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, September 14, 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, Bohringer, and Holden. Not in attendance was Trustee O’Brien. Also in attendance were Chief Kowalski, Alana Holt, Dennis Zacharias, Deb Walters, Duane Dornacker, Damien Wesolowski, Kathy Terwelp, and Terry Berndt. Motion made by Drinkwater/Holden to approve the agenda as printed. Motion made by Rozek/Drinkwater to accept the minutes of the August 3, 2022 regular board meeting as printed. Motion made by Sorensen/Rozek to accept the minutes of the August 23, 2022 Public Safety Committee meeting as printed. Motion made by Sorensen/Drinkwater to approve the Treasurer’s Report as printed. All motions carried. Citizen Inquiries: None. New Business: Proposed Ordinance 2022-2 to amend Village Ord. Sec. 18-115(e), which prohibits the keeping of domesticated fowl, was presented. The amendment would grant residents in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts the opportunity to apply for a single permit per residence that would allow up to four chickens, with additional requirements and restrictions outlined in the ordinance and application. A $50.00 application fee would apply. Motion made by Sorensen/Rozek to adopt Ordinance 2022-2. A roll call vote was unanimously in favor. Resolution 2022-2 Relative to changing the Village of Oxford Fee Schedule to create a fee for the keeping of chickens was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Holden to adopt Resolution 2022-2 relative to changing the Village of Oxford Fee Schedule to create a fee for the keeping of chickens. A roll call vote was unanimously in favor. Alana Holt addressed the Board regarding her sewer connection permit application for 128 S. Depot St. Motion made by Sorensen/Holden to approve the permit contingent upon the DNR approved well being installed first and the submission of the $1,250.00 permit application fee. Motion carried. Alana Holt departed at 7:05 PM. Terry Berndt addressed the Board to advise he has been unable to sell his property located at 115 W. Ormsby St. since the last board meeting and is considering putting it up for auction. He stated has not obtained any bids for razing the building. Tax special assessment procedures were discussed, and Mr. Berndt was referred to the Marquette County Treasurer’s Office for further clarification. The raze order is still in effect, and the Village will be requesting bids for the razing of the building. Terry Berndt departed at 7:32 PM. Resolution 2022-3 recognizing Curt Witynski and Gail Sumi for their years of service to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Holden to adopt Resolution 2022-3. A roll call vote was unanimously in favor. A renewal agreement from Action Appraisers and Consultants, Inc. for one year of additional assessment services was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to accept the renewal agreement with Action Appraisers and Consultants, Inc. Motion carried. A Finance Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, September 26, 2022 at 4:00 PM. A Park and Recreation Committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM. A Public Safety Committee meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 7:00 PM. A Public Works Committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 5:00 PM. The were no building permits to be reviewed. An operator license application for Nancy Shier was presented. She has received police recommendation and has completed the Responsible Beverage Server Course. Motion made by Drinkwater/Holden to grant the license to Nancy Shier. Motion carried. Committee Reports: Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) Report-Trustee Rozek stated an officers meeting was held virtually on September 8th. Meetings will continue to be held virtually and may be held bimonthly. A survey has shown that people want to be involved with team building, community building, and professional development. The next coalition meeting is planned for September 22nd. Lauren Olson, a Page 1 of 2 September 14, 2022 health educator, is leaving for other career opportunities. Public Safety-Chairman Sorensen reiterated the new chicken ordinance details and informed the Board the Police Department has purchased a new rifle. Municipal Court-Trustee Sorensen stated a meeting may be held September 21st. Deb Walters departed at 7:55 PM. Police Report-The monthly police report prepared by Chief Kowalski was distributed. Chief Kowalski advised he had a lot of activity over the last month, including an OWI and mischief in the park. Juveniles have been referred to the Teen Court held at the County. Grass violations are being addressed. An update was provided on the status of 106 W. Ormsby St., and the relocation of the residents. A Criminal Intelligence Bureau audit is being performed this fall. A $7,000.00 grant is being issued by the State and will need to be used for public safety expenditures by June of 2023. Park & Recreation-Chairperson Drinkwater reported the new playground equipment is assembled. The concrete needs to be poured, and the anchors need to be installed. This should be done within the next two weeks. The park restroom door was broken off the hinges. The drinking fountain was also broken and has been repaired. The broken boards on the merry-go-round have been replaced with treated lumber that will be painted next spring. Public Works and the Police Chief will collaborate with Marquette Adams Telephone about surveillance cameras. Library Report-Trustee Drinkwater advised there were 701 check-outs, 367 pick-ups, and an increase in new patrons last month. There are new programs planned for the fall. Sandy Eberlein has volunteered to assist with the programming. On October 14th, there will be a book sale. The cleaning supplies need to be removed from the janitorial closet for safety reasons. Public Works-As Chairman O’Brien was not in attendance, President Meyer read a report prepared by Public Works Director Mullens on the recent activities of the Public Works Department. The Village Hall well project is complete. The water samples have been tested for the new well, and no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) have been detected. A vented 40-gallon hot water heater was installed in the new pumphouse, rather than an on-demand system, due to cost efficiency and expected performance. All crosswalks, parking stalls, handicap stalls, and speed limit signs have been painted. Three thousand feet of sewer lines were televised with no issues to report. The solar stop sign on the corner of Fandrich and Chauncey Streets has been replaced. The stumps from the three trees that were cut down across from the post office have been ground. The road ratings for the DOT are currently being worked on and should be completed by November 1st but no later than December 15th. There were a few issues with the sanitation vendor last month with garbage not being picked up in certain areas, but they should be resolved. President Meyer appointed Trustee Bohringer as Chairman of Public Works for the purpose of approving vouchers. Dennis Zacharias, Damien Wesolowski, Kathy Terwelp, and Duane Dornacker departed at 8:28 PM. Motion made by Rozek/Holden to approve payment of vouchers presented. Motion carried. The minutes of this meeting were read by the Village Clerk. Motion made by Rozek/Drinkwater to adjourn at 8:55 PM. Motion carried PM. ____________________________________ Shannon McMullin, Clerk-Treasurer Village of Oxford Marquette County, Wisconsin Page 2 of 2