Trustee’s leaving Elmwood Village Board in 2012
Submitted by Rick A. Talford
Citizen Journalist
ELMWOOD, WI - Monday, January 9, 2012 at the Elmwood Village Auditorium, the town board held their monthly meeting. During Public Input, President Bill Stewart spoke to the members, explaining to them some information received by citizen Marty Reinier. Mr. Reinier had sent a “Thank You” note to the board for their support of the Veteran’s Memorial Park work. Mr. Reinier also provided the unveiling date for the new look, the upcoming Memorial Day celebration.
Next on the agenda, was the 2012 Spring Election. Trustee Rick Stohr has filed his candidacy papers, as did former board member Susan Dzubay. Trustee’s Bruce Hartung and Trisha Knops both filed non-candidacy paperwork, as they both are leaving the board in 2012. This will leave one seat open for a Write-In candidate.
The Board then approved the Welcome Home Bond Plan for (TID #5). This will be Resolution 2012-01.
In Committee and Board Reports, the Police Committee met on 12-19-12 to discuss and approve training for Officer Matt Broehm. Trustee Trisha Knops reported the Nursing Home Committee will be meeting on 1-10-12. The Library, Public Works, Personnel & Finance, and the Parks & Buildings Committee’s did not have any reports to provide.
The meeting then adjourned at 7:09 pm. Absent from this months meeting was Trustee Neil Boltic.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
2011 Elmwood Village Review
Village of Elmwood Review for 2011
Submitted by Rick A. Talford
Citizen Journalist
January
The Ordinance #2011-01 Synthetic Cannabinoid (K2) Prohibited was discussed by the village in a previous meeting, and a hearing was set up to allow any citizens the chance to ask questions. Elmwood Officer Matt Broehm was asked to give a short description of this Ordinance, a short discussion ensued about making the school aware of this ordinance and Broehm assured the board he would contact Paul Blanford, to have it incorporated into the school codes/policies. Trustee Bruce Hartung questioned on the penalties of violating this ordinance, and how it will handled. Bill Stewart stated “It will be handled just like any other ticket issued, such as a parking tickets in the Village. The approval of the new Ordinance # 2011-01 Synthetic Cannabinoid (K2) Prohibited was introduced and moved into adoption, with all members in favor
The “Books By Mail Program” will be discontinued soon, was also stated during the meeting.
February
The Board had discussions on the need to change the police radios over to all digital, by federal law. This must be completed by January 2013. There will be a grant available, but it must be requested by February 24, 2011. The cost for this change over will be in excess of sixteen-thousand dollars. The grant funds will be just under eight-thousand, leaving another eighty-six hundred to be paid by the village. Trustee Robert Weix made a motion to take the required funds out the squad car outlay fund to pay for the digital police radios required. But, with the stipulation that said funds be replaced with the 2012 budget.
March
Trustee Brian Buck explained the need to replace the office computers since they were purchased on 4/01/2004 making them 7 years old and the fact that they are acting up. The cost will be approximately $2400.00 and will be taken out of the office outlay fund which has a balance of $4921.00 and was budgeted for the purpose of updating the computers specifically. A brief discussion ensued about the procedures of backing up the computers.
April
Re-elected Village President Bill Stewart provided a “Thank You” to Mr. Weix for his service. The position opened by Mr. Weix leaving, was filled by former board member Mike Sand, a local tavern owner.
May
American Legion Post 207 could present their park layout design changes. Marty Reiner and Marilyn Galoff then presented the design and drawing that they had. The board did request to see the final layout design for the Veteran’s Park
The 2011-2012 Committee selections were discussed and provided. The Licensing Committee will be Trisha Knops (Chair), Rick Stohr and Neil Boltic. The Police Committee will be Brian Buck (Chair), Neil Boltic and Trisha Knops. The Parks and Building Committee will be Brian Buck (Chair), Neil Boltic and Mike Sand. The Public Works Committee will be Mike Sand (Chair), Rick Stohr and Neil Boltic. The Personnel and Finance Committee will be Bruce Hartung (Chair), Brian Buck and Rick Stohr. The President Pro Temp is Brian Buck, due to his steady attendance to the meetings, stated President Bill Stewart. Trisha Knops will report for the Nursing Home. Brian Buck will report for the Library. The two board members for the Planning Commission will be Neil Boltic and Brian Buck. Absent from this meeting was returning Trustee Mike Sand.
