10-16-24 Town Board Meeting
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, October 16, 2024
(Draft – Not official until approved.)
The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls was called to order by Chairman Mike Dorsey at 6:05 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the Town Hall. Proper notice was given as the agenda was posted at the town hall and on the town’s website October 11, 2024. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Present by roll call were chairman Mike Dorsey, supervisors Will Bergmann, Jeremy Hall and Brent Priebe. Supervisor Katie Appel arrived at 6:24 p.m. Also present were town clerk/treasurer Janet Krueger, public works employee Steve Jacobs and legal counsel Adam Jarchow.
Hall/Priebe moved to approve the agenda; motion carried. Bergmann/Hall moved to approve the minutes as printed for the September 18, 2024, town board meeting; motion carried.
No public comment was had.
Committee, Commission and Employee Reports: Mr. Jacobs gave the highway report. Ms. Krueger presented the clerk/treasurer’s report. Hall/Priebe moved to amend the disbursement vouchers #24-223 through 24-248 in the amount $23,716.59 from what was presented last month; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 4-0. Hall/Bergmann moved to approve payment of vouchers #24-249 through 24-272 amounting to $145,302.93; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 4-0. The 2024 year to date budget summaries were reviewed. Receipts for the period ending September 30, 2024, amounted to $13,140.67, cash balance on September 30, 2024, was $245,538.04. The building permit and zoning permit logs were reviewed. Chairman Dorsey stated that a site plan for one of the commercial properties has been completed and the last cemetery meeting will be held tomorrow night (October 17th).
New Business: New proposed commercial uses were reviewed. Consensus of the town board was to amend the town’s zoning ordinance to include two special exception uses to the commercial district for retail of mobile homes, manufactured homes and modular homes; and for uses similar in character to the permitted uses provided the treatment of the products are clearly incidental to the conduct of a retail business. A public hearing on the proposed amendment will be held at the November plan commission meeting. Appel/Hall moved to adopt Resolution 24-30 authorizing a “Public Entity Money Market Account” with Royal Credit Union; motion carried on unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 24-30
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A “PUBLIC ENTITY MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT”
WITH ROYAL CREDIT UNION FOR THE TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS
WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls designated Royal Credit Union as a public depository for the Town of St. Croix Falls on September 20, 2017; and
WHEREAS Royal Credit Union is offering “Public Entity Money Market Account” for municipalities, public schools, government agencies, and other public entities.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, does hereby authorize opening a Public Entity Money Market Account with Royal Credit Union; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk/Treasurer, Town Chairman and Town Vice Chairman be authorized signers on the account.
Bergmann/Hall moved to adopt Resolution 24-31 setting the public hearing on the 2025 budget and calling a special town meeting of the electors on November 20, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 24-31
A RESOLUTION TO SET DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
PROPOSED 2025 BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS
AND TO CALL A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ELECTORS OF THE TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS
WHEREAS, Wisconsin Statute 65.90 requires a public hearing on the annual budget for a Town; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin Statutes requires the calling of a special Town meeting to approve and adopt the tax levy;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute 65.90 calls a public hearing on the proposed 2025 budget for the Town of St. Croix Falls in Polk County to be held on 20th day of November, 2024, commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls Calls pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 60.12(1)(c) a special town meeting of the electors on 20th day of November, 2024, to begin immediately following completion of the public hearing on the proposed 2025 Budget, for the following purposes;
- To approve the 2024 town tax levy (to be collected in 2025), pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes 60.10(1) (a).
