At its March meeting, the Cassville Village Board held a public meeting on a resolution to vacate a portion of Okey Street, set wages for pool employees, and heard updates on the Great River Road Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail and the search for childcare options in Cassville.
The meeting convened with all Board members in attendance, except Trustees Vogt and Lau. In addition to 13 community members, Police Chief Brent McDonald was present.
In his President’s Report, Williams made a motion to move into a Public Meeting regarding the Resolution to Vacate and Discontinue a Platted Portion of Okey Street. The resolution is in response to a request from Travic VanWyk, on behalf of Eagle’s Roost, to purchase the property. The Board approved the request with the following stipulations: 1.) That the CVFD has continued access to get water in case of an emergency; 2.) That the CVFD and EMS retain the ability to use the area for training purposes; and 3.) That the costs involved in transfer of the property be the responsibility of VanWyk.
In Committee Reports, Trustee Ploessl (Recreation/Library) led a discussion about ongoing concerns about the ability to hire/retain lifeguards at the pool. The solution to the problem appears to revolve around offering a competitive wage. In order to stay within budget, Ploessl suggested reducing the number of hours of operation. Pools in the area (Lancaster and Prairie du Chien) only offer nighttime hours 2-3 times a week. In addition, the rates have been raised for the season to the following: resident family pass - $100; non-resident family pass - $120; adult season pass - $50; children’s season pass, ages 3-17 - $45; and senior citizen pass - $45. Persons involved in water aerobics will also be asked to pay for the session, which meets four days a week. At this time, that fee has not been determined. The Board went on to approve a base pay of $11 for new lifeguards with an additional $1 per hour increase for lifeguards every year they return. The cap on the wage would be $14 per hour. Persons hired to supervise the slide would be paid $9.50 per hour. In his Streets/ Technology Report, Trustee Kasten recommended selling the Village’s two-wheel drive pickup. He also noted that the Technology Committee approved purchasing laptops for Clerk Roskams and Chief McDonald. A long discussion followed about branding for the Village and upgrades for the website. The committee is also exploring ways to accept payments via credit card. Clerk Roskams suggested using AllPaid, which offers a good rate of 2.95% per transaction. Kasten is also looking to add a mobile point of sale option into the system, which could be used on the ferry, and at the park or pool, etc. Kasten then made a motion to enter into a 2-year contract with AllPaid for credit card payments to the Village contingent on approval by Attorney Wood and the Technology Committee. In her Buildings Report, Trustee Krause brought forward two bids for new gutters on the Village shop. The Taylor Brothers estimate was $910, and the All-American Gutters estimate was $1,350. As the All-American estimate included a 4-inch downspout, the Board accepted that bid. Krause then discussed the idea of converting to solar energy for some of the Village properties, such as the treatment plant, fire department, well pumps, pool, and library. Currently, the government is offering a 30% rebate on these types of public projects. In Zoning, Licensing, and Ordinances, the Board approved a Temporary Class “B” Beer license for St. Charles for the Date Dance Night on March 18 from 6:30-10:00 PM. In the only Department Business, the Board approved the addition of Rachel Neal to the Tourism Committee.
In her Clerk’s Report, Roskams stated that Cash on Hand is $5,350,899.57. She distributed an office work schedule for Roskams and Bausch, who are working four 10-hour days per week. The office will be open Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. The Board approved this change of hours for Roskams and Bausch.
In other business, Tom Vondrum presented information on the Great River Road and DOT’s plan to have a bicycle/pedestrian trail running the entire length of the Mississippi River. In our area the route will start on the northwest part of town at County VV and travel along Amelia Street with a turn onto Wall Street. From there the route will follow along Prime Street and Jack Oak Road, progressing finally out of town. The Village’s responsibility will be for purchase/maintenance of signage within the Village. The project, which is to be completed in early to mid 2024, was approved. Jessica Johnson then presented a request for an ordinance change to allow for the raising of chickens. Attorney Wood submitted a document with language from Muscoda’s ordinance regarding chickens. The Board determined that the raising of chickens will be allowed once a committee determines the ordinance’s guidelines and provided that the language is approved by Attorney Wood. In a final update, Trustee Krause spoke on behalf of the Economic Development Committee concerning the progress of securing childcare access within the Village. A recent survey indicates there is a need for childcare. Joe Ploessl stated that the committee has promising leads on finding a director for a childcare facility. In its final action, the Board approved a Spring Clean-Up Day for a date that is yet to be determined.
