Regular Meeting of the Lovells Township Board
December 10, 2024
APPROVED MINUTES
PRESENT: Cheryl Hopp, Tamara Kengel, Gary Neumann, Janet Dunning, Richard Wright
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Ann C. Duby, Sally Brand, Chief Lewicki, Dave Soderquist, Peggy Orr, Jo Johnson, Melanie Cragg, Kevin Kunkleman, Matt Moeller, Pam Plants, Jack Plants, George Schiller
Supervisor Wright called the Board Meeting to order at 10:00AM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 12, 2024:
Reading and approval of the minutes of our Regular Board Meeting November 12, 2024. One correction was noted by Gary Neumann, page 3, last paragraph; should be Dec 2024 not Dec 2025. Clerk will correct. Motion to approve minutes as corrected. Unanimously approved by board.
Approve Prepaid Vouchers:
Treasurer’s Report: It was noted that snowplowing payout was broken out in 4 installments. The first divided payout being in December. Snowplowing gets passed not only to the township hall, but also to the fire barn and the two transfer stations.
Motion to approve Treasurer’s Report. Unanimously approved by board.
Correspondence: None noted
Department Reports:
- Assessing – December bills going out
- Fire Department – 7 runs; 4 Fire and 3EMS (added one new employee)
- Liquor Inspector – 3 inspections submitted and accepted
- Zoning Administrator – Zoning report submitted for 24×35 Pole Barn
- Zoning Enforcement Officer – No activity
Commissions, Committees and Boards:
- Board of Review – Meeting Dec 10 @2PM
- Historical Society Representative: Tammy to take over as Liaison
- Planning Commissions: No activity
- Zoning Board of Appeals: No activity
- Lovells Reading and Media Center: No activity
- Parks and Recreation Committee: No activity
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Draft Ordinance for the management of short term rentals. Explanations delivered by Supervisor Richard Wright focused on licensing, grandfathering existing properties, and legal risks. Two motions were called to vote on:
- Without Grandfather – Vote taken: 3 No’s (Dunning, Neumann, Wright) and 2 Yes (Kengel & Hopp). Motion failed.
- With Grandfather – Vote taken: 3 Yes (Dunning, Neumann, Wright) and 2 No’s (Kengel & Hopp). Motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Residents raised concerns about transparency, environmental preservation and governance. The overall focus was to balance community needs with regulatory compliance and legal considerations.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Board approval to (1) utilize the firm KCI for the printing and mailing of assessments notices this coming February and (2) authorization for the pre-payment of estimated postage as required by KCI.
Motion to approve. All Ayes: Dunning, Wright, Kengel, Hopp, and Neumann.
2. Discuss and potentially adopt our 2025 Resolution re: the income guidelines and asset test for Poverty Exemptions as required by the State Tax Commission.
Motion to approve. Unanimously approved by board.
3. Distribution of the draft FY 2025 – 2026 township General and Liquor Funds that will be adjudicated at our 1/14/2025 monthly meeting and adopted after a Public Hearing at our 2/11/2025 monthly meeting.
This will be a topic for next month and will provide total spent.
4. Wind Energy facility exclusion ordinance – state has control, amending ordinance to reflect lack of township control.
Motion to approve. Unanimously approved by board.
5. Notary – With Ken retiring the Township can no longer offer notary services during business hours. Ken has graciously offered to help while we are considering our options.
Janet to sign up for Notary Services.
6. Liaison to Historical Society – Tamara Kengel has offered to fill this role. Recommend that she be allowed to serve as Liaison.
Tammy accepted.
7. Appointments
- Planning Commission members: (5 ) Rick Wright, Janice Orin, Nancy Simonelli, Sally Brand, Tamara Kengel removed from commission due to Rick Wright becoming supervisor. Jo Johnson expressed interest in the position. Recommend Jo be okayed for appointment.
Motion Approved – Unanimously approved by Board
- Board of Review – Re-Appoint Dale Gautheir Jr., Denise Long and Joan Petroff with Ron Tallieu as alternate. Gary contacted existing BOR members and they are willing to serve another term.
Motion approved and all in favor. No one opposed.
Motion to adjourn meeting accepted.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:30AM
Next Regular Meeting of Lovells Township Board will be held Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM at this location.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janet L Dunning
Lovells Township Clerk