Monthly Meeting Minutes I February 12, 2024
The monthly meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Cedar Lake was held on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM at the Cedar Lake Town Hall in Mikana. Present was Ken Leners, Chairman: Kory Weiss, Supervisor, Clerk, Maryhelen Drew, Treasurer, Gladys Roux. Attending by phone was Mary Hele, Supervisor and Mike Hessling, BFCESD commissioner. Twenty- one other people were present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The following amendment to the January minutes by Mary,”Townships our size have fewer special projects and more necessities which are in the maintenance category and do not qualify for special project funding. Therefore, we must pay for our “needs” ourselves with our largest revenue source, property tax dollars.” With the amendment made, a roll call vote was taken to approve the minutes: Yes, Ken, Kory,Mary. All approved.
PUBLIC INPUT: NONE
FINANCIAL REPORT: Gladys gave the financial report including all tax payments received during the month. The report showed that all were balanced with the bank as well as the clerk.
ROAD REPORT: Due to warm weather the road weight bans have been posted. Kory & Scott went over the list of items for the new truck and have submitted this list to Meyer’s Truck in Cameron. Good job of communicating from Scott to Kory regarding roads. A few instances of slippery roads.
SPECIAL PROJECTS COMMITTEE: Mary has not yet spoken with Steve Freese, from Franklin Township regarding special project funding as he continues to deal with his Mother’s illness.
BFCESD REPORT: Ken read the report from the BFCESD. Comments were added from Mike per the phone. BFCESD has signed a contract with Paramedic Billing Services from Elmhurst, Ill. The Auxiliary is working on the 3rd Annual Jon Sleik Golf Tournament. A new ambulance to replace the 1999 ambulance was priced and it would cost approximately $320,000, delivery in 26 months. Continuing working with budget and planning.
OLD BUSINESS:
UPDATE: Mary had talked with Attorney Jon Cuskey regarding Jerry Frazier, Notice of Abatement. A letter was sent to him stating that he has until March 17, 2024 to abate the nuisances outlined in the letter of January 11, 2024 sent to him. If he does not comply, the Board will take further action.
UPDATE: A resolution to abandon Eden Meadow Rd. in Gateshead Platt, Sect. 9 was read by Ken. Ken made a motion to adopt the resolution with the publication dates to be added. Seconded by Kory. Roll call vote, yes, Ken, Kory, Mary. A motion was made by Kory to include this resolution at the April 8, 2024 monthly meeting. Roll call vote: yes, Ken, Kory, Mary.
UPDATE: Ken spoke about the hearing at the county for the rezoning of six parcels, which met on Feb. 7. At that time, all letters to approve the zoning were read. The 5-person Zoning Committee then adjourned until Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 5:30 PM. The Zoning Committee will also make a site visit. The Zoning Committee will reconvene after this and will make a decision which will be passed onto the Barron County Board of 29 Supervisors to make the final decision.
NEW BUSINESS:
Discussion regarding policy of using remote tech for meetings. Much discussion occurred with the decision being made that the Town would not create a policy for remote tech at this time. ( It was noted that Ken had called Mary Hele and Mike Hessling to start this meeting.) A report that the BFCESD and the Town of Birchwood have met by remote tech and it seems to work well.
UPDATE: No report at this time from Kory regarding Xcel Energy. Difficult to contact the correct person at Xcel Energy.
Discussion regarding the report for the State on Culvert/Small Bridge Inventory. After some discussion by the Board, it was decided that they would hire Delmore Consulting, Wisconsin Dells, to complete this report. Roll call vote: Yes, Ken, Kory, Mary.
Representatives from the Birchwood School, Gale Luebke, Superintendent, Mr.Jeff Stanley, Principal, and Don Birdsell, School Board President were in attendance to explain the need for the referendum which will be on the April 2, 2024 Election. It was explained how the school gets its funding and why there is a need for the referendum. Further information will be available on their website for this election.
Budget Resolution 2024-3-12, for 2023 was read by Ken. Ken then made the motion to authorize amendments to balance the 2023 budget as read. Kory seconded. No discussion. Roll call vote: yes, Ken, Kory, Mary. motion passed.
CORRESPONDENCE: Ken and Kory had none to discuss. Mary spoke about the correct spelling for Mr. Freese. Maryhelen had a notice from the WTA about the Dist. meeting on Feb. 26 at Prairie Farm. Also, submitted a liquor/beer application from Mike Gibbs as he is purchasing what was Cheers at Tagalong. Josh Carlstrom, manager and Amanda Toscano as agent. This application will be acted upon at the March 11th meeting. The name will be Irons Restaurant & Pub, LLC.
Gladys reported on the information she had found regarding the new software from Hayward. She had asked the county clerk to ask all clerks in the county if they were using this software. After all responses,Gladys said, the cost was comparable, but support was sketchy. After some discussion, the Board decided to maintain the Quickbooks software at this time. (that if it is not broken don’t fix it.)
Kory made the motion to adjourn and pay the bills. Ken seconded and all approved. (7:50 PM)
Posted at Cedar Lake Grill, Red Cedar Country Store, Town Hall, website on Feb. 8, 2024.