Cadott Village Board - Library fully funded through $3.7 million grant

The Cadott Public Library will have a new home in a couple years, as they applied for, and received, a $3.7 million Flexible Facilities Program Grant, to construct a new building at the chosen State Hwy. 27 location. Present for the award announcement, left to right, were Cadott Village clerk April Bruhn, Cadott Library Board member Katherine “Cookie” Kaste, Gov. Tony Evers, Department of Administration secretary Kathy Blumenfeld and Cadott Village president Randy Kuehni. Submitted Photo

By Ginna Young

There was big news at the Cadott Village Board meeting Oct. 7, as trustees learned that the Cadott Community Library was awarded a $3,747,710 million Flexible Facilities Program Grant, fully funding construction of a new library building. The location will be along State Hwy. 27, providing for more space, handicapped accessibility and a greater community presence.

Cadott was one of 35 communities awarded the funding, out of 100 applicants, who went through a rigorous checklist, instead of income-based requirements.

“These grants were reviewed by at least a minimum of five different departments within the state,” said Lynn McIntyre, Cedar Corp.

Construction will begin in 2025, with a completion date of 2026.

“It was a no-brainer not to apply for it and it’s good for the community,” said village president Randy Kuehni.

During the meeting, members approved Ordinance 2024-6, to adopt the Comprehensive Plan amendment, which addresses a future project in TID 5, but also names minor changes. For example, in the housing policies, before, it was focused on owner-occupied or single-family ownership.

“The reality is, there’s more need for any type of housing,”

said Josh Miller, Cedar Corp. The updated plan, which, by state law, must be done every 10 years, also would acquire sidewalks in the village, and funding for them when financially feasible and when there’s a housing project.

“Just allowing for a little more flexibility,” said Miller. The board also approved zone changes for CB Investments LLC, from two-family residential (R-3) to singlefamily residential medium density (R-2), based on a recommendation from the Planning and Development Committee, as well as a preliminary Certified Survey Map.

“We want more neighbors,” said Anson Albarado, who lives near the map site.

Also approved, was a Certified Survey Map for Falcon Heights, LLC.

In addition, the board approved police chief Daryl Pries to work in the office, as able, as he recovers from rotator cuff surgery. Pries said he will come in when no officer is on duty, to complete paperwork, scheduling, training and updating records, as well as answering phone calls.

“Just day-to-day office stuff,” said Pries. “I cannot be in uniform, I cannot carry a gun.”

Pries will be officially off-duty between two to three months.

“I think if he can handle it, I don’t see a problem,” said trustee Ronnie Duncan.

Members also agreed to trade in the public works lawn mower for a new model, which has been done the last few years, with a lot of success, this time, for $1,850. By doing so, the department has almost no maintenance or repairs on the mower.

“We just have to change the oil, that’s it,” said public works director Jeremy Kenealy.

Members felt that while the price went up this year, trading in the mower is still cheaper than buying a new one every year, especially when you break each cutting time down over the seasons.

“That’s pretty reasonable,” said trustee Todd Seeley. Also agreed, was to have just one meeting in November, and to have it Monday, Nov. 11, as one meeting falls just before the presidential election and the other during hunting season.

While not an action item, Miller brought up the village’s fee schedule. When reviewing projects and applications, it costs the village money and Cedar Corp. doesn’t feel the taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for that, but that those applying should.

The fees are already laid out in one section of the village code, so it was agreed they will work on a resolution to change the schedule, before the end of the year. When someone has a zone change or other application, currently, the fee is set so low, the village has to eat the difference.

“Right now, the village is not adequately charging fees for the appropriate amounts it costs the village,” said Miller.