By Ben Rodgers
Editor
HOBART – It was business as usual at the Tuesday, Feb. 5, Hobart village board meeting, where the board talked about property sales.
The most pressing issue was the amendment of the village code to create an article that establishes procedures relating to the sale or leasing of village-owned property.
“Basically the intent of this ordinance is to establish procedures and policies, whereas in the past, I’m not over confident that we had the same process on each one,” said Aaron Kramer, village administrator.
The amendment breaks down three types of property: substandard undeveloped property, or land with no structures, and is too small for existing development ordinances; standard developed property, which has no parcels but fits existing development ordinances; and finally developed property.
It calls for a public hearing before any sale of village-owned property and proper publication in the village’s official newspaper, The Press Times.
It also states that no village employee or member of the village board may enter into a purchase or rental agreement with the village.
“The League of Wisconsin Municipalities has been clear – when you sell public property you need to have policies in place,” Kramer said. “There is case law where communities have been challenged that they did not sell it for the best price or highest price, and any resident in the community could challenge the sale of property put out to bid.”
The motion passed unanimously.
The board also scheduled a public hearing for a 1 percent increase in the sewer rate for the Feb. 20 meeting.
The increase amounts to 6 cents for 1,000 gallons, with an average impact per resident of 74 cents per quarter or $2.96 annually.
The board also approved an impound agreement with Packerland Veterinary Center that will be good through 2021.
Packerland will continue to care for strayed, injured, abandoned or unattended animals.
Finally, David Lewis, a resident who owns the land where the proposed off-ramp from the State Highway 29 interchange would be placed, expressed opposition to the plan.
“I feel as if this town board has a personal vendetta to try and put me out of business,” Lewis said.
Kramer said the village has no such vendetta, and the plans the village board previously approved were drafted and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in 2015.
The plan was also signed off on by Howard and Pittsfield.
When it comes to land acquisition, the DOT will work with landowners with the village picking up the tab, Kramer said.
The board will also hold a public hearing in March to place the planned road on the village’s map.
“Everyone is entitled to their perceptions,” said Rich Heidel, board president. “However you perceive it, our intents are not as you think they are. We are not intending to put you out of business, or do you harm at all.”