Public Notices

Legal 2-Column

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Green County, Wisconsin Green County Courthouse – Second Floor Court Room 1016 16th Ave. Monroe, WI 53566 Tuesday, June 09, 2020 1:00 PM

The Pleasant View Oversight Committee of Green County will conduct a public hearing regarding its proposed applications for Community Development Block Grant CDBG Program Public Facilities (CDBG-PF) Program funds and the Community Development Block Grant Close Program (CDBG CLOSE) Program funds. The public is invited to attend to learn about the CDBG programs, to help identify additional community development needs, and to comment on the activities proposed to be included in the CDBG application. The agenda for the public hearing is: 1. Identification of total potential funds 2. Eligible CDBG activities 3. Presentation of identified community development needs 4. Identification of any community development needs by public 5. Presentation of activities proposed for CDBG application, including potential residential displacement. 6. Citizen input regarding proposed and other CDBG activities Residents of Green County are encouraged to attend, especially residents with low to moderate incomes. The meeting room is handicapped accessible. Persons needing additional accommodations should contact Terry Snow, Administrator at telephone number 608 325 2171 or email: tsnow@greencountywi.org. (May 23, 2020) WNAXLP

Miscellaneous

CITY OF MONROE COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER FOR THIS MEETING The Common Council meeting was called to order on Monday, May 4th, 2020. ROLL CALL Present at roll call were Alders Mickey Beam, Brooke Bauman, Donna Douglas, Michael Boyce, Richard Thoman, Joshua Binger, Kelly Hermanson, Tammy Fetterolf and Rob Driver. A. CORRECTION OF MINUTES None. B. PRESENTATIONS OF PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATION None. C. BUSINESS BY MAYOR 1. Update on Rural Fire District and City of Monroe Agreement City Attorney Bartholf reviewed the history of the Rural Fire District negotiations. This summarized activity surrounding negotiations since 2005. 2005 – new contract with Towns of Monroe, Clarno and Sylvester • No specific term • Billings based on calls and an annual fire protection service fee (administrative, depreciation, maintenance on equipment, etc.) 2014 – 5-year contract with Towns of Monroe and Clarno (Sylvester drops out) • Except for 1st year, Readiness fee of $40,000; Response Fee of $43,200 for a total fee of $83,200 • Each Town paid exactly ½ or $41,600 • Contract to expire December 31, 2018 2018 – Agreed to a 1-year extension of the contract • Fall of 2018 – Phil Rath & Fire Chief meets with RFD (they indicate a desire to go back to actual response billing) • Readiness Fee increased from $40,000 to $41,200 and Response Fee stay same ($43,200) • Each town’s one-half grew from $41,600 to $42,200 • Contract to expire December 31, 2018 March 2019 – Finance & Tax Committee Meeting • City introduces its proposal to apportion the fire department budget & capital (based on 2018) of $635,344 based on equalized value of the property to which it protects • The MFD Budget for 2018 was $572,421 and Phil Rath & Bauman Associates include $62,923 for future capital purchases to arrive at the $635,344. • The breakdown was City (77.60%, $493,027), Town of Monroe (12.08%, $76,750) and Town of Clarno (10.32%, $65,568) November 25, 2019 – Public Safety Committee • RFD asks for meeting before Public Safety and first submits its proposal • Proposal asks to increase Response Fee by 3% to $46,400 ($23,200 per town) but again go back to actual billing per responses • Proposal was not provided to the Fire Chief December 30, 2019 • City Attorney responds to RFD and indicates that City does not have interest in going back to charging by the hour as it was very difficult to budget for, the readiness fee was not fairly allocating future capital and facilities contributions for the fire department • City Attorney updated the numbers using the 2019 equalized values (instead of 2018) but still used the 2018 fire department budget; this resulted in a breakdown of hypothetical allocation as follows: (77.68%, $493,535), Town of Monroe (12.11%, $76,940) and Town of Clarno (10.21%, $64,868) • City then proposed increasing each town’s responsibility over those 5 years until those numbers above were matched • City offered to extend the contract another 6 months on the same terms as the December 2018 1year extension February 2020 • RFD holds joint town meeting and invites Town of Sylvester, Monticello and Juda Fire