Village of Viola

Minutes for Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 6:30 p.m. – 8:40 p.m.

 

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

 

Public Notice: Proper notice of the meeting was verified.

 

Urban Forest Award:  Jeff Gorman from the Urban Forestry Council presented the UF Council Distinguished Service Award to Harley McMillen.  McMillen organized the Trees of Viola after the tornadoes; helped Viola become a Tree City USA, and other community beautification projects.  This is one of only four forestry awards that are given out in the state of Wisconsin. DNR representative Jeff Roe and Mike LaBissoniere, along with Trees of Viola members, Roger Johnson, William Wheeler, and Jim Matthes, were present to see McMillen receive the award.

 

A lilac tree was donated to Harley McMillen that will be planted in front of the Village Office.  McMillen stated that over 600 trees were planted with a 90% survival rate.  He wanted to thank all the donated help that was given to Viola and was humbled by the award.  MOTION (D. Matthes, Simonson) for the Board to thank Harley McMillen and Trees of Viola.  Carried.  The Trees of Viola donated an auger and a hydraulic tree pruner to the village.

 

Water Main Replacement Project:  Larry Fowler from Woodland Consultants, engineer on the project, presented the final plans to the board.  He has received DNR approval of the project, and DOT right of ways.  DNR Chapter 30 permit has been applied for and will be received in 30 days.  He submitted to MSA the plans for their loan application by April 30.  The project falls under the Federal and State wage scale.  Project will cross the river and go down Commercial to the school.  It also will support all the side streets.  Viola will have two river crossings with the water main; so if one breaks there is another to utilize.  The project will take around 8 weeks to complete. 

 

Easement onto the Liska property is listed as 12 feet.  The water main is actually on the right of way, three feet from the property line.  The twelve feet will allow a contractor operation movement on one side of the main.  Also, they must stay 8 feet away from the storm sewer which is the main reason for the location in the area affecting Liska’s property.  Fowler suggested a public meeting before construction to answer any questions from residents.  Advertising will be set for April 23rd and 30th, open bids on May 15 at 1:00 p.m. for the committee to hear.  Project to be finished by September 15.

 

Minutes:  MOTION (Simonson, J. Matthes) to approve the 3/20 Regular Board minutes.   Carried.

 

Electric Utility Contract with W.W.M.P.G.:  Gary Erlandson was present to explain the contract with WWMPG.  Wisconsin has two new coal fired generation plants on the east side of the state from which the Western Wisconsin Municipal Power Group (WWMPG) would like to purchase 25 megawatts.  Viola Electric Utility, as a member of WWMPG, would benefit from the participation in the “Power of the Future II”.  This would mean a 10 year contract; in which WWMPG buys power and sells it to Dairyland Power.  Those communities wishing to participate have a May 14 deadline to sign the contract.  Dairyland is supportive of this since they thought the group should be diversified in getting power from more than one source.  MOTION (Kanable, D. Matthes) to give the authority to the Viola Electric Utility to sign the contract, if they should decide to do so, on the offer of the “Power of the Future II”.  All ayes on roll call.  Carried.


 

                                                              Regular Board 4/17/08

                                                            Page 2 of 3

 

Fire Truck Purchase:  Dan Baker stated that the new fire truck amounts came in higher than expected at $212,537 for truck and $13,986 for equipment, and another $17,332 for SCBA and Bottles for a grand total of $243,855.  Grant amount is $176,386 for a total left over of $67,469 to finance, or about $22,000 each for Viola and the townships of Liberty and Forest.  Truck will be ready in January 2009 as a 2009 model.  Fire department will look into selling a truck once the new one comes in to help with the cost.  Erlandson stated that five bids went out and this was the lowest priced truck to choose from.  It will have a generator on board to operate lights.  Some of the hoses on engine 2 will be transferred over.  Baker has not yet presented this to other townships.  Manufacturer is not asking for a deposit, and it won’t be delivered until next budget year.

 

Disbursements:  MOTION (Gabrysiak, Kanable) to approve disbursements for 3/31 and 4/17 for General Fund in the amount of $51,442.34, Revolving Loan Fund in the amount of $498.61, Water Fund $13,539.28, Sewer Fund $2,703.48, and Cemetery Fund $115.57 respectfully.  All ayes on roll call.  Carried.

