President John Schmitt, Trustees, Joan Pickett, Sherrie Sarver, Cheri Hodgson, James Dorsey,

Public Works Superintendent Ricky DeNure and Clerk Carol Davis.

ABSENT: None.

President Schmitt called the meeting to order. Pickett made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. The motion was seconded by Hodgson. Motion passed unanimously. Dorsey moved to accept the agenda for tonight’s meeting. Schmitt moved to second the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

STREETS:  Work will begin on Park Street and Old Highway Road around August 30.

• Duties of the Weed Commissioner were discussed. Hodgson is the Weed Commissioner.
• Mowing yards to help keep the mosquito population down is discussed.  

PARK ISSUES: Pickett informed the board that the shelter house rentals have went well with one booking left for the summer. The Park is sponsoring a bus trip to Clinton, Iowa to the Wild Rose Casino. The cost is $25 for any resident interested; contact anyone on the Park board.

 MUSUEM UPDATE: The Martintown book and pottery are selling well. The Museum will be open on Labor Day weekend.

ARCHITECTURAL PRECAST INC.

Back taxes owed by API were discussed. Motion made by Pickett to consider discussing the sale of the property with the county clerk. Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Schmitt made a motion to pass a resolution to change the deferred water bill agreement to include three equal monthly payments for any property owner in the Village. A date will be set for each payment and if the payment is late the water will be shut off. Dorsey moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The clerk will be contacting the Public Service Commission to discuss the hook up charge regulations. Regulations set by the PSC regulate the amount charged for reconnecting water lines.

BUILDING PERMITS: Building permit for Chris and Mona Thomson for a shed.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:

• Mosquito spraying is not going well. DeNure suggests he would like to be able to go into people’s yards to help with the mosquito problems. The trustees will consider the idea for next year and also would require the residents using the service to sign a release form at the Village Clerk’s office prior to the service.
• DeNure will be meeting with SNI a company specializing in beet juice additives for salt hoping to reduce the amount of salt needed for the winter.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Comment made by resident on persons mowing the Park.

The Village Board is dussing a “Tall Grass and Weed Ordinance” to ensure all lawns in the Village are mowed on a regular basis. The discussion was tabled until the September meeting.

CLERKS ISSUES:  

• A motion was made by Schmitt to apply for the Green County Highway Matching Money grant. Pickett moved to second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
• The board reviewed the financial report and the bills. Dorsey made a motion to pay the bills. Pickett moved to second the motion, motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT: Pickett moved to adjourn the meeting. Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.                                                                                

  PRESENT:

President John Schmitt, Trustees, Joan Pickett, Sherrie Sarver, Cheri Hodgson, James Dorsey,

Building Inspector Gene Abraham and Clerk Carol Davis.

ABSENT: None.

President Schmitt called the meeting to order. Dorsey made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. The motion was seconded by Pickett. Motion passed unanimously. Pickett moved to accept the agenda for tonight’s meeting. Hodgson moved to second the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

 BUILDING INSPECTOR: Gene Abraham reported on recent building permits. A permit was issued to Tom Novak to move a house into Browntown to 421 E Dale Street. The Village received $47.90 for their percent of the Novak permit cost. A building permit will be issued to Kris Thomson for a new garage. 

WIND GENERATOR PROJECT:   A new wind turbine on the grounds of Evansville’s wastewater treatment plant was installed July1, the wind turbine is expected to generate as much as 125,000 kilowatt hours a year. The 100Kw turbine is on a 120 ft monopole with 69 ft blades.The total cost of $594,000 being off set by grants from WPPI Energy their power company, and Focus on Energy. The remainder was financed by WPPI.  A wind generator this size would produce the same amount of kilowatts used by the Village water and sewer, park, garage, office and street lights for an entire year.  

STREETS:

• The following bids were received for Park Street

                     1) Rock Road Construction $24,851.25

                     2) Green County Highway $17,538

      Schmitt made a motion to have Green County Highway do the work on Park                             Street for a cost of $17,538. An MSIPLT grant from the state will pay for half of                                  the project. Dorsey moved to second the motion the motion passed unanimously.

• Sarver made a motion to have Green County Highway do the seal coating on Old Highway Road using the matching funds grant available from the Green County Highway Department. Picket second the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

 

BROWNTOWN IMAGE:  

• Sidewalk issues, Public Works DeNure will be removing two partial sidewalks.
• Dog issues, owners are not cleaning up after their dogs, the board requests the person walking the dog clean up the mess.
• Spraying for mosquitoes more often was mentioned, the spraying which only lasts 12 hours is limited in how much it can help reduce mosquito population. Residents should be urged to not let standing water set anywhere and keep grass mowed short. Putting up bat houses may also help.
• Local resident commented on garbage pickup. Picking up garbage once instead of three trips at different times would save money. Schmitt commented it takes 3 to 4 loads to pickup all the garbage.

