Merrimac public meetings in 2020
9 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Village Board Budget Hearing
The Village Board unanimously approved the 2021 budget and six related resolutions in a single roll-call vote, covering personnel cost allocation, use of park fund reserves for tree removal, purchase of a mower, use of fund balance for the general fund deficit, a transfer to the parks fund, and budget adoption. The board also approved a contract with Wipfli CPAs for the 2020 financial audit and renewed a contract with Gardiner Appraisal Service LLC for 2021-2022. The administrator was directed to draft a resolution prohibiting firearms in Village Hall, following a discussion during the election.
- Approved 2021 budget and six resolutions (personnel costs, tree removal, mower purchase, deficit funding, parks fund transfer) — unanimous
- Approved contract with Wipfli CPAs for 2020 financial audit — unanimous
- Approved renewal of Gardiner Appraisal Service LLC contract for 2021-2022 — unanimous
- Approved consent agenda items 3a-d as posted — motion carried
- Approved payment of outstanding monthly bills — unanimous
- Directed administrator to draft a firearms prohibition resolution for Village Hall — no formal vote
Merrimac Village Board Special
The Merrimac Village Board held a special meeting on September 22, 2020, to pre-plan the 2021 budget. The board approved several resolutions and motions, including wage increases for two employees, inclusion in the Wisconsin Retirement System, and a two-step sewer rate increase. The board also approved expenditures for equipment and maintenance. Earlier, on September 8, the board approved a commercial building inspection ordinance, discontinued participation in the CDBG program, and took actions to address wastewater treatment plant issues.
- Approved Resolution 2020-02-09 on wage guidance for hourly employees (4-1)
- Approved wage increase for Justin Schultz to $23.28/hr (4-1)
- Approved wage increase for Derek Peetz to $19.51/hr (4-1)
- Approved Resolution 2020-03-09 for Wisconsin Retirement System inclusion (4-1)
- Approved Resolution 2020-04-09 for ICHRA health coverage (4-1)
- Approved Resolution 2020-05-09 to levy for debt (4-1)
- Approved two-step sewer rate increase for October 13 meeting (4-1)
- Approved expenditures for pole saw, pipe cleaning, and pump replacement (all ayes)
Village Board Special
The Village Board unanimously approved a job offer to Brian Mooney for the Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer position, including a $60,000 base salary, $5,000 moving allowance, and benefits. The board also approved spending $7,000 for two new pumps at Lift Station 5, hired Country Plumber for lift station cleaning, and approved several other actions including refinancing loans, a property tax penalty waiver, and a water rate increase application.
- Approved job offer to Brian Mooney as Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer (unanimous)
- Approved $7,000 for two new pumps at Lift Station 5 (unanimous)
- Hired Country Plumber to assist DPW with lift station cleaning (unanimous)
- Approved Klecker Land Division (unanimous)
- Approved Borowski Boat House Conditional Use Permit (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution 2020-01-07 waiving property tax interest/penalties (unanimous)
- Authorized refinancing of Village loans, lowering debt service from ~$171K to ~$135K (unanimous)
- Approved application for 3% water rate increase through PSC (unanimous)
Village Board
The Village Board appointed Amy Buffardi to fill a board vacancy, approved a $45,000 budget for a new pickup truck, and approved $53,150 for SCADA upgrades. At a special meeting, the board approved $55,000 for sewer pump repairs and a $6,900 sewer main repair, funded by an internal loan. The Plan Commission discussed a cabin proposal and a private water/sewer system for the Senger property, but made no final decisions on those items.
- Appointed Amy Buffardi to fill board vacancy (motion carried)
- Approved $45,000 for purchase of Ram 2500 pickup truck and budget amendments (all ayes)
- Approved $53,150 for SCADA computer/monitor replacement (all ayes)
- Approved Resolution 2020-01-05 for reimbursement of expenditures (motion carried)
- Approved $29,600 for LS1 pump repair (Option 3) (all ayes)
- Approved $15,800 for LS2 pump replacement (Option 4) (all ayes)
- Approved $6,900 for Baraboo St sewer repair (all ayes)
- Approved $55,000 internal loan to sewer utility at 1.76% interest (all ayes)
Village Board Special
The Village Board appointed Amy Buffardi to fill a board vacancy, approved a $53,150 SCADA computer upgrade, and purchased a new Ram 2500 pickup truck. The board also set a new 5:00 p.m. meeting time and approved several other administrative items.
