· WISCONSIN ETHICS COMMISSION
COMPLAINT FORM
1. Please provide the following information about yourself (Complainant): complainantname
Becca Raven Uminowicz
I s3Sc03e streetauoress
373WillowStreet
Emailaddres.s
uminowiczbr@gmail.com '
2. Please provide the following information for the person you allege violated the law (Respondent): Responoentname
Kathy Stoltz
Street address
Cade 712 Sharon Street
Email aooress
kathymstoltz@gmail.c:om
3. Please state the applicable section(s) of law in Chapter 11, subchapter II! of Chapter 13, or subchapter Ill of Chapter 19, if known: WI Statutes§ 11.1303 regarding elections; WI Statute§§ 19.59, regarding conflict of interest
4.
r, Becca Raven Uminowicz
STATE OF WISCONSIN
Before the Ethics Commission • allege that:
I was visiting my neighbor Connie Albrecht at 340 Willow Street, Arena, WI 53503 (608-753-2401) on March 14, 2025 and she shared with me the attached flier and said that current Arena Village Trustee (and candidate for Arena Village President and Village Trustee) Kathy Stoltz was canvassing door to door March 13 and Stoltz directly handed the flier to Connie and asked for her vote.
There is no attribution or "paid for by" statement on the campaign handbill. In Wisconsin, when a candidate distributes campaign handbills without the required attribution or "paid for by" statements, they violate Wisconsin Statutes 11.1303. This statute mandates that any communication containing express advocacy, including printed materials like handbills, must clearly identify its source.
Stoltz has served several terms on the board and presumably is familiar with campaign law after running several times. In fact, Stoltz's yard signs contain the requisite "paid for by" statement, so she knows the requirement.
This failure to follow the rules is indicative of a pattern of actions for Stoltz and several board members that vote as a bloc, who all do not think the rules apply to them. There are several other instances where Stoltz has violated ethics regarding refusing to recuse herself from discussions and votes where she has a conflict of interest and stands to financially benefit - going so far as to make the motion for the action at times. She has asserted in meetings that she does not believe voting for something that would result in a financial benefit for her or her family is a conflict of interest.
An example is:
During the Jan. 7, 2025 board meeting, Kathy Stoltz makes a motion to expend village monies to contract with MSA, the Village's engineering firm, in order to undertake a feasibility study that would look at infrastructure improvements related to water drainage that if undertakenwould directly and positively impact Stoltz's property value for tax parcels 101-0095 and 101-0082 in the Village of Arena. Stoltz specifically states in the meeting: "I think we should do it for the landowners and families that live in that area· and so that they can enjoy, you know, the property valuations and, and life just like everyone else in the village can." This point about property value is highlighted in the minutes as well. Meeting audio and transcripts available upon request.
Please see additional pages attached. (No more than 10 pages total.)
WISCONSIN ETHICS COMMISSION COMPLAINT FORM
NOTARIAL CERTIFICATE
1 Becca Raven Uminowicz being first duly sworn, on oath, state that I personally read the ;bove complaint, and that the above allegations are true based on my personal knowledge and, as to those stated on information and belief, I believe them to be true.
Date: • tJ 5 Ji9 /.:i{);,J._5' '
STATE OF WISCONSIN
COUNTY OF -=LA~N~f_. ---(county of notarization)
Signed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me on --~~~rpe~_h_._.__{_q____ 20 l~
by
Becca Raven Uminowicz
(name of individual making statement). r oaths}
Notary Public or _____________ _ (official title if not notary)
My commission expires // lrilr{ I or is permanent.
Instructions
• Section 1 - Please provide your full name and address. Anonymous complaints are NQI accepted.
• Section 2 - Please provide the full name and address of the person against whom the complaint is filed. If multiple persons are alleged to have committed a violation, file a separate complaint for each person.
• Section 3 - Please state the applicable section of law that has been violated. Complaints that fail to allege a violation of Chapter 11, subchapter III of Chapter 13, or subchapter III of Chapter 19 cannot be considered.
• Section 4:
Please insert your name. Include a concise statement of the facts supporting each alleged violation. Indicate whether an allegation is based on first-hand personal knowledge or information and belief. For allegations based on information and belief, please identify the source of the information. If citing legal authority, please include a public domain citation, if available. Citations shall also include a page or paragraph number, as appropriate.
Please attach additional pages or documentation, if necessary. No more than 10 total pages will be accepted without prior approval.
• Notarial Certificate - Please take the completed complaint to a notary public. The notary will place you under oath before asking you to sign the complaint.
• If an attorney or other authorized person is filing this complaint on behalf of the complainant, please include a notice of representation that includes the name and address of the attorney or authorized person.
