Post Messenger Recorder -

On September 18, 2018, the New Glarus Village Board met for their regular meeting in the Community Room of Village Hall.

During the Public Comment section of the meeting Linda Hiland spoke on behalf of the Library Board, saying that they were requesting that the Village Board remove Glarner Park from consideration as a site for the proposed library.

Later in the meeting, the board took up the discussion for the library location. Mark Hawley presented a PowerPoint presentation that reiterated his concerns over the location of Glarner Park as a location for a new library. Hawley voiced his concerns over flooding, the cost to taxpayers, loss of green space and the loss of ball diamond. He stated his belief that flooding has gotten worse since construction began on the fire station expansion. Hawley noted that he felt that the board may want to re-think the project, asking if it should be re-sized. He expressed concern over the needs of the Village and mentioned the street repairs. Hawley also questioned whether a new library is a “want” rather than a “need”.

Trustee Anthony Edge then presented a series of motions. One of the motions presented rescinded the motion from December 5, 2017 (Resolution 16-18) that related to timelines for the library project and the Village turning over Glarner Park and proposed that staff research a new resolution to be considered at a future board meeting that would affirm the Village’s commitment of up to $1 million toward a new library project. The motion was approved. The board also approved motions to set up an ad hoc committee to discuss space, location, and commercial locations, as well as motions to for the board to work with the school and the parks committee to discuss options. The board also approved Edge’s motion to reimburse the library for money spent (estimated at approximately $16,000) for expenses related to the engineering and architecture work for the Glarner Park site plan. Village Administrator Bryan Gadow said that he would have to confirm that amount with the Library Board. Gadow added that he would prefer to wait until after the budget is completed to commit those funds. Another of Edge’s motions was for the board direct the Parks and Recreation Committee to work with youth associations and begin looking into plans for rehabilitating both Veterans and Glarner Park. That motion was also approved. Following the approval of the motions, there was an outburst of applause from the audience.

Administrator Gadow explained to the board that Randy Dreger, of Fest Haus Development, was requesting payment of the $45,000 in TIF assistance as provided by an agreement dated 2016 and approved by the Community Development Authority (CDA) and Village Board. The agreement provided for payment of the $45,000 once the property reaches a minimum assessed value of $423,800.

The TIF payments may be provided over a period of six years, or in full at any time before December 2025 with approval by the Village Board. Currently the assessed value of the property is $233,400; however, the full assessment after completion of the project won’t take place by the Village until January 2019. Gadow reported that the CDA recommended amending the Agreement to provide Dreger with a payment of $36,000, which would amount to eighty percent of the $45,000 now with the remainder held until the January 2019 assessment is completed and indicates a total assessed value of at least $423,800. The board approved the payment.

Road construction will begin on 1st Street on October 8, 2018, as part of a two-part project, Gadow told the board. The project is scheduled as a two-part project with the first part, replacement of the concrete parking lanes to be repaved starting October 8, 2018, and ending approximately one week later. The second part, repaving of the driving surface, will occur the week of October 15, 2018, and take approximately five days. Gadow said that the timelines are weather permitting and that neither part of the project should require a total closure of the street to traffic. He also noted that permanent tent anchors will be added as part of the project.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.