REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, April 16, 2025

(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 Michael Dorsey on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at the Town Hall.  Proper notice was given as the agenda was posted at the town hall and on the town’s website April 10, 2025.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said.  Present by roll call were supervisors Katie Appel, Will Bergmann and Brent Priebe.  Supervisor Jeremy Hall arrived at 6:01 p.m.  Also present were town clerk/treasurer Janet Krueger, public works employee Steve Jacobs and legal counsel Adam Jarchow.  Others in attendance were Tony Meyers and Lisa Lyon with Pillar Bank; Alan and Ginny Frokjer; Anthony Kreft, Chris and Maggie Malon; Robert Hoglund; Joel Yunker; Kyle Yunker; Rodney Smith; John Koch and Mike Swiontek.

Appel/Priebe moved to approve the agenda; motion carried. Bergmann/Priebe moved to approve the minutes as printed for the March 18, 2025, town board meeting; motion carried.

Public comment was had.  Kyle Yunker; Joel Yunker and Rodney Smith all expressed concerns regarding 210^th Street.  Tony Meyers and Lisa Lyon introduced themselves and presented material on services Pillar Bank provides to municipalities.

Committee, Commission and Employee Reports: Mr. Jacobs gave the highway report.  Mr. Jacobs has spent over half his time grading 210^th Street; has reshaped the ditch damaged by the snowmobile trail on 160^th Avenue;  and re-ditched near the culvert under 210^th Street near 160^th Avenue.  Ms. Krueger presented the clerk/treasurer’s report.  Hall/Bergmann moved to approve payment of vouchers #25-081 through #25-102 in the amount of $22,640.81; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.  The 2025 year to date budget summaries were reviewed.  Receipts for the period ending March 31, 2025, amounted to $1,268.10, cash balance on March 31, 2025, was $699,448.58.  The plan commission minutes, zoning logs and building permit log were reviewed.  Supervisor Bergmann stated he has been in contact with the snowmobile club regarding the approaches and crossing of 180^th Avenue.  Chairman Dorsey stated he was contacted about the speed limit on Fairgrounds Road near 140^th Avenue and received calls on 210^th Street.

New Business:  An estimate for clay removal and excavation work from Paragon Excavating was reviewed.  Appel/Priebe moved to approve the estimate of $24,850.00 for clay removal to be replaced with base material and re-shaping slopes on 210^th Avenue; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.  Hall/Appel moved to adopt Resolution 25-10 approving a special exception to John Koch, RD Properties LLC to operate a manufactured home dealership with conditions at 1924 US Highway 8; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Resolution 25-10

A RESOLUTION GRANTING A SPECIAL EXCEPTION

TO RD PROPERTIES LLC TO OPERATE A MANUFACTURED HOME DEALERSHIP IN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

WHEREAS John Koch, agent, RD Properties LLC has filed an application with the Town of St. Croix Falls Zoning Office to operate a manufactured home dealership at 1924 US Highway 8, located in the NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 35, T34N, R18W and identified as Tax Parcel #044-00961-0200, and

WHEREAS Chapter III, Section C, 3. Commercial District, c. 18 requires as special exception for retail of mobile homes, manufactured homes and modular homes provided a permanent structure for retail sales and business is located on the property; and

WHEREAS the Plan Commission did conduct a public hearing on the matter and did recommend approval on April 9, 2025, for the special exception with conditions to operate a manufactured home dealership in the NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 35.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby concur with the Town Plan Commission to grant a special exception to John Koch agent, RD Properties LLC to operate a manufactured dealership at 1924 US Highway 8, located in NW ¼ of NE ¼ Section 35 and identified as Tax Parcel #044-00961-0200 subject to the following conditions:

• A permanent structure for the retail sales and business shall be in place before display models can be put on the property;
• Any formal complaint lodged against the use in the first year of operation will lead to an automatic review of the special exception by the plan commission and/or town board at the next possible meeting;
• The special exception shall terminate upon the sale or transfer of ownership of either the parcel of land or the business itself; and
• The business will obey all laws and maintain all proper licenses and permits.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception is conditioned on the applicants obtaining the necessary and required permits, if any, from Polk County and various agencies of the State of Wisconsin; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this special exception must be exercised by application for the necessary permits within twelve (12) months of the date of this Resolution.

