MINUTES
TOWN OF VERMONT BOARD MEETING
MAY 9, 2005
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 by Chairman Steven Cowan. The clerk certified that the notice had been posted at the Black Earth State Bank, Amcore Bank in Mt. Horeb, on the town web site www.townofvermont.com, on the front door of the town hall, and also published in the News Sickle-Arrow and the Mt. Horeb Mail.
Present: Chairman, Steven Cowan; Supervisors, Barbara Grenlie, Bill Hanson, David Dybdahl and Mark Sherven; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Sarah Danz.
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was noted that 2 checks (#’s 10465 and 10466) had been approved for payment in addition to those noted in the draft minutes. Motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by David Dybdahl and carried that the minutes of the April 11, 2005 board meeting be approved with that correction.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Income for the month of April was $18,712.95, the majority being highway aid from the Department of Transportation. There was some income from the DNR for Managed Forests, several building permits, and interest. Treasurer and clerk reconciliation showed that accounts were in balance, with the sum of all Town accounts showing $87,647.98.
Motion was made by Dave Dybdahl and seconded by Barbara Grenlie to accept the Treasurer’s report.
CLERK’S REPORT
The April balance sheet showed total liabilities & equity at the end of the month of $87,647.98, with total expenses for April of $23,314.13. The only expense of particular note was $10,000 to Charotte Johnson & Co. for a first payment on Town reassessment. Motion was made by Dave Dybdahl and seconded by Mark Sherven to accept the Clerk’s report.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion was made by Barbara Grenlie, seconded by Dave Dybdahl and carried to approve the payment of bills dated April 1, 2005 through May 9, 2005 paid by checks numbered 10467 through 10510.
TYROL BASIN LICENSE APPLICATIONS
An alcohol Beverage License Application and a Cigarette License Application for Tyrol Basin Corp., along with applications for Operator’s Licenses’ for Donald H. McKay and Josh Eisele beginning June 30, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006 were presented for approval. Motion was made by Mark Sherven, seconded by Bill Hanson and carried that the applications be approved.
It was recommended by Mark Sherven that in the future background checks of applicants be made a standard part of the application and renewal process, with the cost to be paid by the applicant. Barbara Grenlie moved that the clerk be instructed to carry out background checks in the future, the motion was seconded by Mark Sherven and approved.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
The April 25 meeting of the Planning Commission recommended:
Motion was made by Mark Sherven, seconded by Dave Dybdahl and carried to approve the Plan Commission's recommendations. Barbara Grenlie Abstained.
APPROVAL OF ROAD BID
Mark Sherven discussed the fact that the Town roads are in generally good condition, and that some portion of the budget normally allocated to maintenance this year can instead be used to pay off principal on the newest Town truck.
A bid of $2976.75 had been received from B. R. Amon & Sons, Inc. for the seal coating of Stampfli Road and the Town of Vermont-owned section of Andrew Lane. The amount of the bid was contingent upon approval by the Town of Blue Mounds to contract for the seal coating of their portion of Andrew Lane. That approval had been received. Mark Sherven moved to accept the bid by B. R. Amon & Sons, Inc., the motion was seconded by Barbara Grenlie and approved.
DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL 2005 ROAD MAINTENANCE
Four additional road maintenance projects are currently being planned for 2005.
It was pointed out that the Town should investigate the availability of state TRIP funding for 2006 road reconstruction or overlay projects. Among the candidates are Bohn Road and Pleasant Valley Road. The importance of having the Town represented at fall meetings concerning the distribution of these funds was stressed.
DISCUSSION OF SELECTION OF CONTRACT BUILDING INSPECTOR
Three inspection firms have replied to the request for proposals. Since the cost estimates were not written up so as to be readily compared, a motion to table consideration of the proposals until the following month was made by Dave Dybdahl. The motion was seconded by Bill Hanson and passed. Among the concerns was that the fee structures sometimes did not include a portion to be returned to the Town for administrative expenses, and that firms with more distant offices might not be able to provide service in as timely a manner.
