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 drive-in office 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, Don McKay, Larry Ziemer and Todd Culliton; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisor Kevin Kuntz was absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Larry Ziemer, seconded by Don McKay and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There will be a Dane County Towns Association meeting in Verona on the 19th of February. A letter was received confirming our previously estimated 2014 State highway aid.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Larry Ziemer moved approval of the minutes of the January 13th meeting, Todd Culliton seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of January were $653,932.18. $632,696.33 was for 2014 taxes collected in January of 2014, $20,360.24 was the Town’s first 2014 Transportation Aid payment, $835 was for dog licenses, $25 for an assessment search and the remainder was $15.61 in interest.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
The spring primary election will be next Tuesday, with County Supervisor District 28 the only office on the ballot. Check 3757 covered continuing repairs to the Ford truck and conversion of the plow from hydraulic to electric. Check 3758 is for another month when 2 diesel fuel fills were required.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Larry Ziemer to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PATROLMAN, LIAISON AND FIRE & EMS DISTRICT REPORTS
The cold weather and water in the diesel fuel have combined to cause vehicle problems over the past month. Approximately 25 loads of stone chips and salt remain out of the beginning stock of 60 loads. The new International truck has required several repairs, some under warranty. A summary of the Mt. Horeb Joint Fire Department year-end report was presented; a Fire Department surplus more than offset an EMS deficit. The Prairie Enthusiasts received a Dane County conservation grant of $62,215 to help preserve and expand public access to their property. Surrounding towns are beginning to address road abandonment.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for January 2014, paid by checks numbered 3732 through 3772 and ACH transfers 5 and 6 for health insurance and retirement contributions. Note that starting in 2014 retirement contributions will be paid by direct deposit rather than by check. Checks 3732 through 3747 were written early in the month and discussed at the January Board meeting. Checks starting with 3773 are February checks written today. 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 January 2014 and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO SHORT TERM AMUSEMENT AND RECREATION EVENT ORDINANCE
The Planning Commission has recommended that the permit application indicate that 2 separate checks be submitted by permit applicants, a nonrefundable $25 fee to accompany application submission and a second check due upon approval. The only ordinance change anticipated is to indicate that separate applications will be required for each day of a multi-day event. A question was raised regarding which court would have jurisdiction over ordinance enforcement for events which pass through the Town but start and end outside the Town. The Town attorney has suggested that the Town might help insure against the Town accruing cleanup and repair expenses from events by requiring that a bond be posted by organizers covering such potential expenses, with the amount of the bond possibly proportional to the number of participants. The attorney indicated that the present 60 day lead time required for application submission is longer than is normally used at the State level. However, Board discussion concluded that in the case of the Town that length of time is required because Board meetings are monthly. Discussion of both the application and ordinance will be continued at the next Board meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF RECREATION PERMIT APPLICATION FROM RACE DAY EVENTS LLC FOR JUNE 15TH HORRIBLY HILLY HUNDREDS BICYCLE EVENT
Russel Larson was present to submit an application for the event, with the application noting that the correct 2014 date is June 14th. 2014 participation will be limited to 1,200. He noted that it would be helpful to organizers to have some period of time after permit approval to submit the final permit fee. In order to provide adequate time for Board review, consideration of the application will continue next month.
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE CELL TOWER LOCATION ORDINANCE
The State continues to restrict local ability to regulate certain activities, among them cell tower location and construction. The passage of local ordinances may be advantageous or not advantageous to towns depending upon the wording and interpretation of State statutes regarding which level of government has what level of authority. At present it appears to be the position of Dane County Zoning that cell tower regulation would be best left to the County at the present time. A question is whether applicants can be required to fill out a Town Land Use Intent form as part of a CUP application, and how this process will be triggered by proposed action at the County level. For the time being it was decided to remain in contact with Dane County on the subject but to take no further action regarding an ordinance.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE REPEAL OF TOWN ORDINANCE CHAPTER 13 – REGULATING THE SITING OF WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
Further discussion of this topic was tabled.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF SALARY INCREASE FOR PLANNING COMMISSION SECRETARY
Todd Culliton moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the salary of the Planning Commission secretary be increased from $4,456 to $5,000 per year effective immediately.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE TOWN POLICY REGARDING TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
This item was tabled.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF DANE COUNTY ORDINANCE AMENDMENT 26, 2013 – 14 REGARDING ABANDONED NONCONFORMING MINERAL EXTRACTION SITES
Todd Culliton moved and Larry Ziemer seconded that the ordinance amendment be approved. The ordinance amendment was approved.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR MARCH MEETING
Topics to be on the March agenda include further discussion of a cell tower location ordinance, discussion and possible repeal of the wind energy system siting ordinance, further consideration of the of the Short-Term Recreation and Amusement Events Ordinance application and possible amendment of the Ordinance, the application for a permit from the organizers of the Horribly Hilly Hundreds, future Town policy regarding Transfer of Development Rights and possible amendment of the driveway ordinance to facilitate Driveway Committee inspections during the driveway construction process.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Todd Culliton and seconded by Larry Ziemer that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk