Village of Viola

Minutes for Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, March 20, 2008, 7:00 p.m. – 8:25 p.m.

 

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

 

Public Notice: Proper notice of the meeting was verified.

 

Soil & Water Resource Management:  Paul Krahn, Watershed Project Manager talked about the soil erosion in Banker Park.  The county has a 70% grant program, usually dealing with farm run off.  Krahn suggested rock barbs, which would divert the current toward center of the river, just up stream of the bridge.  He needs to obtain DNR approval.  Since this area is where the water main project will go through and tear up the settled ground, something to protect river bank erosion will be needed.  The barbs would be good for fish habitat.  Krahn suggested that the bank there just needs to be re-sloped and seeded to mow.  Krahn mentioned that Acquisition of Parks Improvement grant might help with 50% of the Village’s cost.

 

Krahn is looking at a 230 feet long riprap along the bank that is 8 feet high back by the cotton wood tree.  After the August flood, priority projects dealing with farms, the County does not have the full 70% any longer to give Viola.   

 

Total project cost is estimated to be $26,620 which Vernon County’s 70% grant share would normally be over $18,600 of which he only has half.  Krahn will know mid-April if more funds from other projects are freed up.  Richland County may have funds but he will not know availability until June.  The project would not begin until July or August.  Village could do the tree removal and some hauling to save on costs.  Gabrysiak said to send matter to Parks & Building committee.

 

Minutes:  MOTION (Phillips, Kanable) to approve the 2/29 Special Board minutes with corrections.  Carried.  MOTION (Phillips, Simonson) to approve the 2/21 Regular Board minutes.   Carried.

 

Disbursements:  MOTION (Matthes, Nelson) to approve disbursements for 2/29 and 3/20 for General Fund in the amount of $40,527.78, Revolving Loan Fund in the amount of $904.82, Water Fund $6,928.69, Sewer Fund $3,803.51, and Cemetery Fund $173.24 respectfully.  All ayes on roll call.  Carried.

 

Citizens to be heard: None

 

Police Report:  Chief Mika reported he had a chapter 51 detention, dog bite investigation, credit card fraud, theft, a car lockout, and an ordinance violation regarding dogs.  April 14 is when his new police vehicle should be in. 

 

Targeted Survey Results:  John Gannon is done with the community survey.  Viola needed at least half to fall below the state’s household income level to qualify for the grant and the low interest loan.  Viola has 54% below.  

 

Update on the Water Main Project:  Larry Fowler has submitted bid plans to the DNR and will have them back in about two weeks.  He received the wording for the bid packet today from MSA.  MSA will send in application next week for CDBG.

 

The DNR Safe Drinking Water scores came in, with Viola receiving the 3rd highest score in the State for a priority project at 386.  Viola received additional 300 bacteria points which Viola is the second community in the history of the program to ever get.  So Viola stands a strong chance of getting the low interest loan.

 

Quarterly Payroll and Position Changes:  MOTION (Matthes, Simonson) to pay chairman fees or an elector’s position quarterly pay for the second quarter of an election year to the new elector that obtained the position.  The incumbent will forfeit any pay for the April interim period of the year they are removed from office.  Will also change and add this wording in the ordinance book.  Carried.

 

 

 

 

 

Regular Board Meeting 3/20/08

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Update Outdoor Recreational Plan:  Updating the plan does not obligate Viola to do any of it; but makes it possible to apply for grants.  MOTION (Matthes, Gabrysiak) to accept Parks & Building Committee recommendation to add to the Action Program in the Outdoor Recreational Plan to include the RV dump station and hydrant, the park sign and shower house sign, hand railing for shower house, the gravel road from camp sites to the shower house, arena bleachers backrests and gravel, handicap fishing pier, and river bank erosion control.  Carried. 

 

A DNR official came to town and said that where the RV dump station is now is a very dangerous traffic hazard.  The relocation of the RV dump station to Banker’s Park needs to be approved by the DNR first, than we need to get permission from the Dept. of Commerce, Safety & Building Division.  They need Plumbing Plan Review and Design submitted by a master plumber.  This all needs to take place yet in April to put on the DNR Stewardship grant process. 

 

MOTION (Matthes, Phillips) to obtain two proposals from master plumbers, and give Parks & Buildings authority to accept one.  Carried.  

 

DNR Stewardship Grant:  Currently, we are looking at estimated budget costs of $27,750 for Banker’s Park.  The grant would pay for half.  Campbell should be able to do the grant application herself, which will save $2,000 in the budget.

 

MOTION (Simonson, Phillips) to apply for the DNR grant in April, for the items in the Outdoor Recreational Plan, as directed by the Parks & Building Committee.  Carried. 

             

New Tenant:  Bobbie Gordinier, will rent the 3rd grade room at the Village Hall in April for a photography studio, for $300 a month. 

 

New Electrician:  Joe Hanson will start on Monday, March 24 as the new Village Electrician, to replace Allen Blakley who is retiring.  He lives in Westby and will be relocating closer to Viola.  MOTION (Simonson, Nelson) to approve the hiring of Joe Hanson as a Village Employee, to be shared with the Utility.  Carried.   

 

Dump Truck Replacement:  Phillips explained that he had looked at a dump truck; but decided he was not interested.  Phillips will bring up his ideas at the next Streets meeting.  He would like a new plow truck with equipment instead of a dump truck.  Could keep the old Ford and obtain an insert for snow hauling, and use Ford as a back up.  The garbage truck could have a box put on it and use it for snow hauling, and get rid of old 75 Chevy. 

 

Other Matters: 

 

Local Roads Grant:  Viola applied for $11,000 will be receiving $5,500 in grant money for South Street. 

 

Concession Stand:  LaVerne Phillips is building the counter top base cabinets for the concession stand. 

 

Community Development Housing Grant:  MSA (free of charge) will put Viola in the lottery type grant in the amount of $300,000.

 

Feral Cats:  Stray cats are a big problem in Viola.  Shelter wants $125 (same as a dog) to get rid of.  Gabrysiak will take the matter to Executive & Finance.

 

Nativity Scene:  Board would like to thank the Business Association for donating the Nativity Scene at the bank to the citizens of Viola.

 

Schwan’s Service:  Board will let Schwan’s set up a tent on Railroad Street once a week, until Executive & Finance makes a decision regarding. 

 

Tornado Sirens:  The Board would like to thank the Viola United Methodist Church who is donating $500 to go toward the tornado siren batteries that are needed.

 

 

Regular Board Meeting 3/20/08

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Requested Referendum:  At last board meeting, Bud Joholski asked the Village to do a referendum to ask the voters if they felt a full-time police officer was needed.  Gabrysiak found out that the Village did a referendum a few years ago on the matter, and residents had voted in favor of a full-time officer.

 

The Board would like to thank Randy Nelson for serving as a trustee.

 

Adjournment:  MOTION (Kanable, Matthes) to adjourn at 8:25 p.m.  Carried.