The meeting notice has been posted at the Black Earth Branch of the State Bank of Cross Plains, at John Bird Accounting in Black Earth, Harris Bank in Mt. Horeb, on the town web site www.townofvermont.com, and on the front door of the town hall. It was also published in the News Sickle-Arrow and the Mt. Horeb Mail.
Present: Chair, Barbara Grenlie; Supervisors, Kevin Kuntz, Don McKay, Todd Culliton and Larry Ziemer; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Kevin Kuntz, seconded by Larry Ziemer and approved with the change that the discussion of July 3rd and 5th USA Cycling National Road Championships bicycle race was moved to item 9.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
The Forshaug Road project is complete, as is the garage addition, with only a few minor items to be corrected. Chip sealing is underway.
CITIZEN INPUT
Twylah Gilbertson noted that it would be helpful if all residents received notification of bicycle events, not only those along the actual route. Sheriff’s Department reverse 911 calling has not been operational this year because of a changeover in systems, but is expected to be functioning soon.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the July 8th meeting, Larry Ziemer seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of July were $27,065.06. $20,386.71 was our quarterly General Transportation Aid payment from the State, $3,555.28 was our Annual Fire Dues Distribution from the State, $1,496.48 was for a building permit, $1,444.20 was Shared Revenue, $131.58 for MFL Yield Tax, $31 for Computer Aid and the remainder was $19.81 in interest.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Kevin Kuntz to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved with Todd Culliton abstaining.
CLERK’S REPORT
Check 3522 for $450 is for the January through June 2013 DaneCom payment. This is in addition to a January check of $332 written to cover August through December of 2012, for a total of $782 out of a budgeted $995. It is unknown if we will get another bill prior to 2014. Check 3525 is our second payment for outfitting the new International truck. Check 3529 is for our annual Bobcat lease plus extra hours used on the previous machine. Check 3533 is our second payment on the new garage addition, which leaves the 10 percent holdback to pay. This will put the project about $9,000 over the budgeted $65,000, which will be the subject of a September budget amendment. Check 3548, written today, is payment for the new International truck chassis.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for July 2013, paid by checks numbered 3522 through 3547 and ACH transfer 12 for health insurance. Checks other than those discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular monthly bills.
A motion was made by Larry Ziemer and seconded by Todd Culliton to approve payment of bills for July 2013 and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION OF JULY 3RD AND 5TH USA CYCLING NATIONAL ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS BICYCLE RACE
Tom Schuler and Jamie Patrick were present representing the event. Captain Jeff Teuscher from the Dane County Sheriff’s Department, who assisted with traffic control for one day of the event, was also present as was Community Deputy Josalyn Longley.
Maribeth O’Connell and Keith O’Connell, Town residents who live along the route of the event, were present and voiced frustration at the amount of trash along the road after the event and travel delays caused by the event. Mr. O’Connell’s hay harvest was substantially impacted by those delays, which appeared to be more frequent and longer lasting than pre-event discussion would have led residents to expect. Pre-event practice on the days leading up to the event was more disruptive to the hay harvest than the event itself since at least some of those practicing and their support vehicles appeared to believe that the rules of the road had been suspended. The cumulative effect of the delays and the rainy weather after the event was to significantly reduce the quality of the hay, requiring additional expenditures for supplemental protein.
Twylah Gilbertson and Connie Janousek commented that bicycle events, both formal and informal, attract some participants who ignore stop signs and the requirement to ride single file. The danger is compounded by stopping on the road in areas which are hidden to other traffic. A letter received from the Postmaster in Blue Mounds indicated that the event had led to significant delays in postal delivery. Captain Teuscher indicated that the duration of the road closure was no longer than 5 to 10 minutes at the intersection where he was on duty, with these closures occurring approximately every 40 minutes, for a cumulative 70 to 140 minutes on Friday.
Tom Schuler indicated that event participants are instructed concerning the rules under which they must operate. He also indicated that substantial effort had been put into course cleanup after the event, including of items not likely dropped by event participants.
Supervisor Ziemer indicated that a special problem this year was the scheduling of the event during 4th of July weekend. In response to those concerns, USA Cycling has proposed shifting the 2014 event to July 30th to August 3rd, with the local portion of this event taking place on 2 of those days. Several Board members indicated that improved communication in the future would be helpful, including to Sheriff’s Department personnel concerning how the local traffic was handled during periods when the “rolling closure” was not in force. The disruption caused by practicing prior to the event needs to be addressed, as well as possibly the 2 day duration.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION REGARDING REZONE, HOMESITE AND DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION FOR THE HAU (FORMERLY SCHULTE) PROPERTY AT BOHN ROAD AND CTY JG
No rezoning will be required. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the homesite and Driveway Construction Permit with a few items remaining to be completed. Since those items have been completed, Don McKay moved and Todd Culliton seconded that the homesite and driveway be approved with the requirement that a notation be made on the Land Use Intent Form that no further Potential Development Rights remain on the property now owned by the applicants, including property outside of the CSM containing the homesite presently under consideration. The motion was approved. It was noted that the Town will not require that the driveway entrance to the County road have a culvert.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE REGULATING THE SITING OF WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
Don McKay moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the ordinance as presented at the public hearing be approved with the correction of a typographical error. The motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT CHANGING BOARD MEETING TIME TO 7:00 P.M.
Larry Ziemer moved and Todd Culliton seconded that Town Ordinance 1.02 3 be amended to change the Board meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF CITATION ORDINANCE
The Wisconsin Towns Association has supplied a template for a model citation ordinance. The Town of Berry has passed an ordinance in a briefer format than suggested by the Towns Association, which may be more suitable to what is required by the Town of Vermont. Copies of the Town of Berry ordinance were supplied to Board members, along with a substitute paragraph tailoring the ordinance more to the needs of the Town of Vermont. The material was referred to the Planning Commission for consideration.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSED DANE COUNTY CHAPTER 75 ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING LOT FRONTAGE ON A PUBLIC STREET
Towns do not get a vote on amendments to Chapter 75, only the opportunity to offer comments. The material was referred to the Planning Commission for consideration.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF 2013 – 2014 PROPANE CONTRACT
Larry Ziemer moved and Don McKay seconded that the Board award a contract for 2,300 gallons of propane for 2013 – 2014, the contract ending on May 31, 2014 to the lowest bidder, yet to be determined. The motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF SALE OF INTERNATIONAL TRUCK
The Township of Alden in Illinois has offered to purchase the IH truck for $40,000. Barbara Grenlie moved and Kevin Kuntz seconded that the offer be accepted and the motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF INTERGOVERMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH DANE COUNTY TO PURCHASE NEW ELECTION EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE
Barbara Grenlie moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the Town enter into an intergovernmental agreement with Dane County to purchase new election equipment and software, and the motion was approved.
BEGIN DELIBERATIONS ON 2014 BUDGET
Consideration of the 2014 budget was postponed until the September meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Town patrolman is starting the second mowing of the season and is about one third done. Chip sealing has started, which includes repair of 2012 work that was not holding up satisfactorily. Budget meetings at the local EMS and Fire districts will be occurring soon, so it is important that all towns be represented. The Mt. Horeb Fire District is considering using their Rescue 1 vehicle, presently worth approximately $450,000, as partial trade for a new ladder truck, which may cost up to $1 million.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER MEETING
The 2014 budget will be on the agenda, as well as discussion and possible approval for public hearing of the Citation Ordinance. Discussion of the Dane County Chapter 75 Ordinance Amendment Regarding Lot Frontage on a Public Street will continue.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Todd Culliton and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 10:28.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk