Village of Viola

Minutes for Regular Board Meeting

Thursday, November 15, 2007, 7:00 p.m.- 8:25 p.m.

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

Public Notice: Proper notice of the meeting was verified.

Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad – Entity & Insurance Coverage: Since they are a Non-profit entity, who contracts out services, they are not covered for Workers Compensation or Medical malpractice insurance. Gabrysiak talked to Atty. Monson who recommended that they dissolve their entity and go as a department of the municipality to obtain coverage. Insurance doesn’t want to even cover the vehicles anymore since the Village is not the operators of the vehicles. John Matthes was present to discuss the EMS that was set up 1973. Liability insurance on the Village would not cost any more if the EMS was a department, and has protection of state statutes. A 30 day extension will be emailed to the Village office for insurance on the EMS. An ordinance could be done to allow them to govern and control their own finances; such as that of the CDA or Library or Electric Utility. MOTION (Oliver, Simonson) to welcome the Kickapoo Valley Rescue Squad as a department of the Village of Viola, if they decide to dissolve their charter. All ayes on roll call. Carried.

Minutes: MOTION (Gabrysiak, Phillips) to approve the 10/18/07 Regular Board minutes with changes mentioned. Carried.

Disbursements: MOTION (Kanable, Nelson) to approve disbursements for 10/31 and 11/15 for General Fund in the amount of $50,666.16, Revolving Loan Fund in the amount of $160.36, Water Fund $11,512.85, Sewer Fund $2,279.75, and Cemetery Fund $76.50 respectfully. All ayes on roll call. Carried.

Citizens to be heard: None

Old Matters: Controversy of Cina taking logs is being dropped by Board.

Tree Contract with Gary Joholski: MOTION (Gabrysiak, Oliver) to approve contract with Gary Joholski to remove and clean up Village land above Mt. Nebo street. Carried.

Police Report: Run down on month’s activity.

Letters are going out to residents that have bushes and flowers in the street right of way regarding the new ordinance.

Public Hearing on proposed budgets: Gabrysiak gave a run down of all the capital outlays the Village is looking at doing. Campbell commented on the state approving Viola’s levy limit of $62,824 a 5.18% increase over last year of $3,095 more because of net new construction. However, with an increase in the Villages assessments of $954,030 with total equalized value at $20,282,830 this will mean an actual drop in taxes for the municipality of approximately $15.53 on a home valued at $100,000. Even with the school levy increase, the mill rate is steady with last year’s. However, the school tax credit is unknown at this time.

MOTION (Nelson, Simonson) to adopt the 2007 proposed revised budget of $676,245 in revenues and expenses. Carried.

MOTION (Oliver, Kanable) to adopt the 2008 proposed budget of $710,896 in revenues and expenses with a levy of $62,824. Carried.

Letter of Engagement: MOTION (Gabrysiak, Phillips) To approve Vigs & Associate audit services for the year of 2007. Carried.

Real Estate Tax List: MOTION (Oliver, Nelson) to print the tax list in the paper. Carried.

Operator’s License: MOTION (Simonson, Kanable) to approve an operator’s license for Jacqueline K. Bunts. Carried.

Water and Sewer Bank Accounts: MOTION (Simonson, Oliver) to approve discontinuing the deposits to the Water and Sewer accounts, to reduce the number of bank accounts to two, and for Sewer to pay back General Fund for 2007 borrowings. In the future, Sewer will borrow money when needed from the Water utility. Carried. MOTION (Gabrysiak, Phillips) to approve Executive and Finance committee, with help from Treasurer, get better rates and oversee bank account matters; such as when CD’s expire. Carried.

Water Main Project: MOTION (Nelson, Kanable) to approve final phase of Woodland Consulting contract, in the amount of $15,280 on the Water Main Project. Carried.

DOT Permanent Limited Easement: MOTION (Gabrysiak, Phillips) to approve the PLE with the DOT for $5,500.00 for 2.43 acres by the river on Hwy 56. Carried.

Other Matters: MOTION (Oliver, Simonson) to abandon extra water/sewer service at Shawn Andrews, address on McKinley. Carried.

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