  

PARK ISSUES: Pickett informed the board that the shelter house rentals are going well this year with more people using the park. Leftover inventory from Summerfest has been sold.

 

 MUSUEM UPDATE: The new Martintown book is selling well along with the pottery. The Museum will be open August 1^st and August 15^th.

 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:

• The bank work along Mill Street has been completed by Maddrell Excavating.
• PDC gave 3 bids on cutting electricity cost at the sewer plant. The board will review the proposal at a later date.
• Would like to look into changing the “Community on the Rise” sign along the highway. The board will look into buying a new sign at budget time.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None at this time.

 

ALCOHOL LICENSE RENEWAL:   A motion was made by Sarver to approve the following licenses.  Motion seconded by Pickett. Motion passed unanimously.

• Bartender’s License to Joanna Ace, Aron Arn and Bill Haffele. Motion to approve license was made by Sarver. Schmitt moved to second the motion and the motion was passed unanimously.
• Beer Garden application for Dale Hoesly of Trailside Inn for August 7, 2010. Sarver made a motion to grant the license with a cut off time for the outdoor music. Schmitt moved to second the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.

CLERKS ISSUES:  

• The board reviewed the financial report and the bills. Dorsey made a motion to pay the bills. Hodgson moved to second the motion, motion carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT: Dorsey moved to adjourn the meeting. Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.                                                                                

                                                                                Submitted by: Carol J. Davis, Clerk-Treasurer

June 15, 2010

President John Schmitt, Trustees, Joan Pickett, Sherrie Sarver, Cheri Hodgson, James Dorsey,

Building Inspector Gene Abraham, Public Works Super. Ricky DeNure and Clerk Carol Davis.

ABSENT: None.

President Schmitt called the meeting to order. Sarver made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. The motion was seconded by Pickett. Motion passed unanimously. Sarver moved to accept the agenda for tonight’s meeting. Hodgson moved to second the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

 BUILDING INSPECTOR: Gene Abraham reported on recent building permits. The only permits this year were issued to the Benton Bank for the house at 117 S Liberty Street and Tom Novak for bringing in a house on East Dale Street. The Village of Browntown will be paid 10% of the cost of all permits, which is $42.00 for the first quarter of this year.

WIND GENERATOR PROJECT:  MSA has contacted us with information about the Village of Cascade putting up their second wind generator. Dorsey questions the wind project and suggests the new well be our main goal. The Village trustees have talked to engineers who suggested the water lines installed many years ago need to be replaced before a new well is constructed since the pressure of the new well may burst the old water lines. At this time the DNR is only requesting the Village have a second well, they are not requiring the well. Unless the DNR requires a second well be built the grants for the construction are not as available. Schmitt also informed Dorsey that Public Works Department keeps a second pump for the well on hand incase of emergency problems, which will supply the Village with fresh water.  

STREETS:

• Rocky Road Construction may bid the Park Street project.
• Park Street repairs will not include extending the street to the east, too costly.
• Bids were received for hillside work on S Mill Street:

               Maddrell Excavating, LLC bid $1,950.00

               Green County Highway bid $2,585

      Picket made a motion to have Maddrell Excavating do the hillside work. Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

• DeNure reports the Old Highway Road needs to be seal coated, an estimate to paver patch a few weak base areas and sealcoat this 4 year old pavement is $14,043.

BROWNTOWN IMAGE:  No complaints at this time.

PARK ISSUES:

• Summerfest will be held Father’s Day weekend. Tractor Pull Friday, June 18^th however this may be canceled until Friday, June 25^th if the rain continues. There will be a volleyball tournament and a BJ for music on Saturday after the fireworks.
• The Park board is considering selling the Park mower and buying a new one.

 MUSUEM UPDATE: The Museum board is considering sponsoring a bus trip through Cadiz Township and Browntown with narrators telling stories of the past while visiting the locations.

 BUILDING PERMITS:  Tom Novak for a house on East Dale Street. 

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:

• The Sanitary District grinder is being repaired at a cost of approximately $3,600.
• The water tower automatic fill has been repaired and is now working.

PUBLIC SAFETY RESOLUTION: The “Public Safety, Unsafe Play Areas Resolution” was discussed; children are not permitted to play in the streets, street terrace and public parking lots within the Village limits. The parents will be contacted by phone and letter.  In the event the parents do not resolve the situation and future safety violations occur the Green County Social Services Department will be notified. Schmitt made a motion to pass the “Public Safety” ordinance as presented. Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

CMAR Report:  Schmitt made a motion to pass a resolution accepting the Compliance Maintenance Report prepared by Public Works DeNure and Clerk Davis for the Department of Natural Resources. DeNure explains the report outlines the maintenance and financial procedures followed which are required by the DNR. Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: None at this time.

