Waldorf Christmas Dinner November 1

The first accumulation of snow brought with it discussions of Christmas at the Waldorf City Council meeting November 14, 2022. The Community Christmas Dinner will be held December 1 at 12:00 p.m. in the Waldorf Community Center. Joann Kelling attended the meeting to ask permission to set up and decorate a sleigh in the Community Center for this event. Her hope is that the sleigh will contribute some additional cheer to the space. She also suggested it would make a nice photo opportunity for families, and that, the dinner being December 1, it could become someone’s Christmas card. She hopes to leave the sleigh up in the Community Center at least until the following Wednesday, when Carols and Cookies is to take place. The only concern from the council members was whether another group or event would rent the space, but all agreed that Kelling’s idea was a good one and gave their permission barring any conflict. Kelling did have to promise to take care with the floors, which are newly waxed. Related, the council also agreed to purchase felt pads for all the tables in the Community Center to prevent marking and damage when they are moved. The council also discussed the Christmas light situation in town. Two light posts were replaced during recent road work in Waldorf, and the new posts lack outlets for wreaths. Currently, only four wreaths can be hung. Council member Kevin Lines, serving as acting mayor while Mayor Wilkening is out of the country, is in favor of going further and adding outlets to more light posts in town that do not have them. The city has over a dozen wreaths which were acquired from Janesville and has previously used only six. The council will be looking into the past procedure and costs for having outlets installed.

A topic of discussion carried over from the last meeting was that of water rates and the city’s financial obligations. Starting January 1, the city will need to maintain three additional bank accounts. The first is for bond repayment, the second for a USDA short-lived assets fund, and the third for a PFA Reserve. These three accounts will be funded by water and sewer revenue; concern was expressed at the last meeting that there may not be enough revenue at current rates. Calculations done since then based on estimated revenue show that, at current rates, the three accounts can be funded to meet the city’s obligations with a remaining revenue of $20,000 to cover water and sewer expenses that do not meet the requirements to be paid out of the Short-Lived Assets or PFA Reserve funds. No vote was taken at this time.

Township contracts for fire service were reviewed and approved. These contracts are between the City of Waldorf and the townships of Byron, Freedom, Vivian, and Wilton and are renewed every three years. The rate per section covered has been raised to $250; this was discussed with the township boards at an annual meeting last January. Byron Township will pay a yearly sum of $2,250, Wilton Township will pay $3,000, Freedom Township will pay $6,750, and Vivian Township will pay $7,000. The bank reports for the fire department and for the City were approved without discussion.

On February 6, 2023, Mayor Wilkening is expected to hold a State of the City address, as requested by the county. Following the address, the city council has agreed to hold two public hearings expected to be scheduled early next year. The first is for the alleyway vacate requested by Dave Bottin, and the second is for the potential conversion of the football field into an apartment building and playground or picnic area. Both issues have been discussed at previous meetings and require public hearings to move forward.