City Council

VILLAGE OF STODDARD Robert Wurtzel - President Village Board – Telephone (608) 457-2136 Steve Davis Tom Venner Regular Meetings Second Tuesday Each Month Scott Chiples Bill Evans Village Hall, 180 N. Main Street Diane Olson Karen Long Stoddard, WI 54658 REGULAR MEETING – VILLAGE BOARD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. STODDARD VILLAGE HALL Call to order, roll call, minutes Appearances: The Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission (WIMRPC), Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC) Bills and Vouchers: a) Check register b) Approval of January bills and vouchers Committee Reports: Board of Appeals Budget/Finance Fire Board Police Public Works Board of Review B/Z/LP Park Personnel Utility Consideration and possible action on the following items: Unfinished Business: a) Mike Young retirement b) Website update c) WI DOT DT1078 Project Plan Transmittal form New Business: a) Appointment of Board of Appeals member b) New Operator position c) Parking issues d) Resolution 2024-01 A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE DESIGNATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TRAIL WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE VILLAGE OF STODDARD WHEREAS bicycle tourism is a growing industry in North America, contributing $47 billion a year to the economies of communities that provide facilities for such tourists; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail is a national bicycle route, along the length of the Mississippi River, through ten states, from the headwaters at Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail was designated as one of only 16 National Millennium Trails which honor the past and imagine the future by preserving and commemorating major events and aspects of America's history and culture; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail provides access to and promotes the scenic, historic, archaeological, cultural, recreational and natural qualities of the Mississippi River and its amenities; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail is located primarily on the Wisconsin All-American Great River Road National Scenic Byway (WIS 35) between Prescott and Illinois State Line, but also routed on other state and county highways, local roads or alternative routes for bicycling; and WHEREAS the Wisconsin Mississippi River Parkway Commission and the Village of Stoddard, with the cooperation of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other stakeholders, have proposed a specific route to be designated as Mississippi River Trail; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail implements Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 1.11, 84.01(35), 84.60, and 85.02, 349.23and Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter Trans 400 which required that “due consideration to establishing bikeways and pedestrian ways in all new highway construction and reconstruction projects”; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail adds value to existing roads and trails; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail is largely ready to sign and market, and many suggested improvements are already planned; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail will contribute to sustainable economic development in 33 Wisconsin Mississippi River communities; and WHEREAS the proposed route for the Mississippi River Trail comes through the Village of Stoddard and can therefore provide a benefit to our residents and businesses; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail will provide increased recreational and transportation choices for individuals to enjoy the outdoors as well as provide health, economic, and quality of life benefits; and WHEREAS the Mississippi River Trail continues Wisconsin’s tradition of honoring and enhancing the Mississippi River by offering multiple bicycling experiences, each in a unique river landscape; and WHEREAS we have investigated the proposed route and found it to be a suitable route, and desire that the route be designated so that it can be mapped and signed, thereby promoting bicycle tourism in our area; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Stoddard in order to receive full benefit of the Mississippi River Trail, hereby expresses its approval and support for the development of the Mississippi River Trail, and requests that the appropriate officials see to it that the route is officially designated along the following segments within the limits of the Village of Stoddard: SOUTHBOUND: WIS 35 from the north village limits south to the south village limits. NORTHBOUND: WIS 35 from the south village limits north to the north village limits. e) Proclamation for the 100th Anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge WHEREAS, The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was formed 100 years ago by legislative action on June 7, 2024 to develop systematic evaluation and management of this protected area for the future generations; and WHEREAS, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Friends of Refuge organizations, federal and state partners, and others work to conserve, protect, and enhance habitat as a breeding ground for migratory birds, fish, other wildlife, and plants for the continuing benefit of the American people; and WHEREAS, the refuge has been designated as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention and a Globally Important Bird Area; and WHEREAS, the 240,000-acre refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from the confluence of the Chippewa River near Wabasha, MN to Princeton, IA. It crosses 4 states: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin. The Americans that live in these communities along the river depend on the river for commerce, recreation, water supply, and environmental benefits; and WHEREAS, the refuge hosts 3.7 million visitors annually. It provides a variety of wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation; and WHEREAS, the refuge addresses significant issues including: threatened and endangered species, waterfowl migration, neotropical migratory birds, bottomland hardwood restoration, cultural resources, public use, and forest fragmentation. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Village President Robert Wurtzel, hereby proclaim the week of June 7, 2024 as: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Day in the Village of Stoddard. I encourage all businesses and community members to support community efforts to continue this legacy of cooperation and to participate in the refuge events throughout the year of 2024 in celebration of the Upper Mississippi River National Fish and Wildlife Refuge vision. Communications: License Applications: Operator License: Public Comment STODDARD VILLAGE BOARD MEETING Guidelines for Public Participation at Board Meeting 1) Public participation must be limited to the “Public Comment” agenda line unless a request is made at that time to speak during a different agenda line and is authorized by the Village President 2) Please state name and address 3) Please state subject to be presented 4) Please limit comments to four (4) minutes 5) Personal attacks or comments are out of order and will be so ruled by the Village President 6) Questions may be presented and become part of a discussion or agenda item at the next village board meeting if requested and appropriate for board discussion and action 7) No action will be taken on public participation comments during the “Public Comment” agenda line. Items for discussion may be placed on a future board agenda 8) Village Board members may respond to questions or information requests personally or in writing following the meeting