Elmwood Village Board Update
Jan. 2009 (per Pierce County Herald reporter Sari Gordon)
It was noted that a new police officer will be hired, and he is Young and TRAINABLE (controllable) for the board to have control of his habits. Dick Tiffany questioned where the funds would come from, and Bruce Hartung claimed the funds that where taken from the Police Budget and used for Public Works. This was $15,000.00. It was stated that Jan. 31 would be a closed interview session. Todd Dolan requested a contract extension to continue doing Housing Inspections for Elmwood and was approved for a 2-year contract. Waste Management also received a renewed contract.
March 9th (per mar. 18th PCH - Sari G.)
Matt Broehm was introduced as the new 3/4 time police officer for Elmwood, and the Village also stated they are looking into COPS grants to get federal funds for a full time officer for three years. The Board also approved the contract for the village assessor and they also waived the auditorium fees for a benefit for Patty Branch. Jodi Pulk then gave a wish list for the $15,000.00 sidewalk budget and noted areas of need like the area by the Laundromat, as well as sidewalks near the car lot, and residential areas. This was sent back to the Public Works Committee. Stevens Engineering proposed a Stewardship Grant for $1500.00 and the Village denied the bid, stating they had no money left in the parks and trail budget.
April 13th (per Village Clerk) (1st meeting publication for 2009)
Spring Election results where noted with Dick Tiffany, Doug Claflin, and Mike Burke leaving the Board, and Neil Boltic, Brian Buck and Robert Weix joining. The Elmwood Nursing Home requested the Village Board approve a $53,031.00 loan for a new call system for the rooms. The Board approved the request. The sidewalk projects now have a plan to repair spots of the sidewalks where they are not even, as well as repairing areas that needed complete replacement. $40 per fix (leveling) and $50.00 for total recreation. It was also noted that Jodi Pulk and the new officer completed the COPS Grant request for $210,000.00 that would include benefits and salary. Also Jodi stated the Bowling Alley was going to get repairs to resurface the lanes. This was approved for $547.00. Jodi also noted the cost for renting the dining/meeting room. The cost for the auditorium is $100.00 for non-profit rental.
(per 4-22 PCH -- Sari G.) information not noted by clerk
The Village Board approved an additional $2,680.00 to complete the work needed on the sidewalk repairs.
The COPS Grant would require the Village to keep the officer working for an additional year after the grants three-year funds end. The work being done to the bowling alley is going to need yearly recoating at a cost of $550.00. As for the non-profit rental, the village stated that $30.00 would reflect the current discount.
May (per May 20 PCH - Sari G.) “ New Board members hear old complaints”
Donna Lein and John Marson once again went to the Board to complain about their neighbors not following their life style. Unhealthy, Unsightly materials on properties. Donna claimed “these problems have gone on for years without any action, and it is time Elmwood took action.” John Added “It’s a cancer if you don’t stop it” “You’re sworn to uphold the laws of the village and the state, and it has gone on for years and years. We’ve got a problem here. Our codes are pretty clear, we need to take some action.” neither of the two stated what they wanted done, but they where told by Bill Stewart , the village president they would need to wait for the newly hired officer to work on it. He then told them to return to future meetings to see how things are going. The Woodman Street issues continued with Pember requesting a payment of $23,000.00, but the Village contends damages that Pember needs to repay in the amount of $45,000.00. This would leave a balance of $18,800.00 that Pember would have to pay the Village. It was also noted that Sailor’s wanted to expand their building and Cenex wanted to put in a new scale. This would all go forward to the Zoning Board of Appeals. A Police committee meeting was set for May 20.
(NOTE: Mailed warning notice to Elmwood Citizens)
6-2-13 House numbers Ordinance - all building within 50 feet of the street must have a number visible.
