Village of Cobb, Iowa County, Wisconsin : Meeting Minutes

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May 11, 2009 Zoning Amendment Public Hearing & Regular Monthly Village Board Meeting

Village of Cobb
Regular Monthly Meeting
May 11, 2009

A Public Hearing was held at 6:00 p.m. for a zoning amendment change requested by John Reynolds d/b/a 111 Eastman Street, LLC for Parcel #111-0049 and Parcel #111-0049.A for a rezone from R-3 (multi-family residential) to I (Industrial). Proper publication and notification of residents within 100 feet were completed. Those in attendance at the Public Hearing were: Village Board President Robert Roelli; Village Board Trustees � Richard Campbell, Russ Zingg, Arnold Fritsch, John Wienkes, and Donald Ritchie; John Reynolds and Jeremy Cordts on behalf of 111 Eastman Street, LLC; citizens � John and Jean Slapak, Cami and Craig Nelson (on behalf of Cammi�s parents Richard & Charlotte Clemo), Dan and Jan Baker, and an email received from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Clemo. The petitioner stated they would like to add fill to the lots to enable use of the land for parking, etc. especially during hay sales. They would like to request that the parcels change from residential zoning to industrial to match the other adjoining lots that they have.

John Slapak stated that he owns lots across the street from the proposed sites. John relayed that he is in favor of business in Cobb, but what has been done to those lots already has done nothing but de-value his property. Mr. Slapak spoke with Attorney Ron Walker who asked Mr. Slapak to voice his concerns with the request of rezoning. John presented pictures that were taken of the current state of the parcels as work has been done without permits. Cammi Nelson also voiced concerns with the request, on behalf of her parents that own the adjoining parcel (Richard and Charlotte Clemo). Cammi presented a printed email from her parents who currently live in Florida stating they are against the rezone request. Residents were concerned about rodents from bad hay and things that were pushed over the embankment from snow plowing.

John Reynolds explained that nothing was going to be built on the parcels. His plans are to construct a retaining wall on the south side of the lot (2-4� high on the east and west side and 8� on the south side) approximately 8 � 10 ft. from the curb. They intend to level off the lot and probably use railroad ties to construct the retaining wall. The intent of use is for parking and for hay. He stated that the finished project would be acceptable to the neighbors. He commented that the pictures presented show work that is not anywhere done.

The board discussed the restrictions on retaining walls and if it is legal to put fill on a parcel. Several issues were reviewed and the Board felt that legal counsel needed to be contacted for direction to proceed. Motion by Zingg, and second by Ritchie to contact Attorney Eileen Brownlee and postpone any decision making until a special meeting is scheduled, tentatively next Monday, May 18th at 6:00 p.m., where Attorney Brownlee can attend the meeting to respond to the proposed questions and legal matters and all parties involved attend the meeting. Roll call vote, 6-0, with Trevorrow absent. Motion carried. The Board directed the Clerk to contact all involved parties when the special meeting date is scheduled. Questions for the attorney included: what state the lots would need to be returned to, is it legal to put fill on a residential lot, should the Village have stopped them from doing this, does the Board have to right to approve the zoning amendment change if the neighbors object to the petition, and how does the Board proceed from here.

The Public Hearing adjourned with no action taken. A special meeting will be scheduled.

President Robert Roelli called the regular monthly meeting of the Village of Cobb to order at 6:25 p.m., at the Village Hall. Roll call. Quorum present. Board members present were Richard Campbell, Russ Zingg, Arnold Fritsch, John Wienkes, and Donald Ritchie. Laurie Trevorrow was absent. Motion by Wienkes, second by Zingg to approve posting and compliance with the open meeting law. Voice vote, all in favor, with Trevorrow absent. Motion carried.

