The New Glarus Village Board met on July 7, 2015. Before the board meeting, a Public Hearing was held to discuss an ordinance that would allow the parking of semitrailers on 430 feet of the west side of Hoesly Drive for up to 72 hours. The ordinance would also prohibit parking on a section of the east side of Hoesly Drive. Currently, Hoesly Drive falls under the Village Ordinance that prohibits parking for more than 24 hours on any street.  

New Glarus Police Chief Burt Boldebuck had prepared a written response to the proposed ordinance and spoke at the Public Hearing. He said that the New Glarus Police Department had stopped enforcing the 24-hour parking ordinance on Hoesly Drive during a trial period. During this trial period, Boldebuck said there were a number of vehicles left on both sides of the road and at times blocking the road or narrowing it to one lane. He noted that the primary business parking and storing their vehicles on Hoesly Drive was Top Logistics, adding that the company routinely parks five or six semi tractors and/or trailers on Thursday and leaves them until Sunday or Monday. Boldebuck presented a series of photos taken over the last four months to illustrate his point.

Top Logistics owner Dale Stampfli was in attendance and said, “What am I supposed to do with these semi-trailers? Sell them?” Boldebuck replied that if Stampfli is allowed to park his trailers on the street, other companies may start parking on the street as well.

Stampfli noted that his trailers are always parked on the west side and that usually the trucks are there only from Friday until Sunday, and said that drivers by law must have 34 hours off, so they aren’t able to come back in and move the trailers every 24 hours. Stampfli also pointed out that the trailers were more secure parked on street where the police department patrols the area. He added that the only way he would have room on his property was to remove all the trees and landscaping that the village had asked him to put in a few years ago.

Boldebuck stated his belief that the ordinance should remain the same, and pointed out in that in the winter alternate side parking rules do apply.

After further discussion about the congested parking on Industrial Drive, the Public Hearing was closed. The issue was taken up again during the board meeting, with the agenda item regarding the change in the ordinance.

In the board discussion, Trustee Mark Janowiak said that while he understands Stampfli’s problem with parking, he believed that there could be a “three or six month” grace period and then begin enforcement of the current 24-hour ordinance.

After more discussion about parking issues for the various businesses in the Industrial Park, the board voted to deny the proposed ordinance, keeping the current ordinance in place. They also decided to delay enforcement of the 24-hour parking ordinance in that area, giving Stampfli time to come up with a solution to his parking issues.  They requested that Boldebuck meet with Public Works Director Scott Jelle and Stampfli to try to work something out. Boldebuck said he wanted to keep the discussions moving, and wanted to include Sgt Jeff Sturdevant in the process.

It was decided that there would be a moratorium on citations issued. The matter would come back to the Public Works/Public Safety meeting in August for an update on the discussions, with anticipation of a definitive resolution in September.

The board approved an amendment to the Personnel Handbook to allow the New Glarus Police Department to have their own Facebook page.

The board also awarded the bid for replacing the roof on the Chalet of the Golden Fleece to High Top Roofing. The company had the low bid of $5,530. The Chalet Maintenance account will cover the cost of the roof.  The board also approved a bid for new air conditioner for the Chalet. The old air conditioner had quit working and repairs were not possible, as parts are no longer available. Monroe Heating and Sheet Metal had the low bid at $3,729, and the funds were to be taken from the General Fund.   

The board then went into closed session to review the applications and the process for hiring a new Village Administrator.  

When the board reconvened into open session, Village President Roger Truttmann reported the Village Board is proceeding with the hiring process for the Village Administrator.

Village Clerk Lynne Erb reported that she had been in contact with PAA regarding assistance with the remaining portions of the administrator hiring process and received a verbal quote of $4,000 plus travel expense for taking the process from the July 7th Village Board meeting through appointment of the new administrator. This process would include arranging for interviews, organizing and conducting social event and interviews, background checks, and contract negotiation. The board approved a contract for assistance with the remaining hiring process for the Administrator to PAA of Oshkosh, WI at a cost of $4,000 plus travel expense.