PUBLIC HEARING … During the public hearing at the Swanton Village Council meeting, on April 26, 2021, a public hearing was held in which Mr. Mark Foertmeyer, at the podium, presented his view of the storm system billing for his non residential property.(PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
A Public Hearing to discuss the rise in Storm water utility rates for Foertmeyer Greenhouse property, was held during the April 26, 2021 Village Council meeting.
Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle gave an overview of the situation, explaining much of the same information given a few weeks earlier during the Valleywood Golf Course public hearing.
Basically, as the village has found that there are a number of properties that have been charged the residential rate of $3, they have begun to assess the properties and determine what the Non residential rate would be for them.
Using a formula for regular properties seems to be fine, but for unique properties such as the golf course and the greenhouse land, Hoelzle recommended that the council consider giving a larger percentage off.
Present at the meeting to speak on behalf of his business was Mark Foertmeyer, accompanied by the General manager, Theres Hauprich. Mr. Foertmeyer shared his thoughts on the huge adjustment from $3 a month to $$12.92 a month, even though that reflects a 30% decrease from the full charge for non residential of $589.89.
He stated that he would like to have it assessed as to how much of the water on the greenhouse property flows into the village storm water services, and then pay just for that amount.
There was quite a bit of discussion and it was agreed that it might be difficult to determine what he was asking, but the matter should be tabled until a later date when more information has been gathered.
In regular business, council approved the agenda, the minutes of the previous meeting and committee reports given for Public Service and Public Safety committees. Approved in Old Business were Second Reading of two ordinances to proceed with assessments for Leaf Collection and Street Lights.
In New Business, council suspended the rules and approved:
-an ordinance authorizing the Village Administrator and mayor to apply for, accept and enter into a Water pollution control Loan Fund agreement on behalf of the Village for Planning, Design, and/or Construction of Project 8&9 Sewer Separation Project and Designating a Dedicated Repayment Source for the Loan
-An ordinance authorizing the Village Administrator to Enter into an agreement for Construction Engineering Services with Jones and Henry Engineers for the Project 8&9 Combined Sewer Separation Project
-A Resolution opposing Sub. House Bill 157 Amending the Law regarding withholding Municipal Earned Income Tax for those working virtually an/or at home (if applicable)
In her Administrator’s Report, Hoelzle covered information on the following topics: Water Service Line Survey; Brush Pick up going well; May 8 Bulk Drop off Day; May 21 Hydrant flushing begins; also on May 21 – Mandatory truing for AMI Software so the office will be closed to public for a couple hours that day; Municipal Building is now listed as a distribution site for COVID 19 rapid tests.
She also gave project updates on Project 8&9, WRRF Master Plan, Membrane Softening, Memorial Park drainage and striping, Phase 2 of Meters, Woodside, Beard Pavilion, ordinances, Safe Routes, Sidewalk Replacement Grant Program and Facade Enhancement Program.
Fiscal Officer Jennifer Harkey, in her personnel report, informed council that Patrolman Lee Kusz has given notice to Chief Berg that he will be submitting a letter of resignation.
Due to illness the weekend of April 24 and 25, in which they needed an extra patrolman on duty, he offered to cover the shifts instead of taking time off before his resignation.
She requested and received approval from council to allow Mr. Kusz to receive his personal leave payout upon separation, even though that is not currently their practice.
With no further business the meeting adjourned and the Committee of the Whole met at 7:45.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com