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TOWN OF ROCHESTER Link to Town Board Meetings
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Link to Town Board Meetings |
August 11, 2003 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 7:30 p.m.
Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with Gary Beck, Paul Beere and Mike Weinkauf present. Betty Novy, Clerk, was also present.
Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence for Donald Eckert.
Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to approve minutes of the July 14, 2003 meetings of the Board as printed. Motion carried.
Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to approve August disbursements as follows. Motion carried.
General Fund Disbursements:
Rochester Sewer Utility District #1:
The Treasurer’s report was delayed until such time as the Treasurer arrived.
Public Works Department. Gary Chart was not present.
Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant Kacmarcik reported the following statistics for July: seven speeding citations, eleven traffic citations and eighteen warnings were issued. Complaint statistics were as follows: eleven complaints were originated through calls directly to Sheriff’s Department; Deputy Prochaska assisted with fifteen additional complaints, performed follow up on six and originated twenty on his own. Fourteen foot patrols were conducted.
Report was also given on enforcement of a reckless driver ordinance in Honey Lake. Deputy Prochaska was able to issue one citation in July because of signed statement issued by a resident. In regards to observing the timing of the stop lights at the intersection of STH 20 and STH 36, it was noted they appear to be based on pads in the ground and timing is not consistent. Racine County Public Works would need to be contacted on this. Correspondence was sent to a property owner on Fox Grove Drive in response to several complaints of junk on the property. Gary indicated this should be followed up on before August 18th as the individual is thought to be leaving town.
Fairview and Langmaid Street resurfacing options and costs: Sarah Wilfert, Crispell-Snyder Sarah reported on widening issues brought up at the last Board meeting. She visited the site and noted that in order to widen the driving surface of the road, some pine tree limbs would need to be cut back because of the diameter of the trees. One ash tree would also need to come down. The existing width of the road ranges from eighteen to twenty one feet. Her observances were based on installing a 20 foot driving surface with one foot shoulders on each side. Excavation will be required up to three feet on each side of the existing pavement to provide sufficient base for a new surface of this size. It was suggested the project be bid out as part of a larger project next year in order to bring overall costs down. Board members indicated concern was recently stated by residents about the necessity of removing items that exist in the right of way. Removal or trimming of a few trees should not be of major consequence and would reduce increased liability to the Town by having trees too close to the road. Consensus of the Board was the decision was not necessarily required that night; but that it will become part of budget considerations in the Fall.
Determination of Cost Sharing for Fairview Street Extension: Leonard Arnouts Sarah provided cost sharing calculations on extension costs for Fairview (as required by the Arnouts land division) so that the Town could take over the surfacing portion of the project in conjunction with the larger project of surfacing all of Fairview and Langmaid next year. It was reported the Arnouts’ installed the base already and it passed inspection. Total project costs were based on installation of a twenty foot driving surface and three foot shoulders ($9,022.25). Credit was offered for work already done and improvements to that portion of Fairview which had deteriorated and made connection difficult ($5,377.20). A 5% deposit of total project costs must be retained for a period of one year to guarantee against settling ($451.11). Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to accept a cash deposit of $4,096.16 and payment of outstanding engineering fees to release the letter of credit previously required for improvement of the road. Motion carried.
Ordinance #7-2003 creating Chapter XLV of the Town of Rochester Ordinances “Possession of Tetrahydrocannabinois (THC/Marijuana) and Drug Paraphernalia Prohibited” Mike moved, 2nd by Gary to adopt Ordinance #7-2003. Motion carried.
Crackfilling and shoulder bids: N. River, Oak Knoll and Rowntree Roads Proposals were received and reviewed totaling $14,462.60 from B.R. Amon and Sons, Inc.; and $20,410.30 from Payne and Dolan. Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to accept the proposal from B.R. Amon and Sons, Inc. to rout and crackfill N. River and Oak Knoll Roads for $8,055.60 and to shoulder Rowntree Road for $$6,407.00. Motion carried.
Appointment to Plan Commission: Christian Johnson Gary moved, 2nd by Paul to appoint Christian Johnson to fill the remaining term of Maureen Eckert on the Plan Commission. Motion carried.
New Computer Purchase (for Treasurer) The Clerk explained monies were provided in the 2003 budget to replace the Treasurer’s computer. It was requested the expenditure be approved in the form of a dollar amount so the Treasurer could take advantage of any price reductions at the time of purchase. Gary moved, 2nd by Paul to approve purchase of a new computer with costs not to exceed $1,000.00. Motion carried.
Colleen Holder, who had arrived during the meeting, read the Treasurer’s report at this time (as follows).
Introduction of County Sheriff Robert D. Carlson Sargeant Kacmarcik reported the Sheriff did not have the meeting on his calendar and was not able to attend.
2004 Law Enforcement Contract: Racine County Sheriff’s Department Sargeant Kacmarcik summarized contract renewal terms. The number of hours for one full-time deputy is maintained at the cost of $80,698.29. This cost includes an increase determined by taking an average of hourly wages for all deputies in the department to arrive at the salary portion of contract cost.
Bill Olson, 324 Ridge Line Road, questioned whether this money could be used for a better purpose. Gary Beck indicated the Board felt the money was well spent during previous contract approvals. Past experience was such that Town ordinances didn’t mean much without a means of enforcement. Gary feels the contract has been a plus to the community. Sergeant Kacmarcik offered the following figures as returns to the community in terms of revenue: $34,000 in citations last year; $25,838 to date this year. It was noted the Town does not retain all of those monies. A substantial portion is retained by the State and County for court fees. Paul questioned the possibility of going to a half-time contract. Mike indicated the Sheriff’s Department has always given the Town good service, but he has had several residents talk to him about the money aspect of the contract. He believes they would still give excellent protection even at 50% contracted time. When questioned on what other communities have in place, Sergeant Kacmarcik indicated both Towns of Dover and Raymond contract for services. In addition to their own police departments, the Village of Union Grove contracts full time officers from the Sheriff’s Department to cover both 2nd and 3rd shifts; the Village of Waterford also contracts to achieve 24 hour coverage, including a police liaison officer for the schools, with costs at approximately $330,000. The Towns of Dover and Raymond contract for specific dollar amounts. It was noted the contract figure includes liability insurance, necessary squads, dispatch, use of the court system and all the special services available from a larger department. It was agreed the dollar amount of the contract would be determined during the meeting of electors after the budget hearing in Fall. A preference was indicated from a number of residents present in the audience to look at reducing the contract to 50% time. When asked about whether the current officer assignment (Deputy Prochaska) would change if the contract was reduced, Sergeant Kacmarcik indicated it was a strong possibility. Concern was expressed about the passing of information specific to our community to other officers, continuity, and special enforcement requirements in the Honey Lake area. It was indicated the department offers many resources for the contract amount and they will work with the Board in any capacity they wish.
Public comment: A resident from the Scotsdale Subdivision complained about the condition of their roads and questioned whether seal coating would be done this year. It was explained a certain type of seal coat was being considered for application this year, but time tests proved it would not be a good product for the roads. Further treatments will be considered as part of the 2004 budget process.
Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty J. Novy Clerk |