The Nov. 14, 2022, Village of Iola Board meeting was called to order by President Jennifer Schustek at 5:30 p.m. in the 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: Dave Harper, Jim Rasmussen, Pamela Parks, Missy Fenn, Mark McCoy; Others Present: Clerk Betty Aanstad, Deputy Clerk Laura Krogwold, Brenda Ivey, Lindsay Elst, Holly Neumann.
Trustee Harper made a motion to approve minutes for October 10, 2022, Board Meeting, Oct. 12, 2022, Personnel Committee Meeting, Oct. 19, 2022, Zoning Committee Meeting, Oct. 25, 2022, Finance Committee Meeting, Nov. 10, 2022, Zoning Committee Meeting. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made a motion to adjourn from the Board Meeting and move into the Public Hearing. Trustee Rasmussen seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Schustek adjourned the Board meeting to move into Public Hearing regarding the 2023 Budget.
Public Hearing
Trustee Harper explained how the 2023 Budget was put together.
Village Board is looking at redoing the ordinance book, because of this it is going to increase the hours the board is going to be putting in. CivicPlus a new ordinance system is looking at being purchased to help the board out in re-writing village ordinances. President Schustek, Trustee Fenn and Clerk Aanstad met virtually with two companies, after reviewing the data and researching the two companies, it was recommended that the village purchase CivicPlus for the village.
Clerks -Treasure took a substantial jump because of a new position the, position will be filled by Missy Fenn. Twelve hours per week will be for the Village and 3 hours for the Chamber. This position will be working on updating the ordinances for the village.
Community Center went up, due to the Depot Street Offices being added to the Community Center, in the past the offices were part of the Shop.
Elections is due to less elections in 2023.
Property and Liability has taken a drop after the latest audit, the insurance company came back with a decrease.
Legal was an increase because of legal advice regarding ordinances.
Retirement was an increase because of staff changes and additional employees.
Police was due to cost of living raises and increases in supplies.
Street Maintenance & Construction has been readjusted for just the cost of street maintenance and construction; wages were moved to Public Works/Shop.
Vehicle – Equipment has been increased Public Works Director Glenn Tetzlaff said the Village is in need of a new dump truck. He is hoping to find a used dump truck on surplus auctions for around $70,000. With the carryover from past years and the sale of some items and the increase to the budget, finance felt that would be adequate.
Library had an increase in due to the increase they received for County Library Aid and the cost-of-living increases.
Park had an increase due to the additional park responsibilities and investments the village is wanting to put into the parks.
Debt Service has decreased due to the refinancing of the village debt.
Total Expenses: $1,253,350.
Revenue: County Library Aid has increased. State Shared Revenue and State Highway Aid went down. State Computer Aid and State Fire Aid stayed the same. Because of the changes with Licenses and Permits it was felt that would be an increase in 2023. A few changes were made regarding our bank accounts, because of this the bank felt we would see an increase in interest to the village. Because of the Chamber renting the old clerk’s office rent fees have now increases. Wisconsin Video Service Aid is staying the same. Utility Remuneration has increased, with the new system the board feels we have a more adequate number than in the past. State Personal Property Aid is staying the same.
Tax Levy: $706.247. Total Other Revenue: $547,103, Combined Total Revenue: $1,253,350.
After Trustee Harper had completed the explanations, the floor was opened up for discussion. Trustee McCoy asked about Patrolman 3 and why the wage difference from 2021 to 2022 and 2023. Trustee Harper explained that in 2021 we did not have a full-time patrolman 3, for four months of the year, due to the police chief retiring in 2020.
Board Meeting
President Schustek announced at 5:47 p.m. that we were back into the regular board meeting.
Trustee Harper made a motion for the board to approve the CivicPlus contract which was recommended by the Finance Committee. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made a motion to approve the creation of New Clerk’s Office Position & Wage of $15 per hour, with a title of Assistant Clerk. And the approval of Missy Fenn pending a complete job description to fill the position. The position would be fifteen (15) hours per week, twelve (12) hours as a village employee and three (3) hours as a chamber employee. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper explained how the finance committee came up with the 6.25% cost of living wage increase to the board. Regarding cost of living and what they felt was adequate to employees. Trustee Harper made a motion to approve the 6.25% cost of living wage increase for village employees. Trustee Rasmussen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper made a motion to approve the 2023 proposed budget the Finance Committee submitted to the board in the amount of $1,253,350.00 with a tax levy of $706,247 plus $547,103 income from other sources. Trustee Rasmussen seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Meyers made a motion to approve the recommendation from zoning committee to grant Cavan Koslowske located at 105 Pine Tree Lane a Conditional Use Permit for an Outdoor Wood Furnace. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
A discussion was had regarding building permits and costs, it was decided to delay the discussion until additional information was gathered by President Schustek and Trustee Rasmussen.