ALCOHOL LICENSE RENEWAL:   A motion was made by Sarver to approve the following licenses.  Motion seconded by Pickett. Motion passed unanimously.

• Alcohol Beverage License to Trailside Inn and Goebel’s Inn.
• Dance License to Trailside Inn and Goebel’s Inn.
• Cigarette License to Goebel’s Inn
• Bartender’s License to Mike and Tina Folgate, Iris Miranda, Jolyn Wyatt,
• Jacqueline Siegel, Katherine Gavigan, Jaime Ruch, Lorraine Albright and Joshua Frauchiger.

CLERKS ISSUES:  

• Schmitt made a motion to pay off the last payment of the mortgage on the sewer plant from the equipment repair fund (State Pool Fund). Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
• The board reviewed the financial report and the bills. The clerk explained the procedure for dividing the bills paid that would affect the water and sewer. Bills are split 60% due from the Village general fund, 15% due from the Water Utility and 25% due from the Sewer Utility. The division formula was made years ago and still is being used.  Pickett made a motion to pay the bills. Hodgson moved to second the motion, motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT: Schmitt moved to adjourn the meeting. Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.                                                                                

President John Schmitt, Trustees, Joan Pickett, Sherrie Sarver, James Dorsey, Cheri Hodgson, Clerk Carol Davis, Linda Liphart, Joe Scott, Jeff and Julie Tuescher, Dale Hoesly and approximately twenty additional people from the local area.

ABSENT: None

President Schmitt called the meeting to order. Pickett made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. The motion was seconded by Hodgson. Motion passed unanimously. Sarver moved to accept the agenda for tonight’s meeting, and Hodgson seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

WELL/WIND GENERATOR PROJECT:  No comments.  

STREETS: Public Works Superintendent DeNure is patching holes around the Village.

BROWNTOWN IMAGE: No comments.

PARK ISSUES: Pickett reported the following dates have been set:

PARK SPRING CLEAN UP -April 24, volunteers are needed, bring a sack lunch.

BROWNTOWN GARAGE SALES - May 1, Contact Joan Pickett for more information.

MUSUEM UPDATE: The museum committee is working on the Martintown Book and collecting information on Cadiz and Jordan Townships.

 PRESSURE SYSTEM FOR PRIVATE HOMES: DNR rules state the pressure available at the residents must be 20 psi. and the Village water pressure does comply with this regulation.

 BUILDING PERMITS:  Benton Bank for remodeling a house on 117 South Liberty Street.

PUBLIC WORKS REPORT:

• Ways to reduce power usage at the sewer pond aerators will be considered
• Pump House control problems with the water tower alarm system
• DeNure will attend the Rural Water Convention at Green Bay March 23 – March 25
• DNR is still ordering extra ammonia testing
• DeNure asked to have Spring Clean up Day May 15^th, Schmitt made a motion to hold the clean-up day May 15^th, Sarver moved to second the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Village residents can bring articles to the dumpsters during the week of May 10^th through May 14^th by phoning for an appointment.  

SERVICE AWARDS PROGRAM: The board reviewed the “Service Awards Program” for the volunteer fire fighters, emergency medical technicians and first responders. The State fund matches local investments up to $312.34. The program encourages experienced emergency response volunteers to stay in their positions; provides communities a tool to assist in Wisconsin’s recruitment and retention challenges; and provides incentives that increase in value over the span of a volunteers’ service. To participate in the program the municipality must adopt a resolution. Many fire Departments in the State participate in the program to encourage experienced volunteers to stay with the department.  Schmitt is urging the Village, Jordan and Cadiz Township to pass resolutions to support the “Service Awards Program” for the Browntown, Cadiz, Jordan Fire Department. The resolution will be discussed at the April meeting.

BROWNTOWN LIVESTOCK ORDINANCE: The Ordinance states the amount and type of livestock on minimum of five acre properties allowed within the village limits will be at the discretion of the Village Board. President Schmitt suggests the board allow a pony on the property next to the water tower as requested by a possible buyer for the property.

TRAILSIDE INN COMPLAINTS:  The Village has received complaints stating the homeowners in the Village are very upset, the problems at the Trailside bar seem to be increasing. They feel Dale Hoesly, owner of the Trailside Inn, does not have control of the situation. There seems to be a lot of negative talk about the village of Browntown and the things going on at the Trailside Inn. The complaints state the reputation the Village has now is hurting house sales. Hoesly does not care about the outside appearance of his property. After the February 21 incident there was broken glass and garbage all over the Trailside parking lot. The mess was left for almost a week.

