Village Board Meetings and Agendas

VILLAGE OF PEWAUKEE REGULAR
VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES
September 17, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/live/ZHVdox23CCI?si=EXCYFC5Bd591UIEo 

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 Kelli Belt, Trustee Chris Krasovich, Trustee Kristen Kreuser, Trustee Jim Grabowski; and President Jeff Knutson.
Excused: Trustee Bob Rohde.

Also Present: Village Department of Public Works Director, Dave Buechl; Parks and Recreation Director, Nick Phalin; Library Director, Nan Champe, Village Attorney, Matt Gralinski; Village Administrator, Matt Heiser; Village Clerk, Jenna Peter.

2. Public Hearings/Presentations - None

3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting
a. Minutes of the Regular Village Board Meeting – September 3, 2024
Trustee Krasovich moved, seconded by Trustee Kreuser to approve the September 3, 2024, minutes of the Regular Village Board meeting as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.

4. Citizen Comments
Lori Keihl @1254 Willow Grove Dr. – Ms. Keihl discussed the quiet zone for the railroad. She would like to hear more publicly what has been discussed on that topic and if there is any timeline.

5. Ordinances – None

6. Resolutions– See Agenda Item 11d

7. Old Business – None.

8. New Business
a. Discussion, and possible action to approve a Certified Survey Map request to combine two (2) properties. These parcels are .579 acres combined, located at PWV 0904023006 and PWV 0904023006, are zoned R-5 Single-Family Residential District. Property Owners/Applicants are Patrick and Jean Patterson.
Trustee Grabowski moved, seconded by Trustee Gergen to approve the Certified Survey Map to combine the two parcels.
Motion carried 6-0.

b. Discussion, and possible action on the use of Election drop boxes outside of Village Hall.
Clerk Peter explained the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled its prior decision and held that secure drop boxes are now permitted under stat law and a valid method of absentee ballot return. It’s the decision of the Clerk whether to use the drop boxes or not; however, Peter wanted to bring this before the Board to get their opinion and make a formal decision.

Discussion followed regarding ballot box safety, surveillance, and ease of accessibility for night shift workers and the elderly.
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to continue the use of the ballot drop boxes.
Motion carried 5-1, Trustee Belt voting Nay.

c. Discussion and possible action on Bell Tower Memorial Project at Kiwanis Village Park.
President Knutson expressed that Trustee Rohde is not in attendance tonight and is requesting this item be tabled.

Director Phalin explained there are some concerns with the project being completed in 2 phases. Currently, the bell tower itself is not included in Phase 1. Phalin is concerned that project costs continue to increase, and it might be difficult to get funding for the bell tower later down the road for Phase 2. There is also a concern about project duplication. If the bell tower is not installed, it will be a display of flags much like the displays at Lakefront Park and the Veteran’s memorial. Further consideration could be given to relocating the project to the Pewaukee Public Library.

Director, Nan Champe is supportive of the possibility of integrating the Bell Tower Project into the Library’s outdoor space project since the library already has a parking lot, bathrooms and an indoor meeting space for programs.
Trustee Krasovich moved, seconded by Trustee Grabowski to direct staff to communicate the Village Board concerns with the Bell Tower project group and to table the project until the return of Trustee Rohde for further discussion.
Motion carried 5-1, President Knutson voting Nay.

d. Discussion and possible action on review of the initial draft of the 2025 Village budget.
Administrator Heiser updated the Board on 2025 Budget Highlights. The General Fund absorbed approximately $400,000 that would have been paid for by the transportation utility fee. Heiser is proposing to take out debt for Capital funds.
Budget Highlights:
-     Transportation utility fund has been discontinued
-     Includes known increases for health insurance and WRS for 2025
-     Operational budgets submitted by the department heads
-     Proposed 3% increase in wages for staff
-     Updated contribution to the library
-     $200,000 in Capital Outlay for the Police Department
Unknown Budget Numbers:
-      Shared revenue from the State
-      Fire Department
-      Parks and Rec operations
-      Fiscal agent fee for the library
-      Sewer utility contribution to the General Fund
Heiser also added that the Village’s assessed value increased, and the mill rate has dropped significantly. Baird will help structure our debt and keep the mill rate as flat as possible. There will be some re-structuring of the fire and EMS and staff are engaged in a rate study with the PSC for utilities.

Trustee Belt asked how much the debt is being proposed. Heiser stated $1.2 million to help cover two street projects and utility work, as well as two significant vehicle replacements for the Public Works Department.

Director Buechl stated that the paving of W Wisconsin Ave from the railroad tracks to Glacier Rd was in the budget for 2024; however, it was not done, so that will be happening in 2025.

Trustee Gergen asked about the balcony as Laimon Park.
Phalin explained they have been trying to get it replaced for about 2 years. There have been several bids out for the project. The current building code does not allow for replacement of just the deck. The garage would need to be torn down and replaced therefore a smaller repair was completed.

Director Champe explained the library building will be 20 years old this year and they have started to look at Capital needs for the building. The roof is the top priority.
-No action was taken.

e. Review, discussion and possible action on approval of Checks and Invoices for All Funds – August 2024.
Trustee Grabowski moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to approve the August 2024 checks and invoices for all funds, except the library, as presented.
Motion carried 6-0.

Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to acknowledge the funds for 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 CJM & W Investment Company c/o Walmart v. Village of Pewaukee, Case No. 23-CV-1089 and pursuant to Wis. Statute Section 19.85(1)(e) deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically regarding contract negotiations with the police labor union and pursuant to Wis. Statute Section 19.85(1)(e) deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically regarding the building lease for the Pewaukee Public Library and the Joint Library Agreement with the City of Pewaukee.
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Kreuser to move into Closed Session at approximately 7:07 p.m.
Motion carried on Roll Call vote, 6-0.

11. Reconvene into Open Session
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Belt to reconvene into Open Session at approximately 8:03 p.m.
Motion carried on Roll Call vote, 6-0.

a. Possible action on settlement agreement with Wal-Mart, Inc.  
Trustee Krasovich moved, seconded by Trustee Gergen to approve the proposed settlement agreement with Wal-Mart, Inc.
Motion carried 6-0.

b. Possible action on Library Building Lease
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to proceed as directed in closed session.
Motion carried 6-0.

c. Possible action on Joint Library Agreement with the City of Pewaukee
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Grabowski to proceed as directed in closed session.
Motion carried vote, 6-0.

d. Discussion and possible action on Resolution 2024-14, a resolution committing to the required funding for the Pewaukee Public Library and requesting exemption from the 2024 Waukesha County Library Tax Levy for 2025 purposes.
-No action taken.

12. Adjournment
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Kreuser to adjourn the September 17, 2024, Regular Village Board meeting at approximately 8:06p.m.
Motion carried 6-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jenna Peter
Village Clerk