Town of Germantown

Regular Town Board Meeting

MINUTES

Town of Germantown Town Hall
N7560 17th Avenue
New Lisbon, WI 53950
August 16, 2022
6:00 p.m.

 

Present:               Chairman Gregg Haunroth, Supervisors Jim Collis, Keith Korbein, Ken Jax, Ray Feldman, Zoning Administrator Dick Martin, Emergency Management Director Christopher Leopold, Clerk/Treasurer Susan Ganther, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:                None

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at the town hall at 6:00 p.m.

 

Minutes

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Jim Collis, to approve the minutes of the July regular board meeting.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Bank Reconciliation and Treasurer’s Report

Read and placed on file for audit.

 

Checks and Vouchers

A motion was made by Jim Collis, seconded by Keith Korbein, to approve general fund checks 13234-13284 totaling $136,882.41, park construction checks 5011-5013 totaling $6,157.43 and impact fee checks 5012-5014 totaling $6,157.43.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Lambert Forest Products

A motion was made by Jim Collis, seconded by Ken Jax, to approve payment of Lambert’s invoice for $7,350.00 from a 2021 billing error.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Personal Property

Several personal property tax bills have been deemed uncollectable for various reasons.  A motion was made by Ken Jax, seconded by Keith Korbein, to move uncollectable tax bills off the books.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Operator’s License

A motion was made by Jim Collis, seconded by Ken Jax, to approve an Operator’s License for Cara Stridde.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Zoning Ordinance #22

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Ken Jax, to add camping regulations from Ordinance 8 to Ordinance 22.  A roll call vote was taken:  Collis – Y, Korbein – Y, Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Camping Ordinance 

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Ken Jax, to rescind Ordinance 8.  A roll call vote was taken:  Collis – Y, Korbein – Y, Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Fee Schedule

A motion was made by Jim Collis, seconded by Keith Korbein, to move camping fees from Ordinance 8 to Ordinance 22.  A roll call vote was taken:  Collis – Y, Korbein – Y, Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Ordinance #30 Speed Zones

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Ken Jax, to approve updates to Ordinance 30 Establishing Speed Zones.  A roll call vote was taken:  Collis – Y, Korbein – Y, Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Ordinance #62 Establishing a Code of Ethics

This ordinance was written and recommended by the Wisconsin Town’s Association for towns that are accepting federal money due to Covid.  A motion was made by Jim Collis, seconded by Keith Korbein, to approve Ordinance 62 Establishing a Code of Ethics.  A roll call vote was taken:  Collis – Y, Korbein – Y, Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

Policy Governing Public Contracts

This policy was also written and recommended by the Wisconsin Town’s Association for towns that are accepting federal money due to Covid.  A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Jim Collis, to approve the Policy Governing Public Contracts.  A roll call vote was taken:  Collis – Y, Korbein – Y, Haunroth – Y, Jax – Y, Feldman – Y.  Motion carried 5-0.

 

JCEDC Membership

Due to budget cuts at the County level, the Juneau County Economic Development Corporation is asking for the municipalities of the County to make up the difference.  The change would go from $100 per year to $1 per capita each year.  It was questioned how much benefit the Town of Germantown receives to make the increase worth considering.  A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Ken Jax, to table this approval until budget time and further information is obtained.

 

Boat Ramp

A quote from Docking Solutions was received in the amount of $6,993.42 to replace the boat ramp on 15^th.  It was questioned as to whether anyone has asked about dock not being there this year and there has not.  There was a motion made by Jim Collis, seconded by Ken Jax, to table this expense until budget time. 

 

Public Safety

Chris is waiting to hear back from the new owners of the MVP building.  He would like a list of the businesses running out of the building and then visit those businesses to see what is being stored/used there that could affect public safety.

Mauston Ambulance received a $24,000.00 grant.  They are waiting to hear about a second grant.  They are also looking into the need for new/updated radios.  Work on the 2023 budget has begun.

 

Roads

A representative from Three Rivers approached the board about the possibility of turning Three Rivers Boulevard over to the town.  The logistics of that will be investigated and there will be more discussion at a future date.

There is upcoming crack filling and shouldering on various roads.

 

Zoning

12 permits were issued in July.  5 were for new homes. Year to date 46 new home permits have been issued.

 

Parks/Grounds

Gerke is currently working on the park.

 

There is a possibility of expanding the brush dump to accommodate the volume of debris coming in.  The town was close to closing the dump because it was at capacity.  Lambert Forest Products removed 1 million pounds of debris in early August. The cost to the town was $12,400. 

 

Board Reports

Ray Feldman       It is possible that the Town can join with the County regarding room tax.  

Jim Collis              It would be a good idea to check with other municipalities regarding the large price increase being proposed by the JCEDC.

There have been many complaints about the shooting of guns.  Jim spoke with a Sheriff’s Deputy and there is nothing that can be done if they are following the law.

The town should look at ways to regulate unauthorized and incorrect use of the brush dump.  Maybe a pass system.  The newly installed security cameras should help with identifying abusers.

Ken Jax                 Ken suggested that at the next Town’s Association meeting for Juneau County would be a good place to talk to the other municipalities about the JCEDC increase. 

There are two Wisconsin Town’s Association conferences coming up that he will be attending. 

 

Public Comment 

None

 

Adjourn

A motion was made by Keith Korbein, seconded by Jim Collis to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Susan Ganther

Clerk/Treasurer