Town of Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin : Town Board : Town Board Minutes

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ANNUAL MEETING
Apr 14, 2009
MINUTES

	Town Board Chairman Leo Zipperer explained that although an agenda is
not required by law, one has been prepared to assist in an orderly
conduct of the meeting.  The annual town meeting may transact any
business over which it has statutory authority; Wis. Stats., sec.
60.11(6).  

Determine Proper Notice:
	It was determined that proper notice had been provided, having been
posted in three public places, and having been published in the Door
County Advocate on March 28, 2009 and on April 4, 2009, with an
affidavit of such posting and publication on file.
 
Welcome/Meet & Greet:
	Chairman Leo Zipperer welcomed residents and guests to the brand new
Town Hall and community room, indicating that tours and refreshments
will follow the meeting.  Introductions were as follows:  Town Board
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; Residents Betty Kiehnau, Jean Tice, Roger Bochek, Josie
Bochek, George Evenson, Dick Shapell, Richard (Biz) Virlee, John Paul,
Wayne Eastman, Lawrie Kull, Mary Jeanne Kacmarynski, John Kacmarynski,
Paul Wickmann, Carl Scholz, Bob Stracka, Jerri Girman, Everett
Roberts, Margi Zipperer, Dale Carlson, Arlene Woelfel, Pat Miller,
Peter Wyatt, Victoria L. Cerinich, Laddie Chapman, Peter Hurth and
Mary Richardson; Visitors Paige Funkhauser and Kara Beeck and Greg
Meissner.  There were 30 electors in attendance (compared with 15 last
year).
	Arriving at 7:15, Mike Konecny of Schenck, S.C., to present the 2008
financial statements and audit.  
	
Pledge of Allegiance:  
	The Chairman asked all to rise and join in reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance.

Official Oath and Swearing In of Elected Officers:
	Chairman Zipperer, Supervisor Tom Girman and Supervisor John
Staveness, having been re-elected  to their respective offices on
April 7, 2009, were administered the oath of office by the Clerk.  The
official oaths and conflict of interest statements were placed on
file.

Call to Order:
	Chairman Zipperer called the meeting to order and indicated that all
electors are invited to participate and that a vote will be taken on
items presented.  Only qualified electors may make a motion, which
must be seconded, for which the town meeting has authority, and vote.


Approval of Minutes:
●  Motion by Betty Kiehnau and second by Tom Girman to approve
the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on April 8, 2008.  Motion
carried, unanimously.

Matters for Review/Status Update/Discussion:
Roads.  Chairman Zipperer reported that several roads will be swept
for sand and gravel, including Bark, Whitefish Bay, South Cave Point,
Glidden, Whitefish Trails, South Lake Drive and Bluff Drive/Court. 
Funds have been budgeted for repair and maintenance; if you have a
specific area that needs attention, please let us know.  John Paul
indicated that West Shore near Erdmann had potholes with a stop sign
down, and Lawrie Kull said the stop sign was down at the end of Town
Line Road.
Newsletter.  Dan Woelfel said we have been publishing our newsletter
twice a year, with the next issue due out near Memorial Day in hopes
to catch our summer residents.  The next edition will be dedicated to
the Town Sesquicentennial Celebration to be held on Saturday, July
18th.  Articles should be submitted by May 1st.  Thanks to Laddie for
putting the newsletters together.
PEG Channel/Cable.  Tom Girman said we are in the process of a major
move of our broadcast quarters to the new Town hall with fiber optic
connection, once some technical aspects and equipment are in place. 
We will then cancel our existing contracts with Soik Communications
and the City of Sturgeon Bay.  Tom indicates we will need to think
about a coordinator and programmer for the channel operation and the
Committee will meet to discuss that, with goals to improve the
station.  Peter Wyatt hoped we could put some pressure on Charter to
expand service throughout the Town and Tom urged Peter and his
neighbors organize an effort, which he would certainly support.  Leo
indicated that the County is also exploring possibilities.
Nuisance/Property Maintenance.  Chuck Tice reported that several
meetings have been held and we currently follow the Door County zoning
ordinance, which can be difficult to enforce.  We have had discussions
with property owners to follow up on complaints and we are making some
progress on clean-ups.