and other local individuals including 3 Monroe fire department members (not including Todd Hasse who is the Town Chair of Monroe) and 2 of such non-officers appeared and indicated in the introductions they were part of “Monroe Fire” • Mayor Armstrong and Fire Chief along with Alder Boyce & Alder Thoman were not allowed to sit at the table and participate • RFD clearly was investigating the costs to start their own fire department March 5, 2020 • RFD and City schedule a meeting to start at 11am at City Hall • RFD members showed up 2 hours late and meeting was missed March 17, 2020 • RFD and City rescheduled meeting • The City had its last offer on the table and the Towns did not make any offer; asked several questions • Mayor asked the RFD to make an offer March 27, 2020 • RFD makes counterproposal; they indicate such offer was based on a 2019 proposal put forth by the Fire Chief but the Fire Chief has no documentation to support this plus City’s position was put forward from March 2019 Finance & Tax meeting • RFD proposal includes that the Response Fee gradually increase to about 2 % (even though November 2019 offer was 3%) and Response Fee stay same ($43,200) • They asked for a 1-week response by April 3, 2020 (Covid-19 pandemic in place and City had City Administrator interviews on April 3, 2020) April 6, 2020 • Mayor sent an email to the RFD indicating that the City was not in favor of their last counteroffer April 16, 2020 • RFD (by email from Todd Hasse) indicates that they have decided not to renew any further contracts with the City Alder Douglas asked if the City of Monroe made another counter offer other than equalized value. The only response the City has offered was based on the equalized value. Alder Douglas has concerns with the current situation and worsening financial burdens related to COVID-19, therefore she would like to see an extension of the current contract until at least December 2020. She does not believe this is the appropriate time for the townships to begin to go out and develop their own fire department, and would like the City of Monroe to work with them and offer assistance as they are able. Alder Douglas would like for full transparency and improved communication between the City of Monroe and Rural Fire District. Alder Hermanson questioned if the equalized value included vacant properties, commercial land, etc. The counter proposal did not include this, but at one time the RFD did mention consideration of a category noted as improvement land. March 17, 2020 was the first time this was mentioned by the RFD, and Attorney Bartholf confirms it is a possibility. However, this was never formally discussed or counter offered by either party through negotiations. Alder Hermanson asks further confirmation that no conversation regarding improvement land versus equalized value was held past March. She would recommend further evaluation and consideration of this option. She also asks for further investigation and consideration of call volume and how the townships utilize the equipment based on this call volume. Attorney Bartholf states the November proposal included discussion of the township call volume, but he would have to defer to the Fire Chief for specifics and overall makeup of call volume. Alder Hermanson would recommend to consider call volume as a component to reach a mutual agreement. Alder Hermanson also questions if the RFD included reasoning of why they wanted to return to response billing. Attorney Bartholf is not sure specific reasons were provided. He assumes this may be related to call volume decreasing. Alder Thoman wants to also recognize the City residents that are experiencing financial hardships, not just the townships. Alder Douglas recommends offering a six month extension on contracts that are in place now to allow more time to reach an agreement. She refers to the trying times, and would like to allow for a workable solution over time. Alder Boyce, questioned if Alder Douglas is aware of the RFD position at this time. Why would the City consider extending the contract if the RFD states they won't consider any further negotiations. The Mayor confirms the RFD provided a statement that they do not wish to renew any contracts with the City of Monroe. Alder Boyce questions if the RFD has proposed questions or an interest to Alder Douglas to extend the contract. Alder Douglas advises she has received feedback from several different people involved with the RFD, and they have stated they are willing to negotiate. She is concerned this has been a one-way street, and the City of Monroe only offered one option. In the