VILLAGE BOARD
OCTOBER 1, 2013

The Village Board of Combined Locks was called to order by President John Neumeier. Trustees in attendance included: Justin Krueger, Ruth Wulgaert, Roger Kirch, Beth Sewall, Rick Strick, and Jim Ponto.

Also in attendance were: Village Administrator Sean Hutchison, Public Works Foreman Ryan Swick, Fox Valley Metro Police Chief Erik Misselt, Attorney Brian Krause, resident Marie Allard, and Judy Hebbe of the Times Villager.

The first item on the agenda was to review and consider approval of the minutes and bills. R. Wulgaert made a motion to approve the minutes as presented. R. Kirch seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. J. Ponto made a motion to approve the bills as presented. R. Kirch seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was to discuss and consider approval of the discontinuation of a portion of Government Lot 1, Section 25-21-18 land abutting the cul de sac on Hartjes Street. As discussed at previous meetings, the land will be divided by splitting the right-of-way in half along the median line. R. Strick made a motion to approve the land vacation and division as presented. B. Sewall seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

The next item on the agenda

The next item on the agenda was the Administrator’s report. He reported that staff spent time completing the Disaster Aid Application for the State. The cost for storm clean-up is estimated at $96,243, which does not include $10,000 for stump removal. The Village is eligible to recover 70% of the costs. The Administrator also reported that he attended a levy limit workshop sponsored by Ehlers and Associates. The Village’s levy limit is 1.23% or $16,128 for 2014. The Administrator explained that he continues to work on the 2014 operating budget and will continue working with the Police Chief and other Administrators for the FVMPD budget as well as working on the storm water, water and sewer budgets for 2014. The Administrator reported that the Planning Commission will meet on 10/02/13 to discuss and update the 5-Year Parks Plan. He also thanked the DPW crew and Police Department for their help and hard work to make the Fox Cities Marathon successful. The Administrator also expressed his gratitude to the Police, Fire, and Public Works personnel as well as the volunteers who helped clear the streets, barricade downed power lines, remove trees and limbs from homes, and just simply helped residents and neighbors feel safe and cared for.

The next item on the agenda was the Police Chief’s report. He reported that the hiring of the patrol officer has been delayed. The initial offer of employment was not made to the first choice applicant. The background check and a few other details must be conducted before an offer can be made to the next applicant. The Chief explained that his work on the 2014 budget has also been challenging; specifically there will be some service cuts in order to allow for extra hours needed for mandatory state and federal reporting.

The next item on the agenda was the Public Works Foreman’s report. He provided more information about the storm from August 7th: approximately 145 public trees were lost, not counting the trees in the hiking trails; the crew has a few more trees to remove and will then work on cleaning up the trail system in Memorial and Lindberg Parks; Best Stump Removal was hired to grind all the public tree stumps and did an outstanding job. The Foreman also reported that the entire Village has been swept six (6) times and the NR216 Stormwater requirements for street sweeping have also been met. 47 tons of debris has been removed from the streets. 16 tons of yard waste was hauled to the landfill this past month, bringing the total for the year to 164 tons. The “No Parking” signs were installed on Richard Street to deter student parking in that area. The crew will be preparing equipment for leaf collection, reviewing and updating the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan and 2014 operating budget, preparing to winterize the parks, and continuing with the rest of the storm damage clean-up. The Foreman reported that the sidewalk repairs and replacements will be complete this week, and the infrared patching for the utility repairs has been completed. Upcoming projects include: MCO performing the semi-annual hydrant flushing, replacing three manholes on Jean Street, inspecting Stormwater outfalls, and preparing equipment for snow plowing and removal. It was noted that the iron issue is still ongoing. Five homes are being continuously tested and the levels range from .45 to 2.38. Anything over .3 is considered high. The iron tests at the entry points to the Village test at .03 and at other test sites the levels are under .11. It remains that the iron issues are only in certain neighborhoods.

