Town of Richmond

Board of Supervisors Meeting

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Minutes

Chairman Jeff Karbash called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Present: Karbash, Supervisors

Susan Miller, Tom Kraus, Steve Wade, Dave Overbeek. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion to approve the Agenda by Miller, Second by Kraus, passed unanimously.

Motion to approve the Minutes by Overbeek, Second by Miller, passed unanimously.

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Reports from October and November by Kraus, Second by

Overbeek, passed unanimously.

Board Reports

Karbash – all on the agenda

Overbeek – same Miller – same Wade – same

Kraus – a business owner called re a fire call charge for a rescue he or his employees did not call in, but the caller used his address – need to be some way to correct this. Overbeek noted that he spoke to City of Delavan Treasurer about it, and after the new year, Clerk Brian Hayes and the Delavan Treasurer will work on a better system and try to determine who called for the rescue.

Sheriff’s Liaison Hintz reported not a lot going on in October, there were a couple of unresolved thefts on the south side in September from garages, etc. nothing major.

Roadman McManaway – other than the report he submitted, just working on preparation for the forecasted weather this winter.

Public Comment – Wayne Redenius asked about no in person tax collection in December – Clerk Ceas noted that anticipating recovery time from her planned surgery Treasurer Seaver had made the decision not to collect in person in December, and urged taxpayers who wanted to claim they paid in 2022 to mail their tax check to Treasurer Seaver by December 28. She will collect in person at the Town Hall in late January. Mr. Redenius then asked about missing Treasurer’s Report copies for October and November. Clerk stated she had received the reports late and did not make extras this month, will furnish them on request. He also asked about hiring aDeputy Treasurer – Clerk explained that because of her planned operation, Treasurer Seaver had appointed a Deputy to assist with the tax collection this year, and to ensure a normal succession plan for the Treasurer position. Clerk has not made the changes on the website as yet. She is retiring effective January 7, 2023, and the Board has appointed Brian Hayes to serve the remainder of her term of office. He will then run for the position.

Chair Karbash introduced Deputy Treasurer Betsy Sheets and Deputy Clerk Brian Hayes, and asked each of them to stand and give background information to the attendees, which they did.

Operator Licenses – Katelyn J. Scherer, sponsored by Badger Bob’s; Nicholas Bauer sponsored by Turtle Lake Tap & Grill; Linda Allamian, sponsored by Uncle Buck’s. After Board examination of the applications, Kraus Moved to approve all licenses; Second by Overbeek, passed unanimously.

Land Management – Public Hearing – Lawrence R. & Maegan J. Jacob request 2 Conditional Use Permits: 1) CR500004 – Create 1.5 acre SFR Building Site through a PRD, Property located at N7261 Hwy 89 ;

2) CR600001 – Create 5 acres into 2 small SFR’s as part of PRD, Property located on R/W Townline Road just east of W9373; and

3) request waiver of second Conditional Use Application Fee.

Miller asked to consider the Hwy 89 property first – parcel CR500004 . Larry Jacob explained he is asking to separate 1.5acres from the C-2 parcel and sell it, creating a PRD (Planned Residential Development) deed restriction with the remaining C-2 8.5 acres. He would clear out the buckthorn on the property so the buyer could build on the 1.5 acre parcel. Miller noted the PRD use has to do with averaging of 1.5 and 8.5 acres to allow the smaller lot sale. Speaking

For the application – Joe Staller – Jacobs are good people, committed to land conservation. Speaking Against – Tim Eisner, W9125 R/W Townline – don’t want a lot of development in the area, will move if this goes forward. Larry Jacob – goal is to keep C-2 acres undeveloped, looking ot expand the vineyard and farm, don’t plan to cut up the C-2 further. Eldon Stanton – this sets a precedent – in the past farmers were denied when they tried to do this. Mike Bergman – 4 years ago the Board didn’t let someone do this. Board discussion – Karbash – note that if denied, the C-2 land could be divided into 5acre parcels and developed. Karbash Moved to table for a larger map for better understanding of the application, Second by Overbeek, passed unanimously. This item will be on the January agenda.

Parcel CR600001 – Mr. Jacobs explained he wants to build 2 small residences on the 5 acre parcel, and use 5 acres from CR500004 to create a 10 acre deed restricted PRD. He explained the proposed driveway, parking and residence areas on the map, and his plan to use the

property for short-term Air B&B type rentals with noise restrictions, etc. He and his family will be residing on a new home on the CR500004 parcel and he would manage the rental properties. Overbeek – would want to see a copy of his rental plan. Karbash – would like more detail about house plans also. Overbeek – a campground could allow tents, etc. brought in by any renters, concerned about the Town responsibilities. Larry Jacobs – spoke to Whitewater Fire Department re access for their equipment – they need 50′ from the Town road and 20′ width and 13’6″ height for their trucks. Overbeek noted a heavy base material would be required – may need some type of commercial driveway – have liability concerns for the Town. Karbash asked about shared well and septic shown. Larry Jacob – would probably be two, and driveway of compacted gravel. Speaking For the application – Joe Staller – any residential

property could be used for short term rental, well and septic must be appropriate. Miller noted they do require short term licenses from the County. Speaking against – Tim Reid, W7893

R/W Townline – need health inspections, etc., not against, but need more research. Ed Dion, W9369 R/W Townline – new owner, live on back end of parcel, own a campground in Palmyra – Mr. Jacob will be calling the Sheriff all the time, this will be trouble, the State may require better roads. Jessie Reid – concern about vandalism, etc., from renters. Carrie Niemuth – live on Whitewater side of R/W Townline – don’t want short-term rentals, concerned about strangers, appreciate the idea for the land but not the rental, OK if sold to permanent residents. Board discussion – Kraus who would police it? Overbeek – remember about campers on private property on Whitewater Lake area, had a big problem. Miller – when we did our Comprehensive Plan, the survey produced comments to keep the rural atmosphere. Karbash – not taking away from that, but unknown about people renting, have enforcement concerns.