            February 21, 2010 at 1:15 an altercation took place at the Trailside Inn which resulted in serious injuries and property damage. Green County Sheriff Department, Lafayette County Sheriff Department, Monroe Police Department, Browntown Fire and Rescue, Green County and Arygle ambulances were called to the Trailside Inn. Riotous behavior such as this endangers all emergency responders. This type of behavior seriously tarnishes the image of Browntown and its residents. The Village President John Schmitt suggests having a pole in the tavern may draw the kind of people who cause problems. The board would like to know what Hoesly is going to do to prevent this from happening again.

            Hoesly says the problem was caused by some young minors who tried to get into the bar, this had nothing to do with the pole, we weren’t using the pole and two private parties were going on at the same time. Two bouncers were hired and they were trying to stop the minors from going into the bar. The person checking ID’s at the door called the Sheriff Department when he noticed the disturbance outside and heard someone say they were going to get a gun. Hoesly says the bouncers made a mistake when they went out of the bar to try and stop the minors from breaking car windows which resulted in severe injuries to one of them.  

            Schmitt states “the Village Board is responsible for the public health and safety of this community and the board looks at the problem as a public safety issue. The board has the authority by state statute #125.12(2) to suspend or revoke an alcohol license if the licensee keeps or maintains a disorderly or riotous, indecent or improper house.” Hoesly claims the problem occurred only in the parking lot and no problems occurred inside the bar.

            Trustee Sarver says she was told minors were in the bar at the juke box and she asks Hoesly if the bouncers identify themselves by the way they dress. Hoesly states they were wearing shirts which identified them. Schmitt says Hoesly is the license holder and he is responsible for what happens in his tavern and he wants to know what Hoesly is going to do to stop problems in the future. Hoesly says he can’t say there will be no future problems since people are dealing with the economy, people are out of work and they are frustrated. Approximately 20 people showed up to support Hoesly and the Trailside Inn. Many comments were made by the audience stating Hoesly was not at fault since the fight was outside the bar.

            Trustee Dorsey states it sounds like Hoesly did everything he could and Dorsey has no objection to anything that is going on.  Dorsey also questions Hoesly about the pole and asks how the dancers are paid? Hoesly says he has an entertainment bar and they are paid with tips. Trustee Hodgson asked Hoesly if he had enough staff for the amount of people in the tavern and could more staff have prevented this from happening in the future? Hoesly felt he had enough staff with the three bartenders and two bouncers and another person carding at the door. Hoesly said if trouble occurs he advises his help to call the sheriff department.

            President Schmitt tells Hoesly it is the responsibility of the licensee to keep order in his establishment and keep it safe for everyone. The concept of what is going to take place with the pole is bringing in people that you may not consider the desirable patrons you want in the building. The board does not have a choice but to suspend Hoesly’s license if something like this happens again. Pickett states “we are glad that you all came and we have heard all sides of the issue and it’s time to close the debate.”

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

• Jon Adams of 318 East South Street requests the Village repair the “no parking” sign on his property. The Public Works will look into replacing the sign.
• Joe Scott of 103 West South Street asks the board if work will be done on the hillside adjacent to his property to cut the bank down this summer. Schmitt comments the work will most likely be done in 2011.

INSURANCE: The board reviewed the following insurance bids for the village:

• Rural Mutual Insurance Bid $7,251
• Baer Insurance Services Bid $6,953
• Arthur J. Gallagher/Liberty Mutual $8,455

The board discussed the coverage Gallagher offered and felt the coverage was the best. Motion to accept the bid from Arthur J Gallagher was made by Schmitt. Pickett moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The property insurance is currently held by Local Government Property Insurance Fund offered by the State of Wisconsin. The amount due for this policy is $786.00 and none of the other insurance companies could compete against this cost.

CODES OF ETHICS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:

Attorney Daniel Olsen of the Municipality League clarified the State’s “Ethics Code for Local Government Officials” which is State Statute 19.59. The statute refers to using a position as village trustee to actively promote a spouse or immediate family member for a paid job with the Village. The trustee must abstain from any comment to anyone to promote financial gain for the immediate family. Also a trustee may not appoint himself into a paid position for the Village.

In Village government trustees are by State Statute not allowed to be paid for any work done for the Village. However the attorney also commented the spouse or family of any related trustee may work for the Village as long as that trustee has not promoted the appointment.

CLERKS ISSUES:  The board reviewed the financial report and the bills. Dorsey made a motion to pay the bills. Hodgson moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT: Pickett moved to adjourn the meeting. Schmitt moved to second the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned.