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TOWN OF ROCHESTER Link to Town Board Meetings
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Link to Town Board Meetings |
April 11, 2005 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; and Christopher Birkett, Public Works Supervisor, were also present.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to approve minutes of the March 1, 14, 21 & 24, 2005 meetings as printed. Motion carried.
Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to approve April disbursements as follows. Motion carried.
Town General Fund Disbursements:
Rochester Sewer Utility District #1 Disbursements:
Treasurer’s Report. Betty read the Treasurer’s report as follows.
Public Works Department. Chris reported on failure of the bank on N. Honey Lake Road. He explained the engineer and contractor are in disagreement as to who is responsible for repair. This will hopefully be resolved in the upcoming month. Betty reported the contractor will be removing straw bales and stakes that were left onsite. Chris met with the Lancours to discuss drainage problems on Oak Knoll Road. Racine County is able to dig out the ditch and he believes this will solve the problem. Chris was authorized to have the work done. Oak Knoll also needs some shoulder repair. Chris was directed to get several quotes on this item and present them at the May meeting. He should also check on using recycled materials. N. River Road was discussed with the Racine County Public Works supervisor. He believed rolling in coldpatch with a bonding agent would get the road through this season. The Board would like to discuss this with the engineer before any work is done. Chris is continuing to install 25 m.p.h. speed limit signs throughout the Town, repair pot holes, and clear right of ways of brush and rubbish. The landscaping contractor has been out to the Case Eagle Park baseball diamonds. Grass has been cut and materials added to the diamonds. Chris has been exercising the lift station generator and valves monthly and attended a workshop on road maintenance.
Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant Kacmarcik reported the following statistics for March: two accidents; twelve speeding citations, fourteen traffic citations and thirty-nine warnings were issued. Complaint statistics were as follows: eighteen complaints originated through calls directly to the Sheriff’s Department; Deputy Prochaska assisted with nineteen additional complaints, performed follow up on five and originated thirty-two on his own. He reported 19 work days, 156.5 hours and 2,052 miles driven. Sergeant Kacmarcik indicated statistics for 2004 will be presented at the Annual meeting. He will also be able to report anticipated costs for the 2006 contract.
Request for reduction of letter of credit: Fox River Prairie Subdivision
Mike Kaerek, developer, and a representative from Mann Brothers (sewer contractors) presented a request for a reduction in Fox River Prairie’s letter of credit from $369,750 to $25,000 or $50,000. Mike explained he understood the request was denied previously due to some concerns the building inspector expressed about sewer connections in a particular area and the Town’s intention to have the sewer televised. Betty explained televising had been arranged and would be done by April 22. Mike Kaerek informed the Board sewers were televised once already. All other work on the subdivision has been completed with the exception of some minor landscaping items. The reason the letter of credit hasn’t already been reduced was his own oversight. If he had asked for the reduction after the first televising, the reduction would already have been made. The representative from Mann Brothers explained the cost of sewer installation for the whole subdivision was approximately $300,000.and it is only a portion of the sewers affected by the building inspector’s concerns. He thought any spot repairs would cost at the most $20,000. Mike Kaerek stated they value the relationship they have had with the Town and will correct any problems if they are found. Gary moved, 2nd by Paul to reduce the letter of credit amount by $200,000.00 to $169,750.00. Votes were: Gary: Aye; Paul: Aye; Mike: Nay. Motion passed.
Request for participation in CMAQ Grant for Pedestrian/ Bicycle Path on CTH W (shoulder)
Betty explained the Village of Waterford is applying for a grant to install a five-foot bike/ pedestrian path on both sides of Jefferson Street (a.k.a. CTH W). They asked if the Town and Village of Rochester would be interested in being named in the grant application and extending the path along Town and Village of Rochester portions of the highway to terminate at the point of existing sidewalks in the Village of Rochester. This is proposed to allow safe travel for bicyclists, joggers, children, etc. between Waterford and Rochester communities. As a separate application, Waterford is applying to install a pedestrian bridge over the Fox River which would connect this bicycle path with Whitford Park. It will also offer safer travel to Woodfield Elementary through two subdivisions north of the Waterford Industrial Park that will be connected to the bike/pedestrian path. The grant is a 80/20% split, with communities picking up 20%. A rough estimate of Town of Rochester costs is $2,590.00 which could be budgeted over three years to coincide with the grant’s cycle. Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to send a letter to the Village of Waterford stating the Town’s interest in participating. Motion carried.