Trustee Meyers made a motion to change the cost of dog licensee fees from $3 to $5 for spayed and neutered dogs, $8 to $12 for dogs not spayed or neutered. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee McCoy talked about his conversation he had with Harter’s Garbage Service. Trustee McCoy asked the representative at Harter’s if he would be willing to attend our next board meeting and make a presentation to the Village Board. It was decided to have the representative come and talk with the board in person before a decision is made. The representative will be attending the Dec. 12, 2022, Board Meeting and present to the full board what Harter’s has to offer the Village residents.
Trustee Rasmussen made a motion to change in the Employee Handbook; Sick Time to Personal Time (PTO). Trustee Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Meyers made a motion to change the name of the Community Center to Village Hall. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
A discussion was had regarding a new sign in the front of the Village Hall. President Schustek presented the board with a design and quote she had received. After a short discussion and questions about placement, it was decided that President Schustek would go back to the company with additional changes and bring it back to the board at the December meeting for review.
Trustee Meyers made a motion to raise brush pile permits for outside village residents from $25 per year to $50 per year. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Committee Reports
Protection of Persons and Property Committee – Police Report: Trustee Fenn made a motion to approve the police report Chief Zierler presented to the board for October 2022. Trustee Meyers seconded the motion. Motion carried. Report below.
The Iola Police Department handled 127 total calls. 911 Misdials – 3, Assist Other Agency (EMS) – 0, Agency Assists – 10, Alarms – 0, Animal Complaints – 7, 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 – 2, Civil Complaints – 3, Cyber Tip (Child Porn) – 0, Controlled Burn – 0, Controlled Substance – 0, Death – 1, Designated Patrol – 35, Disabled Vehicle – 0, Disorderly Conduct – 3, Domestic Disturbance – 1, Drugs – 0, Extra Patrol – 0, Family Complaint – 0, Family Disturbance – 0, Fireworks – 0, Follow up – 1, Fraud – 0, Harassment – 0, Hit and Run – 0, Illegal Dumping – 1, Intoxicated Person – 0, Juvenile Problem – 1, Lock Out – 3, Lost Property – 3, Mental Health – 1, Missing Person – 0, Motor Vehicle Crash – 3, Neighbor Complaint – 0, Noise – 0, Open Door – 0, Ordinance Violation – 2, Paper Service – 0, Parking Problem – 0, Property Damage – 1, Repossession – 0, Sex Offense – 1, Storm Damage – 0, Suspicious Circumstance – 3, Theft – 1, Threating – 0, Tobacco Problem – 0, Traffic Control/Hazard – 2, Traffic Enforcement – 26, Trespassing – 0, TRO Violation of RO– 1, Truancy – 0, Warrant Pick Up – 3, Weapon Offense – 0, Welfare Check – 5.
Trustee Fenn also stated that the Police Department hired Karl Boddy as a part-time officer. Officer Ben Strojny passed his taser courses.
Public Property and Streets: Attorney Meagher was not present to give an update on the condemnation of status of the following Village Properties: 430 South Main Street, 230 Grove Street, and 119 South Main Street.
Parks: Trustee Meyers stated the large rocks have been removed from the dog park, the next step is to plan a clean-up day in the spring to remove the small rocks and seed. The contract for the fence has been signed for the Pickleball Court. They will either install it within the next two weeks or will do it in the spring. Because we signed the contract and if they are not able to get to it this fall, they will honor our quote in the spring. Chet Krause Park – Trustee Harper said at this time they are done with any changes to the park for the season and will be focusing on fund raising.
Sewer & Water: Trustee McCoy said he talked with Public Works Director Glenn Tetzlaff and they just finished cleaning 15,000 feet of sewer lines.
Finance: Trustee Harper made a motion that they found all bills to be in order and approve them as presented. Trustees Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Closed Session
Trustee Harper made a motion to adjourn into closed session. Trustee Fenn seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Schustek announced at 6:27 p.m., they were in closed session.
A discussion was had.
Trustee Harper made a motion at 7:15 p.m. to move out of closed session and go back into open session. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Trustee Harper then made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Parks seconded the motion. Motion carried. President Schustek announced at 7:18 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.