Alyssa Gaffney

The Village Board meeting includes discussion and consideration of various topics. These include a conditional use permit to install a deck, a school resource officer contract, a concept presentation by Steve Brown Apartments, and an ordinance changing the zoning classification for a parcel on Springdale Street. Additional discussions will cover the lease of an alley, the Mount Horeb Streatery Program for 2022, an ATC easement, and authorization for soliciting bids for street projects. The agenda also involves committee reports, Village President's and Administrator's reports, Village Clerk's report, and consideration of the Economic Development Director's performance.

The committee discussed snow removal operations in the downtown area, focusing on the prioritization of streets and the challenges posed by skid loaders. They also addressed issues related to bulk item trash and recycling events, including traffic concerns and potential fee changes. The committee considered a five-year capital improvement plan, recommending a budget of $300,000 for street maintenance. Additionally, they discussed and recommended the purchase of a tandem axle patrol truck, favoring the Western Star model. Proposed bulk trash fees were reviewed and approved.

The 2023 Strategic Planning Summary for the Village of Mount Horeb outlines key findings from a planning session involving the Village Board and department heads. The plan focuses on understanding board and staff values and goals, prioritizing resources for future planning and allocation (including staffing, budgets, and debt), identifying peer communities, understanding internal and external perceptions, and identifying barriers to achieving goals. Key areas of focus include addressing staff shortages and compensation, improving communication, fostering a proactive culture, promoting commercial development, and managing financial challenges. The plan also highlights community feedback, including compliments on staff responsiveness and the small-town atmosphere, and complaints regarding communication, taxes, parking, and service issues. Priorities identified include land acquisition for various uses, staff compensation and training, infrastructure updates, and addressing the housing shortage. Action items include researching and purchasing land for a business park, recruiting board members with development experience, updating ordinances and zoning codes, implementing a downtown plan, improving inter-municipal relationships, and enhancing communication strategies.

The Public Safety Committee meeting agenda included reviewing the May 16, 2022, minutes; receiving the Police Chief's report; reviewing an alcohol license application for Andrea N. Edquist; discussing safety in downtown alleys; addressing traffic concerns on Brian Street, Manor Drive, and Fourth Street; reviewing the Public Safety Committee's mission statement; providing an update on ARPA funding; discussing 2023 capital budget requests; assessing the impact of the Dane County Jail on the Mount Horeb Police Department; and addressing future agenda items.

The Village Board of Mount Horeb held a meeting on March 2, 2022, covering various agenda items. Key topics included presentations on the 2021 Recreation Department overview and a concept presentation for apartments at 120 South First Street. The board also considered ordinances related to zoning changes and a potential alley lease, along with discussions on the 2022 Streatery Program and street projects. Finally, the board considered the performance of the Economic Development Director.