Town of Bayview

October 17, 2023

Meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Chair.

Roll call:  Chair Don Jenicek, present; Supervisor Mike Garnich, present; Supervisor Bill Bodin, present, Clerk Kim Suske, present; and Treasurer Kelly Warren, present.

Others in attendance:  Mike Yonan, Butch Warren, Paul Norris, John Carlson.

Town Board Meeting Minutes from September 12, 2023:  Motion made by Bill Bodin to approve as written; seconded by Mike Garnich.  Motion carried.

Board of Review Two-Hour Meeting Minutes from September 27, 2023:  Motion made by Mike Garnich to approve as written; seconded by Don Jenicek.  Motion carried.

Board of Review Meeting to Adjourn Minutes from October 12, 2023:  Motion made by Bill Bodin to approve as written; seconded by Mike Garnich.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report by Kelly Warren:  Checking $57,984.69; Equipment $1895.48; Room Tax $12,802.86; Contingency Fund $26,679.10 and Tax Levy Savings $57,266.52.

Clerk’s Report: Phone system was changed again to include per minute long distance at 7 cents per minute.  Clerk fulfilled open records request from Mr. Gruhl who requested audio files from BOR.  Clerk updated the Board on the difficulties she had transferring the Intuit account into her name from previous Clerk.  Clerk worked with contractors and their insurance companies to get current liability insurance information for w/c ramp building project.  Clerk is continuing to work with engineer Emmer Shields on the LRIP reimbursement process for Big Rock Road.  Clerk has secured the services of Dag Bystrom if needed for technical computer assistance.  Clerk has received a request to update the Master Agreement with USDA Forest Service via SAM.gov.

Town Board Email System:  Clerk reported that Mike Cariveau suggested going with a .gov domain rather than .wi.gov as it will simplify the process of securing a domain name while giving us the same security.  He will register townofbayview.gov on our behalf but the Town will be the owner.  Initial work has been done to set up new .gov email addresses.

Citizen’s Concerns and Comments:  Paul Norris of Whiting Road said that the speed limit signs on Whiting Road are helping slow cars down and asked some questions about logging trucks using the road.

HFNP:  The Town has received the judge’s final written ruling.

Northwoods Paving for Bodin Road—Update:  This will be done eventually but still no specific date.

New Wheelchair Ramp:  The new wheelchair ramp has been built and all agreed it looks great and we are happy to have this project completed.

Roads Report:  Mike and Butch are getting caught up on projects.  Some work needs to be done on Smith’s Fire Lane.  The International dump truck has been retrieved from Duluth.  They are almost finished with gravel work and ditching on Friendly Valley Road.  Mowing is ongoing.  Maki Road needs some patching.  Mike Yonan also mentioned that the overhead garage doors need adjustment and one needs a new motor.

Work on 5–year Road Plan:  Chair brought in a copy of the new 5-year road plan and all agreed it represented our discussion and looks good.  We will not be getting TRIP money for the next cycle (2-year-cycle).

The Board may elect to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.85 (1)(g) for discussion regarding Houghton Falls Nature Preserve:  Bill Bodin made a motion to go into closed session pursuant to WI Statute 19.85 (1)(g) for the purpose of discussion regarding Houghton Falls Nature Preserve;  Mike Garnich seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Motion made by Bill Bodin to return to regular session; seconded by Mike Garnich.  Motion carried.

The Board may elect to go into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.85 (1)(c) for considering employment, compensation, or performance evaluation of road crew:  Don Jenicek made a motion to go into closed session pursuant to WI Statute 19.85 (1)(c) for purpose of considering employment, compensation, or performance evaluation of road crew; Mike Garnich seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Motion made by Bill Bodin to return to regular session; seconded by Mike Garnich.  Motion carried.

 

Town of Bayview

October 17, 2023
Page 2

 

Motion made by Mike Garnich to increase pay for roads crew as follows:  Mike Yonan’s pay to increase to $29.50 per hour; Butch Warren’s pay to increase to $21.25 per hour; seconded by Bill Bodin.  Motion carried.

Start Budget Process for 2024:  The Board started the budget process.  In regards to the Clerk’s budget, the Clerk reviewed some of the many tasks that she is responsible for monthly/quarterly/annually and stated that she carries not only a high degree of responsibility and a broad skill set but that she also needs to be nearly constantly available.  She stated that she does a lot of tasks being done by other Board members at other towns such as doing all of the billing and bill pay which in other towns is handled by the treasurer.  She stated that she has taken on many new tasks including building and maintaining the new website, the new .gov domain acquisition, and working to set up .gov email addresses; her hours and need to be available will only increase next year with four elections on the calendar and the many hours it will take to update all accounts with her new .gov email address.  She shared that she was hired for 10-12 hours per week (40-48 hours per month) but that she documented nearly 70 hours in August with other months also being high and that her wage, when looked at on an hourly basis even at 10-12 hours per week, is already substantially lower than the rest of the Board and that this disparity will only increase next year.  Clerk requested a pay increase but the Board informed Clerk that pay increases only occur in election years.  Chair stated that Clerk could be paid for election training (6 hours in 2023 at $15 per hour).  Clerk’s computer is over 9 years old and has Windows 10; the computer will not support Windows 11 and support for Windows 10 will end 10/2025; new computer will be purchased next year with money to come out of Town Hall misc. budget money.  Town hall needs painting and work done in the basement.  Chair will discuss public works budget needs with Mike Yonan and send figures to Clerk to have available at next meeting.  Board will finalize the budget at the November meeting.

Payment of Bills:  Motion made by Mike Garnich to approve payment of Town bills from September 13, 2023 to October 17, 2023 in the amount of $98,557.94 which includes a loan payment of $40,620.24 for the Western Star Dump Truck; seconded by Bill Bodin.  Motion carried.

Correspondence:

Reviewed request from Bayfield County Land and Water Conservation Department to contribute money toward CWD deer carcass collection dumpsters; Board will not be contributing financially to this.

Reviewed letter from Chad Young, CEO of Norvado requesting a letter of support and/or a monetary pledge for Norvado’s Fiber to the Home project.  Bill Bodin will draft a letter of support, but the Town will not be making a financial contribution. Norvado is applying for a grant for this project.

Reviewed correspondence from Bayfield County informing the Town that Bayfield County Amendatory Ordinances 2023-11 and 2023-13 were adopted by the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors at their September 26, 2023 meeting.

Next Town of Bayview Board meeting is set for November 14, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Moton to adjourn was made by Don Jenicek, seconded by Mike Garnich.  Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

 

Submitted by:

Kim Suske, Clerk

 

 

Vol.16 page 63                                                                                                                     Approved 11/14/2023