Committee of the Whole Meeting

__________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023 Mayor Greg Kubarski called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 7:03 PM on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. Committee members present at the time the meeting was called to order were Leanne Beyer, Rick Hanke, Tom Hotek, Pat Moen, Darrow Novy, Elizabeth Parish. Mark Lankey was absent. Randy Seeley arrived at 7:20 PM. Others present included: City Administrator Josh Finch, City Treasurer Lisa Johnson, Police Chief Pat Clark, Nicolette Nauman from the Hillsboro Sentry Enterprise, Street Employee Mike Burch, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce representatives Snapper Verbsky and Karri Bartlett, League of WI Municipalities/Baer Insurance representatives Ryan Burns and Mike Zagrodnik. Mayor Kubarski asked if this meeting received proper public notice to which Administrator Finch confirmed the meeting did receive proper notice. Motion by Hanke, second by Beyer, to approve the September 12, 2023, Committee of a Whole meeting minutes. Motion carried. Safety and Welfare Chief Clark presented the Police Chief’s Report. Chief Clark announced there were 208 calls during the previous month. League of Wisconsin Municipalities/Baer Insurance representatives Ryan Burns and Mike Zagrodnik were present to give an overview of the League’s Municipal Insurance plan for the city’s overall liability insurance plan. Total premium quoted effective January 1, 2024, is $50,857. Administrator Finch reported on behalf of Ben Pooley representing Hofmeister Insurance Agency with the city’s liability insurance renewal for January 1, 2024, with a quote of $55,680. Improvements and Services Administrator Finch updated the committee with an ordinance proposal to amend and recreate City of Hillsboro Ordinance to allow for persons registered with the City of Hillsboro to hunt within the City of Hillsboro lands zoned for that use and to expand the permitted uses in agriculture zoning to allow for hunting. A permit to allow hunting on such lands would be handled by the City of Hillsboro Chief of Police. The mayor stated to proceed with the proposed zoning and ordinance regulations processes. City Hall • 123 Mechanic Street • P.O. Box 447 • Hillsboro, Wisconsin 54634 Phone: (608) 489-2521 • Fax: (608) 489-3905 • www.hillsborowi.com Administrator Finch updated the committee with a winter parking update. Signs are posted within the city stating there will be no parking on city streets and alleys when a snow emergency is declared. A snow emergency will be ordered when there are two or more inches of snow forecasted. Residents will be informed of this on the Nixle App, on the City of Hillsboro Facebook page, and City of Hillsboro website. Prior alternate side parking regulations will no longer be enforced as practice in years past. Finance and Personnel The committee recommended the bills for council approval on October 16, 2023. Administrator Finch presented the administrator report announcing he has been working on the 2024 budget. Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce representatives Karri Bartlet and Snapper Verbsky updated the committee regarding 2023 chamber’s activity. So far the committee has obtained 37 memberships. The chamber has five elected members to which three are up for election. The chamber held one information meeting and three Business After 5:00 PM meetings. The chamber assisted the Farmers Market and was awarded a $10,000 Mainstreet Bounce Back Grant through the State of Wisconsin. The chamber is planning for events for the 2024 year. Administrator Finch presented a MyVision by Gundersen for discount vision services that is no cost to the city. The city’s current vision plan, National Vision Administrators no longer covers Gundersen providers or services. My Vision by Gundersen allows the employee to receive Gundersen services at a discounted rate. The administrator will continue to research this option. Administrator Finch presented the City of Hillsboro 2024 Budget Summary. 2024 projected revenue and expenses are $1.57 million, 2023 revenue and expense budget were $1.46 million. New police squad cars, street repairs, and riding lawn mower are included in the budget. Other items discussed were urban forestry, street repairs, storm sewer, codification, room tax, library budget, ambulance, and fire department budget. The budget will be addressed at the upcoming council meeting. Motion by Hanke, seconded by Hotek to go into closed session at 8:26 PM per Sec. 19.85 (1) (e), Wis Stats., sanctions the use of closed sessions where governmental bodies are deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session. Motion carried. Motion by Beyer, seconded by Hotek to return to open session at 9:34 PM. Motion carried. Motion by Beyer, seconded by Moen to accept the League of WI Municipalities/Baer Insurance effective January 1, 2024, for council approval on October 16, 2024. Motion carried. Motion by Moen, seconded by Hanke to adjourn at 9:35 PM. Motion carried. City Hall • 123 Mechanic Street • P.O. Box 447 • Hillsboro, Wisconsin 54634 Phone: (608) 489-2521 • Fax: (608) 489-3905 • www.hillsborowi.com