Village of Holmen
Board Proceedings
May 13, 2004
President Chapman called the Holmen Village Board meeting to
order at 7:00 PM on May 13, 2004 at the Holmen Village
Hall. All members were present except Forde, who was excused.
Motion by Anderson, seconded
by Proctor to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2004
meeting. Carried unanimously.
Finance and
Personnel Committee – Motion by Olson, seconded by Proctor to approve
the May claims in the amount of $531,967.12.
Carried unanimously. Olson informed the Board that the Committee
had reviewed several options to address complaints from multi-family apartment
owners concerning cost and service issues associated with the refuse and
recycling contract with Hilltopper Refuse that went into effect January 1, 2004. Motion
by Olson, seconded by Hauser to approve twice-weekly refuse pickup for
multi-family apartment owners Brott, Clarkin, and Hidden Glen for the remainder of 2004 at an
estimated cost to the Village of $1,560. These additional costs will not
be passed along to Village residents in the form of a rate increase. Carried unanimously. Motion by Olson,
seconded by Anderson to approve the purchase of 5 ballot booths at a cost of $210 each,
to be paid for from 2003 carryover funds. The Village will then have a
total of 20 ballot booths available for use at the upcoming Presidential
election. Carried unanimously. Motion
by Olson, seconded by Hauser to approve an operator’s license for Karen Kreuger at Holmen Quik Stop.
Carried unanimously. Motion
by Olson, seconded by Proctor to approve an operator’s license for Holly
Mitchell at Coaches. Carried unanimously. Motion by Olson, seconded
by Hauser to approve the Midwest Professional Appraisal Inc. contract for the
Halfway Creek Trail Project. There are no additional costs to the
Village. Carried unanimously. Motion by Olson, seconded by
Proctor to approve the First American Title Insurance contract for the Halfway
Creek Trail Project. There are no additional costs to the Village. Carried unanimously. Motion by Olson,
seconded by Seitz to approve Resolution 7.04 Opposition to Pending Taxpayers
Bill of Rights (TABOR) Legislation. The Village
of Holmen is philosophically
opposed to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) legislation. Should TABOR be
signed into law, the Village of Holmen feels a provision should be included
which would make it unconstitutional to mandate local government spend property
tax dollars in order to carry out a program service or benefit required by the
state or courts. President Chapman stated that other local government representatives with whom he has visited, are also opposed
to the TABOR legislation. Seitz also stated that through his travels throughout
the state, it has become apparent to him that virtually all local government
agencies are opposed to the legislation. Carried unanimously.
Olson presented the 2003 Audited Financial Statements and reported that the
Village is in good fiscal shape and the audit process went well. Upon review of
the 2003 Audited Financial Statements, any questions, concerns or comments
should be forwarded to Administrator Schmit.
Village of Holmen
Board Proceedings
May 13, 2004
Page 2
Park, Recreation
and Library Committee – Motion by Hauser, seconded by Seitz to approve a
contract with Lange’s Tatman Vending for a temporary
tattoo vending machine to be located at the pool for the 2004 season. Olson
expressed concern that the tattoos be child appropriate. Hauser reported that
they had reviewed the product and contractor references and that the product is
appropriate. Carried unanimously.
Public Hearings
At 7:20 PM
President Chapman called to order the public hearing on a proposed rezoning
from B-2 Highway Business District to R-5 Multi-Family Residential District Lot
3 and Lot 6, except the south 30 feet, of the Linden
Addition. President Chapman presented a rendering of the area, diagramming the
lots in question. Attorney Richard Thompson, representing Dennis Russell, gave
a brief explanation of the development plans calling the additional senior
housing and upscale apartments a win/win for both the community and the
developers. Mr. Thomas Wood, representing developer Premier Real Estate
Management, LLC/Calvin Akin, presented renderings of the planned site
development for the south side of Linden Drive
depicting layout, architectural design and landscaping. Mr. Wood stated that
the landscaping and screening would be per the Village Board’s discretion.
Olson stated that he preferred natural plantings be utilized as much as
possible for screening purposes as it is more aesthetically pleasing and
minimizes the long term maintenance concerns related to fencing. Jeffrey Moorehouse, a landscape architect representing Mr. Russell, assured all
present that landscaping and screening of the Russell development on the north
side of Linden Drive will
be aesthetically equivalent to that of the south side development with
maximized vegetative landscaping. President Chapman presented the conditional
use limitations for the planned unit development as recommended by the Planning
Commission. There were no legal objectors on record or appearing in person in
opposition to the rezoning request. At 7:40 PM
President Chapman closed the public hearing. Motion by Proctor, seconded by Anderson
to approve the rezoning from B-2 Highway Business District to R-5 Multi-Family
Residential District the following parcels in the Village
of Holmen:
- Lot
3 of the Linden Addition
- Lot
6 of the Linden Addition, except the south 30 feet, of the Linden Addition
Carried unanimously.
