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September 5, 2023 Regular Town Board Meeting
Town of Dodgeville
Town Board Meeting Minutes
September 5th, 2023
*6:00 p.m.*
1) Call to order. Town Supervisor, Curt Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Town Supervisors in attendance were Peter Vanderloo, Pam Johnson-Loy, and Kyle Levetzow. David Pope was absent. Also in attendance were Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson, Randy Beerkircher, Kevin Zajicek and approximately 40 members of the public.
Everyone in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
2) Approval of Public Notice/Agenda. Supervisor, Kyle Levetzow made a motion to approve the public notice and agenda seconded by Supervisor, Pam Johnson-Loy. Motion carried.
3) Public Comment. Eighteen individuals provided public comment in regards to the creation of a Resolution/Moratorium on Development of Wind Energy Systems as well as provided handouts of information. One individual indicated that Wind Energy Systems are regulated under the state and federal government and the Township doesn’t have the authority to develop an ordinance that is more restrictive than PSC 128 and felt that a moratorium could lead to a lawsuit. Numerous individuals indicated they felt a moratorium and licensing ordinance could be developed protecting the publics health and safety as well as indicated health and safety concerns, setback concerns, concerns in regards to the PSC being broken, concerns in regards to the application that has been submitted by Pattern Energy, concerns in regards to the administrative code being outdated, concerns in regards to notifications and the lack of being notified, concerns in regards to the size of the proposed turbines and concerns in regards to the disposal of the turbines. Several individuals requested the Town Board adopt a moratorium and a Wind License Ordinance to protect the public’s health and safety. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson provided a written letter that was received from Kathy Warpinski to the Town Board.
4) Discussion & possible action re: Creation of Resolution/Moratorium on Development of Wind Energy Systems. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson presented a copy of a moratorium that was received from the Town of Waldwick. The Town Board members discussed the creation of a Resolution/Moratorium on Development of Wind Energy Systems. Curt Peterson presented three handouts in regards to Wind Turbines. Curt Peterson indicated he wouldn’t support a moratorium or resolution due to the laws and indicated that renewable/clean energy is being driven by the federal government. Pam Johnson-Loy presented a study from the Imprimis on climate change, indicated that health and safety is the number one concern and felt a moratorium should be created to avoid construction until the PSC can complete their job addressing these very large turbines. Kyle Levetzow indicated that he felt a moratorium should be created to allow the Town time to look into the laws more and to allow more time for the PSC to update the siting standards. Peter Vanderloo indicated that he had reviewed all the presented information from the last meeting and commented on the existing law, Act 40, the recently introduced Senate Bill and indicated he felt the legislators have removed the power of local government in regards to the wind turbines. Peter Vanderloo then indicated that he would like to see the wording of a moratorium and felt that an outside firm should look at the moratorium in regards to wording. Peter Vanderloo made a motion to obtain a copy of a moratorium and engage legal counsel for an opinion on the affects of adopting a moratorium on wind turbines in Townships as well as the legal implications for Townships and Town Board members. Pam Johnson-Loy seconded the motion. Motion carried (3-1).
Kyle Levetzow made a motion to suspend the agenda and move to Item #10. Peter Vanderloo seconded the motion. Motion carried.
5) Discussion & possible action re: Military Ridge Pay Request #1 and Updates. Engineer, Keith Dalsing presented the Military Ridge pay request and updated the Town Board in regards to the current status of the project. Keith Dalsing also requested that a Change Order be completed for the additional materials that were utilized. Kyle Levetzow made a motion to pay the pay request #1 as well as authorizes Keith Dalsing to complete the change order request. Pam Johnson-Loy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
6) Discussion & possible action re: Ordinance Chapter 33 Town of Dodgeville Room Tax. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson presented the comments that were received from the attorney in regards to the drafted Room Tax Ordinance. The Town Board discussed each of these comments and modified the drafted Ordinance that is still currently being drafted and reviewed. The Town Board discussed the possibility of creating a joint tourism commission with the City of Dodgeville and had questions in regards to the formation of the committee. The Town Board requested that Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson obtain additional information in regards to the subject matter.
