Rushford Town Board Minutes

Wednesday June 2, 2010

 

The Town of Rushford June 2010 Board meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm on June 2nd by Chairman Tom Egan followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  Roll call was taken with Tom Egan, Patrick Kafer, Jerry Schoonover, Kathryn Lewis and Peggy Hendricks present.  Also present for all or part of the meeting:  11 additional persons per attendance record on file.

 

Statement of Public Notice:   This meeting and Notice of Meeting to Adjourn Board of Review until a later date were posted at Eureka & Waukau post office, the web page, and the town hall door. Notices were also mailed to Town Board members and the Zoning Administrators.   Notice of meeting to adjourn Board of Review to a later date and consideration of liquor license applications received from establishments in the Town of Rushford was posted at the previous places and the Oshkosh Northwestern.

 

Minutes:    Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to approve the minutes as presented for the May 5, 2010 town board meeting.  Motion carried. 

 

Treasurers Report was given by Kathryn Lewis.  The balance in the general account is $162,313.15.  There is $70,454.69 in 3 separate Fire Truck CD’s and $2,964.46 in the Now account.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonver to accept the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried. 

 

Payment of invoices –Peggy Hendricks read off the invoices which she approved and submitted to the board for approval of payment for an amount of $30,005.86.  Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to pay June’s bills that were submitted.  Motion carried.

 

Assessors Report – Larry Timm reported that the Board of Review met before the Board Meeting tonight and we adjourned until July 7 at 6:45.  The Board of Review will meet at that time to set the dates for Open Book and Board of Review.  The County does not have the assessment roll complete at this time.  Tom Egan explained that we were waiting to approve 2 residents in the Eureka Assessors Plat.  Our attorney did not have that done at this date, for he was still waiting on signatures.  A special meeting will be posted once the attorney has the paper work drawn up for the board to approve. At that time, the assessment roll can be completed and billing can start for the homeowners involved in the Eureka Assessors Plat. 

 

Correspondence & Communications:   Hendricks went though the following correspondence:

·         A Notice of Public Hearings sent from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin relating to the siting of wind energy systems.

·         A brochure of the services offered by Angelica Tile Co located in Pulaski, WI

·         A letter from Grota Appraisals, LLC explaining the updates to their Market Drive CAMA software for assessors

·         An open records request letter from Permit Path, who requested our fee amounts for services in our Township. It looks like they would like to put all Wisconsin towns’ fees on one web page.

·         A note sent from Mr & Mrs. John Carroll thanking the Rushford-Omro Fire Department for the work that they have done along with a $500 contribution.

·         An update email sent by Mike McMonigal reporting on the Eureka Locks project.  They explained that they cannot get a firm price for restoration, so they cannot go looking for money.  They have not had much success determining the exact condition of the locks and it’s components.

·         A letter sent to Broadway Estates from the Winnebago County Health Department explaining they received a complaint from the Winnebago County Zoning office regarding the placement of camping trailers.  They were ordered to immediately discontinue use of the property until they receive a valid campground license.

 

Tom Egan recognized Officer Jason Ripple from the Sherriff’s Department to come and speak before we continued with the rest of the correspondence.

 

Discussion with Sherriff’s Department   Officer Ripple was present to answer any questions, concerns or issues.  Fred Kasten asked how you would pursue a complaint from a resident for a person violating the no wake on the river.  He mentioned that the more information a person has, the better, such as hull numbers or boat registration numbers.  The Sherriff’s department stated that they only patrol the river on weekends.  They charge $186 for a wake violation.  The definition of slow/no wake is slow enough to maintain steerage. 

 

Egan asked if our humane officer has a complaint and he is unable to get out there, why won’t the Sherriff’s department step in.  The officer explained that they will if it is a safety concern.  They will also come and assist the humane officer if needed. 

 

Chairman Egan went back to Correspondence & Communications:

 

·         A letter from Solid Waste Management Board explaining the tipping fee surcharge.

·         The Hwy K Bridge has to put out bids because of the prevailing wage law.  It will cost $55,000 to move the mussels. The state will pay $26,737 and the county will have to pay $13,400. 

·         He explained a little on culvert funding that the township put in for.  It was always thought the County pays for this, but in actuality, the cost is split up amongst all the townships in the county.  For example, a $250,000 culvert for the Town of Neenah is going in and the Town of Rushford will be paying for part of that. 