DISCUSSION OF THE HORRIBLY HILLY HUNDREDS BICYCLE EVENT PERMIT
At the time of the Board meeting, the Town had received no permit application, application fee or deposit from the sponsors of the Horribly Hilly Hundreds bicycle event. The event was represented by Karl Heil and Mark Rooney. Mr. Heil indicated that discussion had been proceeding with the Dane County Sheriff’s Department and Towns through which the event would pass. Mark Sherven inquired of Mr. Rooney whether a permit application and the associated fee and deposit had been submitted. After it was indicated that the event sponsors would not pay the required permit fee or deposit, Bill Hanson moved to table consideration of the agenda item, the motion was seconded by Mark Sherven.
Mark Rooney continued his presentation for approximately 1½ minutes, at which point Barbara Grenlie called the question. Chairman Steve Cowan indicated his preference for continued discussion, which continued for 4 ½ minutes, at which point the chairman acknowledged that the question had been called. After a further I minute of discussion, Barbara Grenlie raised a point of order that there was a motion, a second, and the question had been called. The point of order was not acknowledged, and Mark Rooney’s presentation and general discussion by the Board and audience continued for approximately 24 minutes.
Primary board member concerns were the failure to comply with the permitting process and the general safety of large bicycle events on town roads. Those representing the bicycle community are concerned with the multiplicity of jurisdictions and permitting processes which may evolve, which in their view may unreasonably restrict what have been largely informal gatherings.
Mark Sherven noted that there is widespread interest in the subject of bicycle events, and that will lead to Town government actively seeking citizen input on the subject during our comprehensive planning process. Steve Cowan noted that there will be a need to develop consistent policies among adjoining jurisdictions to deal with the increasing recreational demands on our area.
At this point the chairman called a halt to the discussion and directed the Board’s Attention to the next agenda item. Barbara Grenlie noted that there was a motion and a second on the floor, at which point the Board voted to table the agenda item.
DISCUSSION OF WISCONSIN RETIREMENT SYSTEM, HEALTH INSURANCE AND INCOME CONTINUATION INSURANCE OBLIGATIONS
The chairman noted that including employees meeting the minimum requirement of 600 hundred hours of work per year is mandated by state law.
As employer, the Town is required to contribute 8.3% of gross wages to the Wisconsin Retirement System, with the employee contributing 2.8%. The employer has the option of contributing some or all of the employee share. Bill Hanson moved to contribute the minimum required amount, the motion was seconded by Dave Dybdahl and passed.
Under Retirement System rules, an employer participating in the group health insurance program must offer it to all qualifying employees. For an employee working at least half time, the minimum employer contribution is one-half of the premium for the least cost plan available in that locality. Bill Hanson moved to adopt that contribution rate, Dave Dybdahl seconded the motion and the motion passed.
For Income Continuation Insurance, the minimum employer contribution is 0.25% of wages. Bill Hanson moved to approve that contribution rate, Dave Dybdahl seconded, and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF THE REASSESSMENT PROCESS AND DATES FOR OPEN BOOK AND BOARD OF REVIEW
Due to our reassessment, and the resulting delayed availability of the assessment roll, it was decided to hold a Board of Review meeting at 7:30 on June 6, 2005 for the purpose of adjourning until 7:00 on November 7, 2005.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
There had not been a meeting of the Black Earth Fire District Board since the last Vermont Board meeting. The Black Earth EMS expects to purchase a new truck for $108,000, which will require no additional tax funding.
The April 20th meeting of the Mt. Horeb Fire District Board approved the sale of Squad 1 for $200,000. Also approved was the purchase of a replacement pumper/squad for an anticipated cost of $475,000. No increase in the budget will result, with the truck being paid for with existing funds plus a note with the Bank of Cross Plains. Also discussed was the future need for a full time Fire Chief for the Mt. Horeb Fire Department.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Dave Dybdahl and seconded by Mark Sherven that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:05.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk