The Owen Common Council held their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 23.
Under an item titled Council Decisions, Pam Jaffke brought up the fact that the property being offered to the Owen-Withee-Curtiss Fire District for a new fire station changed between the council meeting and the joint meeting with the fire district and most of the council members had no idea of the change. Jaffke said everyone needs to communicate. Alderperson Ken Martine agreed.
For the Parks & Rec Report, Ray Kilty said that the playground grant they were looking at doesn’t cover things they thought it would, so the city would end up paying a lot of money out of pocket. He said they are looking into other grants, otherwise they will have to start fundraising. Public works will remove the rock wall that is in bad shape.
Kilty also reported on the Planning meeting. He said that Jim Bohl would like to purchase lots 18 and 19 to build duplexes. The committee was willing to trade those for lots that Bohl already owns but hasn’t developed yet, if that is what he wants to do. They need to see a layout for the duplexes to make sure they will fit on the lots. DPW Chad Smith said that Zoning Administrator Carter Sapinksi was looking into whether the front door needs to face the road. Kilty said Planning had discussed the idea of having the fire station on the south side of Highway 29. That meeting was held the night before the joint meeting.
The council had nothing to add about the joint meeting with the fire district.
Alderperson Jaffke reported on the Police Meeting. She said the union contract was being amended to reflect new shift hours. Chief Fehlman gave a report on his officers and a commendation for Officer Scheffler. Jaffke said they spent time on the budget, which includes an approximate five percent increase. The union wages for Officers Haugstad and Scheffler are set. They also talked about K-9 Jimi and whether his care should be a budget line or from donations. She said they didn’t talk about the savings account. That will be on the next meeting agenda.
Jaffke also reported on the Personnel meeting. She said wages were set at a 4% increase, which is part COLA and part merit based. She said the employees are committed to the city. Deputy Clerk Kelly Booth’s probation period is done, so her pay will be raised to $18 and her increase for 2026 will be based on that amount. Carter Sapinski has gotten his CDL so his wages will go to $21.50 backdated to the date he received his CDL. This was approved by a motion of the council.
In regard to the nuisance property on Second Street, Mayor Scott Jalling got a phone call from the neighbors. He talked to the city attorney and the abatement order will be sent to the court within the week. Then they will have to wait for it to get on the court calendar.
In regard to the PFAS lawsuit, the rest of the money is supposed to come in September. DPW Smith said he had a choice of taking 25% of the money up front and having the rest paid out over seven years or paying the attorneys extra to get all of the money now. He did the paperwork to get it now. The attorneys representing the municipalities did prevail in court so the city will get all of its money now. He said that he would like to put the money into a savings account for future needs in regard to PFAS. He said if the limits were lowered, they would have to do upgrades to the sewer treatment plant. He would also like to put the money previously received into the savings account rather than use it for a budgeted item.
DPW Smith gave his Public Works Report. For water, they have been working on the PSC rate case, with Clerk Tracy Rau doing most of the work. He had his water system inspection with the DNR. He is working on a map of the water system for the DNR. He also needs to get them a ground reservoir inspection report. Well #6 had a pump failure. They put in a new pump and it is pumping at a higher rate. They also had to replace the water depth sensor. They had a curb stop leak on 3rd Street. They did fire flow testing for the business coming into the business park. On the sewer side of things, Smith said he has started a program to jet the sanitary sewer mains on a three-year rotation. He submitted his Phosphorus Minimization Report to the DNR. He thinks the DNR will lower the rate with the next permit. He also submitted his PFOS/PFOA Minimization Plan Determination of Need Report to the DNR. He has been testing every other month for almost two years and is requesting that he be allowed to do less frequent testing. They might have to determine where the stuff is coming from in the future, including looking at cleaning chemicals, etc. used by various area businesses. They have also been doing annual maintenance at the plant, including cleaning structures and tanks, jetting the line from S-3 to the filter building, replacing anthracite media in the filters, and cleaning the ferric injection cups systems. For streets, they have submitted paperwork to the DOT for reimbursement for the work done on 2nd Street. They added some concrete to the city hall driveway. By doing it themselves they saved on the cost. Smith calculated it cost $4.98 per square foot with public works employees doing the work versus paying someone $8-$14 per square foot. They will be completing the restoration work on 2nd Street and by doing it themselves will save on the cost. They did testing for fire suppression for the business coming into the business park. The DNR will probably not approve a tank just for fire suppression. It would also need PSC approval. The reason being, it might create a liability issue for the city. They met with Clark County Rehabilitation & Living Center about whether they could supply water. They cannot. They could put a pump in the building with a 12’ line to get more pressure for fire suppression. Green Grove Supply is trying to figure out what to do so they can get started on their building. He brought a sample drawing for the new Welcome to Owen sign on Highway 29. He is having them remove Owen-Withee from the sign as presented. Xcel Energy needs an easement for their new power line. They will also have to cut down one tree in front of city hall. The mayor will sign the easement and formal approval will be given at the next meeting. The new lights will cost the city $12/light/month. Under Parks, Smith reported they did prep work for the Owen Fair.
Under the Mayor’s Report, Jalling said a group from Altoona is looking at purchasing lots to build homes in Countryside Estates. They would like to start with one lot and build in the spring. They might purchase as many as 6-8 lots over time. They would like to put up a sign advertising their properties. At the United Communities meeting, they discussed nuisance properties. They also got a tour of Clark County Rehabilitation & Living Center. A lot of them are worried about getting people to apply for police openings.