The Sept. 12 Village of Iola Board meeting was called to order by President Jennifer Schustek at 5:30 p.m. in the Iola Community Center’s Community Room. President Schustek read the opening meeting statement and led the Pledge of Allegiance, with a moment of silence following the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call was taken by village clerk, Betty Aanstad. Board Members Present: President Jennifer Schustek; Trustees: Jim Rasmussen, Pamela Parks, Missy Fenn, Dave Harper, Rick Meyers, Mark McCoy, Village Attorney Bruce Meagher. Others Present: Police Chief Paul Zierler, Clerk Betty Aanstad, Deputy Clerk, Laura Krogwold, Holly Neumann, Larry Flowers, Sherri Miller, Mary Miller, Aaron & Cassandra Messier, Roger Olson, Ali Johnson, Mary Schwartz, John Bertelson, Marsha Christoph.
Trustee Meyers made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 26 Zoning Committee meeting. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made a motion to approve the minutes from the Aug. 8 Board Meeting and Public Hearings. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried
Trustee Fenn made a motion to approve the minutes from the Aug. 19 Police Committee Meeting. Trustee Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Parks made a motion to approve the minutes from the Aug. 23 Park Committee Meeting. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
New Business
Attorney Meagher gave a little background regarding an Annexation and Detachment ordinance, and why it was recommended, to keep the properties within the same tax areas and this would be the final step. Trustee Harper made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2022-01 Annexation and Detachment of property for Iola Old Car Show and Randolph T. Stucynski and Melissa Rass. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Yes: 7 – No: 0.
Trustee McCoy made a motion to approve Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” License to sell fermented malt beverages at a picnic or gathering. Event: Sept. 17 Rally for Iola Event. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. President Schustek asked for discussion before motion carried. Trustee Parks asked about the plans for the future of this event. Ali Johnson from Iola Old Car Show stated, this is the third year for the event, and they would be reviewing the event after this year to decide if they would continue the event. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made a motion to approve a Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” License to sell fermented malt beverages at a picnic or gathering. Event: Oct. 1 Iola Fire & Ambulance Fall Festival. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee McCoy made a motion to approve a “Class B” Beer license for Too-Dars Dinner, Diane Ayres agent, 179 North Main Street. Operators’ licenses for Kyla Holland and Jacqueline Barrett. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Meyers made a motion to approve a Temporary Class “B”/”Class B” License to sell fermented malt beverages at a picnic or gathering. Event: Oct. 15 Kickball Tournament held at Olson Park-Taylor Field. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee McCoy made a motion to approve Temporary Operators License for Emily Draska and Skye Ferg for the Kickball Tournament being held at Olson Park-Taylor Field on Oct. 15. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made a motion to approve Trick or Treat hours in the Village of Iola for 2022. Date: Sunday, Oct. 30, time: 2-4 p.m. Trustee Rasmussen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
President Schustek asked to table Visu-Sewer agenda item. “Consideration of approval for additional $8,832 size change from 8 to 10 inches (error on size of E. Alley, caused the price difference) to Visu-Sewer compared to original quote in the amount of $173,131.50, revised amount is $181,963.50. ARPA funds in the amount of $126,230.28 will fund the majority of the project. Remainder amount Village Utility funding responsible for $55,733.22. This will be funded from sewer money market account, that is made up of revenue from the rate increase passed in 2020 for sewer.” At the last minute the village was notified Visu-Sewer had problems with an area and were not able to lay liner, because of this the bill was going to need to be adjusted again.
President Schustek made a proposal to create and Ordinance Committee with Rick Meyers as the chair, Missy Fenn and Pamela Parks would be on the committee. Trustee Harper made a motion to approve the Ordinance Committee. Trustee McCoy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
President Schustek stated she would like to change the sign out in front of the Community Center. She had reached out to a few places for a quote on a new sign to be placed in the front of the building. She would also like to see the wording change from Community Center to Village Hall. At the time she had no quotes, this was just an informational note to the board and public. No action was taken.
Trustee Harper said Resolution 2022-10 is a courtesy resolution for the League of Municipalities honoring longtime employees Curt Witynski and Gail Sumi. The League asked all municipalities to consider adopting the resolution. Trustee Harper made a motion for Resolution 2022-10 In Recognition of Curt Witynski and Gail Sumi be approved. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried. Yes: 7 – No: 0.
