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TOWN OF ROCHESTER Link to Town Board Meetings
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Link to Town Board Meetings |
October 12, 2004 REGULAR 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. Colleen Holder, Treasurer; and Gary Chart, Public Works Supervisor were absent.
Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to approve minutes of the September 13 & 28, 2004 meetings as printed. Motion carried.
Gary moved, 2nd by Paul to approve October disbursements with additional direction that check #7312 to Crispell-Snyder (from September) continue to be held until the Fox River Prairie Lift Station retaining wall issue is cleared up. Motion carried.
Town General Fund Disbursements:
Rochester Sewer Utility District #1 Disbursements
Treasurer’s Department. The Treasurer’s report was delayed until such time as Colleen Holder arrived.
Public Works Department. Gary Chart was not present.
Sheriff’s Department. Sergeant Kacmarcik reported the following statistics for September: two accidents; twelve speeding citations; fourteen traffic citations; zero parking citations and twenty-one warnings were issued. Complaint statistics were as follows: twenty-one complaints originated through calls directly to the Sheriff’s Department; Deputy Prochaska assisted with 29 more, performed follow up on three complaints and originated twenty-one on his own. Four foot patrols were conducted. A statistical call analysis sheet was presented showing the nature of calls received from Town residents by the Sheriff’s Department. Calls were classified by year in 106 different categories with the following totals: 2,323 calls in 2002; 2,075 calls in 2003; and 1,465 calls to date in 2004. The totals represent 24-hour law enforcement coverage vs. only contract time. Deputy Prochaska explained follow up numbers were high in 2002 due to a sweep on junk vehicles. Overall, there has been a large increase in “Operating While Intoxicated” offenses. Most likely this is due to increased cell phone usage and the ability of motorists to call in and report when someone is driving erratically. In September, there were four drug arrests: three were written under municipal ordinances; and one resulted in a felony drug arrest. A fatal car vs. train accident occurred on Oak Knoll Road. Deputy Prochaska was able to arrive on the scene within three minutes of the call. Flight for Life was dispatched. However, injuries were severe and the motorist passed away in the hospital. Some calls handled in September were reports of vandalism on Oak Knoll Road, a drug overdose on prescription drugs by a resident, a house fire and a report of reckless behavior by a motorist that affected a group of bicyclists on N. Honey Lake Road. Signage is needed on Evergreen Drive to enforce the No Parking restriction from November – April and speed limit signs are still needed in the subdivisions. Some goals stated for next year were to work on reducing the speed limit on Academy Road from Village (of Rochester) limits to Heritage Road; a round up on dog licenses, continued work on junk vehicles and to schedule a safety day at the library, in conjunction with the Fire Department, to include bicycle safety demonstrations.
Mike questioned Deputy Prochaska on his visit to a property where an individual is running a scrap metal business. He stated the individual complained Deputy Prochaska is sending him a citation in the mail and he didn't understand the problem. Deputy Prochaska explained he received one complaint on the property in the past regarding burning and smells, but was unable to observe any problem at the time. Since then, Racine County Zoning referred another anonymous complaint to him. Deputy Prochaska investigated and found the individual to be running a salvage yard separating junk from scrap iron. The individual has a pile of scrap 15 – 20 feet high and wide behind an outbuilding. He observed burning of plastics and styrofoam in burn barrels and oil leaking onto the ground. County zoning stated a salvage business cannot be operated in an agricultural district. A letter was sent to the property owner giving him a certain number of days to clean up the property. A citation will be issued only if the property owner does not comply.
Oakes & Jung Gravel Pit Agreement Defaults Resignation of Lloyd Frye, Land Use Plan Committee Chairperson
These items were removed from the agenda due to individual party requests.
Resignation of Colleen Holder, Treasurer
This item was tabled until such time as the Treasurer arrived.
