Village of Holmen

Board Proceedings

October 12, 2006

 

President Chapman called the Holmen Village Board meeting to order at 6:30 PM on October 12, 2006 at the Holmen Village Hall.  All board members were present.  Also present were Attorney Peterson, department heads McHugh, Brogan and Haines and Gary Becker and Andy Graham of Vierbicher Associates-Madison, WI.

 

Motion by Proctor, seconded by Olson to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2006 meeting as revised. Carried unanimously.

 

Public Hearing 6:30 PM        Impact Fee Ordinance

 

President Chapman called the public hearing on Ordinance 4.06 – Impact Fees to order at 6:30 PM. Chapman introduced the panel of professional consultants: Attorney Alan Peterson and Gary Becker and Andy Graham of Vierbicher Associates. President Chapman opened the floor to questions for the panel specific to the details or calculations as presented in the proposed ordinance and associated Public Facilities Needs Assessment Study as drafted by Vierbicher Associates.

 

Mr. Tony Szak, resident of Holmen and member of the LABA addressed the panel with several technical questions regarding revisions to the plan, budgeting for plan projects, land dedication, the lack of a formal Village highway study, the definition of the term ‘Developer’ as it is used in the ordinance, and the basis for the current sewer hookup fees and AIC charges.

 

Ms. Eve Zellmer, President of the LABA addressed the panel with questions regarding how the Village might adapt if actual population growth varies significantly from the population projections as utilized in the study. There was also discussion regarding the Village’s ability to modify the ordinance in the future and the process that would be followed to do so should the Village Board determine modifications are justified.

 

There being no other technical questions, President Chapman opened the floor to public comment on the proposed ordinance and related Needs Assessment Study.

 

Mr. Chuck Olson thanked the Board for doing the study and expressed the following questions/concerns: Has the Board considered what affect the impact fee would have on new commercial/industrial development? What is the Village doing to attract new commercial/industrial business? If the Village plans future sewer facility expansion has the DNR been consulted? Has the Village considered shared contracted municipal services? Mr. Olson stated that he is of the opinion the Village needs an economic development plan. Mr. Olson asked that the Village Board take more time to review the study prior to adoption of the ordinance.

 

Mr. John Lautz, WBA Director addressed the Board as the voice for new home owners in the area. He is under the impression that Village of Holmen fees far exceed those of other municipalities and is concerned that new home builders may choose to construct their homes elsewhere due to the level of fees imposed by the Village of Holmen. He stated that he would welcome an opportunity to sit down with Village Board representatives and have a cordial discussion to consider the cost/benefits prior to the adoption to the ordinance. He stated his appreciation to the Village for having the study prepared and felt it was very well done.

 

 

 

Board Proceedings, Page 2

October 12, 2006

 

Ms. Eve Zellmer, LABA President expressed her appreciation of the effort the Village of Holmen made in developing the study. She expressed her wish to have Village representatives sit down and meet to discuss and digest the wealth of information provided in the study prior to adoption of the impact fee ordinance. She would like to see further analysis of the impact on new residents.

 

Mr. Tony Szak expressed to the Board his appreciation for development of the study. He asked that the Board take a good, strong look at the study and the implications of the ordinance before its adoption.

 

There being no other individuals wishing to comment, President Chapman closed the public hearing on Ordinance 4.06 – Impact Fees and the associated Public Facilities Needs Assessment Study.

 

Motion by Anderson, seconded by Seitz to approve Ordinance 4.06 – Impact Fees as presented. Trustee Olson commented that he is happy that we finally have a needs assessment study and that it was a worthwhile exercise. He stated that while he supports some level of impact fees, he feels we have an opportunity to make the study our own by moderating the amount of fees charged. He feels that the fees in the ordinance as written are significantly higher than neighboring municipalities. He noted that the housing market is already slowing and additional fees could exacerbate that slowdown. He felt the concerns and questions presented to the Board by those present were important and merit further consideration. He encouraged the Board to delay action on the ordinance to be sure that when it is adopted they get it right. He expressed serious reservations regarding the ordinance and felt it would be a mistake to adopt it in its present form. Trustee Proctor stated that she is very offended by the continuous implication that the Board has not spent sufficient time and effort in development and review of the ordinance and needs assessment study. The Village Board has spent more than a year in analysis and development of the study as presented. Trustee Olson stated he felt that there has been limited time and opportunity for pubic participation in the process. All in favor, except Olson opposed.

