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April 12, 2006 Minutes of Town Board Work Meeting
Minutes of Town Board Work Meeting of April 12, 2006
The regular monthly Town Board Work meeting was held in the Town Hall
after due notice had been posted.
Chair John Pelletier called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT:
Town Chair, John Pelletier Clerk, Colleen Endisch
Supervisor, Larry Malsch Treasurer, Shari Wisniewski
Supervisor, Dolores Nowak Mechanic, Tom Thiele
Supervisor Wayne Polzin Rescue Chief, Larry Lester
Supervisor Bill Endisch
Audience: 5 persons
Chair Pelletier declared that a quorum was present for doing
business.
Communications:
None
Comments and Suggestions of citizens present:
Susan Vogus asked when the next meetings regarding the Shodeen
project were going to take place and what the formats of the meetings
are. Chair Pelletier responded the next meeting scheduled are April
20th, 27th and May 4th. Pelletier replied the primary agenda items
would be the land use plan and the density of the project, which he
feels will take up all three meeting. Pelletier added these are Plan
Commission Meetings and not Public Hearings.
Resident, Gary DeVries asked what constitutes a quorum. DeVries
stated that with a new park contractor and Town Board Supervisor in
charge of the park, they have a lot of information to share. Attorney
Wassel stated they need to be careful regarding the walking quorum
issue. Anytime two or members of a committee meeting outside of a
posted meeting, they are in violation of the open meeting law.
DeVries responded the contractor isn’t on the committee and Attorney
Wassel stated they would still be in violation. Chair Pelletier
stated they would need to set a special meeting to discuss any open
issues.
Old Business:
None
New Business:
1.Administrative Committee
Supervisor Nowak reported that Ordinance # 269 was tabled from last
month and after committee discussion the committee decided to
recommend passing the Ordinance as written.
Supervisor Nowak stated that Clerk Endisch stated the treasurer had
received payment for an application for a farmer’s market spot, during
the months of June thru August. Nowak stated her first question was
do these people need to apply for a direct sellers permit, on top of
the fee for the rental space. Nowak also asked about waiving the
charge to enter into the park, would the Town be willing to waive that
fee. She said the Steve Shoff has done a lot of work to get this and
a craft fair off the ground and she would hate to see his work go
unnoticed. Her other question was regarding a background check.
Attorney Wassel stated he thought doing a background check as a
practical matter is a good idea.
Supervisor Endisch thought the town should give consideration to this
effort, making this a trial year. If there isn’t a good response, it
could be cancelled for future years. Steve Shoff stated he has
checked in the area and for example Elkhorn waives the permit
application. As far as Sales Tax, there is no tax on produce and
other vendors would be responsible to pay sales tax on their own.
Steve added that most Farmer’s Markets today are not only produce, but
a mixture of foods and goods. He added that
$ 75 is the going rate in the area. Supervisor Nowak stated her
biggest concern was even though this has been talked about in
committee for numerous meetings, nothing has ever been presented at
town board. Steve Shoff replied he did get an OK from Dick to go
ahead and Supervisor Endisch state the item is in his own minutes that
he took, when he attended as a citizen member.
Chair Pelletier responded he thought this was a good idea, the
farmer’s market would be held in off-peak days and this would be a
good way to promote and use our park. Supervisor Polzin stated he
thought this wouldn’t generate enough income to be worth its while.
Chair Pelletier responded it isn’t about income, but getting people
into our park and utilizing it. He added he thinks the Town should
give it a try, it is a good thing. It was determine to hold a
special joint Park and Administrative Committee meeting to discuss the
items and fees.
Chair Pelletier asked Supervisor Nowak if the Administrative
Committee could review the fees for the building inspector. He stated
that Dick Alderman provided him with new fee schedules which he would
like the Administrative Committee to review. Pelletier added the
contract we have today has a sixty day notice clause.
Treasurer Wisniewski remarked the Assessors contract ends this year –
It was determine the Administrative Committee would review and come
back with a recommendation to the Town Board.
2.Economic Growth & Development
Supervisor Nowak reported nothing to report and no agenda items.
3.Emergency Government
Chair Pelletier reported the committee hasn’t met.
4.Finance Committee
Chair Pelletier questioned when the final audit would be prepared.
Treasurer Wisniewski responded the Town has a new partner in charge of
our account, Don Villione. Mr. Villione stated he would have a draft
by the middle of May and the final available by the end of May.
5.Fire & Rescue Committee
Supervisor Malsch asked that the EMS Contract be placed on the
agenda, and that Attorney Harvey has proposed some changes to the
document, which hasn’t been finalized. It was determined once the
final document was presented; it would be referred back to the Fire
and Rescue Committee.
Chair Pelletier announced that he received the resignation from
Lester Primasing from the Fire and Rescue Committee, which he would
liked added to the agenda. Pelletier added he had a couple of
thoughts of a replacement which should also be on the agenda.
6.Lake Committee.
Chair Pelletier stated the Town Clerk has published the notice for
application for the dredging and there is a thirty day period of time
that needs to pass to see if anyone would like a public hearing.
Attorney Wassel recommended the Town to request the hearing, which
would make the calendar move faster. Pelletier will discuss with the
Attorney.
Supervisor Malsch asked about the boat launch at Blue Gill Road.
Chair Pelletier respond that 1 ½ years ago DNR ordered the town to
take away the obstruction to the lake and the Town addressed the issue
with DNR, with whom we have not gotten any response. Chair Pelletier
stated he didn’t think DNR would do anything regarding this issue.
