Village of Elmwood
Public Works
2-28-07 @ 11 am
Present- Bob Weix, Bob Rupakus, Mike Sand, Pam Marson, Sue Dzubay, Jodi Pulk (clerk)
Public- Dick Tiffany, Kris & Rick Talford
We entered the Village Hall at 10:50 am, and Noticed the hall was dark. Kris went into
the Village Office and asked where the meeting was being held.
The clerk informed her, they where in the board room. After getting a couple chairs,
We joined the meeting, that was already in progress, prior to 11 am.
The agenda showed the meeting information. 1- Rate increase for sewer and water rates
2- Woodman street lots for sale
3- adjourn
1- Jodi Pulk was explaining to the board, We pay $70,000.00 for Fire Hydrant rental from our budget.
The larger cities now charge the residents for this, in the rates.
Bob Rupakus stated, "I'm having trouble comprehending this. An 18% increase is not that much.
I'm trying to mathematically figure this out.
Dick Tiffany added, In the bar, I have been hearing the people say they are willing to pay the increase.
(note: Mr. Tiffany is not a board or committee member, nor was there public input in this meeting, yet he
was allowed to sit with the committee members, and speak as well.)
Bob Rupakus, then said " That is only $ .56 per 1000 gallons of water used.
Jodi Pulk then added, Scott, our engineer said we needed to raise the rates to cover the loan for the Lift Station repairs.
(note- a short discussion between everyone on how to raise the rates, and when. The fact if, they should seperate the increase into 2 differant increase dates, or just 1 increase. whether to raise the flat rate also was being discussed.)
Bob Rupakus again responded to the committee by stating, " I have 8 people in my house, and I go through 6500 gallons of water per month. I think we should raise the flat rate also.
Mike Sand agreed that the flat rate should be increased to assist in the loan repayment. $ 9.00 to $ 10.00 flat rate , instead of the $8.66 rate we have now.
Bob Rupakus then suggested to raise the flat rate to $ 10.00, and asked Jodi, " Is this going to be a big deal?"
Bob Weix then shared his water bill, saying I payed $33.00 for just the Wife and I, for less than 3000 gallons.
(note: a comment was made regarding his wife, I will not share, it was not proper)
Jodi Pulk then said the 18% increase will only pay for the loan payments, nothing above that though.
Bob Weix, well the general concensus is to raise the rates to help pay for the lift station.
Jodi Pulk- The only other option we had, was to raise the Tax Levy again.
Bob Rupakus then asked what the rates of other communities where.
(note- Jodi then went and got a copy of the form, she had taped to the front entry window. This was a form showing the rates of other communities around the area. This was put together by Cedar Corp. of Menomonie.)
Jodi Pulk stated to the committee that Elmwood mil rate was about 1/2 of that in Spring Valley. She then added, there will be additional costs with the Tiff creation , and Schroeders.
Agenda item # 2- sale of lots on Woodman Street-
Bob Rupakus started by asking how much money they told Habitat for Humanity for the Lot they received.
(note- multiple responses where given, all the same--we donated that land to them. as part of the board, he has been a part of the decissions, and knew the land was not purchased.)
A discussion between members again started, and the idea was that the lots should be sold, without the costs of repairs, such as water lines, curb and gutter to be added to the price. An assessment would be needed to determine the valeu of the lots themselves. Then they would add the costs of the repairs on top of that.
Pam Marson stated that Her Husband and She had just sold a lot that was 75 ft x 140 ft, for $ 10,000.00 on
Winter Ave.
Bob Rupakus stated He felt they should at least start the price at $15,00.00
Jodi Pulk added that the water hook up fees where also to be added, and that was an additional $ 2,400.00.
3- Adjourn meeting done at 11:20 am
Note--when all was said and done, it was unanimus to raise the flat rate to $9.00 a month, and raise the sewer rate 18%, to help pay the loan the board took out, for the rapair of the Lift Station. The sale of the lots on Woodman, would be set after an assessment was done to check on land value first.