7:30 p.m. – Special Report on Audit 2008.
	Mike Konecny, CPA and Vice President of Schenck Solutions, presented
the independent auditors’ report on our basic financial statements for
the year ending December 31, 2008.  It is their opinion that the
statements fairly present the financial position, the changes
throughout the year and the budgetary comparison for the general fund
for years 2007 and 2008.  
	The financial report includes the following:  statement of net assets
and activities, balance sheet, statement of revenues, expenditures and
changes in fund balance, and budget versus actual for the year. 
Current net assets are $3,155,713 compared with $3,073,818 the
previous year.  The most significant change is the construction of the
new Town hall and the loan taken out through the Wisconsin Department
of Public Lands, with outstanding debt of $154,481 as of 12/31/08. 
The general fund balance is $269,190 and designated funds of $109,820.
 Snow removal costs for the year were $135,000 compared with the
$40,000 that had been budgeted.  It is the auditor’s opinion that fund
balances are adequate, representing approximately 10% of the budget,
although 15% to 20% may be preferable.

Matters for Review/Status Update/Discussion, continued:
Clark Lake Water Level.  The current level is slightly lower than a
year ago and perhaps some boards should be replaced to the dam to
maintain a higher level.
Room Tax.  Chuck Tice reported that all 19 Door County municipalities
are now part of the Door County Tourism Zone Commission, with 26
members on the Board.  Since Sevastopol does not have its own tourism
entity, we contribute to the Sturgeon Bay Visitors Bureau to promote
activities in our Town.  A total of $2.7 million in room tax was
collected during 2008, and we hope to “hold our own” 

for the coming year, depending on the economy.  The annual meeting of
the DCTZ is scheduled for May 26th at Crossroads.
Plan Commission.  John Staveness indicated that future land use maps
have been finalized with the County.  The Commission is currently
working on the STH 42/57 and Forest Road intersection to assure safety
and code compliance in light of the area becoming more commercialized.
 
Wind Energy.  Tom Girman brought the matter to the Plan Commission,
which recommended that the Town Board discontinue the moratorium which
was instituted in May 2008.  The Board will address the matter at its
next meeting on April 20th.  Josie Bochek asked for a synopsis of the
County wind ordinance and Tom responded that it is quite involved and
deals with issues such as damage to roads, liability, setbacks,
boundaries, wetlands and height.  Leo Zipperer said the ordinance
could be viewed online at the County site.
Burn Permits.  Tom Girman reminded everyone that burn permits are
required for brush and burn barrels and are available from the Board
members, Pat Welsing, Margi Zipperer, Linda Wait and Hugh Daubner.  He
urged residents to use safety when burning in wooded areas and
suggested neighbors work together to rent or buy a chipper.  The City
brush/compost site will not be available to us.