7.Park & Tourism Committee
Supervisor Endisch reported he has a lot of loose ends with the
Committee. Endisch stated he has spoken with Dick regarding the fire
works and Dick stated he would go and pick up; Hummel also assured him
a band was secured for the 4th of July celebration.
Chair Pelletier asked if Endisch would take a look at fees in lieu;
the fees have been the same $ 400 for numerous year. The fees are
outline in Chapter 18; the Land Division Ordinance.
8.Plan Commission
Chair Pelletier reported the rezone for Susie Zeiser from C2 to R2
should be an agenda item.
Chair Pelletier stated the Plan Commission was reviewing the fees for
all plan commission items, i.e. rezones, etc.
Chair Pelletier stated the Public Hearing for the rezone for
Traditional Lakefront Properties, with a special plan commission
meeting following to vote on the issue.
9.Police Committee
Supervisor Malsch reported no agenda items or anything to report.
10.Public Works Committee
Chair Pelletier stated the Public Works Committee opened the bids to
purchase a new chipper. The committee didn’t pick the lowest bidder.
Mike Petkoff and Tom Thiele received demonstrations on all four
chippers and the lower priced chippers didn’t have the necessary
safety features as required not were as high duty. The Committee is
recommending the Town approve the bid of $ 25,039 from Bobcat Plus.
Chair Pelletier reported the P.W. Committee has asked the P.W. Union
to change contract language to reflect changing the probation period
for a new employee from six months to twelve months. This will be an
agenda item.
Chair Pelletier informed the board there would be a recommendation
for hiring a new Public Works employee, they are deciding between two
candidates. He added that both candidates are equally qualified, with
one doing the same exact job where currently employed.
Chair Pelletier told the Board that when DOT did their annual
inspection of the Salt Shed, the shed proved to be inadequate. Unless
the Town repairs the shed we can’t participate in the state salt
program. Pelletier reported that two walls need to be built up.
Chair Pelletier informed the board that the culverts on Goose Pond
Rd. are collapsing. The Town Engineer recommends that three or four
culverts be placed under the road; this is an unbudgeted item.
Chair Pelletier added the last culvert the town installed cost $
13,000 to $ 14,000; he is unsure of the cost.
11.ETZ Committees
Chair Pelletier stated this committee which is relatively quiet,
might heat up because of the Shodeen project. Supervisor Polzin
remarked the Town doesn’t normally call the meetings; the meetings are
initiated by Elkhorn. Polzin added that he and Endisch would attend
on behalf of the Town; he also understand that Bob Nieuwenhuis if also
a member of this committee.
12.Other
Chair Pelletier asked the approval for proposed committee assignments
be placed on the agenda. Pelletier stated as his memo reflected he
couldn’t please all; he just made sure all were equally unhappy.
Treasurer Wisniewski stated that all of the other appointments also
need to be added to the agenda. Clerk Endisch replied she would
address this item.
Chair Pelletier reported that for him to interact with Shodeen
one-on-one, to discuss clarification of items in their documents,
etc., he required the Town Board to authorize him to do this.
Pelletier added that he would make it clear to Shodeen that he only
represents one vote and has no authority to approve anything.
Supervisor Polzin questioned if it is wise to continue with a
building inspector as we are today or if the Town should be looking at
hiring an in-house building inspector. Chair Pelletier stated it is
too soon to speculate on the revenue etc., until the Shodeen project
gets going or is off the ground it is impossible to determine the
impact.
Supervisor Polzin asked about impact fees. Chair Pelletier stated
that Supervisor Nowak looked at last year and the justification and
restrictions involved make the agreements the Shodeen regarding new
equipment, manpower etc., are much better for the Town.
Clerk Endisch stated that Board of Review Training is available for
the Clerk and the Town Board through the WMCA Association; held at the
Riviera in Lake Geneva on May 4, 2006 from 9 to Noon. If anyone is
interested the Town Clerk as forms available to sign up.
Clerk Endisch explained about the requirements of purchasing a
Handicapped Accessible Voting Machine. Endisch explained the cost of
the machine will be approximately $ 5,200, which has been budgeted
for. She added the money would be reimbursed through a grant from the
State. Kim Bushey, the County Clerk has told the Clerks in Walworth
County that she could purchase all of the machines on behalf of the
municipalities and apply for the grant. This would be similar to what
was done when the voting machines were purchased in the early 2000’s.
Clerk Endisch will provide Attorney Wassel a copy of the MOU for his
approval and would like the item placed on the Town Board Agenda for
approval.
Attorney Wassel stated he received a call from Keith Munson regarding
Mr. Polzin’s open records request for information regarding Westshire
Farms. Wassel added that he would be defending the assessor per state
statutes.
Chair Pelletier asked if everyone read about SB-1, which imposes
ethics and financial disclosure to every elected official. Pelletier
stated he has contacted both Lothian and Kedzie offices in regards to
the bill. Pelletier added that nobody would run for public office and
he was told that if you don’t fill out the form, you won’t be
certified to run for office. Lothian told Pelletier there is a
reasonable chance this will go through; he asked Wassel if the Town
should adopt a resolution in regards to this. It was determined that
Wassel would do same.
Adjournment:
Supervisor Polzin made a motion to adjourn with a second from
Supervisor Malsch and the motion carried unanimously.
Chair Pelletier adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM
ATTEST: APPROVED:
_____________________________ ______________________________
Colleen Endisch, Town Clerk John Pelletier,
Town Chair