Village of Viola

Minutes for Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, May 15, 2008, 6:00 p.m. – 8:35 p.m.

 

Attendance:  Eugene Gabrysiak called the meeting to order with Trustees Daren Matthes, Jeremy Matthes, LaVerne Phillips, and Donna Simonson present.  Hugh Oliver arrived late at 6:40 p.m.  Kent Kanable was absent.  Also the Electric Utility commissioners Gary Erlandson, Beth Campbell, Wayne Schreiber, and Heath Wallace were present. 

 

Public Notice: Proper notice of the meeting was verified.

 

Vigs & Associates:  Jack Vig was present to discuss the 2007 Financial Position of the Electric and Water Utilities.  He also discussed the new Dairyland Power Contract and PSC Base Rates.  With the water utility in a good financial position, and the water main replacement project being financed through the DNR safe drinking water fund, Viola should not need to go for a rate increase for water.  Dairyland’s purchase power rates under the new May 1, 2008 contract will be approximately 55% higher than before.  This will be passed on through the Power Cost Adjustment Clause (PCAC).  Since it has a month lag, it is possible to under collect, and also over collect.  If the PCAC hits .015 more than twice a year, then we need a formal rate case done and filed with the PSC.  Vig suggested that we submit to the PSC to receive their determination if a rate increase is necessary, around September or October of this year.  Many of the other area utilities have already applied with the PSC.  Campbell stated that Viola still has the lowest rates in the area.  Even though Dairyland’s rates are going up by 55%, the customer’s rates working though the PCAC will not be as much.  The meeting took a break at 6:45 p.m. and resumed again at 7:00 p.m.

 

Minutes:  MOTION (Oliver, Phillips) to approve the 4/17 Regular Board minutes.   Carried.

 

Disbursements:  MOTION (Simonson, Oliver) to approve disbursements for 4/30 and 5/15 for General Fund in the amount of $87,714.17, Revolving Loan Fund in the amount of $366.03, Water Fund $6,237.56, Sewer Fund $7,443.38, and Cemetery Fund $491.11 respectfully.  All ayes on roll call.  Carried.

 

Citizens to be heard: None

 

Police Report:  Chief Mika reported during the month he had a disturbance of the peace, burglary, child custody dispute, lawn grass complaint.  He has received a lot of compliments on the new police vehicle.

 

Prairie Grass Garden:  Gabrysiak stated that over a year ago, it was suggested that the seeds be collected and the garden be moved.  The matter came back to the board again, and it was voted that the ordinance should be sent out, and that the board would enforce the new ordinance.    

 

Ellyn Leicht made her appeal to the board to reconsider killing over two dozen species of flowers.  She does not use weed killer or other herbicides.  The plants have been there for four years.  She stated that they also grow food in their yard, and would hope that the board doesn’t make an ordinance for that.  They fill the yard with plants since they do not want to mow and pollute the air with gas.  She requested that her flower garden be grandfathered into the ordinance.   

 

Various board members stated that it is not in their yard, but in the boulevard or village right of way.  Gabrysiak said that the high growth is a hazard to small children.  At 7:45 p.m. Gabrysiak called an end to the discussion.  He stated that the board will enforce the ordinance.  If the garden is not cut, the village will cut it and charge it to the property owners.

 

Dept. of Commerce Grant & DNR Loan Update:  The Village was awarded up to $298,394 in a CDBG 50% grant, and we have written confirmation.  With the DNR loan, we have a verbal commitment and it should be approved in about a month. 

 

 

 

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Electric Utility – Power to the Future contract update:  The Electric Utility signed the letter of intent to the MEUW contract for 500 KWh per day.     

 

DNR Parks Grant update:  The grant application was submitted for $34,850.80 for Banker Park improvements of which $17,421.30 is the grant amount requested.  Campbell said we should know by the end of June if awarded.  The projects are:  A RV dump station, ADA fishing platform, ADA concrete walkway, signs, horse arena safety and ADA improvements to the horse arena, ADA improvements to the restroom/shower facility, ADA playground equipment, plant more trees, install campfire rings, and fix up the walking trails and bike path.   