·         The old garage in Waukau, which is owned by Frederick VanHandel, asked the county to forget all the taxes that are past due from 1999 – 2009.  Mr Egan is fighting this on the county board.

 

New Business:   Hendricks asked for approval for Class B Beer and Liquor licenses for Bill & Stels, Starlite Inn, Eureka Landings, O’Malleys and Trail Inn.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to grant Class B Beer & Liquor licenses to the mentioned establishments.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to appoint Bruce Mueller, 2914 Cty Road E, Berlin, to be the Town of Rushford representative for Rush Lake Watershed Restoration Committee, replacing Don Metko who has retired from the position.  Motion carried.

 

Mr Chuck Meir reported that he has received several complaints from residents in Meadow Ridge, Waukau for barking dogs. He has gone out there and he has had Sean Edinger accompany him once.  He feels he does not have enough to site a ticket, even though the neighbors have called in several complaints.   He asked if he has a signed complaint, if that would be enough to site a ticket.  Mr Egan said that he felt it would not be enough, for anyone could sign a complaint to have a ticket given out.  If it was signed by all the neighbors, then he felt it would be good enough to site a ticket. 

 

Derek Sell, 7213 Meadow Ridge, Pickett, WI stated that there are barking dogs at 7243 Meadow Ridge.  There has been a history of dogs being a nuisance there since 2006.  He has documented the letters, communications with the dog owner, the three complaints filed with the Sherriff’s Department and has audio tape of continuous barking of the dogs at 7243 Meadow Ridge.  The dogs have also been running at large and he fears for his children’s safety.  He feels he should not have to listen to the dogs barking continuously and would like the Town do whatever they can to put an end to this.  He requests that the town enforce their animal ordinance upon the dogs owner.  Kafer asked if there were any neighbors who would collaborate and Mr Sell answered yes.  Egan asked Mr Meir what his thoughts were.  Mr Meir asked how long is too long for a dog to be barking.  He said when he was out there, the dogs barked for maybe 15 minutes.  He questioned the owner about the age for the dogs for licenses.  At that time he was told they were 4 months old, but they are old enough for licenses now.  At this time, he has not applied for any.  Kafer stated that there is enough documentation, that if Mr Meir is called again, he should give the dog owner a copy of the ordinances and site him a ticket for each violation. 

 

Mr Meir stated that he has had numerous reports on barking dogs.  Sue Bohn had called several times, but Mr Meir has not been able to reach her. 

 

Tom Egan went through a contract between the Town of Rushford and Traxlers.  This contract is for an annual fee of $150 so our humane officer can transport animals at large to the Kennel. Traxlers will hold them until they are claimed by their rightful owners or are found new home.  Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to accept the Animal Contract for an annual fee of $150.00 between Traxlers and the Town of Rushford starting June 2, 2010.  Motion carried.

 

Discussion of Town Hall maintenance/needs:   The bid proposal for an additional parking lot light from DKAL was $1575.00.  Egan thought we should get additional bids.  Kafer thought we would pour the piers for the lights when the concrete work was done for the picnic tables to save some additional funds. 

 

A 16’x20’ concrete pad for the picnic tables by the play area was discussed.  Tom Tanner had a bid of $900.  Freunds mentioned that they would donate their time to dig out the sod and prep for the stone to be laid.  Marv Litton was present and he volunteered to help set up the play equipment.  Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to start the concrete work and start excavating the area for the play ground.  Motion carried.

 

Hendricks mentioned that the Tom Hendricks clean up should of been completed by May 17th.  Egan stated it looks good now, for all the trees are leafed out.  There is a open well hole that is somewhat covered that should be taken care of and dead trees that should be taken out.  Hendricks inquired that with all the clean up letters sent out, what is done if a landowner does not have their property cleaned up by the scheduled date.  Egan mentioned that some of the places have been mowed and cleaned up.  If a place is not cleaned up, we will have to hire someone to do it and add it to their tax bill. 

 

Egan bought up the cleanup of Carlson property.  He still has cars that should be removed and a trailer.  Egan stated that the judge granted that the trailer could stay previously.  Eldon Pomplun stated that it seemed like the board picked on certain people for clean up.  He felt there were many other properties that are worse.  Egan stated that the properties Mr Pomplun mentioned were either commercial or agriculture land. 

