OK Plans To Name Crivitz Bandshell For Bob BerndtIssue Date: June 16, 2022 At back to back meetings starting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 13 Crivitz Village Board's Administrative & Development and Operations Committees did some in-depth discussion on a number of issues in preparation for the regular monthly board meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 20.
Several of the issues addressed will involve spending from the COVID-related ARPA fund grants, including contribution of an unspecified amount toward construction of a bandshell in the main community park.
After meeting in separate closed executive sessions members of both committees approved offering full time employment to two current part-time village employees. In open session committee members agreed the village should add two more part time positions for the summer, to work three days a week, five hours a day, starting Thursday, June 16.
First meeting of the evening was of the Administrative & Development Committee, which includes Trustees Mike Strandt (chair), Ginger Deschane and Ross Behrendt.
It was followed by the Operations Committee, which includes Trustees Jeff Dorschner (chair), Ginger Deschane, George Gocht and Stew Swanson. Also on hand for some or all of both meetings were Village President Amy Grandaw, Clerk/Treasurer Kaitlin Deschane, Public Works Director Glenn Franzen, Fire Chief Luke Deschane, Police Chief Troy Ugoretz, and a few members of the public.
A license to serve intoxicating malt beverages was approved for "Locked In Crivitz" after the committee was assured that this is not a problem as long as they are designated a recreational facility.
After discussion at the Operations Committee meeting it appears the village will be providing some funds for the "Operation Bandshell" project aimed at financing construction of a bandshell at Crivitz Community Memorial Park.
In a letter to the Operations Committee, former village President John Deschane provided updates on their efforts to make the bandshell a reality. He said said after working with George Gocht IV and Crivitz Lumber rough plans have been developed and construction cost has been estimated at approximately $200,000. The Operation Bandshell committee is asking for a contribution of $30,000 from the village, but Grandaw and committee members agreed they should wait until after fund raising events are complete to decide how much to give.
The Bandshell Committee is seeking a design architect to provide plans and artist concept drawings. The Administrative Committee gave them permission to cut down two or three large Norway Pines that will need to be removed in any case, and to use the lumber from them as siding on the pavilion.
They also tentatively approved the Operation Bandshell Committee's recommendation to name the "Bob Berndt Performing Arts Center," in honor of Berndt's many contributions to the community, "...through his years of service as the band director at the Crivitz School and his generous donation of time and talents to multiple fund raising events in our village over the years."
In his letter to the committee, John Deschane said plans are on track for the major Operation Bandshell fund raising event at the park on Saturday, Aug. 13, which they expect will raise about $10,000. However, they hope to have most of the money they need before then. Plans include performances by five bands with local ties, following an Alumni Band parade at 1 p.m. He said most of the bands have donated their time, and those that could not are being sponsored by Witt's Piggly Wiggly/Ace Hardware. Sally Witt is seeking sponsors for a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Raffle tickets are being sold for an ATV that JC Power Sports is selling to them at cost, and there will be 50/50 raffles throughout the day at the park. The raffle tickets can be purchased now for $20 each at the Village Office or the Piggly Wiggly store.
Former Village clerk/Treasurer Marilyn Padgett has lined up four food trucks to provide a variety of foods for the event, they are seeking volunteer bartenders for the beer stand, and have contracted with A.C. Jumper for bouncy houses.
Deschane said so far they have raised $27,000 toward cost of the pavilion, including a $6,000 donation from the 蔴 Women of Giving" organization, and will be selling naming rights at $10,000 each for the two side rooms in the bandshell plus a recognition plaque for $5,000. They also plan a fund-raising drive to get 100 people in the community to give $1,000 each to have their name engraved in a brick in front of the pavilion slab.
During committee discussion, Grandaw said she did not like the suggested position of the bandshell, because it will prevent people from watching their youngsters using the Little Land playground, and proposed asking the committee to move. Dorschner recalled several years ago they had suggested putting a bandshell up against the fence along the railroad tracks, and perhaps doing some work to raise the elevation in that area, and everyone seemed to feel that is still a god idea. Grandaw said she is asking the Bandshell committee to hold off on finalizing location of the bandshell.
As to the trees that need to be cut, one has to come down anyway, Grandaw said. As to the amount of the village contribution to construction cost, Grandaw said at some point they should commit a sum - probably not the $30,000 - and put it in a special account. If the Bandshell Committee raises more than the amount needed for their project the village could use the allocated money for some other projects to make the whole park better. "We're not giving them a number until after their fund raisers are over," she added, and the trustees on hand agreed.
Moving on to other issues, Franzen said the EPA is pressing to test for e-coli within eight hours. He has been approached by the Village of Wausaukee utility to do the testing for them, and would like to do it. Cost is $32 per test, which is needed once a week in May, June, July, August and September. Wausaukee will bring the samples to Crivitz, and it will save them from having to drive to Crandon. Franzen said he will not need added certification to do the testing, and proposed charging $40 per test to cover extra costs.