CITIZENS AND DELEGATIONS

None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Motion by Campbell, and second by Zingg to approve minutes from the regular meeting held on April 13, 2009. Motion carried by voice vote, with Trevorrow absent.
TREASURERS REPORT � The treasurer reported the following bank balances on April 30th:

General Checking Account Bank Balance $ 13,129.60
Outstanding Checks $ 2,495.93
FPSHA Fire Truck A/C ($10,000.00) $ 10,000.00
Checking � Operating A/C $ 633.67
Checkbook Balance $ 10,633.67
Petty Cash $ 25.00
General Prime Flex Bank Balance $ 72,132.89
General Prime Flex Savings $ 68,220.86
FPSHA Prime Flex Savings $ 3,912.03
Sewer Checking Account Bank Balance $ 20,686.80
Outstanding Checks $ 28.22
Sewer Replacement Fund $ 7,995.00
Checking � Operating Account $ 12,663.58
Checkbook Balance $ 20,658.58
Sewer Prime Flex $118,930.45
Water Checking Account Bank Balance $ 74,766.73
Outstanding Checks $ 0.00
Checkbook Balance $ 74,766.73
Water Prime Flex $ 68,388.79
Outstanding Customer A/R $ 33,362.59

Motion by Zingg and second by Wienkes to accept the Treasurer�s Reports as presented. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS

Library Board: The minutes for the March 17th meeting and agenda for the April 21st meeting were reviewed. Laurie Trevorrow was absent from this meeting, so no update was given. Library Director Sherry Nagel had forwarded information that the summer theme this year at the library is �Be Creative�. Sherry was requesting permission to use the Village Little Park for the possibility of a summer concert. The Board agreed that this is acceptable and a good idea.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Board of Review: The Clerk reminded the Board members that Board of Review is scheduled for Thursday, May 14th starting at 6:00 p.m., to be held for a minimum of 2 hours, and that all Village Board members should be in attendance. John Wienkes and Russ Zingg are due for recertification. The Clerk stated that an audio CD and materials from the WisLine program through the Local Government Center could be purchased for $25 and members could recertify in that fashion as opposed to traveling to a meeting location. Arnold Fritsch stated that he would also be interested in becoming certified.

NEW BUSINESS

Zoning Amendment Change: This item was postponed for the next special meeting to be scheduled.

Farmers Market: Linda Enloe, on behalf of Peace Lutheran Church, had contacted the Village Office in regards to running the Farmers Market on Wednesdays throughout the summer again this year. She also inquired about the possibility of holding various music venues, with local talent performing. Motion by Zingg, and second by Campbell to request that all vendors stay on one side of the street, if possible, preferably on property owned by the church since they own the empty lot next to the church. This is due to safety concerns with people crossing the street and standing in the street by the busy highway. Proper permits should be obtained if people are selling items to the public in the park. Roll call vote, 6-0, with Trevorrow absent. Motion carried. The Board agreed that music is acceptable, as long as the entertainment is on the same side of the street as the church.

Ordinance 2009-01 Regular Meetings of the Village Board: Motion by Wienkes, and second by Ritchie to adopt Ordinance 2009-01 Relating to the Regular Meetings of the Village Board amending Section 2-2-9(a) commencing with the May, 2009 meeting that the regular meeting of the Village Board will be on the SECOND Monday of each month (previously the FIRST Wednesday). Roll call vote, 6-0, with Trevorrow absent. Motion carried.

Insurance Dividend: The Clerk informed the Board that the Village received a check for $543.00 on May 7, 2009 as an insurance dividend from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance/Baer Insurance.

Village Wide Garage Sales: The Village-wide Garage Sales have been set for Friday, June 12th (8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.) and Saturday, June 13th (8:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon). Recycling grant monies will be used to pay for newspaper advertisements and those wanting their names/addresses listed will contribute a $5 registration fee.

Section 4 of Code of Ordinances: As an ongoing project, Section 4 of the Village Code of Ordinances was reviewed. This chapter will be submitted to Attorney Eileen Brownlee for further review.

