Roll call showed the following members present for the meeting on this date at 6:30 p.m. Larger, Burnell, Kuck, Parker and Kronenberger. Richter was excused with a motion by Parker. Second by Kuck. Also present were Mayor Pape, Solicitor This, Fiscal Officer Speelman and Village Administrator Dicke and Chief of Police Skinner.
Visitors were Jenna Gilbert representing The Evening Leader, Sandy Schwieterman representing Sidney Daily News, Jeff Elking representing The Daily Standard, Sam Schmiesing, Jerry Doseck, Julie Langhals, Mary Ann Herriott, Edward Jellison, Ken and Rhonda Boyd, Katie Schmitt, Kevin Heitkamp, Philip Heitkamp, Theresa Heitkamp, Jeanette Staton, Patricia Nelson, Bill Miller, Doug Balster, Terry Wiegers, Louis Wiegers, Brooke Wente, Jeff Wente, Wayne Thornton, Karla Thornton, Eric Heitkamp, Chris Heitkamp, Randy Heitkamp, Peg Eilerman and Angela Hamberg.
Minutes from the April 22 meeting were approved. Motion by Larger. Second by Parker. Five ayes.
Mayor Pape made the following announcements in his Mayor’s Report:
- Thanks to everyone who helped with Spring clean-up on May 11.
- We have received OPWC grant of $500,000 and $500,000 loan for the North Franklin and Ash St $1.9 million Reconstruction Project. The remaining $900,000 will come from local funds.
- Fines, fees and forfeitures for April are $2,826.
Village Administrator Dicke gave the following report:
- Finalizing plans for the traffic signal upgrade on State Route 274. Cost will determine if both traffic signals on 274 are upgraded. The first priority will be 274 and 66 intersection.
- Waste water plant improvement are progressing.
- Leaf truck has been delivered and is in working order.
- Will be placing cement barriers at yard waste facility to create bins for grass clippings, etc. Reminder that NO concrete or dirt should be disposed at the yard waste facility.
Each year a tree is planted at school. The village no longer participates in the Tree City USA program. Discussed if this tradition should continue. Vote of approval to continue the tradition. Five ayes. Mayor and Parks Superintendent will participate in the event.
Mayor Pape announced the Bremenfest Park Concession Stand received the Gold Plate Award from Augalize County Health Department. Thanks to Mike Hibner, Parks Superintendent on upgrading the concession.
Village of Minster and Village of New Bremen, along with the Townships, have discussed the need for a Fire / EMS Consolidation study. Finding volunteers for Fire and EMS services can be challenging. Engaging in the study will help to determine if shared services could be beneficial in future years. Vote of approval to join in the study. Four ayes. Parker abstained.
Planning Commission approved a lot split of property on Herman Street owned by Crown Equipment Corp to transfer to the Village of New Bremen. This is the proposed location for an electric substation.
Several residents were in attendance to discuss concerns on the proposed location. Discussed concerns of the substation being located in a residential area, how it would affect property values, property insurance and options on obstructing the view with screening or trees. Discussed a letter prepared by GPD Group explaining the need for substation and 6 location options. Options 1 – 4 have an estimated cost of $5.2 million to $7.5 million. No estimated cost for options 5 and 6 due to the extensive amount of distribution work required. Option 1 is the lowest cost, has good geographic separation from other substations and offers excellent distribution of the four circuits that will feed out of the new substation. Option 2 offers the same benefits as option 1 but the village will need to acquire property. Option 3 is similar to options 1 and 2 but pushes substation away from existing circuits, increasing the cost. Option 4, the distribution circuits would run together, along the railroad tracks and head south. Also a need to acquire property. Council will look into acquiring land and will discuss the options at the May 28 meeting.
First Reading Ordinance 2019-5-11 Planning Commission Lot Split. Motion by Kuck. Second by Larger. Four ayes. Burnell naye.
Received loan bids from Minster Bank and First National Bank for funding the electric substation project. The bids were good for 30 days. Due to looking into different site locations and possible need to acquire land, the actual loan amount needed is uncertain. Will allow the bids to expire and rebid once the location and actual cost is set.
First Reading Ordinance 2019-5-12 Substation loan bid. Motion to table by Burnell. Second by Kronenberger. Five ayes.
Second Reading Ordinance 2019-4-9 Renew 2.0 mills levy for Ambulance and Emergency on November 2019 ballot. Motion by Kuck. Second by Burnell. Four ayes. Parker abstained.
Third Reading Ordinance 2019-4-8 Amend Employee Handbook to include Credit Card Policy and Performance Evaluation. Motion by Larger. Second by Kronenberger. Five ayes.
Third Reading Resolution 2019-4-4 Services from Choice One Engineering for the SR 274 Turn Lane Improvement Project at a cost of $62,000. Motion by Parker. Second by Burnell. Five ayes.
Parker made a motion at 7:32 p.m. to enter executive session to discuss personnel. Second by Larger. Came out of executive session at 7:55 p.m.
First Reading Ordinance 2019-5-10 Amend handbook to include Water Plant and Wastewater Plant Weekend Work Overtime Policy. Motion by Larger. Second by Kronenberger. Five ayes.
Larger made a motion to adjourn at 7:57 p.m. Second by Kronenberger. Five ayes.