Roberts board seeks demolition bids for newly acquired lot, delays group-home ordinance changes and holds closed session on litigation

The Village of Roberts board on April 13 authorized staff to solicit proposals to demolish and clear a property at North Division and West Maple and postponed consideration of group-home ordinance language.

Trustee Jeff Vogt reported he inspected the recently acquired lot and recommended soliciting estimates to remove the structure, concrete braces and debris, address a trap door and dirt floor and improve grading to reduce water pooling by the tracks. Vogt moved to seek demolition and haul-away proposals; Janelle Beal seconded and the motion carried. Trustees noted the site has an electrical service that must be disconnected by Xcel and that if buried tanks are discovered the board will need to decide on remediation steps.

Separately, the board continued discussion of proposed group-home ordinance language intended to require business-plan-of-operation submissions for certain rental properties that have produced frequent police calls. Trustee Vogt moved to postpone action to a future meeting because a key member was absent and additional review was needed; the motion carried.

Trustee Tremblay moved the board into closed session at 7:32 p.m. under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel regarding pending litigation; roll-call votes were recorded as Beal, Vogt, Kapaun, Shemon and Tremblay voting yes. The board reconvened at 7:34 p.m. and reported no action resulting from the closed session. The board set a future closed-session item for April 17 at 8:00 a.m. and adjourned at 7:38 p.m.