Village Board

Village of Kohler Village Board November 18, 2024 Village President Thomas Schnettler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was taken: Tom Schnettler, Mike Zimmermann, John Ewert, Michael Wandschneider, Brett Edgerle, Kelly Kasten and Tracy Lyons were present. Village Attorney Mike Bauer was present. Staff members present: Mike Kitzerow, Shawn Splivalo, Gary Lindow, John Willadsen, Erin Coppersmith, Cindi Gamb and Laurie Lindow. Items of Concern Regarding the Agenda, Including Public Comment – There were no concerns regarding the agenda. Tom Schnettler asked that item 4.b. be moved forward in the meeting due to the number of residents in attendance for public comment on that item. Approve Meeting Minutes from October 21, 2024 - Motion by Michael Wandschneider, second by Mike Zimmermann to approve the meeting minutes from October 21, 2024. Motion carried. Business 4) b) Install a stop sign north/south bound on Woodland Road at Woodlake Road – Motion by Michael Wandschneider, second by John Ewert to approve installation of stop signs north/south bound on Woodland Road at Woodlake Road. Tom Schnettler explained that this item was on the agenda due to the Finance Committee making this recommendation to the Village Board. The Property Committee had recommended to the Finance Committee to lower the speed limit on Woodland Road to 25 mph from Greenfield Drive to County Trunk O. There are two options available to reconsider lowering the speed limit on Woodland Road. The Finance Committee could reconsider lowering the speed limit on Woodland Road at their next meeting or two members of the Village Board could request that lowering the speed limit on Woodland Road be placed on the agenda next month. Comments were then heard from residents in attendance: Rex Roth, 1420 Woodland Road – They like to be in their front yard but traffic goes by the house too fast, dangerous to be out in front of their house Alicia Girdaukas, 1320 Woodland Road – Traffic going by house is going too fast, when backing out of driveway where there is a small hill, cars come up quickly behind her. She walks with her children along Woodland and it is not safe, trucks are also coming and going from The Clearings and wildlife in the area. The speed limit is 25 mph to the north and to the south with 35 mph zone in between. Zacharie and Jenna Chynowth, 917 Woodland – Have lived on the east side of Woodland Road north of Highway 23 for four years and thinks the traffic on Woodland travels too fast. The speed limit on Greenfield Drive is 25 mph and  would like to see the same on Woodland. Dave Hart, 6425 Sunset Road – Dave finds cars right behind him when turning onto Woodland from Sunset. The path on the east side of Woodland utilized for walking or biking is narrow and not in good condition and walking or biking on Woodland Road is dangerous. Peggy Zimmermann, 6438 Sunset – Her grandkids ride their bikes on Woodland Road and one was nearly hit by a car even though she checked to make sure there was no traffic coming before crossing. Mike Zimmermann, 6438 Sunset – Mike has been cutting grass for the Village during the summer months and has observed unsafe conditions on Woodland Road including construction equipment staged on the east side of the road, backing out of driveways between traffic traveling fast, walkers in the roadway, walkers with multiple dogs and the cross country team trying to run on Woodland. Woodland Road north of highway 23 is rough and needs repaving, in turn repaving will encourage traffic to travel faster. Tom Schnettler replied that repaving Woodland Road and the path is in the capital budget for 2025 and 2026. Tracy Lyons asked if adding paths to both the east and west side of Woodland Road would make it more safe. Kelly Kasten agrees that Woodland Road is dangerous when children are present and has witnessed unsafe conditions. This area was a rural setting in the past but The Clearings subdivision has changed that. Tom Schnettler reminded the board that there were two options available to reconsider lowering the speed limit on Woodland Road. Alicia Girdaukas was concerned if the issue was not discussed further, that it would be a disservice to residents not to listen and do something about their concerns. 1) Planned Unit Development Agreement for the Inn on Woodlake/The Shops at Woodlake between Kohler Co. and the Village of Kohler – This document details the agreed on terms of development and addresses the noise parameters. Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Michael Wandschneider to approve the Planned Unit Development Agreement for the Inn on Woodlake/The Shops at Woodlake between Kohler Co. and the Village of Kohler. Motion carried. 2) Budget Update – The maximum levy limit is $2,807,641 equates to a village tax rate of $5.42 per thousand of assessed value. If borrowing for 2025 capital outlay expenditures of $341,126 was included, the rate increases to $6.08. Another option is to include borrowing for capital outlay projects except for Woodland Road paving of $160,000. These costs could be borrowed at a later date for the total project cost of $660,000. This would increase the levy limit to $2,988,767 and an estimated tax rate of $5.77. 3) Public Hearing on Adoption of the 2024 General Fund, Capital Outlay and Special Fund Budgets – Tom Schnettler opened the public hearing at 6:35 in order to hear any questions or comments from the public. The hearing will remain open until agenda item 13. when the Village Board will take action on adopting the proposed budget by approving Ordinance No. 2024-10, 2025 Budget Adoption and Tax Levy Ordinance. 