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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Apr 10, 2007
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
(Town meeting room, modular building at Sevastopol School)

MINUTES

Call to Order:
Chairman Leo Zipperer called the Annual Town Meeting to order at 7:00
p.m.  The Chairman stated that although not required by law, an agenda
 had been prepared to assist in an orderly conduct of the meeting and
identifying topics for possible discussion.  The annual town meeting
may transact any business over which it has statutory authority; Wis.
Stats., sec. 60.11(6).  Only qualified electors may make a motion,
which must be seconded, for which the town meeting has authority, and
vote.

Determine Proper Notice:
It was determined that proper notice had been provided, having been
posted in three public places, with an affidavit of posting on file,
and notice also having been published in the Door County Advocate on
April 4, 2007.

Welcome/Meet & Greet:
Town Board Chairman Leo Zipperer welcomed those attending and
introductions were as follows:  Town Chairman and District 14 County
Board Supervisor Leo Zipperer, Supervisor and Vice Chairman Tom
Girman, Supervisor Dan Woelfel, Supervisor Chuck Tice, Supervisor John
Staveness, Clerk/Treasurer Linda Wait, Mike Konecny of Schenck S.C.
(auditor), residents and visitors:  Laddie Chapman, Ron Shefchik, Dale
Neinas, Heather Fellner-Spitz, Pat Miller, Bob Stracka, Dick Shappell,
Joe Majeski, Joe Jilot, Roger Peterson, District 15 County Board
Supervisor Biz Virlee, Jane Luebker, Tom Luebker, Tom Notz, Mike Kaye,
Tom Soik, Sandy Soik, Lawrie Krull, Bob Graef, Charlie Jarman, Betty
Kiehnau, John Thenell, Donna Thenell and Tim Newton.  There were 28
electors in attendance.

Official Oath and Swearing In of Elected Officers:
Leo W. Zipperer, having been re-elected to the office of Chairman, and
Tom Girman and John Staveness, having been re-elected to the office of
Supervisor, on April 3, 2007, were administered the oath of office by
the Clerk.  The official oaths and conflict of interest statements
were placed on file.

Pledge of Allegiance:  
The Chairman asked all to rise and join in reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance.

Matters for Discussion/Review/Status:
•  Town Office/Meeting Room.  Dan Woelfel, as Chairman of the Ad Hoc
Building & Property Committee, indicated that several potential
properties have been identified and that a new Town hall should have a
presence in the community.  The Committee has looked at 8 to 10
possible locations and will need to address a number of concerns and
criteria as to location, building size and style, parking areas,
cable/high speed internet access, voting and accessibility
requirements, and storage, etc.   The Committee will be meeting
regularly to move forward on this project.
●  Newsletter.  Dan Woelfel reported that the most recent issue
of the Sevastopol Town Newsletter was delivered to box holders in time
for Christmas.  The newly added lighted Christmas tree at the Town
Park in Institute was featured in that issue and received alot of good
feedback from our citizens.  Other articles included updates from the
various committees, including Smart Growth (Comprehensive Plan). 
Again, Laddie Chapman was thanked for his good work on the
newsletters.    If you are interested in writing an article, please
contact Dan.  Pat Miller felt it was good “PR” for the Town, hopes it
will continue and felt the money was well spent.

Special Report – 7:15 p.m. – Audit 2006:
Mike Konecny of Schenck S.C. provided an explanation and summary of
the Annual Financial Report for the year ending December 31, 2006.  As
required by Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), this
report included the following:
● Independent Auditors’ Report on Basic Financial Statements
● Basic Financial Statements:
Statement of Net Assets and Activities
Balance Sheet (General Fund)
Statement of Revenues, Expenditures and
Changes in Fund Balance
Budget and Actual
● Notes to Basic Financial Statements
● Supplemental Information:
Detail of Budgeted and Actual Revenues and Expenditures
● Management Letter
●  Report on Internal Control over Financial Report and on
Compliance.
●  Schedule of Findings and Responses

As in previous years, Mike indicated that there are no unusual items
and that the financial statements fairly present the financial
position and the financial activities of the Town.  He reported a
healthy financial position, with no long term debt and adequate
unrestricted funds for reserve or unplanned contingencies.  The
financial reports, statement of revenue and expenditures, with fund
balance sheets, show comparisons between actual and budget amounts for
the year 2006 and prior year 2005.   It is recommended that the
general fund balance be maintained at two months of expenditures, or
15% to 25% of the annual budget as a reasonable amount for the general
fund. 

