Village Board Meetings and Agendas

VILLAGE OF PEWAUKEE VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES
February 20, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/live/wuheOrtpXbw?si=TEdo3CowGLk6Dgql

1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence, and Roll Call
President Knutson called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by a moment of silence.

Roll Call was taken with the following Village Board members present: Trustee Heather Gergen; Trustee Bob Rohde; Trustee Chris Krasovich; Trustee Craig Roberts; Trustee Jim Grabowski, and President Jeff Knutson. Trustee Kelli Belt was excused.

Also Present: Village Attorney, Matt Gralinski; Director of Public Works, Dave Buechl; Village Administrator, Scott Gosse; and Village Clerk, Cassie Smith.

2. Public Hearings/Presentations – None.

3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

a. Minutes of the Regular Village Board Meeting – February 2, 2024
Trustee Krasovich moved, seconded by Trustee Gergen to approve the February 2, 2024, minutes of the Regular Village Board meeting as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.

4. Citizen Comments

Dawn Degner 625 Westfield Way #G – Ms. Degner expressed her concerns regarding the fees in the Village. The property taxes she believes are too high for the property she owns. She gave details regarding the fees she needs to pay and questioned what the property taxes pay for.

Charlie Shong @ 116 Highland Ave – Mr. Shong expressed his concern about the sign across the street from the Village on Oakton Ave. He fears the precedent the sign sets. Regarding item 5 and stated most businesses want bigger signs. He believes the sign code is good and businesses should have to come to the Plan Commission to explain their signage needs. Asked that the sign code be left as it is and be even more restrictive.

5. Ordinances –

a. Possible Action on Ordinance No. 2024-01, Ordinance to Amend Chapter 70, Section 70.103 of the Village of Pewaukee Code of Ordinances Regarding Administrative Exceptions from Sign Code
Administrator Gosse explained this was brought to the Plan Commission by President Knutson to allow for staff approval of sign exceptions in certain situations related to sign size and height. The Plan Commission reviewed the Ordinance and recommended it to Village Board. Currently, if a sign is within code sign approval is granted at staff level. Trustee Grabowski stated he has been on the Plan Commission and 100% of applicants that asked for a variance were granted. Trustees Gergen and Krasovich didn’t feel comfortable with this ordinance. Discussion continued regarding past practice of the Plan Commission and the new language proposed. Trustee Rohde stated that as he has said in the past, he trusts the committee recommendation and the Village Administrator.
Trustee Grabowski moved, seconded by Trustee Roberts to approve Ordinance No. 2024-01, to amend chapter 70, section 70.103 of the Village of Pewaukee Code of Ordinances regarding administrative exceptions from sign code as presented.
Motion carried 5-1; Trustee Krasovich voted nay.

6. Resolutions –

a. Possible Action on Resolution No. 2024-04, Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Not to Exceed $6,300,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes and Authorizing the Issuance and Establishing Parameters for the Sale of Not to Exceed $6,300,000 Note Anticipation Notes in Anticipation Thereof
Robert W. Baird representative, Brad Viegut, presented the financing plan regarding the 2024 capital plan. The resolution establishes the parameters of the note and allows for an interest rate not to exceed 5%. The target date to finalize terms and interest rates is March 27, 2024. The note will be presented for re-financing around this time in 2024.
Trustee Roberts moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to approve Resolution No. 2024-04, authorizing the issuance of not to exceed $6,300,000 general obligation promissory notes and authorizing the issuance and establishing parameters for the sale of not to exceed $6,300,000 note anticipation notes in anticipation thereof as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.

