Meeting Minutes, Town Board, June 8, 2020

TOWN OF LIBERTY 
June 8, 2020 

  1. Chairman Terry Theis called the monthly meeting of the Town of Liberty to order at 6:58 pm. on Monday, June 8, 2020 at the Viola Fire Station immediately following the Annual Meeting. Members present were Terry Theis, Nicole Rakobitsch, Adrian Amelse, Treasurer Karen Peterson and Clerk Lori Polhamus.
  2. Motion by Amelse/second by Rakobitsch to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as presented. All in favor. Motion carried. 
  3. Treasurer’s report. (report attached) Peterson read the Treasurer’s report. Beginning cash balance as of 05/1/2020 was $34,149.21 and an ending cash balance as of 05/31/2020 of $31,650.79 was reported. Interest year to date on the General Fund was $19.34 and interest earned year to date on the Tax Account was $68.41. There is $91,419.16 available in the tax account.
  4. Patrolman's Report – they have been working on cleanup of trees and info on dust control will be discussed under number nine on the agenda.
  5. First Period for public comment – We have had a resident request for speed limits on Old 56 now that Gore Hollow is closed. 
  6. Town Announcements- We have the opportunity to apply for an election grant due to Covid-19 that will help cover August & Novemer election expenses. We will receive $200 plus $1.10 per registered voter. There are grant funds also through the Cares Act for reimbursement for Covid related items, however we have not had any thus far. There have been some road evaluation changes through WIDOT. Theis also stated we are starting over on looking for surveyors for Gore Hollow.
  7. Action on liquor license renewals for 2020-2021 – not all of the applications are in yet but would be the same as last year. Motion by Amelse/second by Rakobitsch to conditionally approve the alcohol licenses for Liberty Bar and Viola Sportsman's Club pending receipt and payment for the licenses and all paperwork is correct. All in favor. Motion carried.
  8. Discussion with possible action on website updates – Rakobitsch was able to connect with Sally Cano and she has agreed to do the updates within 24-72 hours at a cost of $45/hour. Motion by Amelse/second by Rakobitsch to approve Sally Cano for website updates at $45/hour. All in favor. Motion carried.
  9. Update on dust control options with possible action – Orlin got prices from Tractor Supply and Farm & Fleet for tanks. We could get a 60 gallon tank for $619.99 for the tractor or a 200 gallon tank for $1119.99. The County charges $74.14/hour and 71 cents per gallon along with six hours truck time of $444.84 and the cost of the chloride for one application was $710.00. The Board had chosen earlier not to go with chloride but wanted the numbers for comparisons. The prices for tanks were in line with the previous approval so we will move ahead with that option.
  10. Updates to Driveway permit ordinance with possible action – currently our ordinance has a $50 permit fee in it and this doesn't cover the costs. Motion by Amelse/second by Rakobitsch to change the fee to $100 with $40 to the permit person and $60 to the Town for cost. All in favor. Motion carried. We will bring the ordinance back with updates to approve in July. The Board reviewed the sample letter Theis put together on the missing Fire numbers. Motion by Rakobitsch/second by Amelse to authorize Theis to send a letter to residents regarding the missing fire numbers. All in favor. Motion carried.
  11. Action & Approval on monthly bills Motion by Amelse/second by Rakobitsch to approve total bills of $2390.91 as presented. All in favor. Motion carried. 
  12. Review of building permits (if any) - The Board reviewed the letter from Matt Hajzl regarding the building permit process and changes to be implemented. Discussion was had regarding outbuildings and the requirement by Vernon County Zoning to make sure we receive a sanitary permit because some residents are calling them outbuildings and then turn them into residences. We could possibly add language to the application for this. The Board currently would like to see all permits come to the monthly meeting instead of the 72 hours currently happening. Further discussion on this will be brought to the July meeting for discussion on the ordinance and application for building permits.
  13. Second period for public comment – none
  14. Future agenda items – Amelse would like to review the unsightly storage ordinance as we have some areas that need attention.

Motion by Amelse/second by Rakobitsch to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 pm. All in favor. Motion carried.

Minutes submitted by: Lori Polhamus, Town Clerk