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TOWN OF ROCHESTER Link to Town Board Meetings
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Link to Town Board Meetings |
July 6, 2006 REGULAR BOARD MEETING 7:00 p.m.
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Gary Beck, Paul Beere and Mike Weinkauf present.
Betty Novy, Clerk-Treasurer, Christopher Birkett, Public Works Supervisor, and John Tierney, Engineer, were also present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to approve minutes of the June 12, 2006 meetings as printed. Motion carried.
Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to approve July disbursements as follows. Motion carried.
Town General Fund Disbursements:
Rochester Sewer Utility District #1 Disbursements:
Treasurer’s Report. Betty Novy read the report as follows:
Betty reported Town General CD#4026963 as due July 14th. These funds will be needed for the N. River Road reconstruction project. John Tierney indicated a pay request is not anticipated for at least two months. Consensus of the Board was to reinvest the C.D. for 30 days at the best rate available. Betty also reported on recent communication with Glenn Lampark of Racine County Public Works. The restroom facility at Case Eagle Park will be opened soon. Glenn requested a representative of the Town meet with Jim Metzger, Parks Manager, to tour the facility and discuss how to manage keys for baseball diamond use. Chris Birkett was directed to set up a meeting.
Sheriff’s Department. A written summary of June’s activities was not yet available. Deputy Prochaska reported the start of the summer season as pretty quiet so far. However, there have been some recent reports of vandalism. An ordinance recently referred to the Board for review was discussed. The ordinance, adopted by the Village of Rochester, was drafted to create consistency between Town, County and Village ordinances. It also adopts numerous State Statutes for enforcement under local ordinance. Deputy Prochaska requested the Board’s consideration to adopt a similar ordinance. A bond schedule was also presented that establishes a guideline for fines. Consensus of the Board was to refer the ordinance and bond schedule to the Town Attorney with direction to create a similar ordinance for consideration at a future Town Board meeting. A bond schedule is also to be created with amounts mirroring those adopted by the Village of Rochester.
Public Works Department. Christopher Birkett reported on the following monthly activities:
Betty reported the Evergreen Drive drainage issue had been addressed by the Board back in August of 2005. At that time, the Town Attorney was given direction to send the property owner a letter indicating the Town’s willingness to perform drainage system repairs within the Town right of way area if they could be coordinated with repairs done to the property by its owner to alleviate the problem. No drainage easements were found giving the Town the right or responsibility to go onto this private property to perform repairs. Betty had checked with the attorney to see if the letter had been set, but had not yet received a response. She will follow up on this issue.
Building Inspection Report. Jim Deluca reported as follows:
The owners, Andy Jungbluth and Jennifer Myhre, addressed the Board explaining their progress on the house and some recent problems with a masonry contractor. Jim Deluca indicated rough HVAC, electric and plumbing is in. There are still some gaps in the exterior siding that need to be closed before he can make a final rough inspection and okay enclosure of the walls. Board members expressed concern that the owners have not kept to the time schedule for completion set the previous year. The Board requested to be kept informed as to progress. The owners indicated their hope to be in the home within the next six weeks.
Consensus of the Board was not to draft an ordinance. Jim was requested to pay special attention in the future to make sure building sites are controlling their debris.
Sheriff Robert Carlson: Municipal Update
Sheriff Carlson addressed the Board reporting on the jail expansion project. The project will break ground in two weeks. Most costs will go towards renovation of the existing facility. A public ceremony will be held soon to open the Robert L. Rohner law enforcement training center. The center was built as a cooperative project between Racine County and the F.B.I. It was primarily financed with federal funds. Officials were encouraged to attend the opening ceremony or contact Sheriff Carlson at another time to set up a tour of the facility. Sheriff Carlson was thanked for his visit.
Application for Preliminary Plat Approval: Stoneridge Subdivision Developer: Edward Stone Location: 2826 Maple Road Owner: Ed Stone; Engineer: David Olsen (Root Parcel #014-03-19-05-008-000; 160 acres)
John Tierney reported all his review comments were addressed on the most recent set of plans. Plan Commission review occurred the previous week and their conditions of approval were referred to the developer. Ed Stone addressed the Board explaining one drainage pond previously proposed was eliminated to address concerns expressed by an abutting property owner (Thomas Greil). Most drainage will be funneled to a two-acre pond near Lot four. Ditches will be the infiltration type (shallow). Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to approve the Preliminary Plat for Stoneridge Subdivision contingent on the following recommendations of the Plan Commission:
Note corrections:
Motion carried.