Egan asked the Board if they wanted to take Carlson back to the lawyer.  Kafer said if he is in violation of what they agreed on and money was spent on court already, then maybe it should be turned over to the lawyer.  Egan mentioned that there still are cars there and a trailer.  Kafer said with Hendricks, he felt a letter should go out with exactly what should be done and go from there.  Hendricks never contacted the Town Board, as the previous letters requested, but he did call the County.  He probley felt since he bought the land from the County, that they should clean it up.  Kafer said if they thought it was a hazard, it should be taken care of.  He had not walked though it for a while.  Egan mentioned that he would be happy to walk out with Mr. Hendricks and show him what should be done. 

 

Upcoming meetings and workshops : 

 

·         Winnebago County Land Conservation Public Hearing & meeting on June 3 at the Coughlin Building

·         The Board meeting will be moved to August 11 instead of August 4th

 

Town Zoning Committee Report:  Tom Jackson reported that they met on May 26.  They discussed the mapping of the Farmland Preservation areas for the Town of Rushford. The Slow/No wake ordinance was discussed. There are some changes that the committee will have to do for the existing ordinance, such as GPS coordinates of the buoys and fine amounts.   A violation book is being worked on for general violations of ordinances.  There was also discussion on the state wide no smoking ban. 

 

Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to approve the CSM for Rich & Camille Schuster.  They are increasing their lot size.  Motion carried.

 

Tom Jackson stated that Larry Hildebrand and Tom Jacksons terms are up this year.  It will be on the July agenda to appoint two zoning committee members. 

 

County Zoning Committee Report:  Kasten reported that they have finished up with phase 1 of the rewrite of the zoning codes of what will be allowed in districts and will be starting phase 2, which is the mapping of the districts.  They have to write a Farmland Preservation ordinance for the county, which is still part of phase 1. 

 

Building report:  Egan reported that four building permits were issued during the month of May.

 

Discussion on Town Maintenance:  Hendricks stated that the commercial contract from Badger Energy was received for LP for a fixed price of $1.579, which is $140/mo for the 2010-2011 year.  This is due back by June 11.   Kafer mentioned that he will call around and get prices of LP.  Hendricks will call Badger Energy requesting they have until the end of the first week in July to send back the contract if it is agreed upon. 

 

Hendricks stated that we have received our contract between the City of Oshkosh and the Town of Rushford for providing paramedic ambulance service.  The contract is based off $2.90 per capita, which Aurora Medical has agreed to cover $2.03 which leaves us .87 per capita.  Our population provide in 2009 was 1617.

 

Road closings for the Eureka Plat was on the agenda, but it is not completed yet.  When it is, there will be a special meeting called.

 

Chairman Egan had the bids from Freund to replace the culverts in the Town of Rushford.  Motion by Kafer, 2nd by Schoonover to have Freund replace the culverts on Bell School Road, Ferry Lane and Mechanic street.  On a roll call vote, No from Egan, Yes from Kafer and Schoonover.  Motion carried. 

 

Egan asked if the County should be doing our sealing or if we should go for bids.  Kafer said he would think the County would do most of it.  A meeting has to be scheduled with Zilges to find out how much they will be paying for Bell School Road.  The County is in the area working right now.  It was agreed that a special meeting would be scheduled to discuss roads. 

 

Kathryn Lewis stated that Peggy Hendricks spent over 8 hours cleaning up the town hall after a hall rental.  She thinks that she should receive part of the security deposit that is charged.  She stated the hall was terrible.  Kafer mentioned that Service Masters should have been called and charged to the people who rented the hall.  He stated they should be billed for the damages and the clean up. 

 

Hendricks stated that the hall is rented out almost every week and this is the first instance where something like this had happened.  It will be placed on the July agenda to review the hall rental contract. 

 

Motion by Egan, 2nd by Schoonover to pay Peggy Hendricks the security deposit and the rental charge which is $100.  Motion carried. 

 

Motion by Schoonover, 2nd by Kafer to adjourn the meeting at 9:00.  Motion carried. 

 

Respectfully Submitted by Peggy Hendricks, Clerk