Hall/Priebe moved to adopt Resolution 24-32 approving additional operator licenses for the year ending June 30, 2024; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 24-32
A RESOLUTION APPROVING ADDITIONAL OPERATOR’S LICENSES
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025
WHEREAS the individuals listed below have made application to the Town Clerk requesting a operator’s license pursuant to Sections 125.32(2) and 125.68(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes for the year ending June 30, 2025, and
WHEREAS the applications appear to be complete and the required fee has been paid;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls does approve and grant operator’s licenses to:
Abid, Meriem 434 E 11th Street Unit K, New Richmond, WI 54017; 2025-52
Easland, Haley Rae 1321 State Road 48, Luck, WI 54853; 2025-53
Eaton, Amy Leigh 1414 State Road 46, Balsam Lake, WI 54810; 2025-54
Edwards, Jean Anna 1388 34th Avenue, Amery, WI 54001; 2025-55
Kroells, Nicolle U 307 N East Street, Dresser, WI 54009; 2025-56
Ostendorf, Emiy Marie 2631 County Road Q, Clear Lake, WI 54005; 2025-57
Warnken, Timothy Steven 1106 St. Croix Street, Hudson, WI 54016; 2025-58
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be authorized to issue the licenses as the case may be.
Appel/Bergmann moved to adopt Resolution 24-33 amending the Town Board Rules and Procedures Policy; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 24-33
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE “TOWN BOARD RULES OF PROCEDURES POLICY”
FOR THE TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS
WHEREAS the Town Board wishes to establish specific procedures for the actions of the town board in the operation of the town.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, hereby adopts the Town Board Rules of Procedures Policy.
RULES AND PROCEDURES
FOR THE OPERATION OF THETOWN BOARD
Rule 1: Date and Time of Regular Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the Town Board shall be on the third Wednesday of the month. Starting time shall be at 6:00 p.m.
Rule 2: Calling of Special Town Board Meetings
Calling of special meeting of the Town Board shall be in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes. A special meeting may be called by order of the Town Board chairperson or by petition of any three supervisors of the Town Board after which the clerk shall be notified of the agenda item(s) so proper posting may be made.
Rule 3: Assessment of Fees for calling Special Town Board Meetings
A fee of $250.00 shall be assessed to any person, group of person, corporation, or other entity when requesting the Town Board to hold a special meeting. This fee shall be assessed for each item requested to be on the special meeting agenda.
Rule 4: Designation of Official Publication for Town Notices
The Town Board declares that the Town shall use posting in lieu of publication. When notices and other matters by statute must be published, such publication shall be in the Inter-County Leader. Informational notices, when published, shall be in the Inter-County Leader and/or Tri-County North Advertiser. Informational notices such as co-op election ads and meeting notices may be placed in additional publications within Polk County, when in the opinion of the Town Clerk or directed by the Town Board, such additional notification would be beneficial to the residents of the Town.
Rule 5: Location of Notice Postings Sites
The following two locations shall be used as the posting sites for notices and other announcements for the Town when three posting sites are not required by statute when using the town’s website:
Town Hall, 1305 200th Street and US Highway 8
Town’s Website, www.townofstcroixfallswi.gov
If additional posting sites are required by statute the following two locations shall also be used:
Not Justa Cafe – 1961 US Highway 8
BP Gas Station – 1960 US Highway 8
Rule 6: Preparation of Agendas for Regular and Special Town Board Meetings
The Town Clerk in consultation with the Town chairperson or acting chairperson shall prepare agendas for all regular and special Board meeting. The clerk shall include such items which are ordinarily and customarily considered at various times during the year. Such agendas shall be posted in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes. Amendments to agendas after posting may be made provided Statutes are followed.
Rule 7: Procedures for Placing Items on the Agenda
The Board at previous meetings may identify items which are to be placed on the agenda for either a regular or special meeting. A Board member or chairperson of a committee or commission wishing to have an item placed on the agenda or resident of the Town and other interested persons may request of the Town chairperson to have an item placed on the agenda of a future meeting; the Town chairperson shall then determine if such item will be on the agenda and notify the clerk if it is to be listed. An item may be placed on the agenda with a petition of any three supervisors of the Town Board after which the clerk will be notified and the item will be listed.
Rule 8: Determining the Town Board Vice Chairperson
Vice Chairperson will be determined following the Spring General Elections.
