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, April 5, 2023 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, O’Brien, and Holden. Also in attendance were Chief Kowalski, Elizabeth Shumate, Dennis Zacharias, Tom Wastart, Deb Walters, Kathy Terwelp, Terry Berndt, Duane Dornacker, and Matt Riesselmann Motion made by Rozek/Drinkwater to approve the agenda as printed. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to accept the minutes of the March 1, 2023 regular board meeting as printed. Motion made by Sorensen/Bohringer to accept the minutes of the March 20, 2023 Public Safety Committee meeting as printed. Motion made by Drinkwater/O’Brien to accept the minutes of the March 23, 2023 Finance Committee meeting as printed. Motion made by Rozek/Holden to approve the Treasurer’s Report as printed. All motions carried. Trustee Sorensen provided information on the State Local Government Investment Pool rates. He requested the matter be placed on the next agenda and will present more information after further research. Citizen Inquiries: Tom Wastart congratulated everyone who ran at the election and won. Then, on behalf of the Westfield School Board, he informed the Board about an upcoming referendum addressing capital improvement needs in the district. Matt Riesselmann inquired about the ownership of the Oxford signage on both ends of the Village. President Meyer advised the Oxford Lions Club owns the sign on the west end of Ormsby St., and the Chamber of Commerce used to own the sign on the east end. When the Chamber disbanded, they turned the sign over to the Village, but the sign is located on private property. New Business: President Meyer expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire Village Board to Ruth Holden for her years of service as Village Trustee and then welcomed Dennis Zacharias to the Village Board as a new Trustee. President Meyer presented and appointed the 2023-2024 Committee Assignments to the Board. Motion made by Rozek/Drinkwater to accept the President’s assignments of the committee members. Motion carried. The Committee Assignments are as follows: Finance & Business Affairs: Chairman: Meyer - Members: Drinkwater, O’Brien, and Sorensen. Public Safety, Ordinance & License: Chairman: Sorensen - Members: Bohringer and Rozek. Public Works & Property: Chairman: O’Brien - Members: Bohringer and Zacharias. Parks & Recreation: Chairperson: Drinkwater - Members: Rozek and Zacharias. Fire District: Meyer and Sorensen. Library Board: Drinkwater. Website: Chairman: Bohringer – Member: Sorensen. Municipal Court Committee: Sorensen – Alternates: Drinkwater and Meyer. Planning & Zoning Commission: Meyer, Drinkwater, and Sorensen. President Meyer addressed the Board on behalf of Jeff Larson regarding a concern about potential overnight parking issues that may arise from the new campground located just outside the Village and the possible need for new signage. No action was taken at this time, but it will be addressed again should the matter become an issue. Resolution 2023-3 to adopt a Citizen Participation Plan was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Holden to adopt Resolution 2023-3, a resolution to adopt a Citizen Participation Plan. A roll call vote was unanimously in favor. President Meyer appointed Loretta Drinkwater, Bart O’Brien, Jason Zacharias, and Carrie Rozek to the Citizen Participation Committee. Motion made by Sorensen/Holden to approve the appointments. Motion carried. Resolution 2023-4, an authorizing resolution to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application, was presented. Motion made by Holden/O’Brien to accept Resolution 2023-4, an authorizing resolution to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application. A roll call vote was unanimously in favor. Resolution 2023-5 to adopt policy to prohibit the use of excessive force and to enforce applicable state and local laws prohibiting physically barring entrances/exits for non-violent civil rights demonstrations was Page 1 of 3 April 5, 2023 presented. Motion made by Sorensen/Rozek to accept Resolution 2023-5. A roll call vote was unanimously in favor. A Wisconsin Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan for CDBG Programs was presented. Motion made by Drinkwater/Rozek to adopt the plan. Motion carried. Elizabeth Shumate explained the timeline of the implementation of funds and construction, if the CDBG grant is approved, and then departed at 7:15 PM. Billable fees related to the 115 W. Ormsby St. raze was discussed as Terry Berndt arrived at 7:19 PM. Motion made by Rozek/Drinkwater to add the $800.00 inspection fee to the billable fees as recommended