Terrorism Equipment Agreement between Racine County and Rochester Fire Department (cooperative grant application to secure vehicle mounted laptop computers for emergency vehicles)
Betty explained Racine County Emergency Management is applying for a grant to benefit different emergency agencies throughout the County. The application is in need of Town and Village of Rochester Board approvals in order to benefit the Rochester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company. If awarded, the grant will allow purchase of vehicle mounted laptop computers for fire and rescue vehicles. Mike moved, 2nd by Gary to approve the grant application for Emergency Management so that emergency vehicles can be so equipped. Motion carried.
2006 Law Enforcement Contract Options
Betty explained this item was placed on the agenda for further discussion on what cost sharing options the Board is agreeable to as they pertain to law enforcement contract sharing with the Village of Rochester for 2006. Gary and Paul indicated a 75%/ 25% contract split between the two communities is agreeable- regardless of whether it is to maintain one full-time or both existing Village and Town contracts. Under either scenario, the Town will incur cost savings. Mike expressed his feeling that maintaining one full time 1,800 hour contract is sufficient. He would like to try the 75%/ 25% split on the one full-time contract. He feels this is most cost efficient and would allow Village and Town to see what is actually needed. Sergeant Kacmarcik indicated it is hard to measure the effectiveness of a contract or police presence in the community. Call and crime statistics vary from year to year and are sometimes hard to directly tie to police presence. What is not happening- or did not happen- due to an increased presence cannot be measured. The trust and relationships built with citizens is also difficult to measure. Gary indicated he is agreeable to maintaining the two contracts as the Village will be picking up more costs and their concerns need to be addressed. Paul indicated concern about being able to get additional hours back when and if it is determined they are needed. He recalled that when the Town pulled away from their snowplowing relationship with Racine County, they were unable to get it back and now have to rely on private contractors. He questioned whether the Town would be able to pick up additional coverage when and if they needed it. Sergeant Kacmarcik stated the 280 hours provided under the Village contract would be sold to another community looking to supplement their coverage if the choice was made to terminate the contract. When and if the Town and Village want more coverage, he would try to get the hours back- but noted there are no guarantees. Paul questioned whether the term of the contracts could be extended. Sergeant Kacmarcik indicated costs are determined annually based on actual payroll data. This is not always known in advance due to union contract negotiations. He thought the County may be able to do a two-year contract, but that a three-year was definitely not possible. He will check and report back to the Board.
Set Board of Review Date
Consensus of the Board was to schedule the first meeting of the Board of Review 15 minutes earlier than the regular May Board meeting in order to meet statutory requirements. The meeting would then be adjourned to reconvene on Saturday, July 16, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Memorial Day Contribution
Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to approve a $50.00 contribution to the Rochester Memorial Day Parade committee. Motion carried.
Period for Public Comment:
Jackie Busch commented on recent passage of the consolidation referendum question. She wanted to know how boundary agreements have progressed with the City of Burlington. She noted the Baumeister farm was targeted for annexation to the City and that City of Burlington expansion plans will create a Town of Burlington island on the northern edge of the City. Mike Weinkauf indicated an area had been identified as possibly annexing into the Village of Rochester in the future; what is now the Erickson Farm on Teut and Maple. There are approximately 500 acres there that are mostly marsh. Jackie expressed concern over portions of land abutting Honey Lake Road in the Town of Burlington; that they will eventually go to the City of Burlington. It was noted the City will most likely not want marsh and woodlands. Jackie commented the City of Burlington has taken over conservancy land before and allowed people to build on it.
Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted:
Betty J. Novy, CMC Clerk-Treasurer
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