Request for reconsideration of Operator’s License Application: Sheena Plevak
Sheena Plevak addressed the Board. Sheena has a felony conviction for 2nd offense possession of THC. She was denied renewal of her operator’s license for “The Bunker” at the June meeting. She requested the Board reconsider her application and explained she is on probation for two years and is seeing her probation officer every two weeks. She is currently enrolled in school for nursing and is supporting herself and two children. Her ability to work nights, including closing the bar alone, has been an important source of income for her. She reported it is a condition of her probation to stay alcohol and drug free. She is subject to random tests for these substances to verify she is complying with these terms. She completed a drug rehabilitation program with Agape Recovery Center. A copy of her discharge summary was presented. She recognizes she made a mistake and asked the Board for a second chance. She understands the negative effects of drugs and alcohol and indicated she will no longer participate in this lifestyle as it conflicts with her roles as a mother and nursing student. Roy Gawlitta of the Waterford Village Board addressed the Board. He stated Sheena has been trying to adjust her life. He believes Sheena deserves a second chance.
Correspondence was also submitted by Anthony Fischer, Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8343, supporting Sheena’s request for the license. Board members discussed the plea for reconsideration. While concern was expressed about liability issues, it was noted Sheena had completed a substance recovery program and that her probation officer did not object to her continued employment at “The Bunker”.
Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to approve Sheena Plevak’s operator’s license contingent on receiving a quarterly report from Sheena’s probation officer and monthly reports from her supervisor at “The Bunker” confirming that Sheena is complying with the terms of her probation. Motion carried.
Fire Dept. request to impose Fire Protection Facility requirements on new developments
Dick Bosworth, Fire Chief, submitted a request that the Town consider adopting subdivision standards that require either dry hydrants or water supply tanks in new developments. Town of Waterford standards were presented as an example. The Fire Chief expressed concern over the number of new developments that are not near a source of water. He indicated problems arise when fighting a sizeable fire and the department needs to drive a distance back and forth from a water source. He requested that new developments be required to install either a dry-hydrant in a storm-water detention pond or a water supply tank.
John Tierney indicated depth requirements for dry hydrants may cause difficulty meeting this requirement. Pipes must be at least four feet under the ice line. These requirements may prove to be in conflict with the design of some storm-water management systems. An area for fire trucks to access the water may also be in conflict with land division designs. Consensus of the Board was that to require installation of dry hydrants and/or water supply tanks may be cost prohibitive in smaller developments. The Board did not want to make installation a requirement of every development.
Discussion expanded to what water facilities the fire department has access to already. Paul Beere reported years ago he had been approached by the Fire Department about using a pond on his property for this purpose- a request to which he agreed. Annually, someone would stop by and confirm that the fire department could still use the pond. However, the annual inquiry stopped a number of years ago and no one has inquired since.
Consensus of the Board was not to make installation of these facilities mandatory for every development. In contrast, they would like the Fire Department to report on what facilities are currently available for use, identify areas where a water source is lacking and identify existing ponds or water sources that may be utilized for this purpose. The Town and/or Fire Department could create agreements with private property owners and work to create necessary hydrants and access facilities to make use of these water sources feasible. In identified areas where no water source is available, the Town will consider making installation of these facilities a requirement of subdivision approval. This will define the parameters the Town can use as justification to require the installation. The Clerk is to notify the Fire Chief of the Board’s decision.
Application for Operator’s Licenses: New: Nicole Church (The Bunker) Renewal: Kathleen Elliott (The Bunker)
Nicole Church. Betty reported Nicole recently held an operator’s license in the City of Burlington. One misdemeanor ordinance violation for possession of THC was found on her application and background check. Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to approve the operator’s license for Nicole Church contingent that her record be periodically checked and that she and her employer be notified any further violations will result in revocation of the license and the necessity of making a personal appeal in order for the Board to consider reinstatement. Motion carried.
Kathleen Elliott. Betty reported this is a license renewal. Kathleen has a clean criminal background check. Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to approve renewal of Kathleen Elliott’s operator’s license. Motion carried.
Period for Public Comment: Roy Gawlitta thanked the Board for giving Sheena Plevak a second chance. Ed Stone expressed appreciation for the address signs installed around the Town and also informed the Board that he felt the Plan Commission had treated him well throughout the land division process. Gary Beck indicated he is always proud and appreciative of the work the Plan Commission performs for the Town.
Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to adjourn at 8:49 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted: Betty J. Novy, CMC Clerk-Treasurer |