Town of York
Monthly Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Please Note: These Town Board meeting minutes are posted as draft-only to inform town residents of the topics addressed at the board meeting. These minutes are subject to review and possible revision at next month’s Town Board meeting and should not be considered official until they receive final board approval at that time.
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 pm. The meeting was held as a video conference on Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairman Steve Van Hout, 1st Supervisor Tim Czerwonka, 2nd Supervisor Steve Hermanson, and Clerk-Treasurer Jessie Schlumpf were present. Verification of proper notice was given. Steve Van Hout reported a change of the agenda: Trent and Kelsey Hendrickson driveway permit is put on hold until they bring their building allotments to the Plan Commission before the Board can consider the driveway permit. Meeting minutes for the Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Board Meeting were presented. Tim Czerwonka moved to approve the November 10, 2020 minutes as presented; second by Steve Van Hout. Motion carried. Meeting minutes for the Monday, November 16, 2020 Budget Hearing, Special Meeting to Adopt Tax Levy and Town Board Special Meeting were presented. Steve Hermanson moved to approve the minutes for the budget hearing on Monday, November 16, 2020, the special meeting to adopt tax levy, and the town board special meeting; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report- Steve Van Hout made a motion that the Profit & Loss Report is acceptable; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried. Steve Van Hout made a motion to accept the Profit & Loss Budget vs. Actual Report as stated; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
Bills- Jessie Schlumpf presented bills to be paid. Steve Hermanson made a motion to approve the bills as presented; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
Patrolman’s Report- Steve Van Hout reported that Wayne Bue is home. The plow truck is back from being repaired and the deductible for the repair will be paid once everyone is satisfied with the work done. Steve Hermanson is clearing some trees on Gould Hill Road on his own at his own expense using his own equipment.
Plan Commission Report- Bethany Storm reported that the Plan Commission has started reviewing the Comprehensive Plan, chapter by chapter. She relayed her thanks to Tim Czerwonka for setting up the monthly zoom meetings and working on the website transition. The Plan Commission is waiting to hear from the Ericksons and Hendricksons on the proposed driveway permit; Steve Van Hout explained the driveway must first go before the Plan Commission on the allotment issue. Steve Hermanson asked whether the current landowner or the land contract purchaser would apply for the land division and driveway permits since the Erickson/Hendrickson transaction is a land contract transaction. The driveway siting will determine who must apply for the driveway; Steve Van Hout asked that CSMs be obtained. Jessie Schlumpf should put the 2 additional copies of the Comprehensive Plan she obtained at the Town Hall.
Public Comment- AnnMarie Bliven discussed the issue of dependable broadband access in the township. TDS has not put in fiber optic. Ms. Bliven relayed information on the Governor’s meeting on the issue of broadband access and will send that information to the Board. The Bug Tussle tower only provides access if a property is in “line of sight.” The tower by Postville is AT&T cell phone and until they get 50 people to sign up, they will not run it as Bug Tussle. Tim Czerwonka will put the link on the Governor’s meeting on the website. Bethany Emond Storm suggested a committee be formed to come up with viable solutions. This will be put on the agenda for next month.
New Business-
- Sterling Morrow – Driveway- Atty. Joseph Bartol of Stroud, Willink & Howard LLC was on the Zoom call for this portion of the meeting. Tim Czerwonka asked Jessie Schlumpf to forward the summary of the conversation between Atty. Bartol and Tim Czerwonka to the Board. The Board is looking to determine the extent of the board’s liability if we approve the field road at the current location. No driveway or field road has been approved at any time. After review of the ordinance and because the driveway does not go to a house or buildings the Board cannot do anything at this time. The topography was not changed either. The Board asked Atty. Bartol to draft a letter to Mr. Morrow’s attorney indicating that no driveway permit is needed at this time, but when a building permit is requested a driveway permit would also be needed. The Board asked whether Atty. Bartol would be willing to review ordinances and suggest changes, and the Board decided to discuss that option at a future meeting. Tim Czerwonka moved to request that Atty. Joe Bartol draft a letter on behalf of the Board to Sterling Morrow’s attorney acknowledging that we have no jurisdiction as our ordinance currently reads, but when he does plan on building that he will need to come up to code; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried with 2 ayes; 1 abstention by Steve Van Hout.
- Plan Commission Member – Arlo Paust- Steve Van Hout made a nomination to a local fellow that has been here all of his life to the Plan Commission open spot Arlo Paust; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
- Discussion about the sale of the Blacksmith Shop property- Steve Hermanson said he read the article in the Pecatonica Leader and talked with Bob Bergman. Mr. Bergman prefers to sell the property and equipment as a working blacksmith shop but would be open to discussion about the Township purchasing the larger building in the event a buyer for the business cannot be found. The building is heated with infrared propane heat supplemented with wood and would provide a much larger meeting place as well as better storage for the Township’s large equipment (7,000 square feet). Bethany Emond Storm also mentioned that there 2 properties adjacent to the Town Hall for sale.