Pleasesendthiscompletedform to:
Email: Fax: Mail: In-Person Delivery: ethics.complalnts@wl.gov (608) 264-9319 WisconsinEthicsCommission WisconsinEthicsCommission P.O.Box7125 101 E.Wilson St., Suite127 Madison,WI 53707-7125 Madison,WI 53703
What I have help
TH C: ... z FOR
I am a long-time resident of Arena. from ~rowing up, moving away after college, and returning after 11 years to start a business and care for family. I have served on the Village Board as Trustee on Personnel and Finance Committees since 2019. I have been an avid volunteer for Arena, raising funds for Parks, heading up Centennial activities and helping wherever I can. I am a founding member of the Arena Historians. My contact information is 608-588-4866 or w:) romplish
• Hiring of c.ompetent V1llagoErnp oyee , mainum111g ta,r wage-. e-d working to provide h ",th care
• Putting together updated Personnel M nuals, guide mes, and policy procedures.
• Streamlined committee structure. reducing the number o commrnees from 8 to 3, thu1>!>i:!v,ngt,n-e and taxpayer money for excessive meetings. Restructured the commtnee board dynamic to ensure that key decisions are made at the committee level, with resulting recommendations tnen presentea to the full board for final approval This return to proper committee structure improves transparency and ac-nuntr1b1lityand removes the previous micromanagement and control by the "One Man Board" that was m place. All 7 members are equal Trustees,with one vote each. The President has some add1tIonat dmin stretive d ut ~s. ltk "'' nmgchecks and resolutions and pres d ng over the meetings and marntarningqecorum.
• Preparedand str omlin d b..:de:et to meet our community needs and ensure that rnfrastructure is maintamed and in good sh:1pP.tnr rP.i:1Identsbusinesses and the potential for future development and bu~mltj::;::;1::s.
• F,n.shedthe overdu Comprchens•vePle!"so that busfnP.!.~e~Rnc1developers would be able to come to Arena. It outlines our vis on, goals, and ~lri:1lt::g1esfor future de-vetopme,t & is on the web~·te to view.
• Manageathe TIF D1:stin.:td d Plan so that vvher rt 1,•.nsdue to close, Arena d!d not IMP. any tunrt~. ensuring major road, second well and sewer proJectsthat were put off could be accomµli~hed. TIF districts are· not funded by the ouaget as some people ll1111kdnd they do have an exp1rat1ondate \•.'herean~,fund~ Left in them ere lost 1fnot used.
• Truin!! up a hugewater discrepancy with a business and recouping two years· wurllt uf fui 1d~.
• Updates to local business ordinances are designed to streamLineoperations and create a more supportive nnv1ronmentfor businesses. enabling them to operate efficiently enc mox1m1zeprofitaoillty.
• Upgrades and addrt1onsto our Parks,1.e.,a d1sab1lttyramp, concess1ons,benches, swings, fields. Support m sllowmg tocol groups to us p rks et no cost
• Sales nt propP.rtyon the comer of High & Oak for a profit. Sale to VFW the building that they have long occupied and mc:1int~111ed a::.a I g,at part o"Aren.;.
I am comm1tteo coArena and its residi::nts a 1d businesses ta do all I can ,o support & repr=-sent. I will not rearmcnger or 2'33l15h:vo~. I tetl it l re t rs. You cant usr me to do i- honestly. by tne rLnes and witn your Oest intarest3 in m10d. PL,~asevot'3 fo ,...,e• ~.0·1 1 and to~-at1,e- 'f' e w1 ke::-pA--d,1a·agre.:,t o ace olive.
VILLAGE OF ARENA
Arena, WI 53503
JANUARY 7, 2025
MINUTES
DATE:TUESDAY,JANUARY7, 2025
TIME:7:00PM
PLACE:345Westst1 Arena,WI53503
PURPOSE:REGULARMONTHLYBOARDMEETINGWITHTHEFOLLOWINGAGENDA:
1. Callto Orderat 7:00p.m.
2. RollCall:KateReimann,KatnyStoltz,WelissaSandell,KristenShea,MatthewSchroeder,BrittanyCarneyvia phoneat 7:06p.m.
3. Pledgeof Allegiance
4. MotionStoltz/Shea to ApproveJanuary7, 2025agenda.Motioncarried.
5. ConsentAgenda:Itemslistedundertheconsentagendawillbeapprovedinonemotionwithout discussionunlessanyBoardmemberrequeststhat an itembe removedforindividualdiscussion.
a. Approvalof minutesfromthe December5, 2024RegularBoardMtg& Dec.12,2024SpecialBrd Mtg
b. Approvalof monthlyinvoicesandbiweeklypayroll
MotionSandell/Stoltz to approveaboveconsentagenda.Motionearned.
