The meeting notice has been posted at the Black Earth Branch of the State Bank of Cross Plains, at John Bird Accounting in Black Earth, Harris Bank drive-in office in Mt. Horeb, on the town web site www.townofvermont.com, and on the front door of the town hall. It was also published in the News Sickle-Arrow and the Mt. Horeb Mail.
Present: Chair, Barbara Grenlie; Supervisors, Don McKay and Kevin Kuntz and; Clerk Marc Robertson and Treasurer Kathy Smith. Supervisors Larry Ziemer and Todd Culliton were absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion to approve the agenda was made by Don McKay, seconded by Kevin Kuntz and approved.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE
A letter was received from the Safe Committee requesting support of their efforts. The Town has not provided support in the past so it will not be considered at the present time. A resolution has been received which would provide the Town a format with which to register its opposition to SB 349 relating to regulation of non-metallic mining. Though it appears that action on this bill will be postponed until spring, action on the resolution would be appropriate and will be considered later in the meeting.
CITIZEN INPUT
There was no citizen input.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Don McKay moved approval of the minutes of the October 14th meeting, Kevin Kuntz seconded, and the minutes were approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total deposits for the month of October were $23,659.27. $20,386.71 was our final State Transportation Aid payment for 2014. $1,331.18 was our MFL Yield Tax payment, $850 was for a rezone/site visit, $779.32 was for building permits, $277 was an insurance refund, $25 was for an assessment search and the remainder was $10.06 in interest.
A motion was made by Kevin Kuntz and seconded by Don McKay to accept the Treasurer’s report and the motion was approved.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Town’s worker’s compensation bill for 2014 was paid with an October check, number 3638. Check 3648 is for our 2013 – 2014 winter salt and check 3658 is for the rock chips and trucking. Check 3663 is for a culvert and culvert installation.
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Kevin Kuntz to accept the Clerk’s report, and the motion was approved.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Approval is sought for payment of bills for October 2013, paid by checks numbered 3629 through 3663 and ACH transfer 15 for health insurance. Checks other than those discussed in the clerk’s report are for normal supplies, repairs and maintenance and for regular monthly bills.
A motion was made by Barbara Grenlie and seconded by Kevin Kuntz to approve payment of bills for October 2013 and the motion was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING DRIVEWAY/FARM ROAD CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION AND HOMESITE/REZONE APPLICATION FOR ERIC GROVER/WILLIAM PARRELL PROPERTY AT 4612 BLUE MOUNDS TRAIL
This item was tabled because contingencies required by the Planning Commission have not yet been completed.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #17, 2013 – 2014 REGARDING CO-1 CONSERVANCY DISTRICTS
This Ordinance Amendment would provide for the rezoning of small nonconforming parcels to CO-1. It was argued that since under this amendment the rezoning might be undertaken by Dane County without the consent of the property owner, it could result in a taking. Don McKay moved to disapprove Ordinance Amendment #17, Kevin Kuntz seconded and the motion to disapprove the ordinance amendment was approved.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT #18, 2013 – 2014 REGARDING A-BA TRANSITIONAL AGRICULTURE-BUSINESS DISTRICT
This ordinance amendment allows the creation of a transitional agricultural business district in a location facing urban development. Don McKay moved that no action be taken since the Town appears not to be affected by this ordinance amendment. Kevin Kuntz seconded the motion and it was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF NONMETALLIC MINING ORDINANCE
The Planning Commission will soon have a draft ordinance available to be reviewed by the Town attorney. That review will hopefully be completed in time for consideration of the ordinance to be on the December Board agenda.
A draft resolution has been presented for the Town Board’s consideration which would allow the Board to register its opposition to SB 349 relating to regulation of non-metallic mining. Don McKay moved and Kevin Kuntz seconded that the resolution be approved and copies forwarded to the Wisconsin Town’s Association and local representatives. The motion was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL FOR PUBLIC HEARING OF CITATION ORDINANCE
Planning Commission research has concluded that a separate citation ordinance is not necessary, only an addition to Chapter 1 of existing Town Ordinances. They suggest that Chapter 1.08 be created, titled “issuance and service of citations”.
DISCUSSION OF ORDINANCE REGULATING THE PLACEMENT OF CELL PHONE TOWERS
The recently passed state budget contained a provision which stripped local municipalities of much of their power to regulate the placement of cell phone towers. More research is required to determine whether one or more Town ordinances need to be adjusted or repealed in order to best deal with the division of authority between the State, the County and the Town.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE TOWN POLICY REGARDING TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
The Chair is directing the Planning Commission to continue consideration of the Transfer of Development Rights, with a draft ordinance to be completed by the end of February.
APPROVAL OF 2014 BUDGET
Don McKay moved that the 2014 budget be approved, Kevin Kuntz seconded and the budget was approved.
CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF INDEFINITE EXTENSION OF LINE OF CREDIT
The line of credit now maintained with the State Bank of Cross Plains currently requires annual renewal. It is proposed that the line of credit be renewed, with a request that the renewal be for an indefinite period, eliminating the need for an annual renewal. Barbara Grenlie moved that the line of credit be renewed, with a request for an indefinite extension, Kevin Kuntz seconded and the motion was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Fall roadside and culvert maintenance is continuing. Shower Road was damaged by the rim of a farmer’s flat tire, but it is questionable whether repairs are practical. The Mt. Horeb Fire Department truck sale which has been planned for a number of months has not been completed because the potential buyer was unable to secure local approval for the purchase. The Department has purchased a new car for the interns to use to attend required classes.
DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS FOR DECEMBER MEETING
Topics to be on the December agenda include 1) discussion and possible approval of Planning Commission recommendations regarding driveway/farm road construction permit application and homesite/rezone application for Eric Grover/William Parrell property at 4612 Blue Mounds Trail; 2) consideration of whether a levy limit exception should be claimed for the shifting of EMS vehicle insurance costs from Dane County to local EMS districts; 3) changes to the Short Term Amusement and Recreation Ordinance and possible approval for public hearing; 4) possible approval for public hearing of Town Ordinance Chapter 1.08 titled “issuance and service of citations”; 5) consideration and possible approval for public hearing of Nonmetallic Mining Ordinance; and 6) discussion of the procedure for repealing an ordinance.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Don McKay and seconded by Kevin Kuntz that the meeting adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09.
Marc Robertson, Town Clerk