Town of Blooming Grove Board Meeting Minutes – January 23, 2007

Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Board members in attendance were: Chair Johnson, Supervisor Berg, Supervisor Linzmeier, Supervisor Stube and Supervisor Young.

Also in attendance were Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Mike Wolf, Fire Chief Glenn Linzmeier, Public Works Supervisor Tony Reigstad, and Town residents Dan Ampe, Dean Larsen, Ed Stube, Bill Powell, and Deborah Sellers.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Chair Johnson asked if the meeting notice had been properly posted, and Mike Wolf said that it had been. The agenda was reviewed, and item 2b was moved to the beginning, and item 2e moved to after item 2a.

2b. Strategic Decisions re: Costs for Stormwater and Road Projects: Considerable discussion took place about whether or not the Town should pay for the installation, maintenance and/or replacement of culverts. In the end no action was taken, but Mike Wolf was asked to write up a proposal that would have the Town paying for culverts when it is part of a Town-initiated project. This will be on a future meeting agenda.

There was also long discussion about how to manage these kinds of projects. Supervisor Stube and Supervisor Berg expressed their dissatisfaction with how the Swinburne project was done. Ed Stube supported those same views. Mike Wolf agreed that the next time a walk-through with residents before the project begins would be beneficial.

Tony Reigstad will check with other Towns, specifically asking how they do these kinds of projects – and who does the engineering work. Mike Wolf will ask the same question on the Clerks Network, so that the Board will know how other towns handle this issue.

2a. Road & Stormwater Projects for 2007: Supervisor Berg made a motion to approve the following projects for 2007:

•  The engineering work for the reconstruction of Siggelkow Road ; estimated cost: $12,700.

•  Dig out and restore the stormwater drainage ditch along the railroad tracks by Fair Oaks ; estimated cost: $5,400.

•  Several guardrails around the Town; estimated cost: $3,600.

•  Swinburne Drive , at an estimated cost of $64,000.

•  Patch a portion of Seminary Springs Road ; estimated cost: $3,200.

Supervisor Young seconded the motion, and it passed 5-0.

Mike Wolf will research the possibility of having Underdahl Road, south of the railroad tracks, vacated by the Town.

2e. Winter Parking on Alvarez Avenue and Bruns Avenue : Mike Wolf explained the uniqueness of these portions of road that have condo driveways on one side (thus preventing parking of any kind), and alternate-side parking on the other side. After some discussion, the Board instructed Mike Wolf to proceed with a Public Hearing to amend the alternate-side parking ordinance.

2d. Consideration of Dane County Amendment 9, to allow Biodiesel Manufacturing as a Conditional Use in Agricultural Business Zones: Supervisor Linzmeier made a motion to approve the amendment as presented. Chair Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed 5-0.

2f. Public Hearing on Town Ordinance 2.03, to Formally Adopt the Town's Comprehensive Smart Growth Plan: Chair Johnson opened the Public Hearing at 8:36pm. Deborah Sellers and Dean Larsen asked about the nature of this plan. It was explained that this plan took over two years to create, that it was completed in September of 2005… and only recently did the Town discover that it needs to be codified in an ordinance. No changes to the plan itself are being made. Chair Johnson closed the Public Hearing at 8:42pm.

2g. Board Action on Town Ordinance 2.03, to Formally Adopt the Town's Comprehensive Smart Growth Plan: Supervisor Young made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2.03 as presented. Chair Johnson seconded the motion, and it passed 5-0.

3a. January 9, 2007 Meeting Minutes: Supervisor Stube made a motion to approve the January 9, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Supervisor Berg seconded the motion, and it passed 5-0.

3b. Vouchers: Chair Johnson made a motion to approve the vouchers as presented. Supervisor Young seconded the motion, and it passed 5-0.

3c. Tax Refunds: Chair Johnson made a motion to approve the tax refunds as presented. Supervisor Stube seconded the motion, and it passed 5-0.

4. Public Comment: Deborah Sellers asked about the couch at 3213 Commercial Avenue , and the other furniture at the house at the corner of Furey and Powers. Mike Wolf said they had sent letters to these residents.

Deborah asked about the Rethke reconstruction project that was approved in 2005. Mike Wolf explained that this is a City of Madison project, and they have been going through their process. The City is now to the point where they plan on getting this done in late summer of this year.

Deborah suggested the Town be more diligent about ticketing alternate side parking violators. Mike Wolf explained that the Town does go out sporadically to ticket folks who are breaking the law, and will continue to do so.

Supervisor Berg asked about the status of the sale of 5005 Allis Avenue . Mike Wolf said the bids are due this Thursday at 2:00pm.

Supervisor Berg suggested the Board keep up on the news regarding the state ethics bill currently being debated in the Wisconsin legislature.

Supervisor Berg commented on the memo Mike Wolf provided to the Board regarding the possibility of urban services in April Hill and/or Rambling Acres. Supervisor Berg suggested we consider how best to approach the City so that they are likely to seriously discuss this issue.

Deborah Sellers asked when the next election would be, and Mike Wolf told her it will be February 20, 2007.

5. Adjournment – Supervisor Young made a motion to adjourn. Chair Johnson seconded, and the motion passed 5-0 at 9:09pm.

Respectfully Submitted by Mike Wolf, Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator.