Village Board

Village of Hawkins Meeting Minutes March 4, 2024 5:30 P.M. Meeting called to order by Pres. Jill Baker. Board members present:Doug VanDoorn, Christa Luebke, and Amanda Bratlie. Karen Howard absent. Also present:John Burkman, Mark Case, Tim Shirk, Matt Krueger, and Brian Uhren. Minutes from the February 5, 2024 meeting were read by Clerk, Alicia Valentine. Motion toapprove the February minutes as read, by Doug VanDoorn, second by Amanda Bratlie.Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: Public Comment (5 minute time limit) Fire Chief Brian Uhren and Asst Fire Chief Tim Shirk, informed the Board that the Fire Dept will be requesting debit cards since many businesses will no longer accept checks. Pioneer Financial – Matt Krueger Matt Krueger opened Pioneer Financial at 625 Ellingson. The new business in Hawkins will offer Financial & Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, and Health Insurance. MSA – Project Update Contractor, Olympic, is planning to start the Wellhouse/SCADA project May 1, 2024.Pre-Construction meeting is tentatively set for the week of April 16th. Ian Hanson from MSA will be providing the on-site review of the contractor’s work. PSC Water Rate Application Water rates in the Village have not increased since 2015. Due to this, the Public Service Commission (PSC) proposes a 125% increase in total sales of water over the current rates. The PSC recommends a two-step water rate increase to spread out the increase. Valentine is confirming with the DOA to see if they will allow this. The PSC also recommended monthly billing rather than quarterly. This can be done due to the installation of the remote read water meters. Pres. Jill Baker motioned to proceed with the full rate increase, instead of the two-step, and change the billing from Quarterly to Monthly, second by Christa Luebke. Motion carried. Mill Pond Walking Trail Lease Delores Lane approved the five year walking trail lease with the Village of Hawkins. The Village of Hawkins thanks the Lane Family for allowing people to enjoy the Mill Pond Walking Trail. Interim Financing Valentine provided interest rates and origination fees from Chippewa Valley Bank and Ladysmith Federal Savings and Loan. Doug VanDoorn motioned to obtain interim financing through Chippewa Valley Bank for the Village’s Wellhouse/SCADA Project, second by Amanda Bratlie. Motion carried. Camper/Living Conditions Ordinance Mobile Recreational Vehicles are not intended or designed to be a permanent dwelling. People who are using a mobile recreational vehicle as permanent housing are creating a health and sanitation concern since the vehicle is not connected to water and sewer. PTO/Sick Valentine requested to move the agenda item to the April meeting. Burning Ordinance Fire Chief Brian Uhren noted that campfires are allowed in the Village for warming or cooking purposes. Open burning is not allowed unless the property owner has a fire permit from the DNR. Residents can obtain a free permit onlineat dnr.wi.gov instantly with an email address. Or call the hotline 1-888-WIS- BURN (947-2876) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily to have a burning permit mailed to you. Valentine will review the Village’s current burning ordinance and the DNR’s sample ordinance to determine if the Village burning ordinance needs to be updated. (con’t. p. 1 of 2) Meeting Minutes March 4, 2024 (con’t. p. 2 of 2) Easter Egg Hunt – March 23, 2024 Village Board agreed to waive the Community Center rental fee for the Enriching Hawkins event. Spring Clean-up Fee Increase 2024 dumpster fees have increased. In 2023 the Village and Town paid the $1000 that was not funded by residents who participated in the event. 2023 fees were $20/truck or trailer and $15/car trunk. Doug VanDoorn motioned to increase the fees to $35/truck or trailer and $20/car trunk, second by Christa Luebke. Motion carried. Public Works Water/Sewer Report Public Works Water/Sewer Director, Matt Boehmer, reported sewer and hydrant flushing will begin as the weather cooperates. Well 3 cleaned, now working on the WWTP. As time and weather permit, Public Works will begin maintenance of blowers, lift stations, and generators. There are approximately 40 water meters left to install. Matt and John will be attending the WRWA water conference in LaCrosseMarch 27- 29, 2024. Public Works Streets Report Public Works Streets Director, John Burkman reported that street patching will begin when it warms up and streets dry out. Valve boxes will be repaired as they patch streets. The Mill Pond dock has been moved to the shop for repairs. Maintenance of the Village alleys will begin thisSpring. Projects completed in February: Rewired Fire Dept air compressor, work shelf in shop moved for SCADA project, office and bathroom walls in the shop painted, and occupancy sensor in ambulance garage replaced. Working on office ceiling, flooring and Ford tool storage. Clerks Report Clerk, Alicia Valentine, reported that 2024 Cemetery mowing fees increased by 69%. It is still less than what we were paying in the past. The Village budgets for a Rusk County recycling grantof $1500/year. In 2024 no grant funds are available due to increases in recycling expenses and a cap on grants. The Board agreed to keep curbside recycling as is rather than discontinuing the service. Open Book will be held April 30, 2024 from 10-12. Board of Review will be held May 7, 2024 from 5-7pm. Bill AB-720 grants local governments the authority to decrease speed limits by up to 20 miles per hour on roads currently set at 55 MPH without DOT approval. Board may want to check into this for the Hwy 8/Lions Park/Dollar General area. There is a Senior Community Service Employment program available in Rusk County. Interested individuals can pick up information in the Clerk’s office. New Fire Truck was purchased. Set Next Agenda Monday, April 1, 2024 5:30 pm. Agenda Items: Zoning, PTO, Burning Ordinance, Wellhouse/SCADA Project, Interim Financing, Spring Clean-Up, PSC Water Rate Increase, Complaints, Water/Sewer/Street Public Works Reports, Clerks Report, and Approve Bills. Board Comment No Comments Approve Bills Board members reviewed timesheetsand bills for the monthof February/March. Bills approved: General Fund $21,457.92,W&S $31,255.93,ACH Receipts $6,121.56, Tax Account $97,118.62, and Refuse $5,206.49.Motion to approve bills by Doug VanDoorn, second by Amanda Bratlie.Motion carried. Adjourn Christa Luebkemotioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:45p.m., secondby Amanda Bratlie. Motion carried. Alicia Valentine, Clerk