 

Citizens to be heard: None

 

Police Report:  Chief Mika reported during the month he had a theft complaint, lost property, car lockout, two citations for disorderly conduct, and one for dog off leash.  Citations for junk vehicles will go out this next week.

 

Parks & Building Committee Update:  DNR Parks grant will include relocating the RV dump station to Banker Park eliminating a traffic hazard where it currently is, and providing another exit to the park that exists in floodplain.  The grant will also help Viola to update Banker Park for the handicapped; such as two ADA fishing piers.  The 20 year old walking trails and bike path will be worked on.  Trails are a high priority with the grant.  Also safety issues; such as backrests on Horse Arena bleachers will give us points for grant acceptance.  The grant, if awarded would be around $20,000.  Master plumber proposal went to Y-Tri Plumbing (Olson’s) the lowest bidder to start designs on the RV dump station.

 

Amend Outdoor Recreational Plan:  MOTION (Phillips, Simonson) to amend the Outdoor Recreational Plan to include the walking trails and bike path.  Carried.

 

DNR Safe Drinking Water Loan:  MSA has numbers ready to submit to the DNR, but wants us to decide if any capital expenditures should be added to the loan application.  The equipment would not actually need to be purchased; but the funds would be available at 1.4% interest, should we need them.  However, this would mean higher loan payments as well. 

 

The Locator is a normal expenditure that the DNR approves of since they see it as a necessary means to maintain the new water main.  Chemical feed pumps were not on the original application, and the DNR would most likely deny them.  Other items included the new truck, shelving, water building insulation, and a water map, totaling $42,300 added on to the estimated project cost of $600,000. 

 

If the CDBG comes in at $200,000 there should be no need to increase rates.  Once applied for, we can always borrow less, but never more.  MSA suggests to add the equipment on the application request.  MOTION (Simonson, J. Matthes) to delete the chemical feed pumps from the application process but keep the rest of the capital expenses.  Carried.  

 

Insulation & Electric for Village Hall: 

MOTION (Gabrysiak, Phillips) to accept the recommendation of the Parks & Building Committee to accept the bid from Dan Campbell to do the N. Room in the amount of $3,232 and have Village Electrician do the wiring, with Mike Geary to inspect.  Two votes no, four yes.  Carried.  Discussion was made regarding the Village workers to do the job; which is not going to happen with their busy summer schedule.  In the Fall, they could do the Village hallway.  MOTION (Gabrysiak, Simonson) to accept the bid from Campbell to do the Boardroom in the amount of $1,456.  Two votes no, four yes.  Carried. 

      

 

 

Regular Board 4/17/08

                                                            Page 2 of 3

 

Open Book and Board of Review:  MOTION (Kanable, J. Matthes) to set the date of Open Book for Monday, May 19, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and for Board of Review on Tuesday, June 3, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Carried.   

 

Committee Appointments & Other Appointments:  Gabrysiak passed out spreadsheet showing the board committee appointments and other official appointments (See attached).  MOTION (D. Matthes, Simonson) to accept the appointments made by the Village President.  Carried. 

 

MOTION (Gabrysiak, Phillips) to appoint the official depositories as Citizens First Bank and North Milwaukee State Bank, the official newspaper as Epitaph News, and attorney as Gary Munson.  Carried.

 

Gabrysiak signed appointments for Joe Hanson to represent the Viola Electric Utility at the UMMPA and WWMPG meetings.

 

Other Matters:  WHEDA Program: WHEDA has no funds in their Paint & Fix Up Program for the 2008 year.  For 2007, Viola received $5,000 and the year before we obtained $7,500.

 

Highway Cleanup:  The Kiwanis Club and Richland County Highway Department have scheduled a highway roadside clean up for April 26 through May 3.  If anyone wants to volunteer to help, orange vests and bags are at the Village Office.

 

Arbor Day Celebration on April 25:  Harley McMillen will be receiving another award for making Viola a “Tree City”.

 

Adjournment:  MOTION (Kanable, J. Matthes) to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.  Carried.