Five Resolutions Passed to Meet Community Development Block Grant Requirements

MSA representative Ben Andrews provided context for the five resolutions and one ordinance proposed at the Lomira Village Board meeting on Wednesday, April 9, as part of the Community Development Block Grant application for the South Avenue project.
The meeting began with the consideration of Resolution #1048, authorizing the Administrator and MSA to submit the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) application for the South Avenue project.
The motion to approve Resolution #1048 was made by Trustee Gary More and passed unanimously.
After the motion, Trustee More asked, “All these other resolutions are required? How do all the resolutions fit into why we need to do these for just the one grant?”
“There are specific items, such as the authorizing resolution to submit the grant, that are basically just saying you support it. There are other items that are required by federal code, such as having a fair housing ordinance that meets all of the protected classifications,” explained Andrews. “Overall, the very broad answer is that it’s all required, and each one of these has specific reasons within federal code as to why it’s needed... HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) is the federal funding source that is funding the program, but the program is administered by the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration.”

The second resolution the board discussed was Resolution #1049, citizen participation plan for South Avenue project. The purpose of the citizen participation plan is to “encourage citizen participation” and make participation and project information accessible to all citizens.
A motion to approve Resolution #1049 was made by Trustee Joey Jewell and passed unanimously.
Andrews then explained the options considered when drafting Resolution #1050, resolution to create fair and open housing ordinance, and Ordinance #372, creation of fair housing chapter in the municipal code, to be compliant with the federal code.
“This is to align with the protective classes that are part of the fair housing program, so you can either adopt, essentially, the statute, but by adopting this specific ordinance, you are aligning with the Wisconsin state statute right now, and if it did change in the future,” stated Andrews. “If you decided to pursue another CDBG grant in the future, by adopting this, you would not have to do this again.”
Trustee Jennifer Priesgen made the motion to approve Resolution #1050, and Trustee Jewell made the motion to approve Ordinance #372, which both passed unanimously.
Following the motions, the board discussed Resolution #1051, non-violent civil rights demonstration policy.
“It is likely not going to change anything in terms of what the current policy is. In fact, it’s not even a policy that has any direct changes,” said Andrews. “Essentially, it’s just stating that any existing policy will align with what these principles are: do not use excessive force for individuals engaging in non-violent civil rights demonstrations and do not bar them from any entrances or exits.”
“Our policies are very strict on the use of force,” added Police Sergeant Counard. “We don’t use excessive force.”
The motion to approve Resolution #1051 was made by Trustee More and passed unanimously.
The last resolution the board considered was Resolution #1052, residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan.
Andrews explained, “If this project were to have any acquisitions, there would be a specific process that would need to be in place because it would use federal funds. It is not anticipated, but as part of the grant, it is a requirement.”
A motion to approve Resolution #1052 was made by Trustee Priesgen and passed unanimously.
Board Matters:
• Administrator-Clerk-Treasurer Jenna Rhein proposed the board open a money market account at National Exchange Bank & Trust for municipal funds. The interest rate for the money market account at National Exchange Bank & Trust is 3% with a minimum $250,000 balance. Currently, the funds are only making .2% interest. The motion to approve opening a money market account at National Exchange Bank & Trust was made by Trustee Jewell and passed unanimously.
• The board considered Resolution #1053, official Village depository. The resolution designates Bristol Morgan Bank, National Exchange Bank & Trust, Summit Credit Union, and TSB Financial as official depositories for all village funds for this year. A motion to approve Resolution #1053 was made by Trustee Priesgen and passed unanimously.
• The board also considered Resolution #1054, official Village attorney. The resolution designates Richard Manthe of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP as the official village attorney for the year. Manthe was the village attorney last year. Trustee More made the motion to approve Resolution #1054, which passed unanimously.
• Additionally, Resolution #1055, official Village newspaper, was considered. The resolution designates the “Dodge County Pionier” as the village’s official newspaper for the following year. The “Dodge County Pionier” was the official newspaper last year. The motion to approve Resolution #1055 was made by Trustee Rebecca Alf and passed unanimously.
• Fire Chief Kurtis Haefs presented proposed updating charges for service in the fire department bylaws. The updates arose after the arson fire due to insurance company inquiries for a breakdown of service charge amounts. The proposed prices are based on those of neighboring municipalities. These service charges apply in “the event of incidents with extenuating circumstances (mitigating factors), including Fire and EMR Calls on Interstate 41.” Trustee Priesgen made the motion to approve the updated service charges, which passed unanimously.
• The board considered committee assignments for the year. No changes were made to board members’ existing committee positions. A motion to approve committee assignments was made by Trustee More and passed unanimously.
• Awarding the contract for Project 2025-1 Acorn Street was also discussed by the board. The village received bids from Northeast Asphalt, Inc. and Kartechner Brothers, LLC for repaving Acorn Street. The lower bid came from Northeast Asphalt, Inc., costing $61,702. Project expenses will be covered by $20,000 in Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant funds and the wheel tax. Trustee Priesgen made the motion to award the contract to Northeast Asphalt, Inc., which passed unanimously.
• The board considered authorizing the building inspector to inspect a Main Street property due to safety concerns. The property has been uninhabited for several years and is deteriorating. Notification of inspection and required 14-day compliance will be sent to the owner. The motion to authorize the property inspection was made by President Don Luedtke and passed unanimously.
• Director of Public Works Nick Roskopf informed the board that the water system radios are not communicating properly and should be upgraded. Roskopf proposed replacing the radios, antennae, and communication systems, which are 15 years old. The estimated cost for upgrades and maintenance is $45,538. The expense would be covered by the amount of interest accumulated on a money market account. A motion to approve water system radio upgrades and maintenance was made by Trustee More and passed unanimously.