Village Board Meetings and Agendas

VILLAGE OF PEWAUKEE
VILLAGE BOARD MINUTES
March 5, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/live/EaT1Ju4gkD8?si=zku7NF5iKcrLF0Q2 - Video #1
https://www.youtube.com/live/oeWhDyRa-nU?si=vYKyHHuUSUfxHxVq - Video #2

1. Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence, and Roll Call
President Knutson called the meeting to order at approximately 6:01 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, followed by a moment of silence.

Roll Call was taken with the following Village Board members present: Trustee Heather Gergen; Trustee Bob Rohde; Trustee Kelli Belt; Trustee Chris Krasovich; Trustee Craig Roberts; Trustee Jim Grabowski, and President Jeff Knutson.

Also Present: Village Attorney, Matt Gralinski; Village Director of Public Works, Dave Buechl; Village Administrator, Scott Gosse; and Village Deputy Clerk, Jenna Peter.

2. Public Hearings/Presentations – None.

3. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Minutes of the Regular Village Board Meeting – February 20, 2024
Trustee Krasovich moved, seconded by Trustee Gergen to approve the February 20, 2024, minutes of the Regular Village Board meeting as presented.
Motion carried 6-0. Trustee Belt Abstained.

4. Citizen Comments
Joe Woelfle @ 303 Oakton Ave – Mr. Woelfle said there were some negative comments about the new sign for his business on his property. He explained that the sign was not finished and that he would continue to do work to make the property and the sign look nice.

Greg DeWees @1127 Hawthorne Place Apt G - Mr. DeWees spoke against the Fire and EMS fees and stated his rent increased by approximately $100. He would like the Board to consider other options to fund this fee. He also questioned why Baker Tilly did their study during the “Pandemic Years” and why average years weren’t considered.

Mike Heise @ 1105 Hawthorne Place - Mr. Heise spoke against the Fire and EMS Fees and wants the fee structure to be changed so that the community pays for the fees equally. He stated he did not receive the postcard that was mailed to all the residents and the videos from the meetings where the fees were discussed were not available. He also stated that all Fire and EMS fees are separately charged to him and now he is paying double.

Richard Petersohn @1097 Hawthorne Place Apt E – Mr. Petersohn spoke against the Fire and EMS fees. He stated he is on a fixed income and cannot afford the increase the fees caused. He also stated that he was not informed of the fees before they were implemented.

Penny Olson @ 1093 Hawthorne Place Apt E - Ms. Olson said her son is a retired fire chief and understands the importance of being funded. She stated in the 12 years she has lived at her residence the ambulance has come three times and their insurance covered the costs. She questioned where the fees were going.

Amber Miller – AARP Wisconsin Outreach Director - Ms. Miller asked the Board to reconsider the current structure of the Fire and EMS fees which was based on the years 2020-2023 which was the height of the pandemic. She suggested to the Board to explore diverse methods to the tax-payers as a “one size fits all.”

Mary Lamb @ 1223 Hawthorne Place Apt H – Ms. Lamb spoke against the Fire and EMS fees. She loves where she lives and utilizes the services but is concerned with the disproportionate fees. The chosen period of time for the assessment was during the pandemic when there probably were more health issues with residents. She is requesting the Board replace the fees to reflect similar multi-family units.

Mitch Epstein – no address given – Mr. Epstein spoke against the Fire and EMS fees. He is asking the Board to reconsider the fee structure. He stated the residents are all on a fixed income and $100 a month is a lot of money for them.

5. Ordinances

a. Possible action on Ordinance No. 2024-02, Ordinance to Amend the Salaries for Trustees and Village President.
Trustee Grabowski moved, seconded by Trustee Roberts to table the agenda item.
Motion carried 6-1; Trustee Krasovich voted nay.

6. Resolutions

a. Possible Action on Resolution No. 2024-05, Acknowledgement of the 2023 WPDES Storm Water Discharge Permit Annual Report.
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Rohde to approve Resolution No. 2024-05, Acknowledgement of the 2023 WPDES Storm Water Discharge Permit Annual Report.
Motion carried 7-0.

7. Old Business

a. Discussion and Direction Regarding Municipal Judge Salary Adjustment.
Village of Pewaukee Municipal Judge, Melissa Murray explained that she has served in this capacity since 2005 and stated that not once has a Trustee attended court to see what she does. Even though court is once a month at the Village, she does court work every day and has trials several times a month. Judge Murray shared a spreadsheet of comparable salaries with the Board. She stated some judges are making $20-$21 or so a case; she is making $7.69 per case. She also stated that over 19 years she has had only 6 raises and there was an 8 year period where she didn’t receive any raises.
Discussion followed regarding the compensation for Judge Murray.
Staff was directed to create an ordinance to raise the salary by $3,500 per year.

**Village Board Meeting recessed due to a medical emergency. The meeting resumed at approximately 7:02 p.m.

8. New Business

a. Discussion and Possible Action on Operator License Denial.
Deputy Clerk, Jenna Peter explained the Operator License application is before the Board due to the parameters of the application in that any habitual charges (3 or more) relating to alcohol activity will be automatically denied and this application falls within those parameters. It then goes before the Village Board for approval. She also stated that Chief Heier reviewed the application and has no issues with it since the offenses were more than 5 years prior.
The applicant, Jennifer Hagedorn addressed the Board. She stated she holds Operator Licenses in three other municipalities, this is her livelihood, and she enjoys working at the establishment in the Village.
Trustee Rohde commended Ms. Hagedorn on speaking in front of the Board because it is a tough thing to do.
Trustee Grabowski moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to approve the Operator License for Jennifer Hagedorn for the remainder of the 2023-2024 licensing period.
Motion carried 7-0.

9. Citizen Comments – None.

10. Closed Session – The Village Board of the Village of Pewaukee will enter into closed session pursuant to Wis. Statute Section 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically regarding negotiations with the City of Pewaukee for a Joint Library Agreement.
Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Rohde to move into Closed Session at approximately 7:14 p.m.
Motion carried on roll call vote 7-0.

Trustee Gergen moved, seconded by Trustee Krasovich to move into Open Session at approximately 8:02 p.m.
Motion carried on roll call vote 7-0.

11. Reconvene Into Open Session.

12. Adjournment.
Trustee Grabowski moved, seconded by Trustee Roberts to adjourn the March 5, 2024, Regular Village Board meeting at approximately 8:03 p.m.
Motion carried, 7-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jenna Peter
Deputy Village Clerk