At 7:43 PM
President Chapman called to order the public hearing on a proposed conditional
use permit to allow for a multi-family planned unit development located on lots
2, 3, 6 & 7 of the Linden Drive Addition on property zoned R-5 Multi-Family
Residential. Pamela and Kenneth Dobbs expressed reservations regarding the
proposed development. Attorney Thompson assured them that the development will
be upscale, of high quality, aesthetically pleasing and a benefit for the
community. Three of eleven possible legal objectors were on record in
opposition to the PUD, two in writing with one present. At 7:49 PM President Chapman closed the public hearing.
Village of Holmen
Board Proceedings
May 13, 2004
Page 3
Motion by Olson, seconded by Anderson
to approve the conditional use permit for a multi-family planned unit
development located on lots 2, 3, 6 & 7 of the Linden Drive Addition on
property zoned R-5 Multi-Family Residential with the 6 conditions attached. Carried unanimously.
Law Enforcement
Committee – Motion by Anderson,
seconded by Proctor to approve the Holmen American Legion Memorial Day Parade.
Carried unanimously. Motion
by Anderson, seconded by Proctor to approve the Holmen Lion’s Kornfest Parade. Carried
unanimously. Chairman Anderson
reported that during the past month 58 traffic citations were issued along with
101 warnings. There were 20 assists provided by the Holmen Police Department
and 17 assists provided to the Village during the past month, with the number
of hours involved from each being nearly equivalent. Chairman Anderson reported
that on April 28th he and Chief McHugh patrolled the Village for
abandoned cars and unsightly items in violation of the Village Storage of
Personalty Ordinance. They documented 22 potentially abandoned vehicles.
Property owners will be contacted and allowed 14 days to address the violation
before being issued a citation.
Public Works
Committee – Olson reported that the Sand Lake
Road project started
May 10th and that the
contractor has a target completion date of mid-July. President Chapman
expressed some reservations in regard to a Committee approved swap of excess
ground asphalt for topsoil. Olson stated that he also had initial reservations,
but ultimately determined that approval was warranted.
Fire Board Report
– President Chapman reported that the Board met April 15, 2004 and approved the hiring of replacement
firefighters.
Planning
Commission – The Planning Commission has recommended to the Board the approval
of a proposed annexation by the Holmen
School District. Approval of the
annexation is pending with the State.
La Crosse
County
Supervisor - Chuck Spiker reported to the Board that the County
Board had completed their committee
assignments and that the exotic animal ordinance continues to be an issue. He
encouraged the Village Board to continue to be diligent in ensuring they
receive the services from the County for which they are being heavily levied.
Joint Shared Ride
Committee – Trustee Seitz updated the Board on the monthly Shared-Ride
activity. He reported that there were 707
Holmen trips in March, up from 619 in February 2004. There were 2069 trips
overall in March.
Village of Holmen
Board Proceedings
May 13, 2004
Page 4
Seitz also reported that starting June 1st Holmen Area
Transit users will receive a free pass for transfer to MTU. There was
discussion as to whether or not the free transfer passes would be available
when traveling either way, to or from Holmen. Seitz will research this further
and report back next month.
Other –
President Chapman reported that he was very impressed with the responsiveness
of Senator Feingold in forwarding letters of support for the Holmen Fire Dept.
Homeland Security Grant and the Holmen Police Dept. COPS Grants.
Olson reported that the Joint Municipal Court committee will
meet May 20th
at 10 AM and that he
and Chief McHugh will be attending.
Olson also expressed concerns regarding the Village’s lawn care service, and
would like to see some improvement. Hauser stated that the Park and Recreation
Committee had also discussed this and felt that maybe more guidance for the new
contractor may be helpful. Hauser also suggested that the Village may need to
consider whether or not they can afford to pay for better service in the
future. Brogan stated that he has communicated with the contractor and is
confident that the upcoming weed and lawn maintenance scheduled will
demonstrate marked appearance improvement over the next couple weeks of May.
Chief McHugh reported that he had sent out a request to the LaCrosse County Emergency Management Coordinator requesting
equipment to be purchased under the 2004 Homeland Security Program. McHugh
reported that any equipment received under the program would be the Village’s
to keep and use, with not restrictions attached. Chief McHugh also thanked the
Board for the gift certificate he received in recognition of 25 years service
with the Village.
Brogan reported that the pool is scheduled to be open May 29th.
Haines reported that he will address any Board concerns
prior to proceeding with any swap of excess ground asphalt for topsoil.
Motion by Proctor, seconded by Seitz to
adjourn at 8:30 PM. Carried
unanimously.
Catherine Schmit
Village Administrator/Clerk