11-15-23 Town Board Meeting
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, November 15, 2023
The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls was called to order by Chairman Mike Dorsey at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at the Town Hall. Proper notice was given as the agenda was posted at the town hall and on the town’s website November 10, 2023. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. Present by roll call were Chairman Mike Dorsey, supervisors Katie Appel, Will Bergmann, Jeremy Hall and Brent Priebe. Also present were town clerk/treasurer Janet Krueger, public works employee Steve Jacobs and legal counsel Adam Jarchow. Others in attendance were Brad Nygren, Ryan Dewey, Cody Tverberg, Mark Thayer and Norval Valleen.
Appel/Bergmann moved to approve the agenda; motion carried. Bergmann/Priebe moved to approve the minutes as printed for the October 18, 2023, town board meeting and October 18, 2023, special town board meeting; motion carried.
Public comment: Mr. Thayer stated the proposed mill rate raise will discourage growth and asked if a tax district could be created for just fire and police. Mr. Dewey raised concerns on the condition of 125th Avenue after the road was pulverized.
Committee, Commission and Employee Reports: Mr. Jacobs gave the highway report. Ms. Krueger presented the clerk/treasurer’s report. Receipts for the period ending October 31, 2023, amounted to $35,168.98, cash balance on October 31, 2023, was $213,333.91. Bergmann/Hall moved to approve payment of vouchers #23-259 through #23-282 amounting to $28,346.67; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0. The 2023 year to date budget summaries were reviewed. The zoning permit logs were reviewed. Supervisor Appel stated she had been contacted by a resident inquiring on the proposed tax levy increase. Chairman Dorsey stated he was contacted on an issue near the boat landing which was taken care of by Mr. Jacobs.
New Business: Ordinance 23-02 amending the town zoning ordinance was reviewed and the second reading was had. Appel/Bergmann moved to approve Resolution 23-35 adopting Ordinance 23-02 amending Zoning Ordinance No. 1; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 23-35
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING ORDIANCE 23-02 AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE No. 1
WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls has village powers under Section 60.10(2)(c), Stats., that grants police powers as set forth in Section 61.34(1), Stats., to act for the good order of the Town, for its commercial benefit and for the health, safety, and welfare of the public; and
WHEREAS the Town of St. Croix Falls adopted Zoning Ordinance No. 1 on August 5, 1965, amended in its entirely on May 12, 1994 and subsequent amendments including the amendments on March 20, 2001; January 16, 2008; February 18, 2009; May 20, 2009; October 21, 2009; March 17, 2010; April 21, 2010; August 18, 2010; March 16, 2011; April 20, 2011; October 19, 2011; November 16, 2011; August 21, 2013; March 18, 2015; March 15, 2017; June 20, 2018; October 17, 2018; January 16, 2019; March 20, 2019; October 16, 2019; December 16, 2020; July 21, 2021; March 16, 2022; November 16, 2022; April 19, 2023; and
WHEREAS the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls deems it advisable and necessary to amend Zoning Ordinance No. 1, Chapter II, Bunkhouse definition; Chapter III – General Zoning to allow a bunkhouse as an accessory building with additional bunkhouse(s) listed as a special exception in the Residential, Agricultural and Transitional districts; and amend the side yard setback as ten feet in the Residential, Agricultural and Transitional districts; and
WHEREAS the Plan Commission of the Town of St. Croix Falls held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on October 11. 2023, the first reading of the proposed amendments was held on October 18, 2023, and a second reading was held on November 15, 2023.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does approve Ordinance 23-02 amending Zoning Ordinance No. 1, Chapter II, Bunkhouse definition; Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, allowing a bunkhouse as an accessory building and additional bunkhouse(s) listed as a special exception in the Residential, Transitional and Agricultural districts; and amend the side yard setback as ten feet in the Residential, Agricultural and Transitional districts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls hereby petitions the Polk County Board of Supervisors to concur and ratify the amendments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Ordinance 23-02 become effective upon passage and publication and/or posting according to Wisconsin State Statute and approval of Polk County Board of Supervisors.
Ordinance 23-02
AMENDING ZONING ORDINANCE No. 1 ENTILTED “TOWN ZONING ORDINANCE”
Section 1: Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance to amend:
Chapter II – Definitions to include:
Bunkhouse. An accessory structure or part of an accessory structure with or without plumbing which is used as a temporary sleeping quarters only; no cooking or food preparation facilities; and no greater than 1,000 square feet of enclosed dwelling space.
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 1 – Residential District, a – Permitted Uses,
5.Accessory buildings, including private garages and buildings clearly incidental to the residential use of property, except that no accessory building, other than a bunkhouse, may be used as a separate dwelling unit and only one bunkhouse allowed per parcel.