Rule 9: Convening of a Town Board Meeting in the Absence of the Chairperson
In the absence of the Town Board Chairperson and Town Board Vice Chairperson, the town clerk shall convene the Board meeting. By consensus the remaining supervisors shall determine who shall preside at the meeting. In the absence of a consensus, an election shall be held with the clerk and supervisors voting.
Rule 10: Rules of Order for Conduction Town Board Meetings
All meetings of the Town Board shall be in conformity with Wisconsin Statutes and such rules that the Town Board from time to time shall create and enact. No rule shall be in conflict with Wisconsin Statutes. The primary guide to parliamentary procedure shall by A Guide to Parliamentary Procedure for Local Government in Wisconsin (Larry E. Larmer, 1998) and supplemented by the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.
Rule 11: Manner of Voting
Whenever possible, voting should be done by voice vote. If the voting result is unclear, the Chairperson or any member of the Town Board may ask for the vote to be redone in a visible form.
Recorded votes (roll-call) voting shall be used for: 1) whenever required by Wisconsin Statute including motions to go into closed (executive) session and to adjourn a closed session; 2) financial approvals; 3) authorizations of purchases of goods and services in excess of $500; 4) awarding of contracts; 5) resolutions adopting ordinances or amendments to ordinances; 6) adoption of the annual budget or amendments to the budget; 7) authorization of borrowing of monies; 8) resolutions approving major subdivisions; 9) adoption of policies and major changes to policies; 10) whenever requested by a member of the Town Board.
Other Counted voting (ex.: visible form such as show of hands) may be used for the adoption of resolutions and other substantive and important governmental decisions when a roll-call vote is not required.
Secret Ballot voting is not permitted except in accordance with Wisconsin State Statute Sec. 19.88.
Rule 12: Authorization of Purchases in Interim Between Town Board Meetings
The Town Board Chairperson is authorized in the interim between town board meetings to approve the purchase of ordinary and necessary equipment repairs, supplies, and tools when less than $1,000. Emergency tire purchases are authorized even if in excess of $1,000.
Rule 13: Seating Arrangement
Seating arrangements for Board meetings shall be such that Board members can easily see and converse with each other and the clerk/treasurer. Persons making a presentation shall present from the podium in front of the board and direct their remarks to members of the Board.
Rule 14: Citizen Input and Recognition of Audience
Each regular meeting agenda shall contain a time for citizen input and recognition of the audience. However, no individual shall speak longer than 3 minutes or group of people longer than 15 minutes on a specific issue and not more than 30 minutes total of public comment without the unanimous consent of the Board. If there are speakers with opposing views and/or opinions the item shall be apportioned equitable. Specific items on the agenda can be addressed by a non-board member or officer with the consent of the Board. All remarks made by those speaking must be directed to through the Chairperson. Dialog between and among audience members is prohibited. An additional public comment will be added before the meeting adjourns. This time will be limited to no longer than 5 minutes total.
Rule 15: Procedures for the Adoption of Resolutions
Resolutions must be listed on the agenda for the meeting in order to be acted upon and are to be included in the materials provided to Board members no later than three days prior to the regular meeting. If action is to be taken on a resolution at a special Board meeting, copies are to be made available to the Board members in accordance with statutory posting requirements. With the unanimous consent, resolutions of a routine matter may be acted upon if listed on the agenda even though not supplied to the Board prior to the meeting.
Rule 16: Procedures for the Adoptions of Ordinances and Amendments to Ordinances
Ordinances and amendments to ordinances must be listed on the agenda in order to be acted upon. Ordinances and amendments to ordinances except zoning map changes shall have two readings before enactment and these readings shall be in two different months, one of which shall be a regular monthly meeting of the Board. In addition to hearings required by Statutes of certain ordinances, the Town Board may provide for hearings on proposed ordinances and amendments to ordinances at its discretion.
