Paul F. Evert

The joint meeting involved handling routine administrative items, including approval of the agenda for both the Plan Commission and the Village Board, and the approval of the November 21, 2016 Plan Commission minutes. Under future agenda items, a review of the false alarm fee period was requested. The consent agenda for the Village Board approved previous minutes, legislative committee minutes from November 28, 2016, municipal invoices totaling $334,059.23, and new operator licenses for five individuals. The primary new business involved a public hearing and subsequent approval by both bodies for the Radue Hidden Creek subdivision Final PDD request, which involved discussion on lot sizes, traffic flow, and development quality; approvals were subject to conditions including sidewalk construction and stormwater management plan approval. Additionally, the Plan Commission approved the site plan for McClure's Service building addition with specific conditions regarding dumpster enclosure and material matching. The Village Board also approved a development agreement for WOW Winona LLC and held a closed session.

The meeting agenda included compliance reporting with open meeting laws, public appearances, and a consent agenda covering the approval of previous minutes, municipal invoices, and a change order involving a cost decrease for utility work on Red Oak Street and Lancaster Creek. New business items involved reviewing and taking action on property purchase, authorizing an application for an Outdoor Recreational Trail Program Grant, amending parking regulations on West Deerfield Avenue, amending the 2025 budget, and awarding the Valley Brooke Pond Construction project contingent on contract review and grant approval. Reports from village officials included a status update on the Strategic Plan and a review of the unaudited financial report for December 31, 2025, with discussions on future borrowing and utility rates. The board planned to convene in a closed session to discuss the employment details of the village administrator.

The Village Board meeting addressed several public comments, including requests regarding an additional garbage cart and the stormwater tax bill due date. Key agenda items involved approving the revised agenda, followed by discussions and actions on new business. The Board reviewed and took action on Preliminary Resolution 2026-04 concerning special assessment powers for a sanitary sewer interceptor project on Glendale Avenue. A public hearing was held regarding special assessments for the Hazel Estates 4th Addition, followed by the approval of Final Resolution 2026-05 authorizing these assessments. Contract awards were approved, contingent on attorney review, for the roadway project ($600,598.00) and the utility project ($959,673.40) for the Hazel Estates 4th Addition. Preliminary and Final Plats for Hillsdale Heights and Red Leaf, respectively, were approved with conditions related to storm water easements. Additionally, Ordinance 2026-01 was approved, allowing residents to obtain extra garbage and recycling carts, and Ordinance 2026-02 was approved, establishing a fee schedule for Village-performed sidewalk clearing during snow/ice events. Development agreements for Hillsdale Heights and Hazel Estates 4th Addition were approved. The Board also approved a Purchase Agreement for Parcel VH-32 from Primrose Senior Living, contingent on a modification to the assignment language, and approved the Certified Survey Map for the Margaret Kropp property. Reports were given by the Grant Writer summarizing 2025 grant activity and by the Director of Public Works detailing the water system loss report.

The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and a report on compliance with Open Meeting Laws. The agenda included public appearances for comments of interest. The consent agenda involved the approval of previous Village Board and Plan Commission minutes, municipal invoices, the Final Plat of Lacona Heights, approval of new operator licenses, and a committee appointment for Geoff Farr to the Brown County Planning Commission. New business focused on receiving public comments and taking action regarding the Village's storm water management permit requirements and Annual MS4 Storm Water Management Report, as well as the renewal of a contract with the Wisconsin Humane Society. Officials planned to discuss the Spring Referenda with the School District Superintendent and President. The Board also convened into closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding two specific litigation matters: 2024CV000955 Village of Howard vs. Schelfhout & DeCleene Masonry Inc. et al and 2025CV001270 Town of Pittsfield vs. Village of Howard.

The meeting focused on reviewing and taking action on plat submissions. Key discussions included the Preliminary Plat of Hillsdale Heights, which involves 27 single-family residential lots within an approved Planned Development District (PDD), with specific considerations for conservancy areas and wetlands. The Commission conditionally approved this preliminary plat. Additionally, the Final Plat of Red Leaf, representing the first phase of development under the approved PDD and Preliminary Plat, was reviewed and unanimously approved with a condition related to storm water/drainage easements.