Committee Appointments: Motion by Fritsch, and second by Wienkes to approve the 2009-2010 Committee appointments as presented with the possibility of revisiting the Zoning Administrator position at a later date. Roll call vote, 6-0, with Trevorrow absent. Motion carried. The Clerk informed the Board that Kris Schoville, new Village resident, expressed interest in being on the Blackhawk Lake Board if a vacancy occurs. Board members suggested contact Kris to see if she would be interested in being a part of the Planning Commission.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS FOR 2009-2010
*Denotes Chairperson of Committee

Farm Committee: *Campbell, Wienkes, Zingg
Village Buildings and Maintenance: *Zingg, Campbell, Roelli
Solid Waste Committee: *Wienkes, Roelli, Zingg
Public Works Committee: *Trevorrow, Roelli, Ritchie
Personnel Committee: *Wienkes, Ritchie, Fritsch
Cobb Library Board: Sherry Nagel, Library Director; Laurie Trevorrow, Board Member; Paul Korb, President; Laurie Trevorrow, Vice-President; Lori Breiwa, Treasurer; Carolyn Laufenberg, School Representative; Linda Tucker, Secretary; Trustees, Lanell Wagner and Linda Gard.
Cobb-Highland Recreation Commission: Tom Jenks, Glen Gard, Al Forbes, Jerry Hasburgh, Chris Hugill
Cobb-Eden Fire District Board: Lorraine Fritsch, Ken Harris
Weed Commissioner: Russ Zingg
Fire Inspector: Cobb-Eden Fire District
Zoning Administrator: Mark Flanagan
Building Inspector: Dennis Hampton
Village Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals: Village Board
Board of Review: Village Board (The following members are certified as of 3/07/08 � Roelli and Lisa Riley, Village Clerk; as of 5/08/09 Wienkes, 5/08/09 Zingg, and 5/07/09 Fritsch)
Village Attorney: Kramer & Brownlee, LLC
Village Assessor: Gardiner Appraisal
Village Clerk/Treasurer: Lisa Riley
Bank Depository: Royal Bank, Cobb

CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATIONS
-An invitation was received for an Open House for the Aging & Disability Resource Center of SW Wisconsin � Iowa County to be held on Monday, May 11th from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Iowa County Courthouse.
-The Clerk informed the Board that Iowa County is now emailing their monthly meeting agendas to each municipality. The Board stated they would appreciate receiving copies in their packets.
-A thank you card was received from Tom Miller thanking the board for the experience of serving with all the Board members and to Lisa Riley, Clerk for the refreshments at his last meeting. Motion by Fritsch, and second by Zingg to draft a resolution for the next meeting recognizing Tom Miller�s years of service. Voice vote, motion carried.
-The Clerk shared a resolution from the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board honoring and thanking Wisconsin Municipal Clerks for their effort and dedication during Municipal Clerks Week 2009 and all year round. Motion by Zingg, and second by Campbell to recognize Municipal Clerk�s Week and thanked Lisa Riley for her service to the Village of Cobb. Voice vote, motion carried.
-Arnold Fritsch informed the Board that he will be gone May 18th through May 22nd in case any meetings are scheduled during that time.
-The Board directed Mark Flanagan to contact the DNR regarding issues by the stream and to talk with Dan Pustina regarding work to be done by the day care center. Debris has built up narrowing the creek which causes water backup.
-The Clerk reminded the Board that items need to be submitted for the time capsule for the Iowa County Sesquicentennial.

ZONING PERMITS

No zoning permits were issued the month of April.

Motion by Campbell, second by Wienkes to approve bills in the General, Sewer, and Water Account as presented. Motion carried.

Motion by Wienkes, and seconded by Campbell to adjourn. Voice vote. Motion carried. The regular monthly meeting of the Village of Cobb adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Respectively submitted,

Lisa Riley, Village Clerk/Treasurer

� Minutes will be approved at the June 8, 2009, regular monthly Village Board meeting.

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