June
Trustee Brian Buck-Police Committee Chairman reported that the Elmwood Police Squad had received hail damage during the last storm and that the Village was waiting for report from the Insurance company’s claim Adjustor The committees recommendation depending on the Insurance company’s restrictions was to take the claim money and put it in the Squad car replacement outlay fund instead of repairing the car. If it is found that it is required to repair the car, then the car will be repaired. Bruce Hartung made a motion to authorize the Police Committee depending on what the Insurance Co says to make the decision to repair the squad car or put the money in the squad car replacement outlay account.
July
The Community Club requested their annual application for the fireworks display on Saturday evening, and received approval. They however, did not receive the donation they have requested every year towards the cost of the fireworks, due to the Village Board not budgeting the funds this year
Area businessman Glenn Nelson requested a Main Street Revitalization program be started, with the village address being used for all of the mailing. He added, “This would all be strictly volunteer”.
Trustee Brian Buck then explained the Police Committee information, stating “The hail damage claim was received, and the funds were used to fix the air conditioning unit in the squad with the remainder of the funds being put back into to squad car outlay budget.” The hail damage was so minimal they decided not to repair the car.
August
A DNR mandate was discussed by the Elmwood Village Board. A statewide ordinance has been issued by the DNR that must be adopted by the village. The Ordinance 9-1-52 Cross Control Connection is intended to eliminate all potential sources of cross-contamination between drinking and sewage water. The mandate applies to all village property owners. To enforce compliance, property owners will receive notification through publication, and should expect to receive a visit from a public works employee.
Dan Schuler and Tom Weber were appointed to the nursing home board. Trustee Trisha Knops reported a reduction of Eleven-percent in Medicare, and a loss of $33,000 in revenue. She also noted that 25 people have signed the papers for the “Motivation to Move Program.”
September
A Public Hearing was held for Resolution 2011-03. This is a Ordinance for the “Floodplain” There are updates from the DNR and FEMA that were required to be done by the village. A second public hearing was held at 6:45 pm for the Public Works Sidewalk Resolution. The areas that will be worked on are as follows: 203 & 215 W. Race Ave. and 222 S. Main Street. Both hearings lasted about ten minutes each, without any public input to either one.
October
Area Resident Dan Schuler then spoke to the board, and requested a section of land, 30 acres in size be removed from the village plat. The land would stay under the village ordinances, but would be placed under the Managed Forest Law (MLF), with the Pierce County Forester. This would also lower the property taxes on the land.
November
Water and Sewer rate increases were on the agenda. Trustee Neil Boltic made the motion to have the basic fee of $11.00 per month be increased to $13.00. This was approved. Trustee Trisha Knops then made a motion to have the water rate increased by three percent. This was also approved
The Police committee met 11-14-11 to talk over the Personnel Policy and the residency requirements. There were also amendments made to the new Conceal and Carry Ordinance 2011-04. This ordinance makes it unlawful to carry a weapon into any village owned or operated properties, as well as the public school property or within 1000 feet of a public school. There are also restrictions against having a weapon in an open courtroom, a private or public building that has correct signage, a community-type event which lasts no longer than (3) three weeks, has proper signage, and for which admission is charged. There is one final area that a concealed weapon may not be, and that is any taverns, or locations where alcohol consumption may occur. The conceal and carry laws for the State of WI are allowing handguns, tazers, knives, and clubs. No switchblades are allowed or covered by this new law or ordinances. Reading the Elmwood Ordinance, no switchblades or clubs are being allowed under this ordinance.
