The Dec. 12 Village of Iola Board meeting was called to order by President Pro Tem Dave Harper at 5:30 p.m. in the Iola Village Hall, Community Room. President Pro Tem Harper read the opening meeting statements 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 Pro Tem Dave Harper; Trustees: Jim Rasmussen, Pamela Parks, Missy Fenn, Rick Meyers, Mark McCoy; Others Present: Clerk Betty Aanstad, Holly Neumann, Larry Flowers, Mary Miller, Dennis Meifer, Sheri Miller, Steve Steeber, Mike Devine, Chris Ross, Cassie Messier, Aaron Messier. Excused Absence: President Jennifer Schustek; Attorney Bruce Meagher, Legal Counsel.
Trustee Meyers made a motion to approve the Nov. 14, 2022, Board Meeting & Public Hearing minutes. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Parks made a motion to approve the Nov. 16, 2022, Park Committee meeting minutes. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Fenn made a motion to approve the Nov. 21, 2022, Ordinance Committee minutes. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Rasmussen made a motion to approve the Nov. 23, 2022, Personnel Committee minutes. Trustee McCoy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Chester L. Krause Legacy Park
President Pro Tem Harper explained the letter president Schustek received from Clifford Mishler regarding Chester L. Krause Legacy Park. A WEDC grant was found to help with costs of the park and the Ad Hoc Committee for Chester L. Krause Legacy Park would need Iola Village Board approval to pursue the grant. Trustee Meyers made a motion to approve the Ad Hoc Committee request for the grant to help with costs for Chester L. Krause Legacy Park. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried. The clerk’s office will prepare the grant application and submit it to the WEDC with information collected from Mishler and the Ad Hoc committee.
A vote was made to approve Resolution 2022-13 that the Iola Village Board of Trustees grants permission to Betty Aanstad, clerk, or Laura J. Krogwold, Deputy Clerk to submit the Community Development Investment-Vibrant Spaces Grant (CDI-VS Grant) application for Chet Krause Memorial Park.
Trustee Rasmussen explained that only one of the quotes has been received regarding security cameras in the lower level of the village Hall. Because of this it was recommended to postpone the discussion regarding security cameras until the Jan. 9 meeting.
An offer was made to the village board of trustees by Dan and Shannon Dane regarding purchasing parcel 26 35 97 Located on Sunset Drive. Attorney Meagher had done a quick review of the purchase offer prior to the meeting and felt the offer was fair. After the board reviewed the proposal. Trustee Meyers recommended that Attorney Meagher write up a purchase agreement for the board to review at the next meeting. At the January meeting the board will review the purchase agreement that attorney Meagher will draft and make a decision.
Village Mission Statement
Trustee Parks asked to speak regarding the village’s consideration of a Mission Statement for the Village of Iola. And what a mission statement means and who should decide on the mission statement for the village. She read a few submissions that were submitted to the village clerk’s office for review:
To Promote a Thriving Community, By Supporting Business Entrepreneurs, By Establishing and Maintaining Public Spaces for Our Residents; By Providing a Culture of Safety for Our Citizenry.
To Support Our Residents, Our Businesses, Our Established Public Venues, And Those Who Serve to Provide a Safe and Thriving Community in Iola.
To Put Forth the Priority of Promoting a Thriving Community by Supporting Our Residents, Established Businesses and Upcoming Entrepreneurships; Continued Maintenance and Improvements of Public Spaces, And Staying Up to Date with The Necessary Measures to Provide Safety for All Our Citizenry.
Board Of Devoted People to Maintain a Safe, Fair and Organized Community.
To Have the Overall Best Intentions for The Residents of The Village, Being Truthful, Mindful, And Present. Providing A Safe, Livable, And Sustainable Community.
It was decided in the end to put the options out and let the Village residents decide, because a mission statement is about the people.
Trustee Rasmussen discussed the meeting he and President Schustek had with building inspector Bob Viste regarding building permit rates. Trustee Rasmussen commented on the legal fee costs the village also incurs when Bob reaches out to legal counsel. It was decided to table approval until the January meeting, with President Schustek being out, there were a few questions that were not able to be answered.
With president Schustek being unable to attend it was decided to table consideration of a new sign in front of the Village Hall.
Committee Reports
Protection of Persons and Property Committee: Police Report – Trustee Parks made a motion to approve the police report shown below presented by Chief Zierler to the board for November 2022. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried. Report below:
Police Report: The Iola Police Department handled 127 total calls. 911 Misdials – 6, Assist Other Agency (9 EMS) – 11, Agency Assists – 0, Alarms – 1, Animal Complaints – 4, ATV/UTV Stops – 0, Assault – 0, Bail Jumping – 0, Burglary – 0, Business/Building Checks – 0, Car vs Deer – 0, Child Abuse/Neglect – 1, Child Custody – 0, Citizens/Motorist Assist – 4, Civil Complaints – 0, Cyber Tip (Child Porn) – 0, Controlled Burn – 0, Controlled Substance – 0, Death – 0, Designated Patrol – 35, Disabled Vehicle – 0, Disorderly Conduct – 0, Domestic Disturbance – 1, Drugs – 0, Extra Patrol – 0, Family Complaint – 1, Family Disturbance – 0, Fireworks – 0, Follow up – 0, Fraud – 0, Harassment – 1, Hit and Run – 0, Illegal Dumping – 0, Intoxicated Person – 0, Juvenile Problem – 0, Lock Out – 2, Lost Property – 0, Mental Health – 1, Missing Person – 0, Motor Vehicle Crash – 4, Neighbor Complaint – 0, Noise – 1, Open Door – 1, Ordinance Violation – 0, Paper Service – 0, Parking Problem – 0, Property Damage – 1, Repossession – 0, Sex Offense – 0, Storm Damage – 0, Suspicious Circumstance – 3, Theft – 2, Threating – 0, Tobacco Problem – 0, Traffic Control/Hazard – 3, Traffic Enforcement – 38, Trespassing – 1, TRO Violation of RO– 0, Truancy – 0, Warrant Pick Up – 2, Weapon Offense – 0, Welfare Check – 4.
Public Property and Streets – Trustee McCoy said neither GFL or Harter’s were able to attend the December meeting, however they are both planning to attend the January meeting and present to the board what they have to offer. Attorney Meagher was not present to give an update on the condemnation status of the following Village Properties: 430 South Main Street, 230 Grove Street, and 119 South Main Street.
Parks – Trustee Meyers stated the fence was going up around the pickleball court this week. The dog park will not have any activity until spring.
Ordinance Committee – Trustee Meyers stated the committee has several ordinances they are currently working on. Nonmetallic mining was the priority and if anyone wished to see the ones marked for review, they could reach out to him after the meeting.
Finance – Trustee Rasmussen made a motion that they found all bills to be in order and to approve them as presented. Trustees Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Correspondence and Communications – President Pro Tem Harper read a letter President Schustek received from Diana Jones a village resident, regarding the Non-Metallic mining. After the letter was read, a discussion was had regarding the trip the zoning and village board made to a working nonmetallic mine in the area. Mike Devine made a comment that he had toured the mine that day and did not have any opinions on the mine. Mike made a comment about the sand mine and how they dug into the hill, where at the Iola location it will be more of a hole. He felt it was hard to compare. Chris Ross asked about Pros and Cons. Several board members and zoning committee members said they did tour the site.
President Pro Tem Harper also stated the village received a Christmas card from the Scandinavia Garden Club with a donation to help cover cleaning costs.
Trustee Rasmussen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Pro Tem Harper announced at 6 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.