Village Board

PROCEEDINGS OF THE OXFORD VILLAGE BOARD The Village Board of the Village of Oxford, Marquette County, Wisconsin met in regular session at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 in the Council Room of the Oxford Village Hall. The meeting was called to order by President Meyer with the Pledge of Allegiance. The following Board Members were present: Trustees Drinkwater, Rozek, Sorensen, O’Brien, and Bohringer. Not in attendance was Trustee Holden. Also in attendance were Chief Kowalski, Leanne McGuire, Nicole Strong, Kelly Wollschlager, William Jungenberg, Dennis Zacharias, Jesse Ramsey, Jessica Volz, Clayton Broesch, Deb Walters, Duane Dornacker, Mathew Riesselmann, William J. Smith, Kathy Terwelp, and Terry Berndt. Motion made by Rozek/O’Brien to approve the agenda as printed. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to accept the minutes of the July 6, 2022 regular board meeting as printed. Motion made by Sorensen/Drinkwater to approve the Treasurer’s Report as printed. All motions carried. Citizen Inquiries: None. New Business: Leanne McGuire addressed the Board regarding the current village ordinance that prohibits chickens and proposed making an amendment to allow residents a limited number of backyard chickens, stating other local municipalities, such as the Village of Westfield, Portage, and Pardeeville, currently allow residents to own chickens. Her proposal included a copy of an example ordinance and a permit application from another local municipality that allows chickens, with enclosure/coop standard requirements and inspection information. Other citizens in attendance spoke in favor of amending the ordinance. The Police Department had sent violation letters to Village residents currently harboring chickens allowing them until August 5th for the removal of the animals from the Village limits. Motion made by Bohringer/Sorensen to extend the deadline to remove the chickens until the September meeting, contingent upon action taken at the September board meeting. Motion carried. The matter will be turned over to the Public Safety Committee for a review of the current ordinance and proposed amendment. Nicole Strong, William Jungenberg, Jessica Volz, Clayton Broesch, and William J. Smith departed at 6:57 PM. A sewer connection permit application for 128 S. Depot St., submitted by Troy Anderson and Alana Holt, was presented to the Board. The property owners were unable to be in attendance. Motion made by Drinkwater to table the matter until the property owners are in attendance. Drinkwater withdrew the motion. Further discussion was held on the application and the need for clarification regarding the well installation and usage of the property. Motion made by O’Brien/Drinkwater to table this matter until the requesters are present. Motion carried. Terry Berndt addressed the Board regarding his improvement project at 115 W. Ormsby St. Mr. Berndt advised a letter of lean release was received from the State three weeks ago, and he has decided to rehabilitate the building to make it a viable property again. Per Mr. Berndt, he has spoken to a bank regarding a loan and has to get a survey done, but the surveyor he has made arrangements with is unable to be here until after the September board meeting. Motion made by Rozek/Drinkwater to proceed with the raze order on 115 W. Ormsby St. President Meyer called for any questions on the motion, and Trustee O’Brien inquired about how the raze will be paid for, to which Mr. Berndt interjected and stated he will have the building taken down. Motion carried on a voice vote with all voting aye. Terry Berndt and Kelly Wollschlager departed at 7:49 PM. The Village Hall well project was discussed. The VOC (volatile organic compounds) test results have not yet come back from the State. The plan was for the project to start the week of August 15th, but it will likely run over to the weeks of August 22nd and August 29th. The Village Hall, including the Public Library, Clerk’s Office, and Senior Dining Site will be closed for approximately four to five days during that timeframe. Dennis Zacharias, Jesse Ramsey, and Deb Walters departed at 7:58 PM. A three-year renewal contract from Miller, Brussell, Ebben, and Glaeske LLC for audit services was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to approve the three-year contract with Miller, Brussell, Ebben, and Glaeske LLC for audit years 2022, 2023, and 2024. Motion carried. Leanne McGuire departed at 8:02 PM. The building permit report was reviewed. Page 1 of 2 August 3, 2022 A Gathering or Picnic Class “B” Fermented Malt Beverage License application from the Snowmads for an August 20, 2022 fundraiser event to be held on the grounds at 544 W, Ormsby St. (Frannie May’s Café) was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to approve the License. Motion carried. A temporary operator license application for Aneta Rodger for the Snowmads event was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to approve the temporary license. Motion carried. Committee Reports: Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) Report-Trustee Rozek advised that on July 25th, the Alcohol Compliance Team met virtually with a software developer to see if electronic reporting is feasible. On July 28th, the new officers met and are working on getting members together again since COVID. The next coalition meeting is September 22nd. Public Safety-Chairman Sorensen set a committee meeting for Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 6:30 PM (later rescheduled for Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at 6:30 PM, due to a conflict with the Village Hall well project) to discuss a possible amendment to the prohibited animals ordinance as it pertains to chickens. Municipal Court-Trustee Sorensen updated the Board on the $1,000.00 stipend to the Municipal Court treasury. Police Report-The monthly police report prepared by Chief Kowalski was distributed. The security camera and drug drop-box have been installed in the Village Hall. Marquette Adams Telephone Cooperative sold the camera at cost and then installed the camera for free. The camera was paid for by HCHY (Healthy Communities Healthy Youth). Junk vehicles have been addressed. Park & Recreation-Chairperson Drinkwater stated the awnings are up on the press box. Normal park maintenance was performed in July. The new playground equipment should be here by August 20th. Library Report-Trustee Drinkwater reported the Summer Reading Program had 450 check-outs. The 2023 budget will be worked on later this month. Public Works-Chairman O’Brien read a report prepared by Public Works Director Mullens on the recent activities of the Public Works Department. Limestone was hauled in and compacted in the alley that was regraded. The alley will continue to be monitored for water flow after heavy rain. Wilbur Ellis sprayed the sand filter ponds and the east-side bank of the wastewater treatment plant for weeds. This is done annually. The drinking water samples for the park and Village Hall were tested for nitrates and e-coli. Both results came back negative. This is performed annually, as well. The Vrooman St. storm sewer project was delayed twice in July due to rain. According to the vendor’s schedule, this may not be completed before the September board meeting. The annual flow meter calibration at the wastewater treatment plant was performed by B & M Technical Services. The crosswalks and parking stalls will be painted this month in time for school to start. Four thousand feet of sewer lines were flushed with the fire truck, and televising will begin on August 4th. Matt Riesselmann, Kathy Terwelp, and Duane Dornacker departed at 8:32 PM. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to approve payment of vouchers presented. Motion carried. The minutes of this meeting were read by the Village Clerk. Upon completion of the agenda, President Meyer declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 PM. ____________________________________ Shannon McMullin, Clerk-Treasurer Village of Oxford Marquette County, Wisconsin Page 2 of 2