8-1-6 Length of your lawn - if over 8 inches, the Village claims it is a health hazard
8-1-8 Unhealthy, Hazardous or Unsightly material - This is what they believe to be bad
8-4-12 Garbage Accumulation- again, anything they claim they do not like is a problem
10-5-8 Junk vehicles or appliances - This does not stand for board members though
11-3-3 abandoned refrigerators - no containers that may close air tight
11-6-5 Public Nuisances that affect peace and safety - stating tree limbs over the street and dead trees
This notice came out in the mail stamped may 12 -- It stated that anyone with a violation of any of these after May 26 would receive a written warning giving them 10 days to fix the issue of be cited. Again this was only for the residents the board disliked. many issues of these are found to be board members and friends of the board. Still to this day, there are violations of such on Village Board Members properties.
June 8 (per Village Clerk) 2nd public notice of 2009 in 6 months
During Public Input, Ms. Popenhagen addressed the Board on the Pember payment issue, and she stated that Pember had called her in a heated style once they received the notice of non-payment to them. at this time no contact had been made, but Pember did claim they would attend a meeting upcoming with the Village. A Broad Band Wireless system was discussed with the Board and where they could place such equipment. There would be a grant application coming out at the end of June to look at. The Zoning Board of Appeals had a couple spots open stated Bill Stewart, and he stated that he contacted Gary Anderson and Rick Stohr to fill the vacancies. Dave Pulk (Jodi Pulk’s Husband), Donna Lein, Delores Radtke, Jerry Holt, and Rob Bowen are the other members.
July 13 (per village clerk)
Kris Talford spoke to the Board asking about the UFO Days advertising. She had been contacted by people in other communities and asked if UFO Days was going to happen in 2009. Stewart told her to speak to Larry Hofacker. Jodi Pulk added the information is on the website for Elmwoodwi.org The Village Board also donated $30.00 for a trophy at the car show for UFO Days. The Board also gave a 4-month provisional operator’s license to the Longbranch stating there where issues during the background check. The Open Container law was lifted for UFO Days as well as Picnic Licenses and 26 temporary operators’ licenses.
(Per July 22 PCH - Sari G.) Info. not listed by Clerk
The Village approved repairs to the sidewalk in front of Quinn Motors on the corner of Race and Main Street. The cost would be near $23,000.00 and would be shared by Bill Quinn who was at the meeting. Now all the repairs to the sidewalks where becoming a cost to the residents as well. The cost would be split 50/50, for the curb and gutter to be done. They claim that the owner can make a up front payment of $7500.00 and leave the rest to go against their taxes. A special assessment meeting was needed to be set, and the Village stated they would put $10,000.00 towards the project getting stated from the Village Savings. ( this was money already in place from the Police Dept., now they claim it is from savings) Bob Weix told the Board they should consider selling a lot in the Industrial park, and Jodi Pulk stated she would contact the Assessor to estimate the value. The Board approved the $30.00 for the Trophy, as well as $500.00 for fireworks. The Community Club requested more for the fireworks show, but they were denied with a statement the Board wasn’t able to give any more.
August 10 (per Village Clerk)
Bill Quinn came to the public meeting for the sidewalks and asked why he was singled out for this repair and Stewart claimed they did about 70 repairs in the village and he was not singled out. ( He was the only one that was forced to pay for curb and gutter though) Quinn was not happy- Kris Talford spoke to the Board telling them how her son was hit by a car during the UFO Days bike race, and Stewart told her that she would have to speak to Larry Hofacker because they are the ones that sponsor the event, not the Village. (There are safety issues involved and the Village claims to have no responsibility- this we found to be false when we spoke with the attorneys and the Insurance company of the driver who hit him) Chris Nazer requested a waiver of fees for the auditorium for a Healing and Miracles event for a three-day event. It was expected that over 300 people and media coverage would be involved. Bob Weix told Chris that they already told him they would receive $150.00 off the rate and they would not waive the fees, stating there was no hardship involved, and that is the only time they would waive the fees. The Board approved a special assessment of 335 Race Ave. and 123 N Main Street for the sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs. The Comprehension plan was ready to be viewed at the village office, the Library and On-line. Delorse Radtke and Julie Cognetta gave letters of interest to continue on the nursing home board. The Fire Dept. was having a Picnic and requested 34 temp. Operator licenses as well as requesting that N Woodman Street be closed for the event. The Village clerk asked for funds to replace a broken down refrigerator in the dining area of the village hall, and the funds where approved to be given from the Prom donations received. $500.00 cost was approved.
