Chip Gehrke

The Village Board meeting agenda included several key items. New business involved considering Resolution #18-44 to authorize the issuance and sale of $1,380,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2018, intended to fund the acquisition of a rescue pumper fire engine and ambulance, and the construction of a dark fiber ring. The Board was also scheduled to consider the proposed 2019 budgets for the Clean Water Utility, Fleet Internal Service Fund, Solid Waste Utility, Sewer Utility, and Water Utility. Other agenda items included considering the Suburban Mutual Assistance Response Teams Agreement and resolutions accepting public improvements for Arbor Ridge Subdivision and addressing dark store loopholes. A memorandum preceding the agenda detailed the presentation of final proofs for the Village wordmark and the reevaluation of the RecPlex logo to address branding confusion.

The board meeting included several significant actions and discussions. A presentation was made to recognize Sara Borst for her dedication to supporting law enforcement and their families through community appreciation events. Resolution #18-02 was adopted to recognize Lieutenant Thomas Clark for his twenty-seven years of service before his retirement, detailing his contributions to fire safety and building inspections. New business involved the ratification and approval of a settlement for a lawsuit concerning design and construction defects at the RecPlex Aqua Arena, resulting in over $1.5 million in benefits to the Village through cash and repair work by Riley Construction and Van's Roofing, Inc. The Board also adopted Resolution #18-05, urging the State of Wisconsin Legislature to pass legislation to close property tax loopholes exploited by national chain stores ("dark stores"), noting concerns about shifting tax burdens to homeowners and small businesses. Further actions included approving Ordinance #18-05 and #18-06 regarding Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Map amendments for property on 92nd Street, adopting Ordinance #18-07 to provide greater flexibility in the M-5 Production Manufacturing District uses, approving the partial termination of a Memorandum of Understanding related to special assessments for Highway 50 improvements after obligations were satisfied, awarding the contract for the 2018 Annual Paving Program to Payne & Dolan, Inc., approving a Letter of Credit Reduction Request for Ayres CSM Phase 1 Improvements, and adopting Resolution #18-04 to dispose of surplus vehicles and equipment.

The Village Board meeting included several key actions and discussions. A resolution was presented and approved recognizing Trustee Steve Kumorkiewicz for his twenty-four years of service. A second resolution of appreciation was adopted for Thomas W. Terwall for his forty-one years of service to the Plan Commission, during which he was instrumental in the transition from a Town to a Village and in major economic development projects like the LakeView Corporate Park. The Board also considered and approved numerous items related to the Main Street Market Development, including Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Zoning Map and Text Amendments, and a Certified Survey Map and Development Agreement, subject to minor final language tweaks. Furthermore, the Board approved a Tax Payment Shortfall Agreement with Froedtert South, Inc. regarding TID #6 financing. In labor matters, the Board voted to disapprove and reopen negotiations for the 2018-2019 Fire Union contract due to a dispute over whether the paramedic stipend should be based on gross salary or base salary. Conversely, the Board approved the two-year contract agreement with the Police Officers' Association, Local 185, which includes wage increases and updated residency requirements. Finally, the Board awarded the contract to purchase a new Horton Type I Ambulance, with a final cost of $227,079.

The special meeting convened for the purpose of entering into Executive Session pursuant to Section 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate or negotiate the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business where competitive or bargaining reasons required a closed session. Following deliberation, the Board returned to open session solely for the purpose of adjournment.

The agenda for the joint meeting of the Village Board, Water Utility, and Sewer Utility covered several key items. Discussions included presenting a Resolution of Appreciation and Recognition for Wyatt Witt's years of service. New business focused heavily on land development matters, specifically considering Plan Commission recommendations for a Preliminary Plat for the River Run at Heritage Valley development (45 single family lots), a Master Conceptual Plan for the Aurora Health Center development, and proposed amendments and conceptual plans for the Eva Manor development. Other new business included considering a Certified Survey Map to adjust lot lines in Fountain Ridge, designating a week as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, approving a Letter of Credit Reduction Request for The Cottages at Village Green Development, and awarding contracts for the 2018 Sewer Lining Project and the RecPlex Bathroom Room Addition Project.