Village of Ashkum Village Board Met May 3.
Here is the agenda provided by the board:
The Ashkum Village Board met @ the village hall. Present were Paul Heideman, Donna Schmitz, Ed Tholen, Shannon Meier, Angie Gray, Jeremy Beherns, Ellen Mikeworth, and April Lyons. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hanson was also present.
Before regular business could be conducted, the newly elected officials had to be sworn in. As the senior member present, Ed Tholen gave the official oath to Paul Heideman, President; Donna Schmitz, Clerk; Angie Gray, Trustee, Shannon Meier, Trustee, and Ellen Mikeworth, Trustee.
Clerk Donna Schmitz read the minutes of the April 20, 2021 meeting. April Lyons moved to approve the minutes as read, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS/VISITORS
President Heideman recognized Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hanson who reported on the following:
- Jeff reported both companies were contacted about the water tower being painted and inspected, but couldn’t give a date when they would happen. He said we are at the mercy of when the companies are scheduled to be in the area. Jeff advised both parties we are having two things done so they need to call him when they are coming because we can’t have the tower power washed while it is being inspected.
- He had several property owners contact him after the certified nuisance ordinance letters were received. One of the offenders said they were working on it but because the properties are in an estate they cannot be sold until after the estate is settled. The owner did say they wouldn’t leave the properties as they are even if they didn’t sell right away. Jeff noted they have started cleaning up some of the properties. On one of the properties being worked on, two trailers have been filled with junk to haul away. Another owner contacted President Heideman who directed him to call Jeff, but Jeff hasn’t heard anything yet. Another person contacted Jeff’s wife and he has to return their call.
- President Heideman offered, as a suggestion only, that the village plant some evergreen trees on Main Street east of Sixth Street near Gary Merkle’s house. The trees would provide a wind break to stop the corn husks from blowing into town. Jeff Hanson thought a snow fence would help and he has some stored in the garage. He also thought about checking the property lines because he thinks the farmer is farming at least ten feet onto village property. Everyone agreed we should start with a snow fence.
- President Heideman reported Greg Stark talked to him before the last meeting about people hauling the corn husks down to his field and dropping them off. People have also driven past President Heideman’s house and dumped corn husks in the field. There were a lot of unhappy residents with yards full of husks.
- The bank has informed President Heideman we could have the well at the bank pretty much for nothing if we want it. Ed Tholen thinks we should take them up on it. We should pursue the matter, but slowly. We have to find out much iron is in it, will it have to be run back through the water filter, can the iron filter handle it, it would have to be looped, we would need to contact engineers, etc. Everything sounds favorable for the village to proceed with the purchase. The price is right but the real costs will occur after the purchase.
- The attorney suggested updates to the golf cart ordinance after the board approved what the ordinance committee had recommended. Trustee April Lyons reported their committee met and went through the suggested updates from the attorney and did agree with some of his updates, but not all. April went through the changes their committee felt were appropriate with the board and Ed Tholen moved to approve the golf cart ordinance with the appropriate updates, seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed. Trustee Ellen Mikeworth abstained because she hadn’t read the ordinance.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Trustee April Lyons had no report.
Trustee Ellen Mikeworth reported she’s had calls about the trailer full of old appliances in front of the Catholic Church. President Heideman advised Ellen the trailer belonged to G & D Salvage and they would be back to pick it up tomorrow morning. In the meantime, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hanson put barricades up around the trailer.
Trustee Jeremy Beherns had no report.
Trustee Angie Gray had no report.
Trustee Shannon Meier reported she’s had several calls about foxes in people’s yards and asked if anyone else had seen them. One person was concerned about their pets, but foxes won’t bother them.
Trustee Ed Tholen reported the Finance Committee met and worked on a proposed budget for years 2021-2022. He distributed copies of the proposed budget and reported there’s nothing out of the ordinary except money ($10,000) was included in the budget to purchase tables and temporary fences for Main Street if we decided to go that route. Trustee Ellen Mikeworth reported she has a new book with tables and prices didn’t go up. She also reported the Lion’s Club would purchase a table and the 4-H Club will do another piece but Ellen didn’t have any more information than that. Ed asked if members wanted to go through the proposed budget by line item and the response was everything looked fine. Ed Tholen moved to accept the 2021-2022 budget as presented, seconded by Angie Gray and the motion passed by a roll call vote. Tholen, aye; Meier, aye; Gray, aye; Beherns, aye; Mikeworth, aye; Lyons, aye.
Clerk Donna Schmitz contacted the village attorney with information needed on two properties before nuisance letters could be mailed.
President Heideman reported he would have to call the attorney again for the status of the vacation of part of Lafayette Street. At the April 20th meeting, it was reported the attorney was waiting on clarification on the Krause survey regarding the width of the street.
As there was no further business to come before the board, Ed Tholen moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m., seconded by Shannon Meier and the motion passed.
The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the village hall.
http://www.ashkum.net/pages/subpages/minutes/2020-2021/may.htm
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