A discussion was had regarding consideration to revisit meeting time changes from current time of 5:30 p.m. to new time 5 p.m. Sherri Miller stated if they would move the meeting to 5 p.m. it would be hard for people to be able to attend the meeting when they work. Trustee Rasmussen stated that he was the one that requested the meetings be moved to 5 p.m. He stated that he has other obligations on Monday evenings and if there was not a problem with him leaving early, he did not have a problem leaving if the meeting was not done. It was suggested that they consider changing the day of the week for the meeting. Sherri Miller reiterated that she felt by changing the meeting to 5 p.m. it would limit public attendance. President Schustek suggested that everyone look at their schedules and consider it at another time. No action was taken.
Trustee Harper made a suggestion that the new lawnmower proposal be turned over to the Finance Committee for consideration. Trustee Rasmussen stated that when he talked to Public Works Director Glenn Tetzlaff, he said there may be a possibility that they could find a lawnmower company that would have a lawn mower in their inventory yet and be willing to discount it to get rid of it.
Emergency Government Position will be considered under finance.
Trustee Fenn discussed with the board a CivicPlus presentation regarding redoing Village Ordinances. The cost would $15,652.00 and could be split in two years. Annual Recurring Services would be $2,495.00. Trustee Meyers suggested that the Ordinance Committee review the contract. No action taken.
Committee Reports 1
Protection of Persons and Property Committee – Trustee Fenn made a motion to approve the police report Chief Zierler presented to the board for August 2022. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Police Report: Chief Zierler submitted a report for August 2022. The Iola Police Department handled 110 total calls. 911 Misdials – 7, Assist Other Agency (EMS) – 10, Agency Assists – 0, Alarms – 1, Animal Complaints – 1, ATV/UTV Stops – 0, Assault – 0, Bail Jumping – 0, Burglary – 0, Business/Building Checks – 2, Car vs Deer – 0, Child Abuse/Neglect – 0, Child Custody – 0, Citizens/Motorist Assist – 3, Cyber Tip (Child Porn) – 0, Controlled Burn – 0, Controlled Substance – 0, Death Investigation – 0, Designated Patrol – 9, Disabled Vehicle – 0, Disorderly Conduct – 0, Domestic Disturbance – 0, Drugs – 0, Extra Patrol – 0, Family Complaint – 4, Family Disturbance – 0, Fireworks – 0, Follow up – 0, Fraud – 1, Harassment – 0, Hit and Run – 0, Intoxicated Person – 0, Juvenile Problem – 0, Lock Out – 2, Lost Property – 2, Mental Health – 0, Missing Person – 0, Motor Vehicle Crash – 6, Neighbor Complaint – 0, Noise – 3, Open Door – 0, Ordinance Violation – 2, Paper Service – 1, Parking Problem – 0, Property Damage – 1, Repossession – 0, Sex Offense – 0, Storm Damage – 0, Suspicious Circumstance – 2, Theft – 3, Threating – 1, Tobacco Problem – 0, Traffic 3 Control/Hazard – 1, Traffic Enforcement – 46, Trespassing – 0, TRO Violation – 0, Truancy – 0, Warrant Pick Up – 0, Weapon Offense – 0, Welfare Check – 2.
President Schustek mentioned there was a wage error in the August 2022 Police Committee minutes. The digits were transposed in the hourly pay rate. The minutes have been corrected and updated accordingly. Trustee Harper made a motion to correct the typo in the minutes. Trustee Rasmussen seconded it. Trustee Harper made a motion to approve the amended minutes for the Police Committee meeting. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Public Property and Streets – Trustee Parks talked about water flooding East McKinley on the north side of the road, approximately 200 feet along property line of Hafeman property (365 McKinley St.). Ditch way for storm inlet needs to be dug out and deepened on east side on Hafeman property line. It will need to be built up and breaker rock (4” rock) will be placed in the berm and ditch to protect from washing out. Glenn received a quote from Lashua Excavating in the amount of $1,200 to $1,500 to complete the job.
Noise Ordinance Hearing
President Schustek announced we needed break and adjourn into the Public Hearing on noise ordinance.
Trustee Rasmussen made a motion to adjourn into Public Hearing. Trustee Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Schustek called the Public Hearing to order at 6 p.m.
President Schustek stated the newest draft had been posted online and that copies were available for people to review at the meeting.