Mike continued with an explanation of the contents of the Report on
Compliance and Internal Control.  Tests for compliance were performed
and the results disclosed no instances of noncompliance which would be
required to be reported.   The Town has a combined clerk-treasurer
position and no change is recommended, as this is the most efficient
way to operate in towns and villages of similar size.  There are no
lawsuits and no contingent liabilities.  

New Items:
● Video Legislation.   Tom Soik, Town resident and operator of
the Sevastopol PEG channel, in conjunction with the Sturgeon Bay
access systems, voiced his concern with the recently proposed
legislation regarding the “Video Competition Bill.” Tom felt the bill
would abrogate the cable franchise agreements which were presently in
place, take local control away from the communities and place
impractical requirements upon PEG channels.  He asked that the Town
consider a resolution to oppose the bills, as drafted.  Tom Girman
suggested the matter be brought to the Board of Supervisors on April
16th.

Elector Concerns:
●  Ron Shefchik, Junior High/High School Principal for
Sevastopol Schools, asked if there were any plans for skinning the
softball field, could the drainage problems be fixed, or if alternate
plans will need to be made.  Dan Woelfel, a member of the Dam, Park &
Rec Board, responded that the question of a regulation field and
personal preference has been an ongoing topic.  At present, we do not
have the dollars in our budget and noted that the School has decided
to go to the Jacksonport field.  Dan indicated we also have to
maintain the fields for Babe Ruth, the Institute Cubs, Legion and JV
games, and the womens/mens league games.  The main issue is how to
deal with the field (drainage) and the costs to skin.  Dale Neinas
said he and others would be willing to help—they are looking at this
as a long term deal, a field that the School can call home, with a
home field advantage.  Leo Zipperer commented that $12,000-$13,000
went into renovation on the south field and that Mike Kaye also
indicated he would look for community funding.  Heather Fellner-Spitz
felt that from a competitive standpoint, the girls wanted to plan on a
skinned field.  Charlie Jarman agreed that many people use the fields
and felt we should share in the costs and get it done, in light of
their success at State level.  Joe Majeski suggested we plan ahead for
next year and hope to play our games at home.  Mike Kaye indicated
that the players preferred a skinned field.   Zipperer said the
decision will be before the Dam, Park & Rec Board and then their
recommendation will come to the Town Board.

New Items:
●  Room Tax.  John Thennel asked for a status report on the Room
Tax issue.  Zipperer responded that there will be a Special Board
meeting on Wednesday, April 12th, wherein the Board will act to
approve, deny or table an ordinance for the collection of tax on
overnight lodging.  Chuck Tice, as our appointment to the Tourism Zone
Commission, has been attending meetings and provided a brief history
of the room tax and tourism zone proposal, initiated in August 2006. 
Karen Raymore, DCVB (former Door County Chamber of Commerce), has
presented samples and proposals to the various municipalities as to
the Tourism Zone Commission Agreement, Tourism Entity Agreement and
Room Tax Ordinance.  Joint meetings were also conducted through the
Municipal Taxpayers Commission for discussion, suggestions and
corrections which would be acceptable to the municipalities. We look
at the ordinance used by the Town of Liberty Grove and created our
draft from that.  
	Tice went on to explain the Commission and its makeup, funding,
authority and process for collection of the room tax and the hiring of
administrators to promote Door County tourism. Tice explained that
transient lodging was defined as 30 days or less and that Wis. Stats.
grants municipalities the authority to impose a room tax, with 70% to
be spent on advertising and promotion and 30% to be retained by the
Town.  The 4% maximum allowed for operational expense comes out of the
70% collected.  Bob Graef and John Thenell commented as lodging
providers on a small scale.
	Zipperer said that the room tax matter had come before the Town Board
back in 1998 and at that time, the Town did go on notice to accept it;
however, other municipalities did not join in.  He indicated that
tourism, as our biggest industry, needs to be promoted.  These are
funds that would be available for our use and not have to go on the
tax levy. 