December
The Finance Committee provided their recommendation for the village assessor position that was currently up for review. Applicant Robert Irwin was appointed the job. The board added their knowledge of Irwin’s ability to communicate with the residents, as a positive for hiring him
Melissa and Dawn Schoeder, co-owners of the Welcome Home Assisted Living facility, presented the board with a complaint about their water bill. They cited a mistake in the billing system, which originally created an under-estimated bill when the facility first opened. They didn't notice the bill was too small, and further noted they "had no problem paying the bill," but they refused to pay the $41.97 a month in late fees. They also distributed a letter from Fire-line, a sprinkler company, stating the village's billing methods were not common and unnecessarily costly. The village clerk Amy Wayne, and president Bill Stewart both expressed their frustration with the unpaid water bill, and lack of communication about their intent to pay the bill. After some disagreement, the board received a commitment to pay the bill.
(It was later discovered the billing method is mandated by village ordinance
and regulated by the Public Service Commission.)
Submitted by Rick A. Talford
Citizen Journalist
January
The Ordinance #2011-01 Synthetic Cannabinoid (K2) Prohibited was discussed by the village in a previous meeting, and a hearing was set up to allow any citizens the chance to ask questions. Elmwood Officer Matt Broehm was asked to give a short description of this Ordinance, a short discussion ensued about making the school aware of this ordinance and Broehm assured the board he would contact Paul Blanford, to have it incorporated into the school codes/policies. Trustee Bruce Hartung questioned on the penalties of violating this ordinance, and how it will handled. Bill Stewart stated “It will be handled just like any other ticket issued, such as a parking tickets in the Village. The approval of the new Ordinance # 2011-01 Synthetic Cannabinoid (K2) Prohibited was introduced and moved into adoption, with all members in favor
The “Books By Mail Program” will be discontinued soon, was also stated during the meeting.
February
The Board had discussions on the need to change the police radios over to all digital, by federal law. This must be completed by January 2013. There will be a grant available, but it must be requested by February 24, 2011. The cost for this change over will be in excess of sixteen-thousand dollars. The grant funds will be just under eight-thousand, leaving another eighty-six hundred to be paid by the village. Trustee Robert Weix made a motion to take the required funds out the squad car outlay fund to pay for the digital police radios required. But, with the stipulation that said funds be replaced with the 2012 budget.
March
Trustee Brian Buck explained the need to replace the office computers since they were purchased on 4/01/2004 making them 7 years old and the fact that they are acting up. The cost will be approximately $2400.00 and will be taken out of the office outlay fund which has a balance of $4921.00 and was budgeted for the purpose of updating the computers specifically. A brief discussion ensued about the procedures of backing up the computers.
April
Re-elected Village President Bill Stewart provided a “Thank You” to Mr. Weix for his service. The position opened by Mr. Weix leaving, was filled by former board member Mike Sand, a local tavern owner.
May
American Legion Post 207 could present their park layout design changes. Marty Reiner and Marilyn Galoff then presented the design and drawing that they had. The board did request to see the final layout design for the Veteran’s Park
The 2011-2012 Committee selections were discussed and provided. The Licensing Committee will be Trisha Knops (Chair), Rick Stohr and Neil Boltic. The Police Committee will be Brian Buck (Chair), Neil Boltic and Trisha Knops. The Parks and Building Committee will be Brian Buck (Chair), Neil Boltic and Mike Sand. The Public Works Committee will be Mike Sand (Chair), Rick Stohr and Neil Boltic. The Personnel and Finance Committee will be Bruce Hartung (Chair), Brian Buck and Rick Stohr. The President Pro Temp is Brian Buck, due to his steady attendance to the meetings, stated President Bill Stewart. Trisha Knops will report for the Nursing Home. Brian Buck will report for the Library. The two board members for the Planning Commission will be Neil Boltic and Brian Buck. Absent from this meeting was returning Trustee Mike Sand.
June
Trustee Brian Buck-Police Committee Chairman reported that the Elmwood Police Squad had received hail damage during the last storm and that the Village was waiting for report from the Insurance company’s claim Adjustor The committees recommendation depending on the Insurance company’s restrictions was to take the claim money and put it in the Squad car replacement outlay fund instead of repairing the car. If it is found that it is required to repair the car, then the car will be repaired. Bruce Hartung made a motion to authorize the Police Committee depending on what the Insurance Co says to make the decision to repair the squad car or put the money in the squad car replacement outlay account.
