Elmwood Village Board Report for July 2012

RESOLUTION 2012-04 APPROVED




Submitted by Rick A. Talford

Citizen Journalist



ELMWOOD, WI - The Village Board met for this month meeting at the Auditorium, on Monday July 9, 2012. Trustee Rick Stohr was absent from the meeting. In Public Input, Bob Rupakus of the Longbranch spoke to the board, in regards to a letter he received from the village. Rupakus is wanting to use the adjacent lot next to the Longbranch for his patrons to drink, and the village must follow the state and local laws in regards to allowing this. The Board tabled this item, until further information can be put together and considered. The area may be required to be fenced off, in order to allow any use by the tavern. The item will be on next months agenda. The next area covered at the meeting, was the Financial Statements from the auditor. These were reviewed without any action taken. Two Picnic Licenses were approved for the Community Club’s beer tent, and the Butternut Park’s Car Show. Temporary Operator’s Licenses were also approved for UFO Days.



Resolution 2012-04 was approved by the Village Board. This will allow the Board to borrow $ 45,000.00 from the Wisconsin Trust Funds. The Village is wanting to get these funds, to do the Winter Street re-paving project, as well as a re-roofing project that has been looked into by the Parks and Buildings Committee. The funds will only be used on these two projects, and nothing else.



Resident Marty Reinier then showed a sketch of the proposed Veteran’s Park Picnic Shelter. The Board approved the request for the shelter. The pit for disposal of US flags was not discussed at this meeting.



In Committee and Board Reports, Trustee Trisha Knops provided the information from the Library. She confirmed the termination of Librarian Director Jayne Garaets. Christy Lundquist from the Pepin Library, will take over as the temporary Library Director until a replacement is hired. The applications for this position are being accepted until July 15, 2012. It was also noted that the Library will participate in the upcoming UFO Days as they have in the past. Knops also told the board members that the Village and Library board are working together to fine tune the Treasurer’s Report. Later in the board meeting, Knops suggested the Village pay $ 1,000 towards the legal fees for the Library, due to the village being the requesters of the audit. The Library would pay the remainder of the $ 3,195 costs. This idea will be sent to the Library Board for consideration. The Nursing Home Committee met on June 12, 2012 without any report provided. The Personnel and Finance Committee had a meeting on July 10, to consider selling a lot or a twenty-five foot section, on Woodman Ave., near the Habitat for Humanity home. In Parks and Buildings, Trustee Brian Buck explained the committee approval for re-roofing the village auditorium and a park shelter. The committee met on June 6, 2012. Trustee Mike Sand spoke for the Public Works Committee. He stated “A grate has been installed at the culvert in Butternut Park, to catch the debris from heavy rains and storms”. Trustee Brian Buck then brought up the need for the town squad car to be replaced. This was a discussion starter for the Police Committee. No actions were taken at the meeting, but Buck just wanted the board to know the subject is upcoming soon.



The meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM







SCHOOL NEWS



The first day of school will be on September 4, 2012 in Elmwood. The School Board also is considering a Community Service Fund (80) this year. This would establish and maintain community education, training, recreational, cultural, and athletic programs and services, outside the regular curricular and extracurricular programs for the pupils. These services would also be available to the community members. This could help the area residents who are out of work, or are looking at changing their careers. The many resources that the school have available, could assist with the computer lab for citizens to take online college courses, certificate courses, computer and technology courses, and hobby or interest courses. The athletic facilities could be opened up for community use, outside the regular activities by the school athletes. The Senior Citizens can always use the school resources, for the Senior Tax Exchange Program (STEP). This is a program that seniors over 62 can work at the school for a property tax credit. The program benefits the seniors and the student, by providing the experience, knowledge, and skills of the citizens to share with the students. The seniors can also benefit from the school Senior Citizen Food Program. Funding these programs would be completed by establishing fees to cover all or part of the costs. A “Operation Levy” could also be proposed and passed in the annual meeting in September.



The School Board re-organized its committees in April. The Staff Negotiating Committee is now Sandra Weix, Bernie Christman and Greg Nelson. Finance Committee is Brooke Glaus, Bernie Christman and Greg Nelson. The Buildings and Grounds Committee is John Crownhart, Gabriel Weix and Paul Peterson. The Policy Committee is Brooke Glaus, Bernie Christman and Sandra Weix. The Board President is Greg Nelson. The Clerk is Sandra Weix. The Treasurer is Bernie Christman. The Vice-President is Paul Peterson. In April the board approved Rene Andraschko as the Middle School Assistant Track Coach.



In May, two resignations were accepted by the board. Dulcee Kurth resigned as the K-12 general music and choir teacher, and Bus Driver John Schwebach also resigned after many years of service. The negotiations committee also approved the “Salary Freeze” for 2011-2012 teacher contracts. The committee further proposed a one-time payment to 26 teachers, with equal payments to each, in the amount of $741.28. This comes to a total of $19,273.21. This is a 1.64% CPI-U Supplemental Compensation amount for performance.