 

Finance and Personnel Committee – Motion by Seitz, seconded by Anderson to approve the monthly claims for payment in the amount of $658,244.08. Carried unanimously. Motion by Seitz, seconded by Proctor to approve operator’s licenses for Joshua D. Johnson for Smokey’s and Dayna Schleis, James Steinbrink, Cheri Mally and Cassandra Jo Hagerty for Features. Carried unanimously. Motion by Seitz, seconded by Forde to approve Resolution 21.06 – Adopting WI Statute 66.0602(3)(h) to Provide Exception to the Levy Limits on the Holmen Area Fire Association. Carried unanimously. Motion by Seitz, seconded by Proctor to approve Resolution 22.06 – Expressing Village Opposition to La Crosse County’s Proposed 2007 Budget Cuts. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Seitz, seconded by Anderson to approve joint participation with area municipalities in printing and distribution of the annual recycling newsletter. State recycling grant funds are available to fund the project. Carried unanimously.

 

Park, Recreation and Library Committee – Forde reported on recent Park, Recreation and Library activity.

 

Law Enforcement Committee – Allers reported on recent Law Enforcement activity.

 

Joint Municipal Court – Chief Mc Hugh reported on recent Joint Municipal Court activity.

 

Fire Board Report – Forde reported that the next meeting of the Fire Board has been rescheduled to October 26, 2006.

 

 

Board Proceedings, Page 3

October 12, 2006

 

Public Works Committee – Motion by Anderson, seconded by Allers to approve the purchase of a 2007 Case backhoe from St. Joseph Equipment at the bid price of $61,625.Carried unanimously. Motion by Anderson, seconded by Forde to approve the Well #7 Traut Wells, Inc. contract change order in the amount of $19,720. Carried unanimously. Motion by Anderson, seconded by Forde to approve award of the Wellhouse #7 construction contracts as follows:

-Contract 1 to Olympic Builders in the amount of $220,380 (Wellhouse)

  plus alternate #1 in the amount of $35,200. (Roadway Paving)

            -Contract 2 to Kish Electric in the amount of $118,900. (Electrical)

            -Contract 3 to Municipal Well & Pump in the amount of $35,294. (Pump)

            -Contract 4 to Harry Viner, Inc in the amount of $109,674. (Water Main)

            -Also to approve up to $2,000 for quality control testing.

 Carried unanimously.

 

Economic Development – Forde reported that the Committee met on September 28, 2006 at 6:30 PM. Mr. Brian Fukuda, La Crosse County Community Development Specialist presented the Committee with a brief outline of various Federal, State and Local programs available to assist in area economic development by attracting new business or helping existing businesses grow. The Economic Development Committee meeting scheduled for October 26, 2006 has been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts.

 

Planning Commission – There was no Commission meeting in September due to a lack of agenda items.

 

La Crosse County Supervisor – Supervisor Chuck Spiker reported on the La Crosse County 2007 Proposed Budget and the $1.4 million cuts to be considered at the upcoming public hearing. He is not in support of the proposed program cuts and is not in favor of borrowing for the $1.4 million of proposed highway improvements. He will propose the highway projects be funded from sales tax revenue reserves.

 

Joint Shared Ride Committee – Trustee Proctor updated the Board on the monthly Shared-Ride activity.

 

Other – President Chapman reported that he and Administrator Schmit met with the developers who had purchased 80 acres of the Severson farm in the Town of Onalaska and currently propose to develop it. To date, both the Village of Holmen and Town of Onalaska Comprehensive Plans support the property remaining agricultural. Trustee Anderson thanked DPW Haines for a recent tour of Village properties and facilities. Trustee Olson asked that the Village sign ordinance be enforced in respect to political signs. Trustee Seitz thanked the Village Board and staff for all the effort put into developing the 2007 proposed budget. Schmit reminded the Board that a special meeting to review the 2007 Village of Holmen Proposed Budget is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 6:30 PM in the Board Room at the Village Hall.

 

Motion by Proctor, seconded by Seitz to adjourn at 7:50 PM.  Carried unanimously.

 

 

 

Catherine J. Schmit

Village Administrator/Clerk