 

Hall/Priebe moved  to adopt Resolution 25-11 approving the commercial design site plan for the new structure at 1924 US Highway 8; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Resolution 25-11

A RESOLUTION APPROVING COMMERCIAL DESIGN SITE PLAN FOR

 1924 US HIGHWAY 8, TAX PARCEL #044-00961-0200, SEC. 35

WHEREAS agent John Koch, RD Properties has submitted a commercial design site plan for a new structure at 1924 US Highway 8, located in the NW ¼ of NE ¼ of Section 35, T34N, R18W, and identified as Tax Parcel No. 044-00961-0200, and

WHEREAS Chapter III, Section C, 3. Commercial District, a. All new commercial development and commercial development involving a structural alteration, addition, or repair to a structure that exceeds seventy-five (75%) percent of the equalized assessed value of the structure over a two year period shall be subject to the Town Commercial Design Guidelines as set forth in Section F of this Chapter III including site plan review and shall not be allowed unless recommended by the Plan Commission and approved by the Town Board; and

WHEREAS the Plan Commission did conduct a public hearing on the matter and did recommend approval of the site plan for a new structure as proposed on April 9, 2025.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls, Polk County, Wisconsin, does hereby concur with the Town Plan Commission and approves the commercial design site plan for a new structure at 1924 US Highway 8, located in the NW ¼ of NE ¼ Section of 35, T34N, R18W and identified as Tax Parcel No. 044-00961-0200.

Bergmann/Hall moved to approve the July 5, 2025, fireworks display on Deer Lake with the condition that no test shots are done before 9:30 p.m.; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call, vote 5-0.  Appel/Bergmann moved to adopt Resolution 25-12 approving a temporary Class “B” beer / “Class B” wine license for May 8, 2025; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Resolution 25-12

A RESOLUTION APPROVING

A TEMPORARY CLASS “B” / “CLASS B” LICENSE

FOR THE PERIOD OF MAY 8, 2025

WHEREAS Power of 100 Women Osceola River Valley has made application to the Town Clerk requesting a Temporary Class “B” fermented malt beverage license pursuant to Wis. Stats. 125.26(6) and a Temporary “Class B” wine license pursuant to Wis. Stats. 125.51(10) for the period of May 5, 2025, for the “Impact Award Night” event; and

WHEREAS the application appears 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, Polk County, Wisconsin, does approve and grant a Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” fermented malt beverage and wine license to:

POWER OF 100 WOMEN OSCEOLA RIVER VALLEY, PO Box 717, Osceola, Wisconsin, 54020, for the purpose of providing beverage sales as authorized by Wisconsin Statutes 125.26(6) and 125.51(10) during the Impact Award Night event held at 1265 220^th Street, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, 54024, on May 8, 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be authorized to issue the license as the case may be.

Appel/Bergmann moved to adopt Resolution 25-13 approving an additional operator license for the year ending June 30, 2025; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Resolution 25-13

 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:

Gatten, Isabella Jillian  1181 State Road 65, Amery, WI  54001; 2025-61

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be authorized to issue the licenses as the case may be.

Appel/Hall moved to adopt Resolution 25-14 approving a secondhand article dealer-secondhand jewelry dealer license to Anderson Recycling for 2025; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

Resolution 25-14

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SECONDHAND ARTICLE DEALER/SECONDHAND JEWELRY DEALER LICENSE

FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2025 – ANDERSON RECYCLING

WHEREAS Wisconsin Statutes 134.71 requires the licensing of secondhand article and secondhand jewelry dealers to be by the local municipality, and

WHEREAS Rhonda Anderson doing business as Anderson Recycling at 1930 US Hwy 8, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, has made application for a license under the provisions of Wis.Stats. 134.71; and

WHEREAS the required license fee as specified in Statutes, has been received and deposited with the Town Treasurer; and

WHEREAS a criminal history check has been conducted pursuant to Wis.Stats.134.71(6);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls approves the license application of Rhonda Anderson dba Anderson Recycling, 1930 US Hwy 8, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be authorized to issue a secondhand article dealer/secondhand jewelry dealer license to the same for the year ending December 31, 2025.