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 1 – Residential District, e – Side Yard, as follows:
- There shall be a side yard on each side of a building. The minimum permitted side yard width shall be ten (10) feet. aggregate width of the side yards for the main building shall not be less than twenty-five (25) feet and no single side yard shall be less than ten (10) feet wide. The highway setback regulations in Chapter 9 shall apply to all corner lots.
- The minimum permitted side yard for an accessory building in a residence district shall be ten (10) feet, provided it is detached from the main building. When an accessory building is attached or connected to the main building, they shall be considered to be as one and the conditions in paragraph (1) above shall rule.
- For lots less than eighty (80) feet wide and of record as such at the date of the passage of this chapter, the aggregate width of the side yards shall be equivalent to three (3) inches for each foot of the lot width and no single side yard shall be less than forty (40) percent of the aggregate width. The buildable width of any lot shall not be reduced to less than twenty four (24) feet.
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 1 – Residential District, g – Special Exceptions with the addition of:
Additional bunkhouse(s).
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 2 – Agricultural District, d – Side Yard, as follows:
1.In lots one hundred (100) feet or more in width, the minimum permitted side yard width shall be ten (10) feet aggregate width of the side yards for the main building. shall not be less than twenty-five (25) feet and no single side yard shall be less than ten (10) feet wide.
2.In lots less than one hundred (100) feet wide and of record as such at the date of the passage of this section, the aggregate width of the side yards shall be equivalent to three (3) inches for each foot of the lot width and no single side yard shall be less than forty (40%) percent of the aggregate width. The buildable width of any lot shall not be reduced to less than twenty-four (24) feet.
3.The minimum permitted side yard for an accessory building in the Agricultural District shall be ten (10) feet, provided it is detached from the main building. When an accessory building is attached or connected to the main building, they shall be considered to be as one and the provision of paragraph (1) above shall rule.
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 2 – Agricultural District, e – Permitted Uses, as follows:
1.One (1) single family dwelling residence occupied by one (1) or more persons, or families, earning a substantial livelihood from the farm operation, except that existing dwellings and related structures, which remain after farm consolidation, on a minimum of five (5) acres are permitted.
2.Accessory buildings, except that no accessory building, other than a bunkhouse, may be used as a separate dwelling unit and only one bunkhouse allowed per parcel.
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 2 – Agricultural District, f – Special Exception with the addition of:
Additional bunkhouse(s).
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 5 – Transitional District, a – Permitted Uses, as follows:
- Single Family dwelling residence.
- Accessory buildings, except that no accessory building, other than a bunkhouse, may be used as a separate dwelling unit and only one bunkhouse allowed per parcel.
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 5 – Transitional District, d – Side Yard, as follows:
- Side Yard. The following provision shall apply to transition parcels:
- In lots one hundred (100) feet or more in width, the minimum permitted side yard width shall be ten (10) feet. sewered lots the aggregate width of the side yards for the main building shall not be less than twenty-five (25) feet and no single side yard shall be less than ten (10) feet wide.
- In non-sewered lots less than one hundred (100) feet wide and of record as such at the date of the passage of this section, the aggregate width of the side yards shall be equivalent to three (3) inches for each foot of the lot width and not single side yard shall be less than forty (40%) percent of the aggregate width. The buildable width of any lot shall not be reduced to less than twenty-four (24) feet.
- The minimum permitted side yard for an accessory building in the Transition District shall be three (3) feet, provided it is detached from the main building. When an accessory building is attached or connected to the main building, they shall be considered to be as one and the provision of paragraph (1) above shall rule.
Chapter III – General Zoning, Section C – Districts, 5 – Transitional District, f – Special Exceptions with the addition of:
Additional bunkhouse(s).
Section 2: Effective Date
This ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, Polk County Board of Supervisors approval and legal publication.
A request for fireworks displays at Bid Rock Creek for the Miracle at Big Rock was presented. Hall/Appel moved to approve the fireworks displays for Miracle at Big Rock on November 24, 2023; December 1, 2023; December 8, 2023; December 15, 2023; December 22, 2023; December 29, 2023; and December 31; 2023; at 8:00 p.m. with the chair’s discretion to approve a time change for the display on December 31, 2023, if requested; motion carried 3-2 (Yeas: Appel, Hall, Dorsey; Nays: Bergmann, Priebe). Appel/Hall moved to adopt Resolution 23-36 approving additional operator licenses for the year ending June 30, 2024; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 23-36
A RESOLUTION APPROVING OPERATOR’S LICENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2024
WHEREAS the individuals listed below have made application to the Town Clerk requesting an operator’s licenses pursuant to Sections 125.32(2) and 125.68(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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:
Bushinger, Abigail – 1381 140th Avenue, Balsam Lake, WI 54810, 2024-49
Madison, Timera Joel – 334 1st Avenue West, Clear Lake, WI 54005, 2024-50
Peer, Dawn – 730 170th Street, Osceola, WI 54020, 2024-51
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be authorized to issue the licenses as the case may be.