Modified job description for Public Works Supervisor and authorization to hire assistant
The Clerk explained Gary Chart has had some medical problems recently which resulted in a limitation of duties by his physician. Gary has expressed a desire to hire an individual to train for his position. Consensus of the Board was that an individual should be sought to fill the position who has experience with road regulations, etc. Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to advertise the position with salary to be listed as “negotiable based on qualifications and experience”. Motion carried.
Plan Commission Recommendation: Gravel Pit Permit Fees
The Clerk reported that the Plan Commission has researched gravel pit permit fee structures of other communities. In their research, they noted the need to justify any fee increases by costs incurred by the municipality to regulate the activity. Their final recommendation was to leave gravel pit permit fees where they are until such time as a need arises for the Town to increase their monitoring activities. Consensus of the Board was to accept the recommendation and leave the fee structure as is.
Library Funding Requirements per Wis. Stats. 43.64(2m)
The Clerk explained a question arose about funding requirements after the Library’s 2005 budget presentation and the item is on the agenda for information on the topic. Wis. Stats. 43.64(2m) requires any municipality that is subject to a county library tax to appropriate a sum at least equal to the amount calculated by multiplying the equalized value of the municipality by the mill rate charged for library services in the prior year, as charged to those municipalities subject to the tax. In absence of the appropriation, the municipality becomes subject to the library tax. Since the Rochester Public Library is a joint library operated by both Town and Village of Rochester, the Town historically chose to allocate its funds to that library. Mike questioned why the Town does not contribute to Waterford and Burlington libraries as many residents use their services. It was explained that if monies are sent to the Lakeshores Library System, they are distributed throughout the system by a specific distribution formula. Funds would be disbursed to all libraries in the system, not just Burlington and Waterford. Gary explained the Town Board entered into an agreement to fund the joint library when Lakeshores Library System was established because they felt it was better to keep this money in Rochester. Paul expressed some frustration that increased value in the Town continually causes expenses to rise.
2005 Countryside Animal Control Contract (Revised)
Gary and Mike reported on attendance at an intergovernmental meeting where the contract was discussed. The revised contract specifies a 10% increase from last year. Gary moved, 2nd by Paul to enter into the 2005 Animal Control Contract with Countryside Humane Society for $2,208.00. Motion carried.
Revisions to Rochester Municipal Building Agreement to fund joint municipal office and meeting room areas; and joint municipal staff
The agreement was drafted based on cost sharing methods proposed at the September meeting. Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to approve the agreement with the Village of Rochester to fund a joint municipal office, meeting rooms areas and joint municipal staff. Motion carried.
Budget Amendment Resolution #2-2004 increasing revenues from the budget category “Excess Cash Carried over to Reduce Levy” to $5,000.00; and increasing the budget category “General Building Outlay” from $1,000.00 to $6,000.00.
Gary moved, 2nd by Paul to approve Budget Resolution #2-2004. Motion carried.
Resolution #6-2004 “A Resolution of Inclusion under the Wisconsin Retirement System”
Gary clarified the resolution does not include board members, only employees of the municipality. Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to approve Resolution #6-2004 specifying 100% prior years service credit and to pay the $2,174.00 cost associated with that credit over five years. Motion carried.
Resolution #7-2004 “A Resolution accepting Final Completion of Camelback Farms Subdivision”
The resolution, drafted by the Town Attorney, included reference to item 10c of the Developer’s Agreement directing the developer to retain completed operations coverage in effect for at least two years from the date of final completion with the Town named as an additional insured. Buzz Hurley indicated there was no developer’s agreement and that the subdivision was approved before there was a need for one. Pat indicated the subdivision has been in for eight years now and she does not feel they should be required to provide the insurance. Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to table the item until the November meeting and to request clarification from the attorney. Motion carried.
