Ferryville Minutes

DRAFT
Village of Ferryville
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Date: October 21, 2020
7 PM at Village Hall

Present: President, Steve Werner, Trustees Gloria Moore and Anna Ebner, Clerk Bridget Schill, Treasurer Kent Salmon, EMR Brenda Torger Vassar, Public Works Dan Matson, FD Alex Novak

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:02PM by Village President, Steve Werner.
2. Certification of Open Meeting Law Requirements: Bridget Schill, Village Clerk confirmed that lawful notice of the public meeting had been posted on the official posting board inside and outside of the Village Hall, in the Post Office, at River Bank on 10/17/2020 and on www.ferryville.com.
3. Approve Agenda: Anna motioned that the Agenda be accepted. Steve seconded the motion. The motion carried.
4. Approve Minutes of Previous Meeting: Steve motioned that the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of September 16, 2020 be accepted. Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried. Steve motioned that the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting LRIP Pine Street on September 25, 2020 be approved. Gloria seconded. The motion carried. Steve moved that the Minutes of the October 7, 2020 Zoom Meeting with Vernon Communications be approved. Anna seconded the motion. The motion carried.
5. Public Comment: None
6. Department Items:
a. Village Clerk: Bridget reports that preparations for the Nov. 3 election are underway. Absentee Ballots are being sent out. Early voting is available by appointment. The Public Test of the Voting Machine will be Oct. 26, 2020 at 2 PM. Jeanne Rutter resigned after years of service. Many thanks to Jeanne. The Clerk has received several calls about the "Q" on the old school wall. The inquiries asked if the "Q" represented the feelings of the residents. The reporter was assured that it does not. A Zoom meeting with Vernon Communications was held regarding bringing fiber optic capabilities to Eagle Mountain. About 14 residents attended and asked questions. A DOT meeting was attended regarding work on Hwy. 35 scheduled for 2026. The Flu shot clinic drive through was held in the Village parking lot Oct. 24. Cares Act money has been filed for and the balance signed over to Crawford County for reimbursement for the sanitation equipment they have supplied to the Village. Steve and I met with our insurance company for an annual review. Mr. Smith was sent his second notice about the shed on his property. Crawford County Cleanup is Oct. 23 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Highway Department in Seneca. The DOT Street Certification report was completed. We remain at 4.90 miles of roadway. Announcements: Farmer's Market Saturdays through Oct. 31. Fall Migration Day, Nov. 14, 9 - 11 AM at River View Park, Christmas Tree Lighting, Nov. 30, 6 PM at River View Park.
b. Treasurer: Kent reports that he has been working on the budget with Steve for next year. Lots of time has been going into completing reports and the budget. Proposed changes to the Sewer bill will be discussed during the meeting.
c. Public Works: Dan reports that Fall appears to be upon us and he is getting busy for winter. The snowplow is out of storage and working properly. The sander/salter has been serviced and is ready to go. Sept. 19th was the Fall Fest at Sugar Creek Park. It was a great day and a successful event. Sept. 22nd saw the snowflake decorations being readied for the season. Oct. 8th Dan also attended the meeting with the DOT regarding the upcoming Hwy.35 repairs and prep work. The painting at the boat launch is completed. The Fall discharge of the lagoons is being done and is going smoothly. After that process is done the equipment will be pulled and winterized. Happy Halloween.
d. Fire Department/First Responders: Brenda reports that Fire/EMS held 3 very successful brat fries last month. One at Fall Fest, Oct. 3rd and 10th at Ferryville Cheese. Scott Yanke and Curt Lindsley have turned in certificates of completion of the Entry Level Firefighter Course. Anna Ebner is currently enrolled in the course. Brenda will be applying for a raffle license in mid-December to help with fund raising in 2021. Alex reports that Bob Bishop donated $200 to the Ferryville FD. Many thanks to Mr. Bishop for his generosity. It is greatly appreciated. Chief Novak finished installing the new pull down attic door and steps. He will also be setting up CPR Basis Life Support Class through the American Red Cross for members needing recertification. He will be instructing. Members of the Ferryville FD were in attendance for the burn trailer training held at the Genoa FD.
e. Village President's Report: Steve extended thanks to Jeanne Rutter for her many years of involvement in various Ferryville projects. He reported on discussions with the County Highway Dept. and State DOT regarding lowering the speed limit to 35 mph on Hwy 35 from Cty. C to the 25 mph sign south of the Swing Inn, or moving road signs to accommodate ATV/UTV drivers. The request has been received, but no action to report so far. On Eagle Mountain several new sheds/garages have been completed. Two new homes are under construction. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked on the Holiday decorations. Also, thanks to Larry Quamme and Al Kirchner for working on the new Christmas tree stand at River View Park. And, to Al, for trimming and hauling away brush from the Park. Farmers Market successful season ends Oct. 31. Thanks to all who helped make this a success during these unusual times. Anna sends thanks to all "landscapers" on Eagle Mountain for their work near the new sign. Gloria reports that she has had some discussions with a DNR rep regarding a resident putting fill on areas that are considered wetlands without permission. There will be follow-up.