Sept. 14 (Per Village Clerk)
Kris Talford reported that her son Tim was enlisted into the Army and would be leaving in the spring after graduation. The Board gave their congratulations Ms. Popenhagen reported that there was a dam built just outside the village limits in the Weber Div. Stevens has also been in contact with the Pierce County Emergency Management asking for assistance with the $55,000.00 in damages they received from a storm that hit the area. They are looking for grant help, due to the area not being listed as a disaster area. It was also noted that the Nursing home was down to 32 beds and they are looking at combining jobs and cutting hours for the workers due to the economy they say.
Oct. 12 (per Village Clerk)
Kris Talford spoke to the Board telling them that both Ken and Tim are now enlisted into the Army with Ken leaving in Jan. and Tim leaving in June. The Board gave their congratulations to both boys. There was also an ordinance adoption on 13-1-177. There would also be a sewer rate increase to the residents once again. The rate increase will be about $2.00 per household on average starting with the Jan. billing. In the committee reports it was stated that the Village works dept. needs a new snow plow, and they are looking at making the police officer a full time position. The Nursing home had cut Kitchen personnel and a Board clerk position. It was discussed that Butternut Park had damages from the storm and they also needed to look into the berm by the softball field to handle larger storms. The residential garbage contract was brought up with no action.
Oct. 21 (per the PCH - Sari G.) Not reported by Village Clerk
The Village Budget was discussed and the Village is $45,000.00 in the RED for the sewer costs. It was stated that the Village was wanting to change to PIG waste services to save on street wear to the alleys. They also would drop the Village Dumpster fee of $4,800.00 a year. They were giving Waste Management a chance to bid down before changing over. The Finance Committee reported that a $36,000.00 loan was paid off, so there should be an additional $30,000.00 if the budget stays close to this year. Bob Weix also requested that they start charging sewer clean up fees.
Nov. 9 (per Village Clerk)
Kris Talford spoke to the Board asking why the residents where being forced to change their garbage contracts to PIG from Waste Management. Stewart claimed that they are not forcing any changes, they are changing the village contract for their needs. It was noted that the auditorium murals where being fixed and they should add lighting to better show the picture. The Enrichment Council is having the work done. The Village would be changing the garbage contract over to PIG starting in January. The Village is also raising the taxes again another 8.9%. Also a 2% increase for employee wages. There also is a decrease in heath costs to the Village employees of $11,000.00. The Nursing Home has now made cuts in the Laundry Dept. There will be Self Defense classes held at the village auditorium and the cost is 4 sessions for $40.00 (I imagine they are not being charged for the rental fees) The Library is now claiming they need to replace the roof and furnace soon. (This continues to be costly to the Village, even after it was clear the Library would not be any cost to the Village--this has continued to be a false statement--over and over again)
Nov. 18 (per the PCH - Sari G.)
It was noted that the Village was able to make the Police Chief Position a full time spot and they now have an extra $1,900.00 after doing this. The tax increase was also noted to be a direct cost from the Senior Living Center development.
Dec. 14 (per Village Clerk)
The Village Budget was approved for the tax increase of 8.9%. An Ordinance change to 3-1-14 was made to charge at least .50 for over due bills. Jodi Pulk stated that the 1 1/2% does not cover the additional time it takes in the account process. This is to be added to all accounts past due. All the Election Workers from last year were all approved again for this year’s election. The Village now wants the ability to be paid by on-line accounts and the cost to the resident would be a $2.75 transaction fee. The Village also posted a closed session meeting for Dec. 28th with no description except personal matter. Also noted is that Trustee Neil Boltic has been in the meetings via phone for the past two months and will continue that way for the rest of his tenure for the next year.
This is the information I received during the year. You take what you can from the information.
I was also informed that Quinn Motors may be closing the doors real soon. Another buisiness gone that the Village cannot afford.
P.S. -- RICK A. TALFORD for Village Trustee ------- Vote April6, 2010
I Will be on the Ballot once again--------if you want change in our Board, then Vote for me