Resolution #8-2004 approving and authorizing an application to the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, State of Wisconsin, for a loan of $430,000.00 to finance cost overruns on the N. Honey Lake Road project and refinance two outstanding loans
Gary moved, 2nd by Paul to approve Resolution #8-2004, as drafted, to approve application to the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, State of Wisconsin, for a loan of $430,000.00 to finance cost overruns on the N. Honey Lake Road project and refinance Oak Knoll Road construction and Fire Truck loans. Votes were: Gary: Aye; Paul: Aye; Mike: Aye. Motion carried.
Request for Jurisdictional Exchange for a portion of County Road W: Village of Waterford
A copy of correspondence from the Village of Waterford to Racine County Public Works was reviewed requesting that CTH W be re-routed over Ela Avenue and Buena Park Road. In exchange, Waterford would take over CTH W, as it exists now, from its intersection with Ela Avenue north to STH 20/83. A small portion of Buena Park Road falls under the Town of Rochester’s jurisdiction. Concern was expressed about the sharp turn from Ela Avenue to Buena Park Road and it was thought this may have to be improved before routing additional traffic that way. The item was considered only informational at this time.
Receipt of a Petition for Annexation to Village of Waterford: Kumbier Property/ Highway 36
The petition for 33 acres was reviewed by the Board. Consensus of the Board was to send a letter asking the Village of Waterford to hold off action on the petition until such time as discussion begins on a Boundary Agreement.
Removal of cabinets from back office area
The Clerk requested permission to remove a set of large wooden cabinets from the back office area as they take up a lot of space and are not an efficient means of storage. Consensus of the Board was to have the maintenance man remove the cabinets.
Set date for Budget meeting
A meeting was set for Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. to draft the 2005 budget.
Colleen Holder arrived at this time.
Treasurer’s Report. Colleen presented the Treasurer’s Report as follows:
Resignation of Colleen Holder, Treasurer
On behalf of the Board and community, Gary Beck thanked Colleen for nearly twelve years of service. Those present at the meeting offered their applause in appreciation.
Period for Public Comment:
Jackie Busch, 33753 Academy Road, reported to the Board that a car had gone off N. Honey Lake Road and landed in the ditch on her property. She made arrangements with WE Energies to cover a gas pipe sticking out of the ground since reconstruction of the road. Loose gravel in the intersection of CTH FF and N. Honey Lake Road affects traffic turning south. She still feels curb and gutter would have been preferable to the ditch at that section of road.
Gary moved, 2nd by Mike to adjourn at 9:14 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted: Betty J. Novy, Clerk
October 19, 2004 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING 5:00 P.M.
Meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. with Gary Beck, Paul Beere and Mike Weinkauf present.
The purpose of the meeting was to prepare the 2005 budget. The Clerk presented costs as estimated or known for 2005. Two items were identified to present as options to the budget (as follows):
Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to send correspondence to the Village of Rochester requesting consideration to pick up 25% costs of a full-time law enforcement contract so that one full-time deputy could serve both communities. Motion carried.
A resident requested consideration of a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in 2006. The Clerk is to bring the grant application and cost figures to the Board’s attention at the appropriate time for consideration.
Budget figures were approved for public hearing as follows:
The resulting mill rate is $2.74. Options to the budget are to be presented as follows: Option A (25% reduction in law enforcement contract): Tax Levy of $ $438,842.16 – mill rate $2.61; Option B (purchase and installation of uniform house numbers): Tax Levy: $ $486,776.21 – mill rate $2.90
Mike moved, 2nd by Paul to adjourn to closed session as allowed by 19.85(1)(f) “Considering financial, medical, social or personal histories or disciplinary data of specific persons, preliminary consideration of specific personnel problems or the investigation of charges against specific persons except where par. (b) applies which, if discussed in public, would be likely to have a substantial adverse effect upon the reputation of any person referred to in such histories or data, or involved in such problems or investigations.” for the purpose of discussing an accusation of inappropriate behavior regarding an appointed official.
Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to return to open session 7:05 p.m. Motion carried.
Paul moved, 2nd by Mike to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted:
Betty J. Novy Clerk |