Town of Whitewater Town Board Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

6:35 PM

 

Present:  Lowell Hagen, Robert Strand, Norman Prusener, Jorja Boiley

Norm Prusener made a motion to approve the agenda as written, seconded by Bob.  Motion passed unanimously.

Norm Prusener made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2021 Town Board meeting and April 2, 2021 Special Meeting as written; seconded by Bob Strand.  The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer Report: Bank account balances were read. A new reporting format replaces an excel spreadsheet.

Clerk’s Report:

• 366 voters participated in the April 6, 2021 election. 82 absentee ballots were cast.
• The Flowing Well passed the annual inspection. No issues at this time
• Don Vruink is taking proactive steps to assist towns in his district to acquire state funds for road repair. He specifically mentions the Bluff Road needs.
• DNR has been billed for the fire numbers they requested. Once the bill is paid, the fire numbers will be requested from Lange Enterprises.

Norm Prusener made a motion to accept the Treasurer and Clerk reports, seconded by Bob Strand, the motion carried.

 

Supervisor’s reports:

Norm Prusener – no report. He asked why Hi-Lo Road has an area marked off. Bob Strand indicated it was in order to have a quote on removing asphalt.

Bob Strand: Bob Harris gave notice that he is leaving his position as Roadman effective April 30, 2021. A process has already begun to hire a new part time laborer. One candidate has been hired who has experience in landscaping.

Norm suggests hiring two people for mowing and plowing.

Lowell Hagen: He has contacted Jeff at JNT regarding the Mercury 150 boat motor the town has for sale. Jeff may have better contacts for selling it.

Margie Harris presented information for her request on a variance for her deck. The County has denied her request and said that if the Town approved the variance, the County would revisit the request. Norm indicated that so many people are requesting variances that would provide closer access to the lake that even if the Town approved the request, the County may not approve. Bob Strand made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Lowell Hagen. The motion carried with a 2-1 vote, Norm voted no.

Teri Hamilton is requesting an update on a project to help alleviate water issues in front of her home. The culvert collects leaves, sticks, etc as a result that the ground is higher than the opening. Road crew will clean out and repair the culvert. The town is also collecting bids on doing 5” paving to redirect the flow of water.

A process has already begun to hire a new part time laborer. Lowell met with Seth Koepnik and offered a positive impression. The candidate has extensive experience in landscaping. Norm made a motion to hire him at $18.00 per hour with a review after 30 days, with a potential increase to $20.00 per hour. Bob seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Koepnik will start April 26 and train with Bob Harris for three days and then continue training with Tim Ryan

Regarding potential traffic flow issues on Hwy 89 during a future road project, the discussion centered on only Nelson Bus Co might be affected. There would be no issues with the Town.

Southern Lakes Show Team requests approval to continue with practicing for events and holding shows for Summer 2021.The hours for practice sessions: Sat/Sun 8:00 AM – noon and Wednesday evening. These are the same hours as last year. Norm made a motion to approve the request for those hours, seconded by Bob, the motion carried. A Certificate of Insurance will be mailed.

Marcia Clifford reported on the new ordinances project. The project was started about three years ago and is ready for final changes and a vote to approve. Lowell suggested that Marcia and Jorja establish a time to meet with the board in order to make whatever changes are necessary to close the project.

2021 Road Construction Packages are ready to be sent. Information will be sent to Payne & Dolan, Rock Road and Wolf Paving along with published ads for anyone else who wants to provide a bid. The goal is to have the bids due by the board meeting on May 12, 2021. While all road work must be completed by October 16, 2021, the projects may not all start in early summer. Timing to be determined.

Lowell explained that the current budget will not cover all the repairs that are needed and the Town may have to consider borrowing money to cover the costs.

 

Public input –

Lillian Roy shared the dates for summer events on the lake.

May 22: Music and dinner at the Monte Carlo Room in Elkhorn

June 26^th – Hot Dog Picnic at the Lion’s Club followed by Music on the Lake in the evening.

July 24^th, and August 28^th – mor Music on the Lake

August 21^st – gold Outing and Dinner at Evergreen Country Club

September 11 – Trivia night at Lion’s Club

Pontoon parties: June 17^th, July 15^th, August 19^th, September 16^th.

 

Board reviewed bills.

 

Norm made a motion to adjourn at 7:54 PM, seconded by Lowell, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted by Jorja Boiley, Clerk/Treasurer