New Items for Discussion:
Sesquicentennial.  Chairperson Arlene Woelfel reported that the
Committee is now meeting every two weeks and consists of George
Evenson, Chuck Tice, Linda Wait and Laddie Chapman.  Arlene recapped
the events and activities for our celebration on Saturday, July 18th,
which include: 
	● parade at 10 am with UW Madison marching band and 5th quarter
entertainment
	● formal dedication of the new Town hall, with singing by the
Sevastopol School choir and
		ceremonies by the Amvets and VFW
	● art fair by local artists in the Town hall
	● pig roast by the Birnscheins, other food, beverage and
commemorative items available
		throughout the day
	● kids games and activities, with Badger Bouncer, Harley the
camel, Sevastopol coaches
		and teams
	● displays of antique cars and tractors, Door Devils and NEW
Bikers motorcycles
	● music by Newtonburg Brass Band, Ben Larsen & Dan Mayhew and
the Leist Boys
	● Institute Cubs and Northern Door Legion ballgames
	● history book with people, places and events to record our
heritage
	We are still in need of volunteers to help in the concession stand
and sell commemorative items—if interested, please contact any of the
Committee members.  Be sure to save this date – Saturday, July 18th at
the Town park in Institute!
Capital Improvement Plan 5 Year.  Leo Zipperer congratulated the Town
on accomplishing one of our goals:  planning, construction and
completion of the new Town hall.  He also reported that Valmy
residents would like to explore the possibility of a park in that
area---donations welcome.
Mural Contest.  Dan Woelfel referred to the large wall expanse and
track lighting as you enter the front doors of the Town hall.  The
next newsletter will feature a “contest” for citizens to submit and
share their ideas for an appropriate and representative mural for the
wall.
White Pine Lane.  Biz Virlee said that the guardrail and posts were
pushed down and presented some photos.  Leo Zipperer responded that
the Highway Department will assume responsibility for the repairs.
Town Hall Use Policy.  Included in the handout were the proposed “Town
Hall Rental Agreement” and “Facilities Use Rules” compiled by the
Building Committee (Everett Roberts, Chuck Tice, Marilyn Jadin Graf,
Ed Stoeger and Dan Woelfel).  Please take along to review and comment,
as it is a work in progress.  Josie thought that garbage disposal
should be included in the cost.   The proposed 


rental fee is $75 for residents plus security deposit, and the smaller
conference room would be available to community-based organizations
for no charge.
Geisel Creek Restrictions.  The Board has received a request to
restrict motorized vessels on the creek.  The matter was referred to
the Plan Commission, which recommended that Geisel Creek from Haberli
Road into Dunes Lake be designated as a non-motorized stretch of
water.  The matter will go to the Town Board on April 20th. 	
Town Hall Landscape Plan.  Dale Carlson, ag/horticulture instructor at
Sevastopol Schools, and his students expressed an interest in
providing a landscape plan for the new Town hall area.  Dale has with
him a powerpoint presentation and invited everyone to stop by for a
view.  He has been in discussion with Kay Miller/Door County Planning
so that we will be in compliance with the 900 points (green space
requirements).

Elector Concerns.
● Pat Miller expressed her concerns for safety, cost and setting
precedent as to the farm market under construction at STH 42/57 and
Forest Road.   Leo Zipperer reminded that all road modifications
(acceleration / deceleration lanes, reconfiguration of angle) will be
according to State safety specifications and that application for
funding will be made, if available.  There was discussion on support
for making it a safe intersection and to encourage future businesses
into that area.  Following discussion, motion by Pat Miller and second
by Peter Wyatt “that no Town taxpayer dollars will be used for these
changes.”  Paper votes were cast and the motion was not supported,
with 13-aye and 17-nay. 
● George Evenson congratulated and commended the Board, the
Building Committee and residents for moving forward with the new Town
hall project; it is a building and accomplishment we can all be proud
it.
● Victoria Cerinich mentioned the Door County Sustainability
Fair to be held on Saturday, April 18th, at the Door Community
Auditorium and Gibraltar Schools.  She also had available a pamphlet
from the UW-Extension, “Protect the Water you Drink.”
● Jean Tice asked on the possibility of Town-wide garbage
collection.  Previous investigations found it to be cost-prohibitive.
● Linda Wait mentioned that the Sevastopol DI is sponsoring a
plant sale and order forms are available.  

Adjournment:
Motion by Victoria Cerinich and seconded by Laddie Chapman to adjourn
the Annual Meeting to Tuesday, April 13, 2010.  Motion carried,
unanimously, and adjourned at 9:35 p.m.  Thanks to Linda, Arlene,
Jerri and Betty for refreshments.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda Wait, Clerk/Treasurer
Town of Sevastopol
[approved 4/13/2010]
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