Cadott Village Board; Sewer could be tied to TIF district

Daryl Pries, Cadott Police chief, explained his vision Sept. 5, for a clerk’s office and police department moving forward. The current space needs some updated safety measures, so a new building could be the way to go, if the price tag allows. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Looking ahead to housing development, resident Russ Falkenberg requested that the Cadott Village Board look at installing sewer on Hartford Street. Members discussed the request Sept. 5.

By running sewer pipe and adding two additional manholes, along with reconstruction efforts, the amount comes to $75,620. That’s not including installing curb and gutter.

Falkenberg was willing to cover the cost going across M D Street from Hartford, but since it’s in a Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) district, the village board discussed going ahead and getting the street project done.

“It’s an eligible project cost, so I’d think it certainly makes sense to fund that with the TIF,” said Josh Miller, with Cedar Corp.

Miller mentioned that the board may want to tie the project into Falkenberg’s assessed value, to ensure there’s some payback. The village may also be able to get a matching grant.

Either way, with a new housing development, based on the way a TIF operates, the village can recoup that money within several years.

“The sooner they’re (houses) built, the sooner you can recoup the revenue,” said Miller.

The current TIF runs until 2039, so Cadott could structure a development agreement with Falkenberg to build the homes over stages. Board member Terry Licht pointed out that water is already in that area, they just have to get the sewer going, which would attract a lot of attention.

“Yeah, it’s going to be a little money up front, but we’re going to recoup that…it’s only going to benefit our village in the future,” said board member Eric Weiland.

Miller did advise against a bilateral across private property, which is what Falkenberg originally anticipated and then planned to abandon it after the street got put in, but it’s something that may be required. With members in favor of exploring the street/sewer project, a decision rests upon the costs of curb and gutter that will be available by the next meeting.

“I guess the idea is, how can we afford that?” said board president Randy Kuehni.

Also discussed was adding 5-10 percent more solar with Rice Lake.

“However, it’s significantly more money than it was last time around,” said board member Bart Chapek.

Kuehni was concerned Cadott would have to buy additional capacity, if they up the percentage.

“Because, we’re low on capacity right now, I know that,” he said.

Kuehni said he might be willing to go 5 percent, but is not sure it’s the right move for Cadott at the time. Members agreed they need more information before making a concrete decision and if they would need to make a snap decision, to decline the offer.

Cadott Police Chief Daryl Pries also had a request: permission to apply for a week-long training offering by the FBI, geared toward police administrators/rural police forces.

“All expenses are paid to go to this conference…the FBI will reimburse the village for any travel and hotel, meals are provided,” said Pries, adding that the village is only responsible for his eight hours a day salary, which is contractual. “The best kind of training is free.”

Members gave their blessing for Pries to apply. Pries also informed the board that the computers in the squads are at least 10 years old, so he is looking to get those replaced, along with the portable radios, which are for sure more than 10 years old. By using the remaining funds from the state grant that was about $6,300 the department received last year, that could be put toward the purchase of two new mobile data computers that are outfitted for the village’s squad cars and two radios.

Along with a $500 grant from the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, only $143 would come out of the budget for the $7,900 purchase. “I’m estimating that I can get about $1,000 out of the old radios, reselling them,” said Pries.

The computers will need to be destroyed, because of security reasons and the data stored in them.

“Nice work,” said Weiland.

Kuehni asked who will buy the radios and Pries said he will post them for sale on online law enforcement sites to see if other agencies want them. Since technology is changing, Cadott needs to be on the same system as the county, like they are with a couple newer radios previously purchased.

“That’s why we only purchased two,” said Pries. Pries is also looking into switching from 40mm Glock firearms to 9mm ones, allowing for greater control. The 9 have less recoil, which means more accuracy. There are no prices on the sidearms yet, but they will likely end up on next year’s budget.

“They’re a very reliable firearm,” said Pries. Also mentioned, was the possibility of securing a new space for the village clerk’s office and the police department. When Pries was hired for the chief position, he was tasked with looking at the security of the department.

“And there are a lot of things we need to change and update,” said Pries.

However, Pries is well aware of budget constrictions, but he knows Cadott won’t want to spend all the money to update the current space, when there could be a building that already has the specifications they’re looking for, such as the former Marshfield Clinic building.

Kuehni says the village is very much interested in that property, whether for a new clerk’s office or the potential for a new library, but the price tag is too high, unless the price could be negotiated.

Before deciding anything, Pries wants to hear from the community what they think and pointed out that in the future, there’s space to add on at Marshfield Clinic and maybe put the current clerk’s office/police department up for sale, improving development and recouping their investment.

“This building can still be functional for public works, it doesn’t have to go away,” said Pries.