TOWN OF BELL
BOARD MEETING
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
7:00 p.m. at the
COMMUNITY CENTER

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Board members present were Roger Lindgren, James Kaseno, Andrew Sauter Sargent, Jackie Eid, Allen Hahn, MaryBeth Tillmans and Janice Olson.

– Board Meeting Minutes – J. Eid made a motion to approve the minutes and A. Hahn 2nd the motion. Unanimous. Approved.
– Treasurer’s Report – J. Eid made a motion to approve the report and J. Kaseno 2nd the motion. Approved (3-1) Yes – A. Sauter Sargent, J. Kaseno & Jackie Eid. No – Allen Hahn. R. Lindgren abstained. Approved.

Board Comments
R. Lindgren – He commended the Fire Dept. for its fast response to a fire on Blueberry Lane. He informed people of the mask requirement and the limits on the number of people for gatherings by the Bayfield Co. Health Dept.
A. Sauter Sargent – The current funds raised by Corny Day is $10,107.37. He thanked the donors and Jennifer Sauter Sargent and Judy Kerr for their work.

Correspondence
Citizen letter – ATV speed too slow
Citizen letter – Parking Policy – suggestions
Citizen letter – Fireworks Ordinance – Property owners should not have to pay fines for renters. It was removed and replaced by rules provided to renters.
Chequamegon National Forest – Grant possibilities for improvements on forest lands or adjacent properties.
Bayfield Co. Emergency Management – EMERGENCIES DON’T WAIT: PREPARE NOW! September is emergency preparedness month.
Town of Bell Letter of Support – Support for Chequamegon Bay Community as a Pilot Community for the WHEDA RAWHI program in support of an affordable housing initiative was sent to the WHEDA Application Review Committee.
Webinars – UW Green Bay – Webinars on grant writing and cybersecurity.
Wis. Towns Assoc. – They are having listening sessions on promoting Rural Prosperity.
Wis. Town Assoc. – Broadband expansion possibilities.

Committee Reports
Reports reviewed by board

Public Comment Period – R. Lindgren read public comments provided via email.

Old Business
– Reassign town cell phone to CC Manager – was a flip phone – J. Kerr will use the phone, but a new phone with texting capability with be looked into.
– Lost Creek Beach Update – Survey in process – A survey is in process.
– Parking Ordinance re “Tag and Tow” – J. Eid made a motion to add an amendment to the Ordinance with a “Tag and Tow” clause at the owner’s expanse and A. Hahn 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
– Fireworks Ordinance – The ordinance was reviewed. Suggestions were made.

• Notifying public of issued permits in subsequent Town Board agenda and/or Town website
• Section 3c: Restrict permits for public lands to municipal shows
• Section 3d: Restrict use of fireworks to times before 12 midnight with violations subject to doubling of fines
• Section 5 – Permit: Require permit holder to notify the sheriff by email
• Section 7 – Penalty: Penalize use at locations and times not disclosed on the permit
• Section 9 – Public Warning: Require public warning signs on Town website, Town parks, and Town campground and require landlords and owners of short-term rentals to notify occupants of ordinance
• Fire department approval and restrictions on days of high fire danger

– Sidewalk Ordinance – The ordinance was reviewed. Discussion was held. A. Hahn made a motion to approve version number six with the sketch showing existing encroachments, exemption of snow and ice removal for seasonal businesses, removal of the Main Street Plan and structural modification standard. J. Eid 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
– Transient Vendor Ordinance – The ordinance was reviewed. There are three levels of vendors. It applies to all vendors. Fees are set for each level. The Parks and Lands committee will review the ordinance again.
– Fall Projects – R. Lindgren provided a list of fall project and asked supervisors for more projects.
– Work Order Form – list of Contractors – Discussion was held. The town crew will do projects they have the skill and time for. This item is to be continued.

New Business
– Chas McKhann Class A Special Use permit – The Planning Commission recommended giving approval for the permit to build a driveway. A. Hahn made a motion to approve the Chas McKhann Class A Special Use permit and J. Eid 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
– Hammond Class A Special Use Permit – The permit is to change 14.03 acres on Rocky Road from F-1 to R-1 to add an additional home. The information on the permit was sent out to the Planning Commissioners for their input. J. Eid indicated that the commission members felt there was not a problem with the rezone. Discussion was held. A. Hahn made a motion to recommend approval of permit and A. Sauter Sargent 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
– Forestry Management Plan – split Parks and Lands – This item was tabled to next month.
– Potential Purchase of new (used) Fire Truck- R. Lindgren read a letter received from Jeff Byerhoff, the Cornucopia Fire Chief about the need to purchase a new fire truck through an online auction. Discussion was held. There are sufficient funds available from the Fire Department’s volunteer funds and town funds designated for the fire department to purchase a new truck. A. Hahn made a motion to approve Roger Branham to represent the Cornucopia Fire Dept. and the Town of Bell to purchase a fire truck through the auction. J. Eid 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved. R. Lindgren made a motion to authorize R. Branham to spend up to $83,000.00 and J. Kaseno 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
– Emergency Preparedness Plan – Discussion was held. A. Hahn made a motion to adopt the Emergency Preparedness Plan and J. Eid 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
– Propane Supplier Bids – The following bids were received:

• Como Fuel & Oil – Sept. , 2020 – August 1, 2021
  .981/gallon – Fixed rate
• Midland Services – 2020/2021 Heating season
  $1.09/gallon – w/participating in patronage returns
  $1.04/gallon – w/o participating in patronage returns
• Ferrellgas – Effective until June 30, 2021
  .97/gallon for up to 8000 gallons, if additional gallons are needed prior to the end of the contract – $0.20 over our cost at the time.

A. Hahn made a motion to approve to approve the bid based on service experience and longer price period. J. Kaseno 2nd the motion. Unanimous decision. Approved.
– Donation of bike rack – Griffen McCafferty is donating a ten foot long bicycle rack that he received for his birthday. The Parks and Lands Committee will decide where it will go at the Community Center.
– “Main Street Plan”- A MLS grant was worked on by the Planning Commission and a number of residents a year ago on a plan for main street improvements. The town did not receive the grant. R. Lindgren will look for a student to make a “Main Street Plan” with a large drawing and eventually a diorama for the public to view and give input. Public input will be requested and there will be an ongoing group working on it.

Bills were paid. At 9:35 p.m., A. Hahn made a motion to adjourn the meeting and A. Sauter Sargent
2nd the motion. Approved.

Respectfully submitted,

MaryBeth Tillmans – Clerk