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Thorp council approves $6.5 million sewer bond note, pay application and cemetery replat; bills to include fire protection charge
Summary
At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Thorp City Council approved a $6.5 million sewerage bond anticipation note, authorized a $688,267.65 pay application for street and utility work, approved a cemetery replat adding 128 sites, and voted to add a public fire protection charge to utility bills; several other items were discussed.
The Thorp City Council on Nov. 14 approved a slate of measures to advance local infrastructure projects and adjust municipal billing practices.
The council adopted Resolution 2022-11-01 to issue a $6,500,000 sewerage system revenue bond anticipation note to finance wastewater treatment plant improvements in anticipation of a USDA Rural Development loan. Alderperson Korn moved to approve the resolution, Alderperson Rosemeyer seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Council records note four bids were received; Northwestern Bank and Forward Bank submitted identical bids and the final award was decided by flipping a coin, with Northwestern Bank selected.
Clerk-Treasurer Michele Pogodzinski presented Resolution 2022-11-02 to write off three delinquent accounts: $503.41 for Brittany Hubbard (delinquent utility bill, mobile home), $471.75 for Delores Dahlberg (delinquent utility bill, sheriff’s sale) and $2,280.14 for Isenberger Septic/John & Melissa Newman (septic hauling, bankruptcy). Alderperson Einhorn moved and Alderperson Lawcewicz seconded; the council approved the write-offs 5-0.
The council also approved Resolution 2022-11-03 to authorize direct charging of public fire protection to all properties in the city, including tax-exempt properties, and to remove that charge from the general fund budget. Under the change, the fire protection charge will be added to utility bills and separate bills produced for vacant lots that do not receive a regular utility bill. The motion (Korn/Rosemeyer) carried on a 3-2 vote.
Work on the W. School and N. Church Street and utility improvement project continued to move forward. The council approved Resolution 2022-11-04, accepting Pay Application #2 from Haas Sons, Inc. for $688,267.65 for the 2022 Street & Utility Project. Schofield of SEH told the council Haas Sons “did a tremendous job” on the project. The pay application was approved unanimously.
The Planning Commission’s replat of the City Cemetery, which adds 128 burial sites and must be recorded with the Register of Deeds, was approved by motion and carried 5-0.
Police Chief Schneider requested purchase of three portable radios to be paid for by a law enforcement grant; the council approved the purchase 5-0. A laptop quote for the department was not yet available and will be brought back to a future meeting.
On the budget, council members reviewed a first draft of the 2023 general fund operating budget; staff noted the budget will be revised to reflect the change moving the public fire protection charge out of the general fund and will return with updated figures at the Nov. 17 meeting.
Councilors discussed potential uses for the city’s ARPA funds — including a generator for City Hall, a public works truck, keyless entry for City Hall, tasers for the police department, and a booster club request for concession and bathroom facilities at Northside Ball Park — but took no action.
Library Director Soderstrom updated the council on basement flooding in a different area than previously reported and was directed to contact a plumber to assess and repair the issue. Police Chief Schneider said the department expects additional staffing needs in the future and mentioned the possibility of adding a school resource officer.
There were no pre-registered public comments. Clerk-Treasurer Pogodzinski said information letters were sent to Thorp taxpayers about an upcoming revaluation. Mayor Richard Wnek adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