Trustee Gocht felt the $40 was a bit low, and the committee agreed with his recommendation to charge $45 per test to be sure all costs are covered.
Franzen described work to be done on reconstruction of Rosa Ave. with financing through a TAP grant, if approved. Construction area for the $650,000 Rosa Street project would be from Louisa to the west end of FJ street, including shouldering and ditching on portions, and changing the slope at an intersection that currently is so steep that it's often hard for vehicles to stop in winter because sand will not stay on the ice. Swanson commented there have been a number of accidents at that intersection.
There is a 90-day window for review of the grant application, and if approved the grant will pay 80 percent of the cost, leaving the village cost at $130,000, which Franzen pointed out is what they spend to pave about four blocks of a village street. They should know by the end of the year if the application is approved, and if so, they have until 2028 to do the project.
To questions from Swanson, Franzen said the work will not impact landscaping at the cemetery.
After an explanation from Franzen the committee approved having the handrails at the wastewater treatment plant replaced by Richlen Construction at a cost of $11,215. Franzen said the original galvanized metal handrails are rusting and he had contacted Brewer Metals to replace them. Cost for them to put in the galvanized rails some years ago was $30,000. Franzen said Brewer Metals told him they could not get the job done this year so he contacted Richlen and they will build and install all new stainless steel rails for the $11,215. Money will come from the $500,000 WWTP Replacement Fund. Committee members agreed he should go along with the Richlen offer, with a not to exceed price of $12,500.
Franzen has been having some sewers cleaned and televised to determine source of leakage.
Fire Chief Deschane said they are crunching numbers on their long range plan, but they are not done yet. He said the air conditioning is out on the department's 4 wheel drive pickup truck, which is important when firefighters need a place to cool off. He was authorized to get repairs done for not more than $1,000.
Deschane and the assistant fire chief were authorized to attend a Fire Chief's conference for two and a half days for not more than $1,200, including lodging, meals, equipment and training. Chief Deschane said this is the first in-person training session since the COVID pandemic closures in 2020.
After explanations by Grandaw the board agreed to move forward with purchase and installation of a programmable "reader board" sign at Triangle Park for not more than $18,000. Grandaw said a lot of people in the area are not on social media, and also do not read the newspaper, so the sign is an added way to make them aware of community events like parades, special shopping hours, garbage pickup changes, etc.
Grandaw said they have money budgeted for holiday decorations, and this sign could fall into that category, since it can be decorated with seasonal holiday photos as well as helpful information. Grandaw said she had been looking at available Christmas decorations and feels the ones they have now are better than any that are being offered for sale.
Grandaw said the sign will be placed on the County W side of Triangle Park, not facing Hwy. 141, to avoid causing too much distraction there. The committee approved asking the full board to allow spending not more than $18,000 on the proposed sign.
Improvements continue on the new parking lot being built to serve Don Brooks Park, and the board approved spending not more than $17,000 of ARPA funds. Estimates total $16,715 to remove stumps, strip top soil, haul away debris and level the parking lot. Swanson suggested paving the approaches when they do the rest of the new parking lot.
There was no action needed on an animal control issue. Clerk Deschane said she had spoken with Countryside Veterinary and if the animal control officer calls ahead they will take any dog and change nothing.
On a suggestion from Grandaw the committee agreed to do nothing on landscaping at Littleland Playscape, just just get it cleaned up for the 4th of July celebration and the Aug. 13 bandshell fund raiser and then wait until the bandshell is done before making any changes.
Chief Ugoretz said he is hoping to get a $7,000 grant from the state for two new police radios.
Swanson and Behrendt mentioned complaints about recent street sweeping work. One was that debris had been emptied into someone's yard, and another that the sweeper was throwing up a lot of dust. The problems had apparently been rectified before the meeting.
Replacement lights were approved for the softball field at a cost not to exceed $1,500.
At the Administrative Committee meeting clerk/Treasurer Deschane described the benefits of a new computer program, "HeyGov" which she said will save her office large amounts of time, and be very convenient for village residents as well, since they will be able to do things on-line, like pay their utility bills.
Building permits can be entered on-line, and Chief Ugoretz said having a digital router will also help with communications for the Police Department.
The committee agreed to recommend buying a 1,600 block of hours for approximately $1,300, plus a startup fee of $1,500.
"That's cheap compared to hiring an IT person," Grandaw commented.
There was brief discussion but no action on need to update the village's anti-harassment ordinance, in view of today's technology. Grandaw commented telephone harassment is "somewhat ancient," and on-line harassment is what happens now.
The board will be asked to approve paying for ATV/UTV trail signs from ARPA funds. However, Berendt commented that without an ordinance the village has no control over where the vehicles go and what they do.
The full board meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20.
Recent stories, opinions and photos
|
| |
|
Yes
No
Undecided