The next item on the agenda was to review and consider approval of amending Section 10-1-22(a)(2)(15) of Village ordinances regarding prohibited parking. The proposed change includes limiting parking no closer than 15 feet from a crosswalk and no closer than 4 feet from a private road, driveway or alley. J. Krueger made a motion to approve the amended section as presented. B. Sewall seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was to review and consider approval of additions to Title 7, Chapter 11 Escorts and Escort Services. The Police Chief explained that recent stings have identified prostitution in the FVMPD jurisdiction. In some cases, the offenders claim to be an escort service. The current ordinances do not provide the tools for the Police to address the escort services effectively. The proposed language does allow for the proper handling of an escort service as it requires licensing, registration, and outlines fines for violations. R. Wulgaert made a motion to approve Title 7, Chapter 11 as presented. R. Strick seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was to review and consider approval of the 2013 Fox Cities Mutual Aid Agreement. The Police Chief explained that this agreement formalizes standing approval for one agency to assist another in the case of an emergency, immediate threat to life or property, or when an officer needs back-up. The agreement is being presented to Appleton, Kaukauna, Menasha, Neenah, Grand Chute, Town of Menasha, Combined Locks, Kimberly, and Little Chute. The matter was discussed. The agreement has been thoroughly reviewed by several attorneys. B. Sewall made a motion to approve the 2013 Fox Cities Mutual Aid Agreement. J. Krueger seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

The next item on the agenda was to review and consider approval of Resolution 2013-8 regarding establishing a sanitation special revenue fund. The Administrator explained that with the most current State budget adoption, municipalities that have a fee that is supported, in part, by the levy, any increase in the fee must be offset by a reduction in the levy. The Resolution outlines that fact that the sanitation fee covers all the costs of the refuse collection, not including large rubbish. That service remains part of the levy. The matter was discussed briefly. R. Strick made a motion to approve Resolution 2013-8 as presented. J. Krueger seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The next item on the agenda was to review and consider approval of Resolution 2013-9 regarding establishing a storm water special revenue fund. The Administrator explained that with the most current State budget adoption, municipalities that have a fee that is supported, in part, by the levy, any increase in the fee must be offset by a reduction in the levy. The Resolution outlines that fact that the storm water fee covers all the storm water costs imposed by Garners Creek Storm Water Utility, DNR storm water requirements and the purchase of a street sweeper. The matter was discussed briefly. R. Strick made a motion to approve Resolution 2013-9 as presented. B. Sewall seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

The next item on the agenda was the status of the Traffic Utility Fee. The Administrator asked the Board if he should continue investigating a TUF or discontinue the research. He mentioned that the Finance Committee suggested discontinuing the option to institute a TUF. The matter was discussed. The consensus of Board opinion was to discontinue researching this option.

The next item on the agenda was to discuss the 2014 Operating Budget process and get an idea of the estimated tax rate. Options discussed were: 1) $5.28 mill rate, which equates to an increase of $1.87 on a $100,000 home. This option does not include money for streets or another seasonal DPW employee. 2) $5.32 mill rate, which equates to an increase of $5.62 on a $100,000 home. This option includes money to hire an additional seasonal DPW employee. 3) $5.39 mill rate, which equates to an increase of $13.09 on a $100,000 home. This option includes money for streets but not a DPW seasonal employee. 4) $5.43 mill rate, which equates to an increase of $16.86 on a $100,000 home. This option includes money for streets and a DPW seasonal employee. The options were discussed. It was noted that a seasonal employee would not necessarily need to obtain a CDL as there is plenty of other work that does not require the CDL. A seasonal employee would be expected to work mid-March to mid-May and mid-August to end of November. The consensus of Board opinion was to draft a budget to include the street work and one seasonal employee.

The next item on the agenda was to consider authorization to issue an advanced purchase order to hold a 1-ton truck for purchase in 2014. The Public Works Foreman explained that the purchase of this truck will help with the work the seasonal employees can perform. All would be able to drive this vehicle as opposed to only a CDL holder being able to drive it. The vehicle can be used to hauling a multitude of items as well as plow cul de sacs and parking lots, and it will be more efficient than using a larger plow truck or backhoe. The original estimated cost was in the vicinity of $65,000. The cost of this slightly used truck is $49,888. The matter was discussed. B. Sewall made a motion to approve the advanced purchase order as presented. R. Kirch seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

In other general business, the Administrator explained that the Combined Locks Advancement Association will be purchasing and installing four trees to be planted around the Civic Center. It will be part of an Eagle Scout Project, and these trees will replace a few of the storm-damaged trees. The Administrator also reminded the Board that the 10/15/13 Committee of the Whole meeting begins at 5:30pm and the FVMPD Budget Hearing with Kimberly and Little Chute will follow.

R. Kirch made a motion to adjourn. R. Strick seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.

Village Board

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