- Handicap Accessibility & Traffic Flow at Recycling Center- Tim Czerwonka asked whether there had been any recorded accidents at the Recycling Center – one on record. Cindy Peterson relayed there was another incident when 2 cars bumped each other (insurance information was exchanged). Discussion and consensus were reached that one-way traffic would result in traffic backups on County H as well as in the Recycling Center. Kim Peterson and Steve Hermanson said signage with flags is a good first step, and Tim Czerwonka discussed the location of signs off Highway H. Steve Hermanson moved to install two signs, one on the right ,one on the left on the West side of the Recycling Center, for 5 MPH and have a flag on each one; second by Steve Van Hout. Motion carried. Steve Van Hout will try to arrange for an extra pick up by Pellitteri Waste Systems for the week after Christmas.
- Scheduling Caucus- Discussion was held on when to hold the caucus for the April 2021 election. The caucus will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. There will be a roll call of all participants (including name and verification of residency in the Township). Jessie Schlumpf will contact the Pecatonica Leader and the Post Messenger Recorder and ask each newspaper to publish an article regarding the Board Chairman and First Supervisor vacancies. Steve Hermanson made a motion that we hold the caucus virtually on January 21, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
- Bruce Sinkula – Driveway (Lot 19, Pondrose)- The board members individually inspected this driveway at 8091 County H. Steve Hermanson made a motion to approve the $1,000 driveway refund for Bruce Sinkula; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
- Michael/Wendy Newton – Brandon/Ann Kosharek land transfer- This is a vacant lot in Section 26, Parcel #23032 05561700, with 1 dwelling unit. Steve Van Hout made a motion that this request to transfer from the Newtons to the Koshareks be allowed; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
- Carol Friedrich Revocable Living Trust – Farm South side of A division request- The Plan Commission approved this land division in the Section 14 farm on the south side of County A. No purchaser currently. Steve Van Hout made a motion that we approve that the Carol Friedrich Revocable Living Trust be divided into the 43 acres with 7 dwelling allotments; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried.
- Carol Friedrich Revocable Living Trust – Tim Schneeberger land transfer request- The Plan Commission approved this land division/transfer in Section 14 of .25 acres (touches the neighbor’s parcel) for field road access for the Schneebergers. Steve Van Hout made a motion that the Carol Friedrich Revocable Living Trust transfer this ¼ acre to Tim Schneeberger with 0 dwelling units; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried.
- Carol Friedrich Revocable Living Trust – Aloutte, LLC land transfer request- The Plan Commission approved this land division/transfer in Sections 13 and 14 of 216 acres (the North side of County A EXCEPT for 10 acres surrounding the homestead farm). The Plan Commission was told that Aloutte, LLC is purchasing this land for agricultural purposes. Steve Hermanson made a motion to approve the land transfer from the Carol Friedrich Revocable Living Trust to Aloutte, LLC; second by Steve Van Hout. Motion carried.
- Invitation to Partner for 2021 Drinking Water Testing Program- The Board discussed the desirability of this program and benefits to Township residents. Bethany Emond Storm volunteered to facilitate water sample collection at the Town Hall on either Wed. 5/19/21 or Sat. 5/22/21 (collection date to be determined). York Township would be responsible for approximately $50 in notification postcard costs, with Green County Extension contributing $25 toward postcard costs. Tim Czerwonka made a motion that the Town of York partner with Green County Extension for cost-sharing for the mailing for the water testing in May; second by Steve Van Hout. Motion carried.
- Update on Transition- Tim Czerwonka reported on the transition of website responsibilities from Todd Carlson. The transition went well. The Town of York is now responsible for the website hosting and domain name. For any website issues Tim Czerwonka asked that everyone contact him. He also relayed that Jessie Schlumpf has been provided with the administrative logins and passwords for the Town of York website and the underlying web service for safekeeping.
- How long to pay for renewal of townofyork.org website- Tim Czerwonka reported that Total Choice Hosting of Michigan has been paid for 6 months of hosting at $23.70; he discussed renewing with Total Choice Hosting in April 2021 for a year at ~$48.00. Tim Czerwonka reported that the townofyork.org domain name will be up for yearly renewal in February 2021 at ~$38.00. Steve Van Hout made a motion to approve this $48.00 and also the $38.00 in advance so that when the time comes up, to pay the bill when received; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried.
- Gift for Carrie Czerwonka for work preparing the York Newsletter- Steve Van Hout thanked Carrie Czerwonka, Tim, and their daughters for their work on the newsletter; Jessie Schlumpf also thanked Heidi Hankley for her help putting stamps on the newsletters. Steve Hermanson thought the gift for Carrie was $75 last year. Steve Van Hout made a motion to make it a $100 gift to Carrie and the extra $25 she can distribute among her children; second by Steve Hermanson. Motion carried – vote of 2 ayes, 1 abstention by Tim Czerwonka.
Adjournment- Steve Hermanson moved to adjourn the meeting; second by Tim Czerwonka. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Jessica L. Schlumpf, Clerk-Treasurer