Rule 17: Reports from committees, Commissions, and Employees
Written and oral reports covering the previous month’s activities (including minutes of any meetings) and listing anticipated activities for the ensuing month shall be submitted to the clerk from the following: law enforcement, fire departments, zoning administration, building inspection, highway, Plan Commission, Board of Appeals, and other commissions committees, and boards. These reports and minutes are to be delivered to and received by the clerk no later than one week prior to the date of the regular monthly meeting of the Board.
Rule 18: Procedures for the Disbursement of Funds and Payment
Prior to the disbursement of any funds in the payment of any bills or obligations of the Town a voucher shall be prepared and signed by the Town Chairperson and Town Clerk as required by Statute and approved by the Town Board at a regular or special meeting with the following exceptions: payroll, tax deposits, tax settlements, and utility bills. All checks shall be signed by the clerk and treasurer, as required by Statute.
Rule 19: Designation of Depository for Funds of the Town
The following financial institutions are designated public depositories for the Town.
Eagle Valley Bank 2206 Glacier Drive St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
MidWest One Bank 2183 US Highway 8 St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
Royal Credit Union 2071 Glacier Drive St. Croix Falls, WI 54024
Local Government Investment Pool Madison, Wisconsin
Rule 20: Payment of Board Members and Officers Salaries
Payment of the salaries of the Town Board members and elected officers shall be on a monthly basis and shall be the first regular payday of the month according to the previously adopted pay schedule for Town employees.
Rule 21: Procedures for Submitting Expense Claims
Board members, officers and staff shall from time to time during the year submit expenses vouchers to the clerk for payment of mileage at the current IRS rate Res. 00-49 (Town Board members will be reimbursed mileage only outside the Town boundaries), phone (long distance), and other customary expenses incurred while on Town business.
Out of Town Conferences and Conventions:
- Pre-Registration is encouraged and should be vouchered through the Town. Reimbursement for attendance at conferences and conventions shall be vouchered separately with supporting documentation included if unable to preregister.
- The most affordable lodging that is practicable should be used and supporting documentation is required for reimbursement.
- Meals (excluding alcoholic beverages) will be reimbursed up to thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per full day for approved attendees. Supporting documentation is required for reimbursement.
Employees and such other non-employees entitled to expense reimbursement shall have the voucher approved by the Town chairperson who shall then submit it to the clerk for processing. Reimbursement for purchases, such as but not limited to supplies and parts, made for the Town shall be evidenced by presenting a sales and/or credit card slip.
Rule 22: Authorizing Attendance of Employees at Meetings and Workshops
The Town chairperson may authorize or direct an employee to attend a meeting or workshop in line with the individual’s responsibilities for the Town and approve the reasonable reimbursement of expenses thereto. Elected officials are encouraged to attend workshops, seminars and conventions as budget allows and with prior approval of the Town Board when the amount will exceed $100.00. Members are encouraged to car pool whenever possible.
Rule 23: Authorization of Burning Permits
Burning Permits can be authorized by any Town Board Officer, Town Clerk and Town Zoning Administrator. Burning Permits are not issued when the Department of Natural Resources has declared a high or above fire danger. The Town uses the DNR website to determine fire danger (dnr.wi.gov/forestry/Fire/Fire_Danger/Wis_Burn/StateCounties.asp).
Rule 24: Amendments to the Rules
Amendments to these rules shall be made upon a two-thirds vote of the membership of the Board and shall become effective the first day on the next month following passage.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these terms begin effective upon passage and posting of this resolution.
Discussion was had regarding services for annual audits of the town’s financial records. No action was taken at this time. A cost analysis for fire services resulting from the Centuria Fire Department’s merger with the Milltown Fire Department were reviewed. Consideration to amend the fire district map back to the service areas as of January 1, 2024, provided the St. Croix Falls Fire Department is called for auto aide on all calls except first responder calls and the contract with Milltown Fire Department can be ended for no reason will be on the November town board meeting agenda.
No closing public comment was had.
The November town board meeting will be held November 20, 2024. There being no further business, Hall/Bergmann moved to adjourn the meeting; motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Minutes prepared by town clerk Janet Krueger.