Town of Germantown

Regular Town Board Meeting

AGENDA

Town of Germantown Town Hall
N7560 17th Avenue
New Lisbon, WI 53950
April 12, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Present: 20 electors and 2 non-electors.

Annual Meeting was called to order by Chairman Jax at 10:00 a.m.

Pledge of Allegiance

Minutes of the 2007 Annual Report were read. Motion made to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Bruce. Second by Mr. Simonson. Motion carried by voice vote.

Financial Report was read by Chairman Jax. Motion to approve the Financial Report was made by Mr. Hallinan. Second Mr. Cobbs. Motion carried by voice vote.

Old Business

• Mrs. Dodge questioned what is being done about the signs north of the Buckhorn Bridge for slow no wake. Something should be done before Memorial Day. Mrs. Dodge said the Dodge family would be willing to help.
• Storage Building – question if the building is finished. Mr. Specht is working on that as plans need to be sent into the State for approval that includes a 10′ x 20′ office and locker room and bathroom. Then it can go out for bids. Chairman Jax said we have also talked about heating the entire building. The men need a warm place to work on the equipment. Mr. Hallinan said that it was set up to have the office area done. Mr. specht felt it is a separate issue to have the whole building heated. Chairman Jax felt that we do business all year around and we do not close for winter. Mr. Hallinan discussed that we have acquired equipment now. Discuss if that will be brought to the Board. Advisory Motion made by Mr. Bean to strongly advise the Board to complete the Storage Building with heat. Second Mr. Hallinan. Motion carried by voice vote.

New Business

• Mr. Specht gave a little background on the Towns need to purchase more park space. In the last 5 years the Town has lost several thousand acres of green space due to sales by Wisconsin River Power Co. Mr. Specht would like to see 5 and 10 acre tracks of land in different area of the Town for parking, kids place to play etc. We should preserve some open space throughout the Township within walking distance to different areas in the Town.
• Talked about Comprehensive Plan, calls for more park space. Funding is available for park lands from the Impact Fees. Now in the general fund is $389,749.71. Money from MFL (withdrawal) was $87,497.04 last year. There is money available (Impact Fees) that is use it or lose it. This would not come from an increase in taxes.
• Mrs. Hallinan – We have the Buckhorn State Park, the County Park, the Town Park, property from the old town hall and our PUD ordinance is supposed to require developers to put aside open space and clearings in exchange for allowing smaller than 3 acre lots. There are plenty of places for people to use.
• Mr. Sullivan – Questioned how many acres are we talking and what prices? It looks like we are at step one. There is no specific land or price, or long range plan. Mr. Specht – this is an on going process. Looking at using for parking spaces, no equipment would be involved. Mrs. Dodge – should not do, green space is doing its job in the developments, this plan just creates city parks.
• Mr. Bean – this may be advantageous. The Board needs authorization to have a chance at property on the market.
• Mrs. Dodge – for three years the Board could not afford large parcels and now we have money for small ones?
• Discuss Impact Fees – use it or lose it – 7 years or 10 years to use. Very restricted. Uses. Motion made by Mr. Sullivan to table the issue till further information is obtained. Second Mrs Hallinan.
• Motion made by Mr. Simonson to adopt a continuing resolution authorizing the town board to purchase park land from willing sellers at fair market value. This park land will be paid for in equal amounts from the impact fee fund and funds generated by taxes paid to remove land from MFL (Managed Forest Lands) status and shall not exceed $250,000. Second Mrs. Bean.
• Mr. Poe – on the table for information – point of order – motion made then discussion. Hand vote. Questioned. Standing vote. 11 yes / 8 no. Motion carried.
• Motion to table was made by Mr. Sullivan, Second Mrs. Hallinan. Mr. SUllivan – rescind the motion. Mr. Hallinan – Motion to table takes precedent over the motion. Entertained prior procedure incorrect. Discussion – Mr. Bruce read Robert’s Rules of Order. Motion made by Mr. Simonson to rescind th motion. Second Mr. Cobbs. Motion carried by voice vote. Mr. Cobbs – would like more information before we make a decision and can then have another Special Town Meeting.
• Storage Building for Town Records – Discuss need and saving records – more than just what is required by State Statute of records. Building would be heated and air conditioned to preserve records. Possibly could add on to this building. Mr. Bean – should check on adding on the building across the road – Storage Building – build a block building.
• Motion made by Mr. Bean for the intent of investigating costs and options for the feasibility of Extension on this building v/s next to storage building and permission to go forward. 2nd Mr. Hallinan. Motion carried by voice vote.
• Discuss looking forward long range. Possibly adding an office for an officer. Not the officer does not have a secure location. Motion carried 20/0.
• Mr. Bean discussed State Statute 8.05(3)(a) nomination papers. Mr. Bean made a motion under S.S. 60.10(1)(c)2 to abolish the caucus as defined in 8.05(1) and adopt the town non partisan primary as defined in 8.05(3) for the nomination of elected town officers. Second Mr. Korbein. Discussion. Motion carried. 15/0
• Mr. Hallinan made a motion to have the meeting notices also put in the Reminder News Paper. 2nd Mr. Sullivan. Motion carried. 20/0
• Mr. Bean discussed the compensation of the Town Board. Mr. Bean made a motion to repeal 60.10(k) and adopt an annual salary for Supervisors of $4500. and Chairman $8000. Mrs. Dodge asked if other compensation was paid. Just mileage when meetings are out of the Town. Mr. Bean – it is not going to get better in the future. There is a growing work load. Motion seconded by Mr. Cobbs. Motion carried 20/0.
• Mr. Hallinan – point of interest – discuss the damaged tables and chairs and question if the cost of rental is keeping up with the expenses.

Date set for next Annual meeting was set by the people. April 18, 2009 at 10am

Motion to adjourn was made by Michael Poe. Second James Fank. Motion carried by voice vote 20/0. 11:28 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Markian Uphoff