4) The Finance Committee recommends the Village Board taken action on the following: a) Authorize attendance at the Law Enforcement Preparatory Academy for new recruit – Motion by John Ewert, second by Michael Wandschneider to authorize attendance at the Law Enforcement Preparatory Academy for new recruit. Motion carried. b) Install a stop sign north/south bound on Woodland Road at Woodlake Road – Motion by Michael Wandschneider, second by John Ewert to approve installation of a stop sign north/south bound on Woodland Road at Woodlake Road. Motion carried. c) October Revenue & Expense reports, bank reconciliation and journal entries - Motion by John Ewert, second by Tracy Lyons to approve the October Revenue & Expense reports, bank reconciliation and journal entries. Motion carried. d) Revisions to the Village of Kohler Employee Handbook – Motion by John Ewert, second by Michael Wandschneider to approve revisions to the Village of Kohler Employee Handbook. Motion carried. 5) Approve change of agent for Kohler Co. Alcohol Beverage License – Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Michael Wandschneider to approve change of agent for Kohler Co. Alcohol Beverage License. Motion carried. 6) Accept retirement letter from Laurie Lindow – Laurie Lindow will be retiring effective January 3, 2025. Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Michael Wandschneider to accept retirement letter from Laurie Lindow. Motion carried. Cindi Gamb is interested in the Clerk-Treasurer position and will be interviewed by Tom Schnettler and John Ewert. 7) The Property Committee recommends the Village Board take action on the following: a) Approve the 2025 Water Utility Budget – Motion by Mike Zimmermann, second by Tracy Lyons to approve the 2025 Water Utility Budget. Motion carried. b) Approve the 2025 Sewer Utility Budget – Motion by Mike Zimmermann, second by Tracy Lyons to approve the 2025 Sewer Utility Budget. Motion carried.  c) Approve Encroachment Agreement between the Village of Kohler and Kohler Co. for terrace of Highland Drive right-of-way – This agreement defines the responsibilities for trees located in the terrace of Highland Drive right-of-way from the roundabout to the Kohler Design Center. Motion by Mike Zimmermann, second by Michael Wandschneider to approve Encroachment Agreement between the Village of Kohler and Kohler Co. for terrace of Highland Drive right- of-way. Motion carried. 8) Update on the Kohler Pool Renovation Project – The pool project has a punch list to be completed once the pool is closed for the season. Borrowing for the pool project was $4,040,000 and $38,268 remains. Tom Schnettler and Mike Kitzerow are exploring replacement of outside play areas and will report back next month. 9) The Tourism Promotion & Development Committee recommends the Village board take action on the following projects: a) Additional funding of the 2024 Kohler Classic 5K/1 Mile Run/Walk for $1,060.11 – Motion by Brett Edgerle, second by Michael Wandschneider to approve additional funding of the 2024 Kohler Classic 5K/1 Mile Run/Walk for $1,060.11. Motion carried. b) 2024 Kohler Food & Wine for $250,000 – Motion by Brett Edgerle, second by Michael Wandschneider to approve funding 2024 Kohler Food & Wine for $250,000. Motion carried. 10) The Plan Commission recommends the Village Board take action on the following: a) Approve issuing a building permit for chiller room enclosure at Kohler Co. Riverbend – Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Mike Zimmermann to approve issuing a building permit for chiller room enclosure at Kohler Co. Riverbend. Motion carried. 11) The Village Board may go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.85 (1) (c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercise responsibility to discuss employee wages and benefits – Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Michael Wandschneider to go into closed session. A roll call vote was taken: Mike Zimmermann – aye, John Ewert – aye, Michael Wandschneider – aye, Brett Edgerle – aye, Kelly Kasten – aye, Tracy Lyons – aye, Tom Schnettler – aye. Motion carried. The Village Board went into closed session at 6:50. 12) The Village Board may reconvene into open session and may take action on items considered in closed session – Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by John Ewert to reconvene into open session at 6:58. Motion carried. Motion by Tom Schnettler,  second by Tracy Lyons to approve employee wages and benefits as presented in the budget. Motion carried. 13) Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-10, 2025 Budget Adoption and Tax Levy Ordinance – Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Michael Wandschneider to adopt Ordinance 2024-10, 2025 Budget Adoption and Tax Levy Ordinance. A roll call vote was taken: John Ewert - aye, Michael Wandschneider – aye, Brett Edgerle – aye, Kelly Kasten – aye, Tracy Lyons – aye, Tom Schnettler – aye, Mike Zimmermann – aye. Motion carried. Correspondence Minutes from Finance Committee, Property Committee, Library Board, Tourism Promotion & Development and Plan Commission Kohler Police Department Call Summary Report for October 2024 Claims List from October 2024 Brett Edgerle, Kelly Kasten and Mike Zimmermann requested that lowering the speed limit on Woodland Road be on next month’s Village Board agenda. Adjournment Motion by Brett Edgerle, second by Tracy Lyons to adjourn the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Motion carried. ______________________________ Laurie Lindow, Clerk-Treasurer