FEBRUARY 5, 2020
THE SUN
9
www.osceolasun.com
Auto theft leads to lengthy list of charges BY APRIL ZIEMER EDITOR@THEAMERYFREEPRESS.COM
A report of a stolen vehicle was the start of a chain of events leading to the arrest of Robert C Carpentier, 3 Osceola 36, a Amber and R Rogalla, 3 Hadley, 35, M Minn., Jan. 2 20. According Carpentier to t the Proba able Cause r report, an o cer was offi d dispatched i St. Croix in F Falls after a woman c called to Rogalla r report that Carpentier and Rogalla had been to her residence and stole her vehicle. The victim said earlier in the day she pulled the vehicle into her driveway and realized the brakes on her car were not working so she had to apply the emergency brake to get the car to stop. She left the residence to go get parts to repair the vehicle and when she returned home, she saw her vehicle was missing. The victim asked her roommate where the car was. Her roommate said that Carpentier and Rogalla had come to the house, went into a bedroom, where they may have possibly taken items and left with her car. She said Rogalla took the stolen vehicle and Carpentier followed behind her, driving another vehicle. The victim said Rogalla had previously taken her car without permission and driven it to Milwaukee. The victim stated she knew Rogalla from jail and that she believed Rogalla may have also
stolen her spare key to the vehicle. Missing from the bedroom which Carpentier and Rogalla allegedly entered were a laptop computer, several bags and numerous personal identifications, including her driver’s license. During the incident, a Polk County investigator overheard radio traffic pertaining to the incident. He was familiar with Carpentier based on an on-going drug investigation, which was being conducted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and St. Croix Valley Drug Task Force. As part of the on-going investigation, law enforcement had secured a search warrant for Carpentier’s vehicle and residence. Law enforcement located the stolen vehicle left abandoned and there did not appear to be damage to the vehicle. They informed the owner it had been found. Carpentier and Rogalla were located. In an initial interview, Carpentier allegedly admitted going to the residence where the vehicle had been stolen earlier, but denied any knowledge of vehicle theft. Rogalla also denied being involved. Eventually Carpentier admitted Rogalla took the vehicle and followed her to a residence in Minnesota and picked her up after she parked the vehicle. He said he did not know why Rogalla took the car, but said the victim owed Rogalla money. A search warrant served on Carpentier’s vehicle allowed law enforcement to locate numerous items in his trunk with the victim’s initials on them. These SEE THEFT, PAGE 18
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF OSCEOLA OFFICIAL NOTICE NOTICE TO ELECTORS RELATING TO BOND ISSUE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that on January 27, 2020, at a meeting of the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin, the following resolution was adopted pursuant to Section 67.05(6a)(a)2. of the Wisconsin Statutes: INITIAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $10,000,000 BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of the School District of Osceola, Polk and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin, that there shall be issued, pursuant to Chapter 67, Wisconsin Statutes, General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs of capital maintenance projects at the high school, middle school, intermediate school and bus garage including replacements and upgrades to mechanical, lighting, roofing, HVAC, electrical and security systems; and equipment acquisition related to said projects. The District electors may inspect the Initial Resolution at the District offices during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Peter Kammerud District Clerk School District of Osceola 331 Middle School Drive Osceola, Wisconsin 54020
Minutes of Osceola
Village Board Proceedings Pursuant to due call and notice posted the Village of Osceola Board met in session on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 5:45 p.m. in the Village Hall/Discovery Center – Large Meeting Room (205). Present: Buberl, Schmidt, Burch, Rose, Murphy arrives at 5:56 p.m., Gilliland, Anderson arrives at 5:56 p.m. Absent: None Also present: Krumenauer, Duncanson, Caruso, Friendshuh and public. Buberl called the meeting to order at 5:46 p.m. and opened
Minutes of Osceola
Village Board Proceedings Pursuant to due call and notice posted December 28, 2019 the Village of Osceola Board met for a Regular meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Village President Jeromy Buberl called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Village Hall/Discovery Center – Large Meeting Room (205). Present: Buberl, Bob Schmidt, Van Burch, Deb Rose, Bruce Gilliland, Tim Anderson, and Travis Murphy Absent: None Also present: Administrator Krumenauer, Clerk Duncanson, Library Director Friendshuh, Utilities Director Rick Caruso, Fire Department and citizens. Motion by Rose and seconded by Gilliland to approve the agenda. Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion carried. Motion by Anderson and seconded by Murphy to approve the minutes as listed: a. Regular meeting dated November 12, 2019 b. Village Board Workshop dated November 12, 2019 c. Village Board Workshop and closed session dated November 21, 2019 d. Village Board meeting dated November 26, 2019 Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion carried. There was no one from the public for input and ideas. Reports Staff Reports Administration-Krumenauer introduced and welcomed new Village Clerk Duncanson. Krumenauer is working to resolve sewer billing issues with the Village of Dresser due to a miscalculation in 2014 and 2015 resulting in them being underbilled by approximately $40,000. Krumenauer also commented on the funding gap with the new Village Hall/Library/ Police Dept. building and is trying to find out if Village is owed more from CDBG funds. Police- Chief Pedrys is excused due to participation in the Shop with A Cop event. Public Works- Caruso commented on water meter readings being loaded and Village equipment listed for sale. Library- Friendshuh commented on the recent focus groups held to gather suggestions for strategic planning. Circulation is down from