Sherri Miller (Thirsty Perch) questioned the decibels in the new ordinance. It was discussed that the base was the biggest problem regarding the complaints that were coming in. Roger Olson stated that he could hear the base out on Tresness Road which is three miles out of town. Roger stated there is constant boom, boom, boom in his house. Trustee Rasmussen suggested maybe they consider asking the bands to turn the base down a hair. Sherri stated she feels like they (Thirsty Perch) are being attacked by people. President Schustek explained that it is not an attack on them, they are just trying to find something that would work for everyone. President Schustek stated the board would revisit the decibels.
John Bertelson stated that in regard to the houses by the water, sound may carry across the water. He asked Sherri if it would be possible for them to have the bands inside the garage. Mary Miller stated she works inside the Perch and most times they cannot hear the bands inside the building. Larry Flowers stated that he has not called in to complain because the board was trying to find a solution and it would be status quo for the summer. That was the reason why the residents have not called in and complained.
Someone suggested that the residents turn their air conditioners on or run them. Mary Miller stated she lives in Scandinavia, during the summer she can hear the music from the corn roast and can hear the noise from the ballpark during the summer and she does not complain. Ali Johnson, talked about the decibels, and because of being a safety manager in the past she was questioning how the decibels work.
President Schustek reiterated that they would look at the decibels. She asked Sherri if there was any way that they could get the base down. Sherri was not sure if that could be done. Trustee Meyers said he looked at an ordinance for one municipality that required the amplifiers be shut down at 10 p.m. Sherri said they would not be able to get a band if they had to tell bands what they could or could not do.
Sherri asked about the complaints and if the police were there three times in one night, would that be all three warnings and could their license be pulled because of it.
Sherri asked about meeting with the Village regarding the ordinances. President Schustek stated that meetings are posted, and the Ordinance Committee meeting would be open to the public and any one is welcome to come.
Sherri questioned it being an annual permit and questioned the time frame would be a seasonal permit. Attorney Meagher stated it was a good point and the Ordinance Committee would review it.
Sherri also questioned the permits, and how they work.
President Schustek asked if the public had any more to say. Trustee Harper made a motion to adjourn the public hearing and go back into the regular board meeting. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
President Schustek called the regular board meeting back into order at 6:36 p.m.
Committee Reports 2
Public Property and Streets – Continued Trustee Parks picked up her discussion regarding the McKinley Street flooding and that they planned to move forward with fixing it this fall and use contingency funds. Trustee Parks also talked about the bridge on Town Line Road needing some hot rubber repair after the inspection.
Attorney Meagher discussed the status of the Knuettle property and that there has been no contact with the family, and he recommends we move forward with filing the papers for condemnation. He also stated that Bob Viste issued a building permit and the house located on Grove Street had been cleaned up and sold. Trustee Meyers stated that the house had not been cleaned up. After a discussion regarding 230 Grove Street, President Schustek stated she would have Bob Viste, Building Inspector, double check the permit.
At this time no action has been taken regarding bids for village wide garbage pickup. (Waiting on bid from GFL).
Parks – Trustee Meyer’s stated that the dog park is moving along. Pickle ball courts are being used daily. Trustee Meyer’s also stated they are looking at other fund-raisers.
Trustee Harper stated at Chet Krause Park they have started preparing for the mural to go up, the artist was in town Labor Day weekend working on the mural.
Sewer and Water – Trustee McCoy noted work realigning the sewers. He also stated Glenn, and he are working on putting together contracts for the sewer haulers. Public Works Director Glenn Tetzlaff also wanted to make the board aware the sewer plant is going to be in need of chip sealing in the parking lot and driveways next year.
Library – President Schustek stated that Trustee Rasmussen needed to step out and no report was available at this time.
Finance – Trustee Harper made a motion to approve bills as presented. Trustees Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made a motion to recognize the Village of Iola head of Emergency Government position as an employee of the village for insurance liability purposes and pay the position $100 annual fee. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made an announcement that the finance committee will meet on Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. At that time, he would expect the Library, Police Department and Public Works to present their budget proposals. At 3:30 p.m. U.S. Cellular would be meeting out by the sewer plant to finalize the plans for the tower. Anyone that wished to could go out there.
Closed Session
Trustee Harper made a motion for the board to go into closed session. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Schustek announced the meeting was in closed session.
The meeting was adjourned in closed session by Trustee Harper. Trustee McCoy seconded the motion. President Schustek announced the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.