7) Approval of Meeting Minutes from August 1st, 2023. Kyle Levetzow made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from August 1st, 2023 as presented. Pam Johnson-Loy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
8) Approval of Treasurer’s Report for General, Sanitary District #1 and Tax Collection Account. Peter Vanderloo made a motion to approve the Town of Dodgeville’s August 2023 Treasurer’s Report stating the following fund balances:
General Checking $ 303,367.43
Farmer’s Savings $ 371,062.59
Local Government Investment Pool $ 7,743.47
Farmer’s Savings Tax Account $ 0.00
Intra-Fi CD’s $ 819,873.21
Township Funds: $1,502,046.70
Tax Funds: $ 0.00
ARPA Funds: $ 132,593.55
Kyle Levetzow seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Peter Vanderloo made a motion to approve Sanitary District #1 Treasurer’s Report as submitted stating the following fund balances:
Sanitary District #1 $ 17,282.67
Kyle Levetzow seconded the motion. Motion carried.
9) Bills to be approved. Kyle Levetzow made a motion to approve the September 5th, 2023 vouchers in the amount of $19,450.00 and Sanitary District #1 vouchers in the amount of $5,046.21. Peter Vanderloo seconded the motion. Motion carried.
10) Town Roads/Equipment Report. The Town Patrolmen updated the Town Board in regards to the potential of ordering a MACK truck from a different MACK dealership with future allotment and presented pricing on a new mower tractor. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson presented information in regards to a proposed improvement that was received by the DOT in regards to US 18/151 Dodgeville to Barneveld.
11) Clerk/Treasurer Report. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson presented the State Apportionment Report and the assessment/sales ratio analysis from the Department of Revenue.
12) Discussion & possible action re: Ordinance 20-1 An Ordinance to Adopt an Amendment and Update to the Dodgeville Comprehensive Plan. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson presented the draft ordinance as well as Resolution 2023-144 that was adopted by the Town of Dodgeville Planning Commission. Kyle Levetzow made a motion to adopt Ordinance 20-1 An Ordinance to Adopt an Amendment and Update to the Dodgeville Comprehensive Plan. Peter Vanderloo seconded the motion. Motion carried.
13) Discussion & possible action re: Installation of Solar Panels at Town Hall. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson updated the Town Board in regards to the solar audits that were complete and discussed if the Township would like a roof-top mounted system or a ground mounted system. The Town Board indicated that a ground mounted system would be more beneficial and indicated that they would need to look into potential locations for these panels. No action was taken.
14) Discussion & possible action re: Painting of Town Garage Roof. No action was taken.
15) Discussion & possible action re: Wisconsin Towns Association Fall Workshop. Clerk/Treasurer Sara Olson presented information in regards to the Wisconsin Towns Association Fall Workshop being held on September 26th at Deer Valley Lodge. Kyle Levetzow made a motion to approve the attendance of the Clerk/Treasurer and any Town Official that would like to attend. Pam Johnson-Loy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
16) Discussion & possible action re: Scheduling of Fall Clean-Up. The Town Board discussed scheduling of the Fall Clean-Up. Kyle Levetzow made a motion to schedule the Fall Clean-Up for Saturday, October 7th. Pam Johnson-Loy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
17) Discussion & possible action re: Scheduling of Two Monthly Town Meetings. Town Chairman, Curt Peterson discussed the potential of scheduling two monthly town meetings due to the length of the current meeting and the agenda topics. The Town Board indicated that the Wind Turbines will be discussed at the October 3rd meeting as previously indicated. Peter Vanderloo made a motion to schedule a Regular Town Board meeting on Monday, September 18th at 5:00 p.m. Pam Johnson-Loy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
18) Adjournment. Kyle Levetzow made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 p.m. Pam Johnson-Loy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sara J. Olson, Clerk-Treasurer
Archive:
November 13, 2024 Special Town Meeting of the Electors of the Town of Dodgeville
November 13, 2024 Public Budget Hearing
November 13, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting
October 16, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting
October 1, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting
September 30, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting
September 11, 2024 Special Town Board Meeting
September 3, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting
August 26, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting
August 26, 2024 Regular Town Board Meeting
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