this month last year, most likely due to last year at this time being the first full month in the Discovery Center. There are new collections available including ACT prep tablets, digital literacy tablets for kids, and a graphic novel collection. There have been 603 items donated valued at $12,000. Fire-Chief – Stark stated they added two new fire fighters last week. There has not been a lot of activity with only one run since the last report. There have been emergency repairs on the pump for the Jaws apparatus. Preparations are underway for the 2020 Fireman’s Ball on February 8th. The new extractor and drying system are in at the Fire Hall. Building- There were two new permits issued in November for single family homes. Throughout the year there were 114 with an increase of $7.2 million in value. This will not necessarily translate to new tax value. Chamber of Commerce/Mainstreet-Germaine Ross reports they have been very busy. The Light Up Osceola Event was attended by 650 people. Dough on the Go was a huge success with a couple thousand people in town. Four new Board members were recruited. The other big project is Illuminate Downtown. Other business – discussion and possible action re: Hauled waste rate adjustment Caruso presented background information that the proposed hauled waste rate adjustment is part of the other rate adjustment to all regular users. The proposed rate adjustment is at the same rate as regular customers with extra charges for strength and has been approved by the water and sewer committee. Motion by Rose and seconded by Gilliland to approve the
the Public Hearing on the proposed 2020 Village budget. Phil Madison of Core Products at 808 Prospect Ave. commented on the budget. Mr. Madison stated he pays approximately $17,000 a year in taxes and is looking at a 25% increase. Mr. Madison expressed concerns regarding the value of his building and how the Village can justify expenses. Bernie Desmaris of 114 N Cascade thanked the Village Board for publishing the budget. Mr. Demaris commented he is hoping the Village can start with a clean slate with transparency and working together. Mr. Demaris had concerns the proposed increase in taxes is the exact outcome that was feared. Mr. Demaris also had several questions that will be addressed during the Regular meeting to follow the public hearing. There were no other public comments. Buberl adjourned the Public Hearing to the Regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Frances Duncanson, MMC-WCPC Village Clerk WNAXLP
hauled waste rate adjustment as proposed. Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion carried. Water credit policy Caruso has written a draft policy to standardize when sewer credit is issued and noted water cannot be adjusted. Examples of when this policy would be applied would be an underground pipe broken. Leaking toilets or pool filling is not included in this policy. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Burch to approve the water credit policy. Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion carried. Resolution 19-14 2020 budget and tax levy resolution. Motion by Burch and seconded by Gilliland to approve Resolution 19-14-Budget and Tax Levy resolution. Discussion: Krumenauer asked if there were questions from the Board, and there were none. Krumenauer thanked the staff as it was a rushed process this year and went on to note 2020 may need a standard budget amendment. Krumenauer stated this was an open process and residents were welcome to join in. Desmaris and Mattison had several questions. Krumenauer responded the budget is going up due to the debt service load and the levy is going to go up proportionately. For an average home valued at $100,000 this would mean about a $129 increase in taxes. The maximum on debt load is 5% of the Village’s equalized value and we are at 90% of that limit right now. A 10% increase in equalized value gave us additional borrowing capacity. This debt will decrease in coming years as various loans are refinanced. Krumenauer stated his is a public office and door was always open and thanked peopled for showing up. Resolution 19-15 EDA reimbursement request ($15,320) Krumenauer stated there are still steps left to close out the grant for the Fab Lab and this resolution was required by the federal government. We can still get some reimbursement for expenses even though the Fab Lab was not approved. Motion by Anderson and seconded by Gilliland to approve Resolution 19-15 for the EDA reimbursement request of $15,320.00 Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion carried. Support for WisDOT Local Road Improvement Program grant request ($607,475) Krumenauer explained the current State administration has increased funds for the LRIP program and to be eligible for funding the potential 2021-2022 project for Simmon Drive the Village needs to act. This action would not commit us to doing the project, but applying for the grant. This is a 90% grant funding opportunity. Motion by Gilliland and seconded by Murphy to approve Village support for the WisDot Local Road Improvement Program grant request of $607,475.00. Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion carried. Board, Committee, Commission and Agency Reports There were no questions or comments on the following: Osceola Library Board – October 3, 2019 Airport Commission – October 21, 2019 Sewer and Water Committee – April 12, 2019 Appointment of poll workers for 2020 and 2021 terms Duncanson explained under WI Statutes the Village was required to appoint poll workers for the 2020-2021 term. Motion by Schmidt and seconded by Burch to approve the appointment of poll workers as listed. Ayes-6 Nays-0 Abstain-1 (Rose) Financial update Krumenauer provided an updated balances report that will be complete upon reconciliation. Approval of vouchers payable Krumenauer noted this includes vouchers for both October and November 2019. Motion by Rose and seconded by Gilliland to approve the vouchers payable. Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion carried. Discussion of and action on any other appropriate items The Board thanked Krumenauer for his hard work on the budget. There was some discussion of snow removal of parking lots. There were no motions made and no action taken. The meeting was adjourned by Buberl at 7:08 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Frances Duncanson, MMC-WCPC Village Clerk WNAXLP
