City Board

Greenwood Council Meeting Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 6:00pm Council Chambers The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hansen. Roll call- Nelson, Hinker, Bolf and Ashbeck all present. Also present Clerk/ Treasurer Kayla Schar. Present for public comment Cheri Lenz, Deanna Jordan, Joan Hoeper, Pat Klinke, and Amber Brill. Public Comment: Cheri Lenz discussed with Council how she feels the Library is not being heard and feels as though Council does not appreciate the Library. Mayor Hansen stated that wasn’t true, he very much appreciates the Library and all they do for the citizens. Lenz stated no one comes to the Library Board meetings or presents back to council what happened during the meetings. Lenz stated she feels that the council only wants their friends and family on the Library Board and they don’t listen to who the Library feels would be best fit for the Board. Lenz was upset that the furnaces that were put in by Mike Hackel weren’t large enough to accommodate for an expansion. She stated that she remembers being told at a council meeting that they would be big enough for an expansion project. Schar stated that was untrue and that she had told council that it would be to just replace what was currently there. Schar also stated she as well as the contractor had discussed with Brill that an expansion would require an additional unit. Brill confirmed the conversation and advised to Lenz that she had passed that information on to her. Lenz questioned how much council approved for the furnaces. Ashbeck stated up to $15,000 was approved. Lenz was upset that they had another contractor that had wanted to bid but didn’t have enough time to place the bid. Hoeper stated she didn’t think Hackel was certified for the job and didn’t have insurance. Schar stated Hackel did have insurance. Lenz stated that she didn’t like the way she was treated by Schar. She stated Schar told her she cannot post things on a Community Facebook page. Schar stated that was untrue, she didn’t tell her she couldn’t post things, she just advised if she was looking for minutes as the post stated, that she could provide them to her. Lenz stated that she didn’t want to ask Schar she would rather go online. Bolf expressed concerns stating that no one knows where to find the agendas for the Council meetings. Schar stated they are always posted online and at City Hall, Post Office and the Bank where they have always been posted. Bolf stated she didn’t agree with where the agendas were posted because it doesn’t allow for everyone to see them. Bolf also stated she would like the council to receive all of the agendas for the committee meetings regardless of being on the committee. Bolf feels that the Council doesn’t get enough information at the Council meetings to make informed decisions. Schar stated that all meetings are open to the public. Bolf stated she asked to be on the finance committee but was told no, Hinker was appointed instead. Hoeper expressed that she was unhappy with the amount of money the City spent on the City Hall and Museum remodel project in 2020. Specifically stating she felt we spent too much money on cabinets and she knew someone that could have done them cheaper. Schar explained that the project was placed out for bids and that the contractor with the lowest bid was chosen. Schar also stated that the Library had asked for several of the cabinets to be left for them which resulted in new cabinets being needed. Lenz stated the Library doesn’t need the City’s money and that they only wanted to receive the same amount as what the Museum got. Hansen stated that he feels that this was 2 separate issues and if plans are made for a library expansion project that the City would help with it. Lenz declined future funds beyond what was given for Museum, she stated the Library Board will get donations to fund the future expansion project. Nelson mentioned the motion that was passed that requires any expansion for the Library to go to referendum. Lenz and Hoeper expressed their concerns, stating council only did it to get back at the Library. Schar advised Mayor Hansen that the discussion needed to be stopped, that this was only intended for public comment. Lenz expressed her continued interest for the Library Board, noting she would be interested in seeing if she would be appointed for another term. Hinker advised in the future if there are complaints or concerns that they should contact Schar for information, or be placed on the agenda for further discussions. Mayor Hansen ended public comment. Old Business: 1. Discussion was made regarding the approved Cemetery Software program and the approved asphalt at the ballpark. Bolf felt there wasn’t enough information given regarding the 2 decisions that were made. Schar stated she felt she had answered all the questions that were asked. Hinker stated that Bolf had the opportunity to vote against them if she felt she didn’t have enough information. Bolf would have liked to have seen more bids for the asphalt. Schar stated in her time with the City, she had only received bids from American Asphalt for any of the asphalt projects. Bolf questioned bids received for Cemetery. She felt she had found a program that would do the same for $85,000 cheaper than the program that Schar has presented. (CIMs Cemetery Software was approved for $15,400 July 19, 2023 Meeting) Hinker explained Schar went through bids and several options at the Finance meeting. No motions made. New Business: 1. Ashbeck motioned to approve the operator’s license for Carrie Gustafson. Hinker seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. 2. Ashbeck motioned to approve the business permit for 1891 Winery LLC with the main floor being used for business, the basement being used to manufacture the wine, and the upstairs apartments staying separate and not part of the business. Nelson seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. 3. Discussion was made regarding Summerfest event. Bolf questioned the electrical issues. Schar mentioned Summerfest was looking to have a new electrical board put in at PD for the bands. Bolf stated Summerfest had discussed moving the event to George Scherer Park if the bars didn’t contribute to the bands. Hinker expressed concerns for purchasing a new board if the bands may move off Main Street in the future. Nelson brought up traffic detour for the event. Miller Street is currently under construction. Questioned whether or not it would hold up to rerouted truck traffic. Schar was going to contact project manager regarding the concerns. No motions made. 4. Bolf requested to put together a Fireworks committee. Council discussed possible options of individuals that may be interested. Schar questioned if a committee were to be formed would they take care of sending out donation requests. Bolf will bring a list of individuals that would be interested to the next meeting for the appointment of Mayor Hansen. No motions made. 5. Nelson motioned to adjourn. Ashbeck seconded the motion. All ayes. Motion carried. Kayla Schar Clerk/ Treasurer