Ladysmith public meetings in 2021

Council Prior

The Ladysmith Common Council will hold its regular meeting, considering adoption of Ordinance 2021-07 on drug or criminal gang houses, receiving an annual summary of the Corbett Lake Long-Range Management Plan, and reviewing public works items including a change order for downtown street projects and an engineering proposal for Flambeau Ave. The meeting also includes routine reports, licenses, and two closed sessions for a TIF developer grant and hiring a Deputy Clerk/Treasurer.

• Ordinance 2021-07 Drug or Criminal Gang Houses
• Change Order #2 (Final) $29,110.61 for 2021 Downtown Street projects
• Engineering proposal from Morgan and Parmley for Flambeau Ave, not to exceed $20,200
• Closed session to consider TIF Developer Grant
• Closed session to consider hiring candidate for Deputy Clerk/Treasurer

Council Prior

The Ladysmith Common Council will consider several action items, including a resolution to commit match funds for a state grant, approval of a bid for a mural framework, and a closed-session discussion on selling a city-owned lot. They will also discuss snow removal practices and hear reports from committees and staff.

• Resolution 2021-26 committing match funds for DOA Neighborhood Investment Fund grant application
• Verdegan Construction bid of $8,480 for mural framework at former Farmer's Market site
• Amendment to Offer to Purchase on city-owned property to extend closing date
• Discussion of snow removal practices
• Closed session to consider offer to purchase city-owned CDBG lot

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee discussed the need for a new hiring practices ordinance, as none currently exists. They reviewed current city policies and procedures for filling vacancies. No formal action was taken, but Chairman West was asked to draft a document outlining proposed revisions for future discussion. The meeting adjourned without any votes.

• Discussed the need for a hiring practices ordinance, as none currently exists.
• Reviewed current city personnel policy and Code of Ordinances sections 2-3-3 through 2-3-14.
• Requested Chairman West to draft a document outlining proposed revisions for future committee review.
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:01 p.m. without taking formal action.

Planning Commission

The Ladysmith Planning Commission is holding public hearings and considering resolutions to create five new Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs #13–#17) and approve their project plans and boundaries. The meeting is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at Ladysmith City Hall Council Chambers. After the hearings, the commission will vote on resolutions for each district. This is a substantive agenda focused entirely on the creation of these five districts.

• Public hearing and action on Resolution #2021-14 creating TID #13
• Public hearing and action on Resolution #2021-15 creating TID #14
• Public hearing and action on Resolution #2021-16 creating TID #15
• Public hearing and action on Resolution #2021-17 creating TID #16
• Public hearing and action on Resolution #2021-18 creating TID #17

Park Board

The Ladysmith Park Board is meeting to discuss and vote on several park-related items, including a splash pad, skate park, game table donations, tennis/pickleball courts, signage, barricades, shoreline mowing, pickleball league use, and a memorial bench. Public comments will be heard.

• Splash Pad Discussion
• Skate Park Discussion
• Donation of game tables (Mary Hash)
• Tabled Memorial Park Tennis/Pickle Ball Courts
• Signage regarding no ATVs, UTVs, & Golfcarts

Council Prior

The Ladysmith Common Council is holding a special meeting to consider operator license applications for the Tee-Away Golf & Supper Club. The agenda contains only this licensing action plus standard procedural items.

• Action on operator license applications for Tee-Away Golf & Supper Club
• Special meeting at 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2021, at Ladysmith City Council Chamber, 107 W. Second Street South

Community Development Committee Prior

The Ladysmith Community Development Block Grant Committee is meeting to approve prior minutes, transfer funds from Administration to Project Rehabilitation, and discuss and take action on CDBG loan request 21-L-60. The meeting is open to the public and includes other CDBG and housing rehabilitation discussion.

• Transfer of funds from Administration to Project Rehabilitation
• Discussion and action on CDBG loan request 21-L-60

Council Prior

The Ladysmith Common Council is meeting to consider several action items, including a $22,770 contract to paint a locomotive and rail cars, a recommendation to appoint a new Street Superintendent, and possible changes to a downtown street. The council will also review proposals for environmental and design work on an industrial addition.

• Review and possible approval of Ryan Jack Painting Co. proposal to power wash and paint locomotive and 3 rail cars for $22,770
• Review and possible action on Personnel Committee's recommendation to appoint Monte Pearson as Street Superintendent
• Discussion and possible action to change W 3rd St from Worden Ave to Miner Ave back to a two-way street
• Review and approve proposal from SEH for environmental review work for proposed industrial addition
• Review and approve proposal from SEH on design work for proposed industrial addition

Community Development Committee Prior

The Ladysmith CDBG/RLF Housing Committee approved a $6,500 down payment assistance loan for project 21-L-61. The motion was made by D. Lane, seconded by K. Brown, and carried, with Mayor Vacho abstaining. The committee also approved the minutes from the April 16, 2021 meeting unanimously. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved $6,500 down payment assistance loan for project 21-L-61 (motion carried, Vacho abstained)
• Approved minutes of April 16, 2021 meeting (unanimous)

Meeting

The Ladysmith Community Development Block Grant Committee is meeting to discuss and take action on CDBG loan request 21-L-61, as well as other CDBG and housing rehabilitation matters. The meeting is open to the public and will also include approval of the previous meeting's minutes.