by the Village Attorney to the 115 W. Ormsby St. raze. Motion carried. Ordinance 2023-1 adopting the tobacco related Wisconsin State Statue 254.92 was presented. Motion made by Sorensen/Rozek to adopt Ordinance 2023-1. A roll call vote was unanimously in favor. The possible purchase of a new police squad was discussed. Chief Kowalski updated the Board on the options available and advised both he and the Public Safety Committee recommend the Dodge Durango, as it meets the department’s requirements and is the least expensive option. He further advised orders are taking up to 12 months to receive, and the 2024 models are expected to increase by 10%. The 2023 model would be $42,899.00 with roughly $10,500.00 in equipment costs. The resale of the current squad is at premium value currently due to high demand. The window for ordering is open now and will not be available again for another year. Motion made by Sorensen/Rozek that the Public Safety’s recommendation that the Police Chief be authorized to order the Dodge Durango on the Village’s behalf be accepted. Motion carried. An update was provided on the DSPS (Department of Safety and Professional Services) inspection, and the impact on the Village’s Safety and Bloodborne Pathogen policies. President Meyer advised he contacted the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and they will research for sample policies for emergencies. Trustee O’Brien advised it will be a long, protracted process. Trustee Sorensen stated the Public Works Directors of the Villages in Marquette County and of the City of Montello will be invited to get together to come up with a unified policy. Trustee Sorensen will be bringing the matter up at the next LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Commission) meeting. An update was provided to the Board regarding the Finance Committee meeting discussion on the future of the Clerk-Treasurer’s office. President Meyer referred the Board to the Finance Committee meeting minutes from March 23, 2023. The development of the ad was discussed and will be presented next month for approval. Board of Review training was scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 6:00 PM. The building permit reports for December, January and February were reviewed. There were no licenses to be approved. Committee Reports: Healthy Communities Healthy Youth (HCHY) Report-Trustee Rozek reported the Alcohol Compliance meeting scheduled for today was cancelled. Public Safety-Chairman Sorensen reiterated the Committee meeting minutes. Municipal Court-Trustee Sorensen advised a meeting may be called soon to review finances. Police Report-The February and March Police Reports prepared by Chief Kowalski were distributed. Chief Kowalski advised the County drug take back day is April 22nd. An update was provided on 128 S. Depot St. Park & Recreation-Chairperson Drinkwater reported the field paint has been ordered for the ball diamond. Library Report-Trustee Drinkwater advised Kimmie Kongslie has accepted the position of Library Director. She then gave a “big thank you” to Sandy Eberlein and Kimmie Kongslie for stepping up to cover the library’s needs during this time of transition. Georgia Lindert has resigned from the Library Board. Public Works-Chairman O’Brien read a report prepared by Public Works Director Mullens on the recent activities of the Public Works Department. The estimate to remove trees and grind stumps in the right of way at the corner of E. Wood and S. Abbott Streets is $2,800.00. Rose Water Machine Shop will be dewatering the dam with a new Gantry system to inspect it either in late spring or early summer. The confined space signs are almost completely installed. Once finished, photos will be sent to the DSPS to prove compliance. The roads have been inspected and an appointment is set up to get an estimate for chip sealing. Potholes will be patched as soon as weight restrictions are lifted. Street sweeping Page 2 of 3 April 5, 2023 will begin the second week of April. All equipment has been serviced and is being switched over to summer mode. The bucket truck needs front tires, and the service light has turned on. An update will be provided after the computer has been read. Tom Wastart, Deb Walters, Kathy Terwelp, Terry Berndt, Duane Dornacker, and Matt Riesselmann departed at 8:30 PM. Motion made by Rozek/Drinkwater to approve payment of vouchers presented. Motion carried. The minutes of this meeting were read by the Village Clerk. Motion made by Drinkwater/Holden to adjourn at 8:54 PM. Motion carried. ____________________________________ Shannon McMullin, Clerk-Treasurer Village of Oxford Marquette County, Wisconsin Page 3 of 3