Council meeting last discussing the RFD contract, it is noted in the minutes that a final contract would return to Finance and Council for approval, but that has not happened. Alder Boyce, has approached the issue from the perspective of what a regional fire district would look like if it was separated from the City of Monroe and how would the district would fund itself. If the rural fire district separated itself from the control of the City of Monroe over a defined geographic area as to fund itself, it would use the property tax to do so. The only way to determine property tax equity is to use equalized value. To Alder Boyce, this is the fairest way, and it is unfortunate the cost is what it is. The budgeted cost of the fire department is subject to change, so the argument that the City could lose money by losing revenue is a red herring. The City will also lose activity, thus driving down actual expenditures of the Fire Department. This has been an ongoing issue for over two years, and Alder Boyce sees no reason to delay it any further. He has spoken to residents of the City and the townships, and the majority agree it is a fair offer. Many residents agree that anyone receiving fire protection services from the City of Monroe should pay based on equalized value for the services. He states it is unfortunate the RFD lead by Todd Hasse has gone a different direction and wants their own fire department. He does not believe the RFD has acted in good faith, and the City of Monroe needs to remain firm and represent the City taxpayers first. Alder Driver is concerned of future budget problems with the possibility of the majority of current City of Monroe firefighters leaving the City of Monroe Fire Department for a rural fire district department. The City would then have to look to hire full time firefighters, as well as risk losing the rural fire grant money. Compared to Platteville, WI with a population of 12,500 covers seven rural districts and charge the townships per call. There is an average of the townships paying a $7,000 flat fee, on top of the call response rate. The call out fees are based on population. He questions how to justify the cost when the township takes in a net total of $160,0000, so it is not very agreeable for the City of Monroe to ask for $72,000 of that. Alder Thomas advises the township would be charged $72,000, but they would be able to bill some of that back. Alder Driver proposes considering to charge a flat fee and then bill based on the services provided. Alder Douglas called the Fire Chief of Portage, WI, a city with a population similar to Monroe. Portage does tax based on equalized value, providing coverage for four townships. There is one township that only had six calls versus another township that includes the interstate with multiple motor vehicle accidents and the services are used at a greater amount. Alder Douglas advises there are pro and cons related to this and they should be evaluated further. Alder Bauman asked if Council could further discuss this when it is included as an agenda item that allows action to be taken. The current agenda item is listed as an update and presentation under Business by Mayor and does not allow for action to be taken. Alder Bauman would like to move on from this update, and then place a motion in Business by Alderperson to place it on a future agenda item. Alder Boyce asks for vote on who would like to send it back to the Committee for further discussion. The Mayor advised this can be done under Business by Alderpersons. Alder Driver, encourages rapid progression as the deadline of July 1, 2020 is fast approaching. Alder Binger shares a few thoughts related to the overall Fire Department budget that he will save for when it is on as a future agenda item. He also mentions the City of Monroe can counteroffer until we are "blue in the face", but it will not be beneficial if the RFD does not wish to negotiate further. Alder Binger would like to further evaluate what it will look like for the City of Monroe with and without the contract for the rural fire districts. It was agreed that this will be further discussed under 'Business by Alderpersons'. 2. Appoint Special Committee Member Special Committee Appointments presented: Police and Fire Commission: Jerry Guth - 5 year term. Motion made by Richard Thoman and seconded by Rob Driver to approve appointment of Jerry Guth to the Police and Fire Commission for 5 year term. On a roll call vote, Motion passed. D. APPEARANCES BY THE PUBLIC None. E. