Village Board Meeting

VILLAGE BOARD MEETING MINUTES March 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM Kronenwetter Municipal Center - 1582 Kronenwetter Drive Board Room (Lower Level) 1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Village President Chris Voll called the March 24, 2025 Village Board Meeting to order at 6 p.m. A. Pledge of Allegiance Those in attendance were invited to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. B. Roll Call PRESENT: Village President Chris Voll, Trustee Chris Eiden, Trustee Ken Charneski, Trustee Kelly Coyle, Trustee Aaron Myszka, Trustee Craig Mortensen ABSENT: Trustee Alex Vedvik STAFF: Fire Chief Theresa O’Brien, Community Development Director Peter Wegner, Public Works Director Greg Ulman, Village Attorney Lee Turonie, Clerk Jennifer Poyer 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION 3. PUBLIC COMMENT Bernie Kramer, 2150 Highway 153, Peplin, WI 54455 – Kramer stated he wants to see the budget showing only what the Village pays to Riverside for ambulance service. He said it is difficult to get good information and would like the numbers clarified. Guy Fredel, 2240 Ruby Drive, Kronenwetter, WI 54455 – Fredel commented on the ambulance service proposal. Fredel said citizens have interest in getting quality service at the best cost. He said there needs to be a deep dive into the finances, and citizens have the right to question. 4. REPORTS FROM STAFF AND VENDORS C. Interim Finance Director Report Interim Finance Director John Jacobs presented his report to the board. He said he is focused on preparing for the auditors. He also reviewed the cash and investments statements, along with general checking. D. Community Development Director Report Community Development Director Peter Wegner presented his report. He answered questions regarding garage condos. E. Public Works and Utilities Director Report Public Works Director Greg Ulman presented his report. He reviewed the upcoming work on Hwy. 39 and the parks survey. 5. NEW BUSINESS F. Engineering Services Agreement with Roth Professional Solutions Motion by Coyle/Myszka to approve the engineering services agreement with Roth Professional Solutions for $45,000 for Jamroz and Flanner Roads. Motion carried by roll call vote 6:0. Discussed the proposed project; money available and that must be spent within three years for use in the TID; possible action to railroad safety concerns by looking to build a road from West Nelson to the Minutes prepared by Jennifer Poyer. Approved on May 12, 2025  Prohaska property to bypass train blockage; and the possible cost of project. Public Works Director Greg Ulman was tasked with researching the West Nelson road project. G. Budgeting for a New Dump/Plow Truck Motion by Charneski/Coyle to approve the purchase of the new dump/plow truck from Freightliner using scenario one as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote. 6:0. Discussed possible cost increase due to surcharge/tariffs; timeline to receive truck and payment scenarios. (Agenda Item 5O. was discussed at this point in the meeting.) H. Ambulance Subcommittee Report Ambulance Subcommittee Member Pam Kijak presented the Ambulance Subcommittee Report to the Village Board. Report is contained within meeting packet. I. Riverside Ambulance Contract Review Item will be brought back to the Village Board following the 2025 Spring Election. J. Resolution to Appoint Garrett Lysne to the Community Life, Infrastructure and Public Property (CLIPP) Motion by Eiden/Mortensen to approve RESOLUTION NO.: 2025-04 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING GARRETT LYSNE AS A CITIZEN MEMBER TO THE COMMUNITY LIFE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC PROPERTY COMMITTEE. Motion carried by roll call vote: 6:0. K. Approval of DNR MS4 Annual Report Motion by Mortensen/Eiden to approve the DNR MS4 Annual Report as presented. Motion carried by roll call vote. 6:0. Public Works Director Greg Ulman presented the report and explained background. L. Authorizing Jennifer Poyer to be an Authorized Representative for the Wisconsin DNR on behalf of the Village of Kronenwetter Motion by Coyle/Myszka authorizing Jennifer Poyer to be an authorized representative for the WI DNR on behalf of the Village of Kronenwetter. Motion carried by roll call vote. 6:0. Discussed what the authorization entailed. M. Extended Friday Closure of Municipal Center for Administrative Days Until Summer Hours are in Effect (May 27) Motion by Myszka/Eiden to extend the Friday closures of the Municipal Center for administrative days until summer hours are in effect on May 27, 2025. Motion carried by voice vote. 6:0. N. TDS 2025 Sponsorship Contract This item was sent back to the Administrative Policy Committee for further review. O. Von Briesen Report Review (This agenda item was moved up to follow 5G.) Motion by Myszka/Coyle to take no action on the Von Briesen Report Review. Motion carried by roll call vote. Voting yea-Voll, Coyle, Myszka; Voting nay – Charneski; Abstention – Eiden, Mortensen This agenda item was presented by Trustee Charneski out of concern for $65,000 expended apparently without authorization. The intent of the item was to gain Board support to initiate a preliminary investigation into who authorized Administrator Ludi to contract with von Briesen & Roper Law Firm to conduct an investigation after the VB voted “not to select independent counsel and direct Administrator Ludi to work with personnel on a bonafide complaint, if any, and apply the employee handbook if appropriate” during the January 31, 2024 VB meeting. Discussed was the HR policies involved; the complaint process directed in the Employee Handbook, complaints for employees vs. trustees; questioning those who were involved in situation; why proper processes were not followed; misappropriation of public funds and/or expenditure with no authority; and VB members' possible intent in approving budget amendments to cover unauthorized legal expenses. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Poyer. Approved on May 12, 2025  The access to emails was requested, relating to the complaint and the hiring of Von Briesen as well as for understanding and investigating the actions taken by the former administrators Leonard Ludi and Peter Kampfer, Attorney Turonie, and President Voll. 6. CONSENT AGENDA P. Revised November 25, 2024 Village Board Meeting Minutes Motion by Eiden/Coyle to approve the revised November 25, 2024 Village Board Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion carried by voice vote. 6:0 Q. March 10, 2025 Village Board Meeting Minutes Motion by Coyle/Voll to approve the March 10, 2025 Village Board Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion carried by voice vote. 6:0. 7. PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES R. February 17, 2025 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes S. January 20, 2025 Plan Commission Meeting Minutes Commission was thanked for their minutes. 8. CLOSED SESSION Consideration of motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) for consideration of employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation date of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility -to wit village clerk compensation. Motion by Voll/Coyle to convene into closed session. Motion carried by roll call vote. 6:0. 9. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION Motion by Eiden/Coyle to reconvene into open session. Motion carried by voice vote. 6:0. 10. ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION Motion by Voll/Eiden to continue negotiations. Motion carried by voice vote. 6:0. 11. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Charneski/Coyle to adjourn the March 24, 2025 Village Board Meeting. Motion carried by voice vote. 6:0 Meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jennifer Poyer. Approved on May 12, 2025