GAYS MILLS - A troublesome pigeon problem at the Community Commerce Center was addressed at the Gays Mills Village Board meeting on Tuesday, September 8.

Cindy Kohles, a member of the Friends of the Library, presented a solution to the pigeon problem with the solar panels.

Viroqua’s Ethos Green Power will remove the debris, wash, and install barriers so that the pigeons can no longer go under the solar panels, Kohles told the board. The work is estimated to be done by the end of September.

“We have to get started somewhere.” Gays Mills Village President Harry Heisz said.

It was also recommended that Gays Mills Public Works Department clean the gutters on the Community Commerce Center.

Under the Gays Mills Public Works Department Report, Harry Heisz explained that the Gravely lawn mower has been repaired and returned.

Heisz also noted that Public Works is starting to prepare for Apple Festival.

The village board discussed creating a plan for street repairs. Current streets to be addressed are repairs to the corner of Highway 131 and Orin Street with culvert and storm sewer replacement; and resurfacing Grove Street with asphalt in 2027. A street loan will be considered once repairs and estimates are reviewed.

Gays Mills Village Board Trustee Art Winsor reported that he looked at the Mercantile HVAC system; a thermostat was changed; repairs are needed with a motor and glycol needs to be added.

Village resident Craig Anderson asked if the alleys could be looked at for additional gravel and grading. Craig Anderson also asked for a ‘Hidden Driveway’ sign to be installed near his residence on West River Road.

Under the public input portion of the meeting, listed on the agenda as ‘Citizens and Delegations,’ Kim Knutson, a member of the Gays Mills Friends spoke. She asked if the group could start to decorate in the beginning of October for the Halloween Party on October 31. The board had no issues with the request, but asked that the Friends check in with the wedding event scheduled for October 23, 24, & 25.

Village Trustee Kevin Murray stated his concerns about the curbs along Main Street that are not being repaired with the DOT project.

Later, after meeting in closed session, the village board reconvened in open session and approved continuing to run an ad seeking a part-time public works employee.

In other business

In other business, the Gays Mills Village Board:

• approved a certified survey map indicating the exact locations of the ball diamond, the campground and Railroad Street in the area of the swimming pool and the county fairgrounds
• learned the county was willing to deed the end of Railroad Street near the pool and ball diamond to the village
• approved terminating the first Tax Incremental District used to build infrastructure in the Apple Valley Business Park because it has expired
• repealed and recreated the Title 17 Uniform Dwelling Code with improvements and updates suggested by the firm hired to manage building inspections in the village
• changed the name Building Permit to Zoning Permit at the suggestion of the building inspection firm
• learned that Eric Hagen, the contracted village attorney from Boardman Clark, responded that there is a potential conflict with the village’s request for utility regulations and resolution for the 765 transmission lines due to Boardman Clark working with some of the electric utilities