Village of Viola

Minutes for Special Board Meeting

Friday, February 29, 2008, 6:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.

Call to order and Roll call: Eugene Gabrysiak called the meeting to order with Trustees Hugh Oliver, Kent Kanable, LaVerne Phillips, and Donna Simonson present. Daren Matthes and Randy Nelson were absent.

Public Notice: Proper notice of the meeting was verified.

Police Vehicle Purchase: Bud Joholski attended to ask how the board plans to pay for the police vehicle. Gabrysiak said that it will be in next year’s budget and that it will be set up at the bank so it doesn’t come due until then. Viola originally had it in the budget but took it off for other budget items. Joholski suggested that Viola doesn’t need a full time cop. He asked if it could be on a referenda question for April’s ballot. Campbell stated that with elections only one month away, the State has already received the programming of the voting equipment, this April election is already too late. Gabrysiak stated he would send it to Police and Personal committee meeting for discussion.

Chief Mika had several quotes for Dodge, Chevy, GMC, and Ford. He had quotes from many of the area dealers for a Ford Explorer that he brought to committee. The best price was at Brenengen’s in Sparta for $21,542. Gabrysiak talked with Jim Hanson who recommends we go with Ford. Vernon County has loaned us a squad car and is also willing to donate to Viola a radio and the light bar for the top of the new Ford Explorer. This will save Viola an approximate $1,400.

Viola will be receiving $7,025 for the 2001 Chevy Impala from insurance. Campbell obtained the blue book price of the Chevy Impala on-line and the Insurance gave us a couple thousand more. Insurance will also pay for repair and installation of the radio and the installation of the new vehicle’s police package. Campbell talked to Quality Ford in Viroqua and asked them to match the Sparta dealer’s price; which they agreed to do. After insurance, we should only need $14,000 to $15,000. MOTION (Oliver, Simonson) to purchase a 2008 Ford Explorer from Viroqua and finance up to $15,000 with the bank for next year’s budget. All ayes on roll call. Carried.

Discussion was made that other villages have tried going without a police officer, and it did not work. There were increases in vandalism and other crimes. Viola is also at the end of the county line, and the counties are limited with the officers they have on duty.

Water Main Financing: Gabrysiak explained the water main runs under the river and out to the school. It has broken several times over the years and is very old and needs replacement. In another year, the DOT will be resurfacing the highway, and the best time to deal with this project is this year.

Campbell discussed some of the details and many of the ways of financing the Water Main project which will cost over $500,000. The best funding options hinges on the results of the community targeted survey that John Gannon is doing. If Viola is below the State’s household income average then we can prove financial distress and will qualify for a number of financing options. Viola will apply for a Block Grant from the Department of Commerce, which we hope to obtain 50% of the project’s cost. The rest of the financing Viola could apply for a low interest loan from the DNR Safe Drinking Water Program at 1.485%. For the DNR loan, MSA will do the application for $10,000, and the bonding agent, Quarles & Brady will cost an additional $4,000. If we get this loan, even with the additional $14,000 added, Viola will save more than $110,000 over the life of the loan. The monthly payments will also be $400 less each month over the next 20 years. MOTION (Simonson, Kanable) to take out a construction loan at the bank for interim financing when it is needed; and to apply for DNR Safe Drinking Water Loan Program by obtaining a bonding agent and MSA to do the DNR application; once we qualify. Carried.

Special Board Meeting

February 29, 2008

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Gabrysiak announced that Viola has been named a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation. Village board would like to thank Harley McMillen for submitting the application on behalf of Viola.

Adjournment: MOTION (Kanable, Oliver) to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Carried.