Meeting Minutes

TOWN BUSINESS

• The October Beerfest request by Terry Heisler for October 2 from 12 – 5 pm on the ballfield was approved.
• The Good News Club‘s request to use the Kemner Building on Wednesdays from 2:45 – 4:00 pm for a children’s Bible study was approved.
• A letter was presented by Joe Struckhoff from the Fire Department and was read by Bob Hofer.
• Vacate street request from 5524 Walnut Street needs the agreement of all 3 property owners to be approved.
• Hoffman Company purchased Town & Country Nursery.
• Dennis Woodhouse requested adding the Botanical Tea Room to the Town Website.
• The KIDS’ “BEST OF AUGUSTA” PHOTO CONTEST is coming in September.  Cash prizes up to $75 from the Town was approved by the Board for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

• Collector:    -June EFF collection was $38.44, effective on 7-15-21.
• Public Works:   -The ball field light pole repair estimate of $12,840 placed on hold until the Town insurance company is consulted.   -Discussed adding a no parking sign at the Visitor Center’s basement double doors.       -Approved up to $5,000 for street patching.   –Special thanks to Kale Meinershagen and Paul Carmen for debris cleanup around Town.   –Gowers Tree Service sent an estimate of $2,300 to remove downed trees, debris, and grind the stumps.  Board approved $3,000 for the work.   –Sidewalk grant is in progress.   – Visitor Center interior renovation is 99% complete.
• Farm:    No updates.
• Zoning & Planning:   -Zoning letter completed for Mt. Pleasant Estates.   -Zoning requested a budget change from $500 to $5,000 to show in the Budget for the September meeting.
• Cemetery:   No updates.
• History & Museum:    No updates.
• Chamber:    –Harvest Festival update includes 55 baskets sold so far for “Swinging in the Vines” and 67 dinners sold for the “Fruit of the Harvest” event. Parade route on hold until the September meeting.   – Visitor’s Center work is 99% complete.   -Christmas Walk meeting is August 10th.

CALENDAR  EVENTS

September 17-18 — Harvest Festival:  Friday is Swinging in the Vines; Saturday includes 5K and 10K races as well as the Harvest Parade and other activities throughout Town.  Saturday evening is the “Fruit of the Harvest dinner.

September 30 — Kids’ “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest deadline.

October 2 — Beerfest from 12-5 pm at the ballfield

TOWN BUSINESS

• The Emporium General Store, 5545  Walnut Street, presented an artist rendition of the new Hotel on the 40 acres off Church Street at its opening.
• Mike Shultz submitted diagrams and routes for the Harvest Festival Fruit of the Vines Parade. The Board discussed the Parade route.
• Don Struckoff who lives at Jefferson and Walnut called Bob Hofer to request getting the street vacated next to his property.  The procedure of how this happens was shared.
• Hoffman Companies update presented.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

• Collector:    -May EFF is $127.78.    -Nine sign permits from Hoffman Properties for $90.00.
• Public Works:    -Discussed the yard waste dumpster.  Solutions included a yard waste sign, possibly burning the yard waste, or contacting a tree service to chip limbs and debris. Continuing to pursue alternatives.               –Asphalt damage on Jackson St in front of the Wine Country Inn sign.    –Library column has been repaired.       –Sidewalk Grant Phase 1 construction is still possibly 2 years away.    -Discussed repairing the Ball field for future us.  A light pole at the field needs repair.
• Farm:    –Corn is growing good.   -Midyear farm payment of $10,400 received from the Backhaus brothers.
• Zoning & Planning:    -Hoffman Properties requested 9 sign permits:  2 for the Emporium at 5595 Walnut St;  1 for Gas & Gator at 225 Jackson St;  2 for Augusta Winery at 5601 High St (front  & back);  1 for Augusta Wine & Beer Garden at 5625 High St;  1 for Augusta Bistro at 266 Jackson St;  1 for Kickstand at 5523 Water St; and  1 for the Bike Shop at 5533 Water St.
• Cemetery:   -South fence line repaired.   -Committee is researching better software for cemetery plot tracking.
• History & Museum:    –Museum is open the first Sunday of the month.
• Chamber:    –Harvest Festival on September 17-18 has plans for 5K and 10K runs plus a Harvest parade on Saturday the 18th.  “Swinging in the Vines” is on Friday and the “Fruit of the Harvest” dinner on Saturday          –Kickstand grand opening was rescheduled due to the weather.   –Economic Development Luncheon on August 10.    -Wineries and businesses are looking for help.

• “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest winners are:  1st Place  “Augusta Glory” by Marilyn Kluesner  (Prize of two wine/chocolate pairings from Augusta Winery)          Runner up   “Ancient Augusta Art” by A. Lee Kelley  (Prize of products from Jordan Essentials)     Kids’ Photo Contest is planned for September.  Students from Augusta Elementary will be participating.

CALENDAR  EVENTS

September 17-18 — Harvest Festival:  Friday is Swinging in the Vines; Saturday includes 5K and 10K races as well as the Harvest Parade and other activities throughout Town.

September 30 — Kids’ “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest deadline.

TOWN BUSINESS

• The Emporium General Store, 5545  Walnut Street, is opening on July 2.  Owners are the Hoffmans.
• Laura Miller is conducting research on recycling.
• Citizens brought up and discussed licensing recreational vehicles and unlicensed motorized vehicles driving in Town.  This is on hold until legal counsel can be consulted.
• Danny Kelly brought up that the sign at Jackson Street and Highway 94 is too close to the road causing a blind spot and hazardous turning onto 94.  The Town Board is considering the option of moving the sign.

COMMITTEE  REPORTS

• Collector:    -April EFF is $55.56.    -one sign permit @$25.00    -two land us permits @$50.00
• Public Works:    -Town & Country sprayed weeds.    -Most potholes around Town are patched.    -Special thanks to Kale Meinershagen for help with work at the Visitors Center.    –Striping done on the designated streets.         -Approved Hoffman’s request for rock removal and replacing it with asphalt on Water Street.
• Farm:    –Corn is planted and growing in the fields.
• Zoning & Planning:    -Land use permit at 225 Jackson for private use of gas pumps.    -Land use permit for the Emporium at 5545 Walnut Street.    –Sign permit for Greg Nadler.    –Vacancy on the Zoning Commission needs to be filled.
• History & Museum:    –Plant sale was successful.  Money will go into a fund for the restroom addition.                  –Museum is open the first Sunday of the month.
• Chamber:    –Harvest Festival on September 17-18 has plans for 5K and 10K runs plus a Harvest parade on Saturday the 18th.    -Augusta Visitors Center concept plan was presented to the Town Board.    -Marketing a new wine glass design.    -There are 58 Greater Augusta Chamber of Commerce members, 41 of which are in Augusta.    -Bob Hofer made a motion to approve $7,000 for painting “German Schmear” on the outside of the Visitors Center.   The motion was discussed and approved.
• “Best of Augusta” Photo Contest entries have been received and are being judged.

CALENDAR  EVENTS

July 2 — Grand Opening of the Emporium General Store at the corner of Walnut and Jackson Streets.

July 3 — Fireworks permit approved for Paul and Melissa Hughes at Honey Bee Vineyards.

September 17-18 — Harvest Festival:  Friday is Swinging in the Vines; Saturday includes 5K and 10K races as well as the Harvest Parade.