Montesian Gardens Issue Subject of Heated Discussion

The Monticello Village Board met on Wednesday, August 2, 2017.
During the Public Comment section of the meeting, Jack Stenbroten was scheduled to speak to the board about Montesian Gardens. Greenwoods State Bank has offered to gift the property to the village.
Stenbroten said he would like to wait until the board’s discussion before commenting.
“I think we need to know the what the Village’s position is first,” he said.
There was then a heated discussion between Stenbroten and Village President Tere Dunlap about when the public could speak.
The board approved a resolution to write off $1,468.94 owed to the village from 2016 and 2017.
The board approved all Monticello Police Department officers to attend the Green County Advocacy Center’s Corner House Basic Forensic Interview Training on September 26-29. The cost of the training is being paid for through a donation from Green County Fall Nationals.
The board approved an ordinance that repealed the section of the Municipal Code allowing chickens in the village. However, they allowed a family that had already begun the permit process to keep the chickens they already have.
The board approved a resolution authorizing and establishing a fee schedule for the village.
The board approved Baker & Tilly of Madison as the new auditing service for the village. The cost for 2017 will be $15,600. In 2016, the cost through James Frechette was $7,050. Frechette had previously informed the board that he would no longer be providing auditing services for the village starting in 2017.
The board approved Dunlap’s nomination for the Public Safety Committee, Leaora Miller.
Trustee Steve Scanlan updated the board on negotiations involving internet upgrades for the village. He said there were three companies interested in providing internet service. Scanlan said he was looking for input from individuals and businesses about their internet needs.
When the board got to the discussion of Montesian Gardens, it was noted that Greenwoods State Bank is still interested in donating the property to the village. The bank would keep the area where the nativity scene is set up. The Veterans Memorial property would be on village property. Board members discussed the rent and taxes on the property. Those items had been included in the previous lease with the bank but had not always been paid by the village. Village liabilities and park upkeep were also discussed. It was decided that the matter would be discussed at the next Village Board meeting scheduled for August 16, 2017.