7. Old Business – None.

8. New Business

a. Discussion and Possible Action on Professional Services Agreement for Well #6 PFAS Treatment Coordination
Administrator Gosse explained that Well #6 was taken offline when PFAS was tested for and determined to be present. There is a temporary treatment plan available which was presented by David Arnott, representative of Ruekert Mielke. Mr. Arnott explained the agreement and the scope of work and treatment plan for PFAS. Mr. Arnott stated that his firm will assist the Village in applying for a state grant to hopefully offset some of the expenses related. This three-year temporary treatment will buy the Village time to complete the other well improvements and give time for a permanent solution at Well 6 to be determined. Discussion regarding the grants regarding PFAS continued.
Trustee Rohde moved, seconded by Trustee Gergen to approve the Professional Services Agreement for Well #6 PFAS treatment coordination not to exceed $92,600 as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.

b. Presentation by Waukesha County Center for Growth Executive Director on 2023 Activities and 2024 Plan and Related Discussion
Executive Director, Therese Thill, introduced herself and presented Waukesha County Center for Growth’s plans and activities. Ms. Thill explained what the Waukesha County Center for Growth offers to the municipality and businesses and indicated that the Economic Profile handout will be updated in the future. The WCCFG is looking to business attraction and development, growth strategies, and more transparency and engagement in 2024.

c. Discussion and Direction Regarding Village Board Salary Adjustments
President Knutson explained that over the past 8-9 years he has noticed a big change in the Village Board regarding the amount of extra work and time that each Village Board member contributes. President Knutson proposed an increase of $1,000 per year per Village Board member. Trustee Grabowski stated that maybe the increase in money would help get people to run for the Village Board. Trustee Rohde stated that this is the hardest working Board that he has seen in years but now is not the right time for the Village therefore he does not support raising the Village Board salary. Trustee Roberts stated that the Village President role should be compensated at a higher rate due to the demands of that position. Trustee Krasovich stated she doesn’t support this because the surrounding communities are not comparable in size. Staff was directed to create an ordinance to raise the salary by $1,000 per month per member.

d. Discussion and Direction Regarding Municipal Judge Salary Adjustment
President Knutson explained that the Municipal Judge requested a salary adjustment and he explained that her salary can be adjusted during term years two through five. Knutson asked the Village Board if they were ok with raising her salary. The Village Board directed staff to bring this matter back with comparable salaries from other communities.

e. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Scheduling of Special Village Board Meeting to Review UW Capstone Project
Trustee Krasovich moved, seconded by Trustee Gergen to change the start time of the Regular April 16th, 2024, meeting to start at 5:00 p.m.
Motion carried 6-0.

f. Discussion and Direction Regarding Survey Questionnaire Related to Strategic Plan Update
Trustee Roberts gave an overview regarding the survey questionnaire and asked for any additional comments, changes, etc. by Friday, February 25th, 2024. Trustee Krasovich has started building the survey form. The group is planning on utilizing direct mail, emails, utility bill newsletters, and social media platforms and to launch the survey in late March. After the questionnaire deadline has closed, strategic planning meetings will be held to present the data.

g. Village Board Meeting Monthly Approval of Checks and Invoices for All Funds – January 2024
Trustee Roberts moved, seconded by Trustee Rohde to approve the January 2024 checks and invoices for all funds, except the library, as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.

Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Grabowski to acknowledge the January 2024 check and invoices regarding the Library.
Motion carried 6-0.

9. Citizen Comments – None.

10. Closed Session – The Village Board of the Village of Pewaukee will enter into closed session pursuant to Wis. Statute Section 19.85(1)(g) for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved, specifically regarding Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce; and pursuant to Wis. Statute Section 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility, specifically regarding Village Treasurer candidates.
Trustee Krasovich moved, seconded by Trustee Rohde to move into Closed Session at approximately 8:01 p.m.
Motion carried on roll call vote 6-0.

Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Rohde to move into Open Session at approximately 8:42 p.m.
Motion carried on roll call vote 6-0.

11. Reconvene Into Open Session.

a. Possible Action on Petition for Review by Wisconsin Supreme Court of Court of Appeals Decision in Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Inc. v. Village of Pewaukee.
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Roberts to proceed as advised in Closed Session.
Motion carried 6-0.

b. Possible Action on Village Treasurer Candidate
Trustee Roberts moved, seconded by Trustee Grabowski to pursue the Village Treasurer candidate as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.

12. Adjournment
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to adjourn the February 20, 2024, Regular Village Board meeting at approximately 8:43 p.m.
Motion carried, 6-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Casandra Smith, Village Clerk