 

Animal Permit:  MOTION (D. Matthes, J. Matthes) to approve an animal permit to LaVerne Phillips for up to 20 head of cattle.  Carried.   

 

Wisconsin Clerks, Treasurers & Finance Institute:  Gabrysiak said that there is clerk/treasurer training that would be good for Campbell to attend; but the board meeting would need to be changed since the training is June 18, 19 & 20. 

MOTION (Gabrysiak, Simonson) for the next Board meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 17.  Carried. 

 

Concession Stand Storage:  Discussion was made on having a storage building for the concession stand. 

 

Grant Administration:  MOTION (Oliver, Phillips) to approve MSA to administer the grant in the amount of $20,000.  Carried. 

 

Water & Sewer Committee: 

Water Main Replacement Project Bids:  MOTION (Oliver, Simonson) to award the contract to the lowest bidder, Allen Steele Co from Lake Delton, in the amount of $534,056.25, at the recommendation of the Water & Sewer Committee and Larry Fowler.  Carried.

 

Well Pump Maintenance:  MOTION (Simonson, Gabrysiak) to go with the recommendation of the Water & Sewer Committee, to hire Water Well Solutions to fix the pump head.  Village furnishes the concrete and some lumber.  The total cost of the project not to exceed $7,500.  Carried. 

 

Sewer By-Pass “Trash” Pump:  Committee looked into prices, and a used pump was $25,000 and a new pump was $30,000.  The committee wants to table for a while, to find a better deal, and maybe get one before next year flooding season.  Since the sewer department cannot afford the pump, they will see if emergency management has any grants for one.      

 

Algae Sonic System:  Baker stated that it’s the best thing he has tried so far in reducing the amount of algae in the ponds, which is required by the DNR. 

MOTION (Oliver, D. Matthes) to purchase the two units from Adaptor Inc. in the amount of $5,047.  Carried. 

 

Raise the Sewer Base Rate & Usage Rate:  Chairman, Daren Matthes stated that sewer is not regulated by the PSC.  Since the sewer utility still shows a shortfall of over $12,000 for last year, a rate increase is necessary.  Viola’s rates are still lower than Readstown and LaFarge.  Approximately 390 meters at $1 more, plus an 80-cent increase per 1,000 gallons in usage will give an approximately $1,325 more revenue per month.  MOTION (Oliver, Gabrysiak) to go with the recommendation of the Water & Sewer Committee to raise the sewer base rates $1.00 more per all meters, and from $5.00 to $5.80 per 1,000 gallons of usage, effective the end of June.  Carried. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Parks & Building Committee: 

Village Hall ADA Door Assists:  Since the Village Hall is a polling place, we are required to have ADA assisted doors.  MOTION (Gabrysiak, Phillips) to approve the purchase from Automatic Entrances of Wisconsin in the amount of $1,840 and hire an electrician to put ADA door assist on the Village Hall.  Carried.

 

Village Hall N. Room Plumbing:  MOTION (Gabrysiak, Simonson) to move plumbing out of the tunnels in the N. Room, to spend up to $500 to take care of.  Carried.

 

Resolution for Outdoor Recreation Aids #08-04:  MOTION (Phillips, J. Matthes) to approve the resolution for Outdoor Recreation Aids #08-04 for the DNR Parks Grant.  Carried.

 

Resolution to Adopt the Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 to 2012 #08-05: 

MOTION (Oliver, Simonson) to approve the resolution for Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 to 2012 #08-05.  Carried.

 

Other Matters: 

MOTION (D. Matthes, J. Matthes) to approve $2,500 support of summer ball program.  Carried.

 

Since there are flowers put out in May for Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, the cemetery watering needs to start before the June contract.  MOTION (Oliver, J. Matthes) to approve paying Marta Gannon an extra $100 for the month of May. Carried.

 

Adjournment:  MOTION (D. matthes, Phillips) to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.  Carried.