- Appointed Amy Buffardi to vacant Board seat (motion carried)
- Approved $53,150 SCADA computer/monitor upgrade (all ayes)
- Approved purchase of Ram 2500 pickup truck, up to $45,000 (all ayes)
- Approved building permit fees with 25% Village share (motion carried)
- Appointed Margaret Budde as Interim Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer at $7.25/hour (3-0, President abstained)
- Changed future Board meetings to 5:00 p.m. (motion carried)
- Approved $6,900 sewer repair on Baraboo St. (all ayes)
- Approved $55,000 for pump repairs at LS1 and LS2 (all ayes)
Village Board
The Village Board approved interim personnel designations following Robert Geenen's resignation, including Margaret Budde as volunteer administrative assistant, Tana Holmblad as Village Administrator pro tem, Ron Senger as Acting Village Administrator, and Robin Meier as accounting consultant. The board also voted to begin advertising for a new Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer.
- Approved Margaret Budde as volunteer administrative assistant (motion carried)
- Approved Tana Holmblad as Village Administrator pro tem (motion carried)
- Approved Ron Senger as Acting Village Administrator, 20 hours/week (motion carried)
- Approved Robin Meier as accounting consultant (motion carried)
- Approved advertising for new Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer (motion carried)
Village Board
The Merrimac Village Board approved new fee rates for snow removal and grass mowing services, adopted the February budget comparison, and approved the purchase of playground swings for Voll Park. The board also approved payment of bills and minutes from prior meetings, and entered closed session to discuss personnel matters.
- Approved payment of bills and prepaid expenses (unanimous)
- Accepted February Budget Comparison by fund (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from February 11, 2020 Board meeting and January 11, 2020 Village Caucus (unanimous)
- Approved purchase of playground swings for Voll Park from Mid-States Recreation (unanimous)
- Adopted new fees: snow removal $35, grass mowing typical lot $55, large lot actual time, tractor/brush hog $225 (unanimous)
- Convened closed session to evaluate Village Administrator and discuss Deputy Clerk hiring (unanimous)
Village Board
The Village Board approved a conditional use permit for Ethan Kent's larger storage outbuilding on Lu Foster Lane, allowing it to remain at its current location with a painting requirement. The motion carried 3-0 with two abstentions, after a prior motion to move the building north failed without a second. The board also approved amended bill payments, a $500 donation to the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, and motions to begin a SWOT analysis and apply for an Alliant Energy grant for playground equipment.
- Approved storage outbuilding at current location for Ethan Kent, with painting required (3 ayes, 2 abstaining)
- Denied motion to move outbuilding north (failed without a second)
- Approved amended bill payments: General $17,702.82, Sewer $4,010.45, Water $698.45 (all ayes)
- Approved minutes from January 14, 2020 meeting (motion carried)
- Approved beginning SWOT analysis process coordinated through Plan Commission (motion passed)
- Approved applying for Alliant Energy grant for playground equipment at Voll Park (motion passed)
- Approved $500 support to Oak Hill Cemetery Association (all ayes)
Village Board
The Village Board approved routine items including bill payments, December 2019 financial reports, and prior meeting minutes. They also approved an engagement letter with Wegner CPAs, $50 year-end bonuses for all employees, and advertising for a Deputy Clerk position. A proposal to rezone property for Olson Marina was withdrawn by the applicant, and no action was taken on paying off a water tower loan or refinancing a BCPL loan.
- Approved payment of bills and prepaid expenses (all ayes)
- Accepted December 2019 financial reports for Water, Sewer, and General Funds (all ayes)
- Approved minutes from December 10, 2019 meeting (all ayes)
- Approved engagement letter with Wegner CPAs for 2019 financial compilation (all ayes)
- Approved $50 year-end bonuses for all Village employees (all ayes)
- Approved advertising for Deputy Clerk position with start date of April 1 (all ayes)
- Rezoning for Olson Marina withdrawn by applicant; no action taken
- No action on paying off 2014 Water Tower loan or refinancing BCPL loan