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Claims List Motion made by Donna Douglas and seconded by Joshua Binger to approve consent agenda. On a roll call vote, Motion Passed. F. BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS 1. Resolution Granting 2020 Contract for Curb and Gutter Repair Alder Boyce questioned if this is a project that requires a security bond, as he has not heard of R&T Voegeli Excavating. It was confirmed the City has utilized them for prior projects. Al Gerber responds that R&T Voegeli has been on the project for last three years and it is a bond project. Motion made by Brooke Bauman and seconded by Mickey Beam to approve resolution granting 2020 contract for curb and gutter repair with R & T Voegeli. On a roll call vote, Motion Passed. G. LICENSE COMMITTEE 1. Resolution Approving Issuance of the "Class B" Liquor and Fermented Malt Beverage License to Danette Williams - Nett's - Upon Relinquishment by Larry Gordon - Cash's Old Smokey Motion made by Donna Douglas and seconded by Joshua Binger to approving issuance of the "Class B" liquor license and fermented malt beverage license to Danette Williams - Nett's- upon relinquishment by Larry Gordon - Cash's Old Smokey. On a roll call vote, Motion Passed. H. COUNCIL OF THE WHOLE 1. Review and Approve Mass Transit Policies The City of Monroe recently underwent a Site Compliance Review through the Wisconsin DOT related to the Shared Ride Taxi program. As a result of the audit, it was recommended to develop the attached policies to increase the City's compliance for Federal funding related to the Shared Ride Taxi program. Motion made by Donna Douglas and seconded by Kelly Hermanson to approve the City of Monroe Transit Safety Management Policy and Transit System Procurement Procedure Policy as presented. On a roll call vote, Motion Passed. I. BUSINESS PRESENTED BY ALDERPERSONS Alder Douglas made a motion for an agenda item at the next Council meeting to discuss and take action regarding the Monroe Rural Fire District and Monroe Fire Department Contract, with consideration of extending the current contract for the remainder of the year. Motion seconded by Alder Hermanson. Upon a voice vote, motion passed unanimously. It was confirmed this agenda item will be added to next Council meeting, not to Finance and Taxation. There will be a closed session incorporated to allow for any negotiations to be discussed. Alder Boyce advises the City should begin a proactive review of revenue and expenses and projections related to COVID-19. There is an anticipated major shortage in shared revenue from the State of Wisconsin due to a decrease in tax receipts. This will trickle down to our community and there should be discussions on how the City of Monroe can control expenses now to reflect the reduced shared revenue from the State. J. BUSINESS PRESENTED BY DEPARTMENT HEADS None. K. BUSINESS PRESENTED BY THE PRESS Matt Johnson from Monroe Times, recognized the Mayor for recognizing his point of order earlier in the meeting. He also extends gratitude to all Alderpersons and City government for their acquiescence to requests, showing commonality in learning to have fair local government. He is pleased to have a functioning and unyielding government to continue to solve problems during these difficult times. L. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Brooke Bauman and seconded by Rob Driver to adjourn. On a roll call vote, Motion Passed. (May 23, 2020) WNAXLP

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that the following license application has been filed at the Office of the City Clerk in the City of Monroe, Wisconsin for the license period through June 30, 2020 for the sale of liquors and fermented beverages in said City: “Class B” Liquor and Fermented Malt Beverage License – Nett’s Sports Bar, LLC – 1301 17th Street Brittney Rindy, City Clerk/Treasurer (May 23, 2020) WNAXLP

NOTICE OF CLAIMS DEADLINE

STATE OF WISCONSIN, GREEN COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF: ARLENE STADELMAN SURVIVORS TRUST Pursuant to Section 701.0508, Wis. Stats., Richard Stadelman and Tim Stadelman, as Successor Trustees of the Arlene Stadelman Survivor’s Trust, with power to pay the debts of Arlene Stadelman, who died domiciled in Green County, Wisconsin on April 3, 2020, hereby provides notice that the deadline for filing claims for the above-named trust is four (4) months after the date of the first insertion of this notice. Creditors’ claims must be filed on or before such date at the address shown below. Boardman & Clark LLP c/o Attorney William L. Fahey Attorney for the Arlene Stadelman Survivor’s Trust P.O. Box 927 Madison, WI 53701-0927 (May 23, 30, June 6, 2020) WNAXLP