6. PublicComment.
PaulPustina:Regardingthefeasibilitystudy,suggestlookingfor businesses in Arenasuchasthesouthsideof Hwy14.Puttingfundsintoinstallationof utilitiesvs a feasibilitystudywouldbea betterreturnof money,Wouldput buildingsonthetaxrollbringingin tax dollars,thencouldlookat a feasibilitystudy.
7. SPEAKERS:
1. ZachAdamsMSA:Updateon Projects - Wellhouse#2.Finalinspectionof thecompletedwellfacilitiesby the DNRConstructionManagerwascompletedtodayIM'lichwasrequiredforprojectcloseoutOutstanding administrativedocumentsrequiredfromthecontractorforprojectclosureincludeAISCertificationsandDe Minlmiswaiver.MSAwillcontinueto promptCCJandrecommendswithholdingfinalpaymentuntilthe requireddocumentshavebeenreviewedanacceptedbyDNR.Anticipatedfinalpayoutandchangeorder nextmonth.
SewerandLift StationImprovements.Finalinspectionof thecompletedsewerfacilitiesbythe DNR ConstructionManagerwascompletedtoday.TheJI Constructioncontractworklscompletewithanticipated warrantyworkincludingturfrestorationto beaddressedin thespringof 2025.JI hasprovideda letter confirmingthatthewarrantyworkwill be completed,Not allowedto holdcontingencyfundsdueto loan requirements.
DNRFunding.Continuingwithcloseoutprocess.Recommended to conferwithEhlerswhenconsidering theuseof theremainingloanbudgetforwaterand/orutility-relateddirectpurchaseitemswithintheproject scope.ClerkindicatedEhlersrecommendgettingit in writingfromDNRprojectmanagerthattheywillallow theVillageto usefundsin themannertheVillagedesires.
2025GISUpdates.Thecurrentframeworkfor the GISappswillberetiredat theendof 2025.Esriis encouragingcustomersto begintransiUoningfromArcGJS.WebAppBuik:Jer to ExperienceBuilder.Provided anestimateof thecoststhatwerereceivedtoday.NeedsfurtherreviewontheneedsoftheVillageandwill bringbackforfurtherdiscussion,wantedto maketheVillageawareof thechangeand costassociatedwith it.
a. PreliminaryDrainageImprovementFeasibilityStudyAgreement-Providedanagreementforno morethan$6,900to seeif cansolvethewaterissueon PineStreetHavelookedat somepreliminary informationandhavecomeup withtwooptions:1) pipingto ditchor 2) pipingnorthto theriver.Items includelookingat elevation,gravityfeedvs pumped,andregulationsneeded.Thiswouldjust be a startingpointto seeif it is feasiblefor surfacewaternotgroundwaterandhowmuchareait cancover. Discussionfromtheboardincludednotdoingthestudydueto it is groundwatervs surfacewaterand no guarantee it will work.other sideis healthissue,maintainingvalueof land,ownersableto enjoythe propertytheypaytaxeson.Majorityofpropertyownersinthisareaarewillingto paya special assessmentif thefeasibiUtystudyshowsthatthereis a possibilityof oorractingtheproblam.Motion Stoltz/Sandell to moveforwardwith MSA'spreliminarydrainageimprovementfeasibilitystudyfor no morethan$6,900.Motioncarried4-2withSheaandSchroederopposed.
8. President'sReport:
9. MonthlyMaintenanceReport- Sewermainblockagedueto non-flushablewipesbeingflushed.Informationto gooutto usersonwhatis notsupposedto beplacedin thesewersystem.A portionof theWellTowerhasbeen sandblastedandremainderwillbe completedwhenthetoweris drainedandpainted.DNRwasok withextension of thework.
10. Clerk/TreasurerReport:
11. OLDBUSINESS:
12. NEWBUSINESS:
1.. MotionSandell/Schroeder to approveEhlers-2025SewerRateStudydlsclosurefor $9,500.Motion carried.Town& CountryEngineersfromDana-Iowarecommendedthisstudywiththe upcomingprojects.
13. PublicWorks
14. Finance,Technology,Licensing
a. MotionSandell/Stoltz to approveGFC•CopierMaintenanceAgreementincreaseto $50/month.Motion carried.
b. MotionBandell/Stoltz to renewRevlze-website supportcontractfor threeyearsat $1,000annuqllyvs upgrading.Motioncarried.
15. Dane-Iowa/Wastewater
16. EmergencyResponse
17. Fire/EMS-minutesfromJanuarymeetingreviewed.
18. Personnel
19. PublicSafety
20. PlanCommiHion
21. Informational/Education:
22. MotionBandell/Stoltz to Adjourn.Motioncarriedat 7:43p.m.