Kraus – people will not respect farm fields. Overbeek – concern about short-term rentals,

Board will get calls. Larry Jacobs – will cater to families and in the high price range. Overbeek

– Board needs to look to what a future owner might do. Karbash – sets precedent. Overbeek Moved to Deny this request because of potential problems, with no guarantee the plan could change, it could cause a strain on the Sheriff, fire, and rescue services, plus the neighbors’ concerns. Second by Karbash, passed unanimously.

Lake Lorraine Road Concern – Karbash received an email re concerns about the North Lake Lorraine area where it floods, asking for fences on both sides of the road to avoid cars going into the lake. Miller noted it is an “iffy” stretch of road. McManaway – generally not a straight stretch. Overbeek – could cost $100,000 to do properly, could make the Town more liable, would also need to consider Territorial Road area near pond. Kraus Moved to deny, Second by Overbeek, passed unanimously.

Radar Run – Joe Brown, noted the County ordinance revision re parking. Miller noted it applies if the Town has an ordinance re event parking. Overbeek – need to create an ordinance next year, now we can do what we did last year. He noted the new County ordinance does not include events at taverns, etc., only events on lakes or in parks. Joe Brown – they plan the same arrangements as last year for the January 28 event. Board commented it went very well last year.

Whitewater Fire & EMS Contract – Karbash noted we do not have a contract to sign, although service will continue, will table this to January.

Safety Committee for Fire & EMS Study – Karbash and Overbeek want to have the committee look into options for fire and EMS services on the north side of town, considering response times, etc. Clerk gave names from last committee meeting. Karbash – concerned about EMS response times especially, perhaps consider boundary changes. Mr. Earl Humphrey, a Turtle Lake Road resident, used EMS in the past, had a problem getting them to take him to Janesville hospital even though it was 10 minutes closer than Lakeland. Joe Staller – need a committee member who lives on the north side. Overbeek agreed – asked for suggestions, volunteers. Wayne Redenius – consider Janesville fire department for service and ask where their ambulance goes. Overbeek – meetings will be posted and published, are open to the public.

Recycling Coordinator Resignation – Karbash reported Gina McManaway has submitted her resignation. Responsibilities include two reports per year to the DNR, etc. Miller suggest Clerk takes this on. If too much for Clerk, Deputy Treasurer Sheets can assist. Motion by Miller to have Clerk Brian Hayes take over responsibilities, Second by Wade, passed unanimously.

N6468 Anderson Drive On-going Complaint – Karbash reviewed this complaint, mentioned his concerns about the property and suggested we should send a really stern letter re the broken window, invite the owner to meet with Karbash at the property, and if concerns are not addressed we will be forced to take action to condemn the building and fine the owner. Karbash will work on this with Clerk Hayes. Consensus to proceed as suggested.

Town Attorney Retainer and Legal Fees – Motion by Miller, Second by Wade, to approve Attorney’s proposal, passed unanimously. Clerk Ceas took the opportunity to advise the Board that she has been served with a legal suit re an open records request from Mr. Peter Bernegger. Mr. Bernegger asked to personally access the Dominion electronic voting tabulator that is used for all elections in the Town of Richmond to obtain records that the Clerk has no permission to access. Clerk Ceas had consulted with Town Attorney Dave Moore, the Wisconsin Elections Commission, Walworth County Clerk Susi Pike, and Dominion representative, who all agreed the records he requested are not part of the records Richmond generates or are in Clerk Ceas’ possession, so the request was denied through our Attorney. The matter will be referred to our insurance carrier. In previous lawsuits, the insurance carrier has allowed our attorney to represent the Town and then reimbursed us for the charges.

Sale of Town Property in Skansen’s Subdivision – Miller reported we received an offer to purchase for $9,325 from Mr. & Mrs. Tony Novak. Kraus – this property doesn’t cost us a dime, did some research – similar parcel is assessed at $20,000, with a fair market value of

$24,000. The neighbor with the new house paid $5,000/lot for 7 lots, this is a nice lot and we don’t need the money right now. Karbash – could get more if go through a realtor. Consensus to decline this offer, let the sign stay up. Clerk will respond to Tony Novak re his offer.

WTA – Town Advocacy Council Membership; February District Meeting – Clerk asked if there was any Board interest in either proposal – response not at this time.

Complaint – Damaged Mailbox – Roadman and Overbeek reported the mailbox had already been replaced because the plow did damage it. Clerk was not aware when agenda was finalized.

Motion to pay the bills by Wade, Second by Overbeek, passed unanimously.

Motion to Adjourn into Closed Session per WI 19.85(1)(c) to consider employee compensation and benefits, and possible bonuses by Wade, Second by Kraus, passed unanimously.

Motions in Closed Session:

1. Motion by Overbeek, Second by Kraus for bonuses: Jeremy Blue $400; Ron Ehlen $300; Paul

Yakowenko $300; Gina McManaway $400; Wally McManaway $500, passed unanimously.

2. Motion by Overbeek, Second by Kraus, to increase Roadman McManaway’s salary to $31.50/hr. to agree with Town of Whitewater, passed unanimously. Motion to Adjourn by Wade, Second by Overbeek, passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Ceas, WCMC Town Clerk