July
The Community Club requested their annual application for the fireworks display on Saturday evening, and received approval. They however, did not receive the donation they have requested every year towards the cost of the fireworks, due to the Village Board not budgeting the funds this year
Area businessman Glenn Nelson requested a Main Street Revitalization program be started, with the village address being used for all of the mailing. He added, “This would all be strictly volunteer”.
Trustee Brian Buck then explained the Police Committee information, stating “The hail damage claim was received, and the funds were used to fix the air conditioning unit in the squad with the remainder of the funds being put back into to squad car outlay budget.” The hail damage was so minimal they decided not to repair the car.
August
A DNR mandate was discussed by the Elmwood Village Board. A statewide ordinance has been issued by the DNR that must be adopted by the village. The Ordinance 9-1-52 Cross Control Connection is intended to eliminate all potential sources of cross-contamination between drinking and sewage water. The mandate applies to all village property owners. To enforce compliance, property owners will receive notification through publication, and should expect to receive a visit from a public works employee.
Dan Schuler and Tom Weber were appointed to the nursing home board. Trustee Trisha Knops reported a reduction of Eleven-percent in Medicare, and a loss of $33,000 in revenue. She also noted that 25 people have signed the papers for the “Motivation to Move Program.”
September
A Public Hearing was held for Resolution 2011-03. This is a Ordinance for the “Floodplain” There are updates from the DNR and FEMA that were required to be done by the village. A second public hearing was held at 6:45 pm for the Public Works Sidewalk Resolution. The areas that will be worked on are as follows: 203 & 215 W. Race Ave. and 222 S. Main Street. Both hearings lasted about ten minutes each, without any public input to either one.
October
Area Resident Dan Schuler then spoke to the board, and requested a section of land, 30 acres in size be removed from the village plat. The land would stay under the village ordinances, but would be placed under the Managed Forest Law (MLF), with the Pierce County Forester. This would also lower the property taxes on the land.
November
Water and Sewer rate increases were on the agenda. Trustee Neil Boltic made the motion to have the basic fee of $11.00 per month be increased to $13.00. This was approved. Trustee Trisha Knops then made a motion to have the water rate increased by three percent. This was also approved
The Police committee met 11-14-11 to talk over the Personnel Policy and the residency requirements. There were also amendments made to the new Conceal and Carry Ordinance 2011-04. This ordinance makes it unlawful to carry a weapon into any village owned or operated properties, as well as the public school property or within 1000 feet of a public school. There are also restrictions against having a weapon in an open courtroom, a private or public building that has correct signage, a community-type event which lasts no longer than (3) three weeks, has proper signage, and for which admission is charged. There is one final area that a concealed weapon may not be, and that is any taverns, or locations where alcohol consumption may occur. The conceal and carry laws for the State of WI are allowing handguns, tazers, knives, and clubs. No switchblades are allowed or covered by this new law or ordinances. Reading the Elmwood Ordinance, no switchblades or clubs are being allowed under this ordinance.
December
The Finance Committee provided their recommendation for the village assessor position that was currently up for review. Applicant Robert Irwin was appointed the job. The board added their knowledge of Irwin’s ability to communicate with the residents, as a positive for hiring him
Melissa and Dawn Schoeder, co-owners of the Welcome Home Assisted Living facility, presented the board with a complaint about their water bill. They cited a mistake in the billing system, which originally created an under-estimated bill when the facility first opened. They didn't notice the bill was too small, and further noted they "had no problem paying the bill," but they refused to pay the $41.97 a month in late fees. They also distributed a letter from Fire-line, a sprinkler company, stating the village's billing methods were not common and unnecessarily costly. The village clerk Amy Wayne, and president Bill Stewart both expressed their frustration with the unpaid water bill, and lack of communication about their intent to pay the bill. After some disagreement, the board received a commitment to pay the bill.
(It was later discovered the billing method is mandated by village ordinance
and regulated by the Public Service Commission.)
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