December 14, 2009
Chairman Ron Fanetti called the meeting to order on December 14, 2009 at 7:30 pm. The supervisors present were: Gary Yakesh and David Clements. Other officers present were: Victoria Trinko-Clerk and Eunice Steinmetz-treasurer. See attached list for delegation present.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Brian Nodolf requested to comment on items 8&9 on the agenda during the meeting. Brian Nodolf inquired about Earl Hassemer’s request that David LaGesse be removed from the plan commission was not on this month’s agenda. Supervisor Gary Yakesh replied basically he hasn’t had time to look into it himself with the Comprehensive Plan and other meetings coming up. Mr. Nodolf reported David LaGesse wants to address this issue with a possibility of a slander lawsuit and requested that this item be placed on the January agenda. Mr. Nodolf would also be presenting a notice of claim at the next town board monthly meeting. The date of the notice of claim would be filed in a timely fashion so as to be placed on the agenda with a copy of the quit claim deed. There was discussion about providing a copy of the LaGesse’s quit claim deed to the board. David LaGesse inquired why his quit claim deed was not accepted by the board. The board countered that the board wanted a copy [not the original quit claim deed], there was not sufficient information regarding the parcel numbers on the quit claim deed and the board wanted a copy submitted to the town board’s lawyer. As a second request, Mr. Nodolf filed a records request with the town clerk. Mr. Nodolf discussed issues with open government. He felt the governmental body was not always compliant with requests for open records by his clients and was confused by the responses from the governmental body. There were comments and discussion about the number of requests made, individuals requesting documents, authenticity of the documents, and client’s own inquiries about governmental matters. Bill Schindler asked about the December 4, 2009 meeting. There was a public notice in the Bloomer Advance concerning the change of date of the Comprehensive Plan public hearing.
Gary Yakesh made a motion to approve and place on file the minutes of the November 23, 2009 regular town board meeting. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
David Clements made a motion to approve the December financial report. Gary Yakesh seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0. There was discussion of prepayment of approximately an $8400.00 for the Town of Cooks Valley 2nd half share for the fire Dept. This will be addressed at the special meeting on December 28, 2009. There was discussion on the expenditure of $2600.00 from the Focus on Energy for energy efficiency for the town hall and making the town hall more accessible for the handicapped. We will have $54000.00 remaining in the checking account instead of $65000.00 at the end of the year.
Gary Yakesh made a motion to approve the November bills. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action on budget categories: Gary Yakesh made a motion to transfer $1100.00 from non-allocated funds to W-051 Public Works-recycling. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion regarding possible ATV ordinance: This item was postponed to the next regular town board meeting.
Discussion and possible action on plowing and sanding driveway rates 2009-2010: Mr. Nodolf discussed Loran Zwiefelhofer's bill for sanding vs. sanding for other driveways; the fairness of the equity of billing; and charging interest on the bill. Loran Zwiefelhofer questioned the increase in the price of sanding for his driveway. There was discussion of present rates of plowing and sanding, size of driveways, and the amount of time for plowing and sanding. Gary Yakesh made a motion to charge $30.00 for plowing and/or sanding per time in a driveway, if a second location is more that 100 yards from the first driveway that constitutes a second stop. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion of the cell phone contract: Mr. Nodolf suggested a good practice is not to have handwritten receipts but have a contract bill. There was discussion of a cell phone for the township with the cost of approximately $575.00 per year from All-Tell or Verizon. Gary Yakesh made a motion to purchase a cell phone [either track or cell phone] under contract to the town of Cooks Valley. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.
Discussion and possible action of contract with the Humane Society vs. no contract: The town clerk read a letter from Kathy Bernier, county clerk, which was sent to all governmental units. There was discussion of cases and the amount of fees which would be referred to the Chippewa Veterinary clinic. Chairman Ron Fanetti read a letter that would be attached to the minutes. There was a discussion of the resident Humbert's ongoing animal incidences. There will be no contract with the Humane Society.
Discussion of Focus on Energy and G.A.B. Survey rebates: There was discussion contracting for the replacement of the seals on the garage doors and the need for weather stripping on the town hall door. Chippewa valley Door will be contacted.
Discussion and possible action-building permit-Darrel Fehr: Gary Yakesh made a motion to refund Darrel Fehr’s check for a building permit as he did not meet the criteria for a building permit. David Clements seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0. The irrigation system is personal property and the pivot assemblies were under the dollar limit for requirement of a building permit. There was discussion about the possible removal of the cement pivot, placement of guard rails around the cement pivot, and/or a driveway placed by the cement pivot. The town board will contact the Chippewa County Highway Dept. to examine the placement of the cement pivot and propose suggestions to the town board.
Chairman’s Report: There was discussion of the placement of mobile homes prior to the granting of permits. Chairman Fanetti read a letter from the zoning office to Nate Prince. Chairman Fanetti suggested that prior to building a structure or placement of structures all governmental entities [county, town] should be contacted and the processes done in sequence. The chairman informed the board and delegation of the possibility of county wide assessment with the next five years. The DOR has drawn up a plan to be presented to the legislature. The ramifications of a county wide assessment could be: where would the board of review or open book be held; assessment would not be at the local level; reassessments would be speeded up; and all property would be assessed at an equalized value.
Dissemination of Information:
FURTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND BUSINSS:
ADGOURN: Gary Yakesh made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 pm. David Clements seconded the motion the motion carried 3-0.
Typed January 8, 2010 Respectfully submitted
Approved January 18, 2010 Victoria Trinko, Town Clerk