motion passed 5-1 with Trustee Barton opposing. 5  Village Board Meeting Monday, September 9, 2024 Jared Woody accepted the position of Village of Grantsburg Police Chief and was congratulated by the Board. Motion by Trustee Barton, second by Trustee Java to go back into closed session at 7:54 p.m. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by President Kucera, second by Trustee Barton to reconvene into open session at 8:00 p.m. Motion by Trustee Java, second by Trustee Janke to approve a 5% wage increase for Village Crewperson, Al Hicks as part of a six-month review. Motion passed unanimously. Adjournment The Village Board meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Sheila Meyer Clerk/Treasurer 6