Village Board

Village of Hawkins Meeting Minutes April 7, 2025 5:30 P.M. Meeting called to order by Pres. Jill Baker. Board members present: Doug VanDoorn, Amanda Bratlie and Patricia Johnson. Christa Luebke absent. Also present: Matt Boehmer, John Burkman, Mark Case, and Lisa Kuznar. Minutes from the March 3, 2025 meeting were read by Clerk, Alicia Valentine. Motion to approve the March minutes as read, by Bratlie, second by Johnson. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: Public Comment (5 minute time limit) No Public Comment Official Oath – New Board Members Clerk, Alicia Valentine, administered the Oath of Office to President - Douglas VanDoorn and Trustee - Lisa Kuznar who was elected to 3-year terms at the Spring Election. Baker, VanDoorn, Bratlie, and Johnson all voted aye to appoint Kyle Austad to the vacant, one year term, Trustee position. The following Board members will be up for re-election April 2026: Patricia Johnson, Amanda Bratlie, and Kyle Austad. Appoint Election Poll Worker VanDoorn motioned to appoint Michelene Lane as an election poll worker - two year (2026-2028) term, second by Johnson. Motion carried. Highway 8 Speed Limit VanDoorn presented DOT information regarding the speed limit reduction on the west end of the Village – from Elms Rd to CTH M. The DOT created three speed zones within the Village. From 400’ west of Park St to Jefferson St – 45 mph zone; from Jefferson St to east of Washington St – 35 mph zone; from east of Washington St to 0.2 miles east of Gates St – 45 mph zone. The change will take affect when the new speed limit signs are installed. Well/SCADA Project Update – Discussion/Action Doors and windows are installed in the well houses. Concern from Boehmer and Burkman regarding receiving chemicals in a timely manner. Recommendation is to have 15 gallon containers of chemical in the well houses as back-up. Recommendation to tint well house windows and paint floors approved. VanDoorn motioned to approve Change Order #8 and Pay Application #9, second by Pres. Baker. Motion approved. Boehmer recommends rebuilding the WWTP blowers within the next year or two. It is less expensive to rebuild rather than replace when they break down. Burkman will get quotes. Spring Clean-Up – Discussion/Action Valentine will order dumpsters for the clean-up from Rug’s Northern Dumpsters rather than GFL. Clean- th th up dates will be Friday, May 9 Noon-5:00 and Saturday, May 10 9:00-Noon. Fees will be the same as 2024. Public Works – Water/Sewer Monthly Report Public Works Water/Sewer Director, John Burkman reported the following work was completed since the March meeting: Discharged 3.5 million gallons of water at WWTP, water leaks found and repaired at South Ave and JeldWen, and backhoe tire replacement is complete. Board members approved using the funds budgeted for televising for valve box vacuuming/cleaning. Burkman will get a quote. The WRWA award ceremony was great – Congratulations to Matt and Alicia on their awards. Influent sampler parts are obsolete, a replacement is necessary. Burkman will get quotes for a new sampler. Working on cross connections in the next few weeks. Burkman gave a BIG thank you to Matt Boehmer and wishes him the best on his upcoming adventures! (con’t. p. 1 of 2) Meeting Minutes April 7, 2025 (con’t. p. 2 of 2) Public Works – Streets Monthly Report Streets Director, John Burkman reported that a pine tree was removed from the cemetery, still working on the sign post replacement at German St, tree hanging over the library and storage shed cut down – the debris will be removed when the ground firms up, Working on completing the cabinet repair in the kitchen and the plumbing issue in the ceiling, tearing down and cleaning winter equipment, and grading gravel areas, weather permitting. The siren in the Fire Hall is in need of repair. Waiting for the right weather conditions to get on the roof. Clerks Report Clerk, Alicia Valentine, reported that Shirley Severson and Trish Johnson provided PC back-up information, need time to look into it. .gov emails will be set up through our website host. There is a $9/month fee for each email that is created. VanDoorn would like.gov emails for the Clerk, Public Works, and all Board members. Red Cedar Electric provided a quote for the Fire Hall electric panel. Board will split the expense with the Fire Dept. Valentine will inform the Fire Dept. Flambeau Schools Environmental th Day is April 25 , no rain date is scheduled. Students will help clean up the Lions Park and Mill Pond area. Bratlie, Johnson, and someone from public works will supervise. The Hawkins Forever Fund awarded a total of $3000 to organizations in the Village. $500 was awarded to each of the following: Village of Hawkins, Hawkins Lions Club, Hawkins Fire Dept, HAWK ATV Club, Hawkins Sno-Hawks, and the th Hawkins Youth Ice Fishing Contest. Valentine will be out of office April 9 . Easter Egg Hunt will be at the th Community Center on April 12 . Library Meeting regarding financing/accounting move to the Town of th Hawkins will be at the Library on April 14 at 5:00 pm. Public Works and the Clerk’s office will be closed th for Good Friday, April 18 . Set Next Agenda Monday, May 5, 2025: Renew Liquor License Applications, PW spring/summer workload/staffing, Approve Turkey Hunting requests, Village Clean-up, Fuel Suppliers, Population Sign, Sampler, 5 year plan, Bank Signer, Well/SCADA Project Update, Water/Sewer/Street Public Works Reports, Clerks Report, and Approve Bills. Board Comment Amanda Bratlie asked if the Village is opposed to the Lions Club purchase of new playground equipment for the park. No one opposed to the purchase. Doug VanDoorn thanked Jill Baker, Christa Luebke, and Matt Boehmer for their contributions to the Village. Jill Baker congratulated Matt and Alicia on their WRWA awards. Baker recommended a Board member tour of the Village facilities. A date and time will be set at the next meeting. Approve Bills Board members reviewed time sheets and bills for the month of March/April. Bills approved: General Fund $7,186.01, W&S $73,725.64, Refuse $946.04, and ACH/Card Receipts $7,112.80. Motion to approve bills by Bratlie, second by Johnson. Motion carried. Adjourn Pres. Jill Baker motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 pm, second by VanDoorn. Motion carried. Alicia Valentine, Clerk