Hall/Bergmann moved to adopt Resolution 25-15 appointing Jeremy Appel as an alternate to the 2025 Board of Review; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 4-0 with Supervisor Appel abstaining.

Resolution 25-15

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING ALTERNATE MEMBERS TO

THE BOARD OF REVIEW FOR THE TOWN OF ST. CROIX FALLS

WHEREAS one of the changes to Wisconsin Statute Section 70.47 authorized the removal of Board of Review members for individual cases under specific circumstances, and

WHEREAS Section 70.47 (6m)(c) authorizes the appointment of alternate members to serve on the Board of Review when standing members are removed from individual cases, and

WHEREAS a standing member of the Board of Review may voluntarily remove himself/herself due to a possible conflict of interest or unable to serve for any other reason;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board for the Town of St. Croix Falls, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute section 70.47 (6m)(c) and Section 70.46 (1), hereby appoints the following elector of the Town of St. Croix Falls as an alternate Board of Review member:

Alternate 1:  Jeremy Appel

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this appointment be effective immediately and run through the Monday before the third Tuesday of April 2026.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of St. Croix Falls authorizes the per diem for the alternate members attending the Board of Review be set at eight dollars ($8.00) per hour.

Appel/Priebe moved to approve the Wisconsin Towns Association membership dues in the amount of $1,196.27 for 2025; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.  Bergmann/Hall moved to approve the purchase and installation of AGRIBIB tires through Pomp’s Tire Service; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.  Bids received for mastic and spray patching were $20,398 for mastic and $16,500 for spray patching submitted by Fahrner Asphalt Sealers LLC; and $52,650 for mastic submitted by Thunder Road.  Appel/Bergmann moved to award the bids for mastic in the amount of $20,398 and spray patching in the amount of $16,500 to Fahrner Asphalt Sealers LLC; motion carried in a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.  The property owner where the Town’s easement for access to Deer Lake during winter months is located asked if a load  of gravel could be added.  Bergmann/Appel moved to authorize Mr. Jacobs to deliver a load of gravel to the easement; motion carried on a roll-call vote, 4-1 (Yeas:  Appel, Bergmann, Dorsey, Priebe; Nays:  Hall).  Discussion was had on additional highway projects for 2025.  The clerk was asked to place a bid for crack sealing the new town roads and roads located in the top third portion of the town.

Closing public comment:  Mr. Frokjer stated the gravel covering one of the culverts on 210th Street was a little shallow and stated 160^th Avenue was a bad spot to have the snowmobile trail.  Ginny Frokjer asked if something can be done with a washout along 160^th Avenue.  Rodney Smith stated he would like to take a couple trees down on his property before the road is paved.  Kyle Yunker inquired on reviewing packets before meetings.

Hall/Bergmann moved to recess the Town Board meeting at 7:05 p.m. for the annual town meeting; motion carried.

The town board meeting returned to session at 7:30 p.m.  with board members, town clerk and legal counsel present.  The Town Chairman read the call for an executive session per Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) for an annual employee performance review.  Hall/Bergmann moved to adjourn to closed session at 7:31 p.m.; motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote, 5-0.

The Town Board reconvened in open session at 7:59 p.m. with the board members and legal counsel present.

The board announced an annual performance review was conducted and a salary adjustment was made for the clerk.

The May town board meeting will be held May 21, 2025.  There being no further business, Bergmann/Hall moved to adjourn the meeting; motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by town clerk Janet Krueger and Supervisor Katie Appel.