• Discussion and action on CDBG loan request 21-L-61
• Other CDBG and housing rehabilitation discussion
• Approval of minutes from April 16, 2021 meeting

Board of Review

The Ladysmith Board of Review is reconvening to hold a hearing on an objection to the real property assessment filed by Walmart Real Estate Business Trust for parcel #246-03659-0010. The meeting includes roll call and adjournment, with the assessment objection as the sole substantive item.

• Hearing on objection to real property assessment filed by Walmart Real Estate Business Trust, Parcel #246-03659-0010

The 2021 Board of Review hearing was called to order at 10:00 a.m. on May 14, 2021, but the property owner, Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust, and its representatives were not in attendance. After waiting until 10:12 a.m., the board voted unanimously to adjourn without conducting any substantive review.

• Adjourned 2021 Board of Review hearing after property owner failed to appear (4-0)

Council Prior

The council adopted Ordinance 2021-03, changing the zoning of the former elementary school property from R1 to R3, and approved several contracts and purchases. It tabled adoption of the Rusk County Hazard Mitigation Plan until May 24. The council also approved the 2021 sidewalk bid, summer staff hiring, and a $300 donation to Project Graduation.

• Adopted Ordinance 2021-03 rezoning former elementary school from R1 to R3 (unanimous)
• Tabled Resolution 2021-07 on Hazard Mitigation Plan until May 24 (unanimous)
• Approved $28,050 sidewalk/curb bid from D C Crete (7-0)
• Authorized summer staff hiring at $13/hr (unanimous)
• Approved $15,000 for CWF/SDWL applications for street projects (6-0)
• Donated $300 to Project Graduation (5-1, 1 abstain)
• Approved surplus bids: $5 topper, $1,700 panels, $150 scoreboard (6-0)
• Approved $5,750 fence removal at Mt Senario (5-1)

Board of Review

The Ladysmith Board of Review is meeting to review and certify the 2021 assessment roll, correct errors, and hear property owner objections. The board will also handle administrative tasks like selecting officers and verifying training requirements. This is a routine annual meeting for property assessment appeals.

• Certify corrections of error under Wis. Stats. sec. 70.43
• Review and receive the annual assessment roll from the assessor
• Consider waivers of 48-hour notice for objections
• Hear property tax objections if proper notice given
• Schedule additional Board of Review dates if needed

The Ladysmith Board of Review convened, elected officers, and confirmed compliance with notice requirements. The board unanimously denied Walmart's requests to waive the hearing and to testify by telephone, and scheduled a hearing for May 14, 2021 to consider Walmart's property assessment objection. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Elected Marty Reynolds as Chairman (4-1)
• Elected Kalvin Vacho as Vice-Chairman (unanimous)
• Denied Walmart's request to waive Board of Review hearing (unanimous)
• Denied Walmart's request to testify by telephone (unanimous)
• Scheduled hearing for Walmart's assessment objection on May 14, 2021 (unanimous)

Council Prior

The Ladysmith Common Council is holding its organizational meeting to swear in members, elect a Council President, and assign committee roles. They will also discuss and possibly act on Ordinance 2021-02, consider changing from standing committees to a different format, and approve pulverizing work for summer road projects. The meeting includes public comment, reports from police, public works, and the administrator, and a closed session to discuss a lease and possible purchase of city-owned property.

• Election of Council President
• Discussion and possible action on Ordinance 2021-02
• Action to approve pulverizing work on potential summer road projects
• Approval of Mayor's appointments to commissions and boards
• Closed session to discuss lease and possible purchase of city-owned property

Council Prior

The Council will hold a public hearing regarding proposed special assessments for curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements. The meeting also includes discussions on TIF funding for park enhancements and applications for state funding.

• Public hearing on special assessments for Lake Ave, First Street, E 2nd St, W 3rd St, and W 4th St
• Action to allocate TIF funding for 2021 park enhancement project matching Veterans Pavilion funds
• Action to apply for $1.65 million in WI Department of Administration special projects funding
• Review of Corbett Lake Long Range Plan update
• Action on operator license applications and alcohol beverage licenses

Finance Committee Prior

The Finance Committee reviewed monthly invoices and approved payment. The motion to approve was made by B. Groothousen, seconded by J. Kenyon, and carried unanimously.

• Approved monthly paid invoices (unanimous)