Matters for Review/Status Updates:
• Comprehensive Plan - Smart Growth.   John Staveness, as new Chairman
of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, indicated that the Committee is
currently reviewing Chapter 7, out of the 14 Chapters that need to be
addressed.  There will be a public meeting on land issues (zoning,
commercial, ag, land use) and landowners will be receiving a postcard
with the date, time and place.  We are hoping for a large turnout and
public participation.  You can view the status of our Comprehensive
Plan process at the Omnni (our consultant) website.
● Fire Protection.  Tom Girman, Chairman of the Fire/Rescue
Service Committee, reported our new formula for fire protection cost
is now based on (i) the value of new improvements or (ii) increase in
the fire department’s operating budget, with a cap of 5% on the
increase.  We were previously paying up to an 11% increase from year
to year, and this new agreement is a good deal for the Town.  The
Sturgeon Bay Fire Department provides a regular monthly report and
also an annual report, with details on calls and response time.
●  Revaluation.  Linda Wait reported on the reassessment and
complete revaluation completed by Associated Appraisal Consultants in
2006, at a total cost of $117,000.   A reassessment is an attempt to
bring property up to market values, so that everyone pays their
equitable share.  The market value for waterfront property has
increased substantially over the years.  Many property owners
participated in the Open Book session and the formal Board of Review
process—all went well.
  ●  Burn Barrels/Burning Permits.  Leo Zipperer stated that
burn permits are issued in hopes of making citizens more aware of what
should and should not be burned.  At this point, we will continue
issuing the burn and burn barrel permits.  If you need a permit,
contact any of the Board members, the clerk, or one of the fire
marshals, Hugh Daubner, Tom Jung, Margi Zipperer and Pat Welsing.

New Items for Discussion:
●  Citizen Committee Interests.  Zipperer indicated that we will
be appointing new committee members and any citizen having a specific
interest in serving on a committee is urged to contact him or the
clerk.  There were 22 new faces last appointment.
●  Annexation.  Zipperer mentioned that the City of Sturgeon Bay
has extra-territorial zoning for up to 1-1/2 miles or annexation
authority for up to one (1) mile, although he has not heard any
preliminaries on the matter.

Elector Concerns:
•  Laddie Chapman commented on several matters:  (i) the declining
enrollment at Sevastopol Schools; (ii) younger people not returning to
Door County; (iii) affordable housing; and (iv) need for workers.  He
felt the upcoming Land Use public meeting would be a perfect time to
talk about this issue and suggest ways to accomplish our goals.
●  Pat Miller is concerned with the weed and algae growth in our
waters.  She is asking that the Board consider promoting awareness of
phosphate and ask citizens to reduce or eliminate their use of
phosphate in lawn fertilizer and dishwasher detergent.  Pat felt this
would be a good item for the newsletter.  Motion by Pat Miller that
the Town of Sevastopol promote, encourage and mobilize its citizens to
use non-phosphate lawn fertilizers and dishwasher detergents and ask
for those non-phosphate products of retailers.  Seconded by Laddie
Chapman.  Charlie Jarman commented that this did not include
agricultural fertilizers, which are regulated by the State.  Motion
carried, 10-aye, 7-nay.
●  There was a brief discussion on trash collection.  It was the
consensus that many were opposed and the matter is tabled
indefinitely.
●  Charlie Jarman thanked the Town for the ditching and the
clearance at corners for better line of traffic views.
●  Bob Stracka thanked the Board for its resolution establishing
the “Clark Lake Advisory Council” several years ago.  The Clark Lake
Advancement Association did receive a grant and the water quality
study is complete.  With the Town of Jacksonport, working together we
can accomplish much.
●  Roger Peterson, who serves as an election inspector,
commented that the clerk does a good job with the elections.
●  Leo Zipperer indicated there will be a new U.S. Cellular
tower on Whitefish Bay Road in Valmy and that the Door County Planning
Department has confirmed its compliance and authorization.
●  Linda Wait thanked Pat Miller and Betty Kiehnau, who assisted
her with refreshments tonight.  She also gave positive comments on the
website, the Christmas tree, the newsletter, and the “Welcome to Town
of Sevastopol” signage.
●  Pat Miller expressed her thanks to Laddie Chapman for his
volunteerism in taping meetings and other events.

Resolutions:   None submitted.

Adjournment:
Motion by Bob Graef and seconded by Charlie Jarman to adjourn  the
Annual Meeting to Tuesday, April 8, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously.
 Adjourned at 9:15 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Wait, Clerk/Treasurer
Town of Sevastopol

[approved 4/8/08]
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