Board minutes 3-13-24

TOWN OF STEPHENSON                                       MARINETTE COUNTY                                          TOWN HALL

REGULAR BOARD MEETING               

March 13, 2024             

          

Chairman Kudick called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. He led everyone in the pledge of allegiance. Roll call showed Supervisors Belanger, Rogers and Stradal, Treasurer Uhazie, Attorney Coggins, and Clerk Olson, in attendance along with 18 others. Supervisor Franzmeier was excused.

Supervisor Rogers moved to adopt the agenda as presented. Second by Supervisor Stradal. Carried.

Minutes of the February 14 regular Board meeting, and the February 29 Shared Services Committee, all in 2024, were approved with a motion by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Treasurer Uhazie’s financial report showed the following balances as of February 29, 2024

           Stephenson National Bank General Fund                                   $  30,517.46

           LGIF #1- Operating Account                                                     $    89,065.21

           LGIF #2 – 2% Account                                                               $     48,010.81

           LGIF #3- Depreciation Account                                                 $1,294,940.76

           LGIF #4 – Tax Account                                                              $   672,021.97

           LGIF #5 – ARPA Account                                                          $    38,514.01

           Nicolet Bank Tax Money Market                                               $      1,574.99

A motion was made by Supervisor Rogers to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Supervisor Stradal, and carried.

Vouchers #51572 through #51653, payroll charges, and EFT payments were approved as presented with a motion by Supervisor Belanger, second by Supervisor Rogers, and carried.

Under Correspondence, Clerk Olson stated a letter was received from Delmore Consulting and it is on the agenda for tonight.

Department reports were given for Fire by Chief Jim Stradal, Canine by Mike Stueck, Building Inspector by Chairman Kudick, Code Enforcer by Clerk Olson, and Public Works and Recycling by the Public Works Superintendent.

Jeffrey Lieuwen for Rob Kamps Surveying presented CSM #2024-5 for Thomas and Katie Vanzeeland for 1 lot located in part of the SW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Sec 30, T33N-R19E in the Town of Stephenson, Marinette County, Wisconsin, with ingress and egress to Boat landing 3 Road. Motion to approve by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Rogers, and carried.

Bonnie Popp and Chris Norton presented information on the UWGB Marinette Campus. The County would like input as to what they should do with the campus. It was built with Federal funds on County land. She stated there is a 2- story building with a library, class rooms & and office. There is also a theatre and a field house with a swimming pool and gym. Chris Norton stated that $685,000.00 of ARPA funds were put in to the campus for theatre seats last year. Prior to that, $800,000.00 was put in to the field house. He felt the taxpayers should get some repayment for that. He further stated that there is no rush to find a solution to how this needs to be handled. He would like to see more input and a slower reaction time. Bonnie stated they have looked at selling to a business in Marinette, but there is no plan in place right now. They are asking for input from as many people as possible. Please contact them by phone or email. You may contact any County Board member. They are listed on the Marinette County site.

There was only one quote for insurance for 2024 / 2025. Jim Pickett, representative from Rural Insurance, went over a quote for a business owners policy, workers comp policy, and airport policy. He also informed the Board of a fire fighters’ accident and health policy that he thought may be of interest to the town. With that added to the policy for 2024 /2025, the premium is still lower than the premium was for 2023 / 2024. After some discussion, Supervisor Rogers made a motion to accept the proposal, including the fire fighters’ accident and health policy. Supervisor Belanger offered a second. Motion carried.

Attorney Coggins made a suggestion to change a few things in the Fire Department bylaws. A copy of those suggestions was given to the Fire Chief, Supervisor Stradal. The Board will receive those changes and are asked to look at the bylaws for the April meeting. Supervisor Stradal made a motion to table until the next meeting. Supervisor Belanger seconded. Carried.

Supervisor Rogers has been heading the 6–20 ft culvert program. He did contact Delmore Consulting and will have a conversation with them in the next few days. He will also communicate with the County Highway Commissioner and Wisconsin Towns Association, to inform them of the Town’s choice to use their own staff to collect and input data for the Inventory Phase of the program.

Chairman Kudick told the Board that the Shared Services committee is at a stand still until they receive more information. There is another meeting set for March 19th at 6:00 pm at the Village Hall.

Operator’s licenses were approved for Chester Besaw, Wade Conard, Joann Rietveld, and Debra Ristow with a move by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Belanger, and carried.

Under Public Comment: Russ Wankowski, representing the Sandstone Flowage group, asked how the Board was coming with the possible lake enhancement Ordinance that he requested at the February meeting.

Motion to adjourn by Supervisor Stradal, second by Supervisor Rogers, and carried at 7:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Olson, Clerk