7. Approve Disbursement & Revenues (September 2020): Steve motioned that expenditures in the amount of $13,944.91 revenues and interest in the amount of $5,335.51 be approved in the Village General Fund Account for the month of September 2020. Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried. Steve motioned expenditures in the amount of $4,096.17 and revenues and interest in the amount of $8,800.42 be approved in the Village Sewer Utility account for the month September 2020. Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried.

8. New Business:
a. Pine Street Bids: Two bids were received from reputable companies that have done work for
the Village previously. The sealed bids were opened at the meeting and compared and reviewed by the Board. Steve motioned that the bid by Iverson Construction of $11,847.75 be accepted. Anna seconded the motion. The motion carried. The work is part of an LRIP grant that will cover a good portion of the bill. The work must be completed by June 30, 2021.
b. New Poll Worker (s): Gloria motions that Anna Ebner be approved as a new poll worker. Steve seconded the motion. The motion carried.
c. New Fire/EMR Members (if any): None
d. Operator's Licenses: - Steve motioned that an Operator's License be approved for Brittany Wallace. Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried.
e. Building Permits - None
f. Plan Commission Appointee: Gloria motioned that Tammy Frank be approved to the Plan Commission. Anna seconded the motion. The motion carried.
g. Vernon Communications Resolution: Steve moved that the Village enter into the Public/Private Partnership Agreement with Vernon Communications. Anna seconded the motion. The motion carried. This group wants to bring fiber optic lines to the Eagle Mountain area for improved internet service, if they receive grant funding. They are in the process of applying for a grant.
h. Report on Hwy. 35 Proposed Pavement Mill & Overlay Improvement Project: Steve explained the initial meeting with the DOT regarding the project scheduled for 2026 or possibly 2025. Dan has been marking storm drains that need repair. Discussions will be held and estimates gotten on replacing parking lanes (our responsibility). Turn arounds and sidewalks were discussed. Grants/Financing will need to be secured.
i. FEMA Project Rehabilitation of Lagoons Has Been Approved for 2021, Budget and Sewer Rate Discussion: This previously approved for 2021 but delayed project has been reapproved per Jewell Engineering. This has been designated a large project with costs of approximately $477,060.00. 75% will be funded Federally, 12.5% by State and 12.5 % by Local funding estimated at $59,632.50.
j. Review 2021 General and Sewer Budgets: A long discussion followed about the upcoming Budget and possible ways to save money and some additional funds that must be updated. Ideas included not using the web hosting site for bookwork, making sure that all residents are being charged for special assessments and that new property owners are on file. Long term debts may carry over, such as road work that will be done next year instead of this year. The Board then discussed the need to raise the sewer rate by $5.00/month per REU (Residential Equivalent Unit) starting January 1, 2021. There has not been an increase in many years and there is an expensive project that must be done on the Lagoons next year. The annual cost for the sewer for a resident will go from $396.00 to $456.00. Kent proposes sending out one sewer bill a year to residents with their December tax bill, for them to pay on quarterly, semi-annually or annually. This will save the Village much money in postage. Steve motioned that as part of the sewer budget, the change of collection process suggested by Kent by approved. Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried.
k. Consider/Approve 2021 Proposed Draft Budgets and Set Budget Hearing November Date: Steve moved that the Board approve the Draft Budget for the Village of Ferryville general accounts for 2021. Anna seconded the motion. Motion Carried. Anna motioned to approve the preliminary Sewer Budget for 2021. Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried. Steve motioned that the Public Hearing for the Budget be set for November 18, 2020 at 6:30 PM, Wednesday held at the Village Hall. Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried.
l. Mr. Lawrence Smith Property: The site has been visited and pictures taken of the property at 15917 State Hwy. 35. Steve motioned that Mr. Smith be notified that the building is going to be demolished and the costs put on his tax bill (estimated to be about $1,250.00). Gloria seconded the motion. The motion carried.
m. Renewal of Holloway Appraisal Contract: This is a three year renewal contract with our current assessor. There is no change in cost. Steve motioned that the contract be approved. Anna second the motion. The motion carried.
9. Adjourn: All business on the agenda was covered. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.

THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE BUDGET FOR 2021 WILL BE HELD AT 6:30 PM ON NOVEMBER 18, 2020, WEDNESDAY, AT THE VILLAGE HALL WITH THE REGUALR BOARD MEETING TO FOLLOW.

___________________________ Posted: 10/26/2020
Bridget Schill, Clerk Village Hall (inside and outside)
US Post Office
River Bank
www.ferryville.com