Discussion was had regarding the sale of the 2015 dump truck. Consensus was to advertise in the Wisconsin Towns Association magazine and place on Face Book market place. A draft of the five year road plan was reviewed and discussion was had. Mr. Jacobs will update the road plan based on the discussion.
The town board recessed at 6:55 pm for the public hearing on the proposed 2024 budget and the special town meeting of electors.
The town board reconvened at 7:35. Appel/Bergmann moved to adopt Resolution 23-37 certifying the 2023 tax levy to be collected in 2024; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 23-37
A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE 2023 TAX LEVY TO BE COLLECTED IN 2024 IN THE TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2023, pursuant to Wis. Stats. 60.10(1)(a) the electors of the Town of St. Croix Falls at a special Town meeting did approve a tax levy for the Town in the amount of $826,855 to be collected in 2024.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby certify the Town of St. Croix Falls 2023 tax levy to be collected in 2024 in the amount of $826,855.00.
Bergmann/Hall moved to approve Resolution 23-38 adopting the 2024 Budget for the Town of St. Croix Falls; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.
Resolution 23-38
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF ST. CROIXFALLS
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, did propose a budget for the Calendar Year 2024, and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2023, there was a public hearing on the proposed budget as required by Wis.Stats. 65.90.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby adopt the 2024 budget for the Town of St. Croix Falls in the amount of $1,073,693.00 for revenues and $1,073,693.00 for expenditures.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that hereby follows the 2024 Budget Summary for the Town:
| Proposed | |||||||||
| 2023 | 2024 | Percent | |||||||
| Budget | Budget | Change | |||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||
| Taxes: | |||||||||
| General Property Taxes | |||||||||
| Levy | $ | 509,429.00 | $ | 758,359.00 | 48.86 | ||||
| Equipment Loan Repayment | $ | 0.00 | $ | 68,496.00 | |||||
| Other Taxes | $ | 22,846.00 | $ | 72,810.00 | |||||
| Special Assessments | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | |||||
| Intergovernmental Revenues | $ | 122,483.00 | $ | 140,313.00 | |||||
| Licenses & Permits | $ | 25,370.00 | $ | 25,725.00 | |||||
| Fines, Forfeitures, Penalties | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | |||||
| Public Charges for Services | $ | 200.00 | $ | 240.00 | |||||
| Intergovernmental Charges for Services | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,000.00 | |||||
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $ | 6,750.00 | $ | 6,750.00 | |||||
| REVENUES | $ | 688,078.00 | $ | 1,073,693.00 | 56.04 | ||||
| Funds from the General Fund | $ | $ | |||||||
| Funds from Loan Proceeds | 300,000.00 | ||||||||
| TOTAL REVENUES | $ | 988,078.00 | $ | 1,073,693.00 | 8.66 | ||||
| Expenditures: | |||||||||
| General Government | $ | 133,190.00 | $ | 136,290.00 | |||||
| Public Safety | $ | 85,990.00 | $ | 88,889.00 | |||||
| Public Works (Highway) | $ | 426,898.00 | $ | 739,718.00 | |||||
| Health & Human Services | $ | 3,600.00 | $ | 3,600.00 | |||||
| Culture, Recreation & Education | $ | 6,900.00 | $ | 6,900.00 | |||||
| Conservation & Development | $ | 5,000.00 | $ | 5,300.00 | |||||
| Capital Outlay | $ | 316,000.00 | $ | 14,000.00 | |||||
| Debt Obligation | $ | 0.00 | $ | 68,496.00 | |||||
| Other Financing Uses & Refunds | $ | 500.00 | $ | 500.00 | |||||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURES | $ | 978,078.00 | $ | 1,063,693.00 | 8.75 | ||||
| Reserve for Contingencies | $ | 10,000.00 | $ | 10,000.00 | |||||
| Reserve for Capital Purchases | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | |||||
| Reserve for Hwy Equipment | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | |||||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURES & RESERVES | $ | 988,078.00 | $ | 1,073,693.00 | 8.66 | ||||
No closing public comment was had.
The next town board meeting will be held on December 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. In the event a plan commission meeting is needed the town board meeting will immediately follow the plan commission meeting. There being no further business, Bergmann/Priebe moved to adjourn the meeting; motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m.
Minutes prepared by town clerk Janet Krueger