Monday Village Board Meeting--Dispatch Center Funding

Interesting Village Board meeting. Money was saved from what was budgeted for installation of water along Kenosha County Bike Trail (~$14,000 that Trustee #3 suggested to credit back to Capital Fund for Roads/Snowplowing) but then when it came to the dispatch center, the costs had increased significantly from ~$57,000 to over ~$77,000 (click here). The reasons described by Assistant Chief Mogenson were typical of project cost overruns but someone seemed to miss the boat. As another meeting attendee said, "who didn't do their homework?" No Trustee or President asked any tough questions such as why were these cost overruns missed in the original bid and what can we do differently in future to prevent this type of issue? The funding for the Dispatch Center comes from Impact fees and that in itself raises some questions of how that money is being used and what is the intended use of the Impact Fees? I understand the reasons for the remodelling, and need, but I think the explanations given and the discussion that took place were definitely lacking; especially since nobody talked about the final amount until Trustee #4 provided a motion with the amount. No one in attendance without a package would have known the overage was in excess of ~$20,000 until it was voted on.

Risk to Taxpayers--collateralized debt obligations

Kenosha might need almost $8 million in additional collateral or risk default on $28.7 million.

Click here and here

"They require deep and skilled analysis to understand, and unless the municipality employs its own specialist with specific analytical capabilities, it should otherwise only hold such things if purchased for them by a professional asset manager," Eric Jacobson, a bond analyst for Morningstar Inc. in Chicago, said after reviewing the CDO prospectus. "To buy an instrument of this type . . . without any special knowledge or ability, at the recommendation of a broker, is a very poor and arguably reckless decision."

Beaver swimming in pond at PTW

We have a beaver swimming up into the outflow pipe at end of 122nd Street in PTW. Sits on shore line and swims around pond. Slaps his tail when frightened.

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Village Administrator to take 7 Questions in Kenosha News

Mike Pollocoff, Pleasant Prairie Village administrator, has agreed to take questions for our next "7 questions" feature. It's the feature where we invite readers to send questions they want to ask a person of interest in Kenosha County. Then we'll take the questions to Pollocoff and publish his answers.
E-mail any questions you have to http://us.f525.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=connections@kenoshanews.com.

Election Results

V Pleasant Prairie Trustee 2
1364 Total Votes
Steve Kumorkiewicz 1301
Write-in 63

V Pleasant Prairie Trustee 4
1349 Total Votes
Michael J. Serpe 1286
Write-in 63

63 write-ins for an uncontested race is amazing. Who were the write-ins? Why the disparity in number of votes? Were those who didn't vote or write-in a candidate not considered in overall totals? Wonder what that number was? Just curious since last few elections have been very close and over 7000 voters have voted in past elections and nearly 4300 in last election for these two positions. What's curious is the almost the identical number of more votes for SK as for MS as this election (17 vs 15) even though nearly 4300 votes and an opposing candidate. What's up with that? Is that a voting glitch?

I know the spin routine and I'm sure I'll get a comment full from the anonymous' about the 'mandate' and 'landslide'...etc.

Village Votes to Videotape Meetings

Finally! The Village Board at last nights Village Board meeting voted 4-1, with Monica Yuhas casting the only dissenting vote, to spend $25,000 on installing equipment needed to videotape and broadcast Village Board meetings. In a long and time-wasting discussion, President John Steinbrink, Sr. said he was tired of watching cartoons and wanted to be able to see himself on TV whenever he wished. Mike Serpe and Steve Kumorkiewicz concurred with Steve suggesting that make-up sessions be provided beforehand due to the harsh lighting in Village Hall auditorium. Clyde Allen felt that a new bond could be purchased at only 40% interest to help defer costs onto taxpayers. Alex Tiahnybok was approved as video Senior editor and Bob Babcock Sr. and Jr. were asked and approved to provide commentary during broadcasts.



APRIL FOOLS!