Liberty Town Hall
January 8, 2024
6:30 PM
Minutes
Board members present: Chair Orlin Engh, Supervisor Adrian Amelse, Supervisor Bill Townsley, Clerk Sharon Engh and Treasurer Chris Abrahamson
- The meeting was called to order by Chair Engh at 6:32pm.
- Motion to approve the minutes from December 11, 2023 by Supervisor Amelse, seconded by Chair Engh, all in favor motion carried.
- Treasurer’s report was read by Treasurer Abrahamson report is on file.
- Dumpster Monitor’s report: Paul reported that he and Orlin are working out the dumpster arrangements.
- Equipment Report: Orlin reported that work done on the grader is finished and it was more than expected.
- First period for public comments: Terry Theis said that the website address was incorrect, and he was not able to get on from the address.
Carol Theis asked where and how to do the checks for taxes. How did the treasurer want them.
7. Town Announcements: Orlin reported that the Department of Agriculture wants to decommission the dams in the Coon Creek area and the Westfork and Kickapoo river areas. 9 in total. They are wanting public comment by Feb. 20th. The board decided to hold a public meeting on Jan. 25th at the town hall at 6:30 for any input the public would want to give. All the posting will be taken of for the meeting.
Chris reminded everyone that tax collection will be on the 27th from 10-2 as well as dog licensing.
Adrian Amelse mentioned that a $1,600,000 Kickapoo Area Schools non-recurring operational referendum will be on the April 2nd ballot. If passed, it would double the tax levy over four years on flat to declining enrollment. Outreach sessions are planned by the school in February and March.
8. Discussion and possible action on unfished business with Abt/Swain Law: We heard back from Nikki Swain. The two issues we had to finish are the Gore Hollow hill closure, which she said needs to go to the Register of Deeds. Sharon and Nikki will work on this before the next meeting. The second one being the building ordinance. She made some additions and corrections to the current one. Supervisor Amelse suggested that we all look it over for the next meeting and continue to make the necessary changes.
9. Fire Association report: Terry Theis, who is the chair of the Fire Association gave a nice report about the hiring of a EMT/Fire coordinator through the grant that the association was able to get. She will be in touch with us to make sure we have the dates of meetings, correct numbers for payment and when they are due. We look forward to working with her.
10. Discussion and possible action on Vernon County Hazardous Mitigation Resolution: We as a town board decided not to be a part of it.
11.Discussion and possible action for the service agreement with the Town Hall software for accounting package: There are no updates.
12. Discussion and possible action regarding wash bay progress: Randy Jacobson was able to look at everything and give an estimate. It was decided that we will put out more bids for the construction. The Epitaph news will be notified. Supervisor Amelse moved that we approve moving forward with the ARPA money for the wash bay and use the res of the money for the town hall and recycling enhancements. Seconded by Chair Engh, all in favor motion carried.
13. Second period for public comment: Paul asked about the wash bay and how it would be used-Orin answered his question. Paul also asked why we wouldn’t want to be part of the hazard mitigation resolution. Orlin also answered that.
14. Approval of monthly bills: Supervisor Amelse moved that we pay the monthly bills with the total of $21,390.78, plus or minus a couple hundred and the estimate for Vernon Electric and an explanation from Chris about the MOU from Vernon County. Seconded by Supervisor Townsley, all in favor, motion carried.
15. Future Agenda items: update on legal work progress, wash bay and town hall and public meeting report.
16. Next meeting will be at the Town Hall, at 6:30 pm, on February 12, 2024
17. Supervisor Amelse moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15pm, seconded by Chair Engh, all in favor motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Engh
