Volga City Council

The Volga City Council met on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 601 Washington Street. Mayor Elaine Follon opened the Public Hearing for the consideration of approval of the certification of FY 26 taxes and budget at 6:55pm. Council members Alex Fettkether, Parker Klingman, Crystal Nicholson, and Tom Whittle answered Roll Call. Megan McDonald, Mike Howard, Nancy Berger, Tom Klingman, Zach Bennington, Phil Mueller, and Rhonda Fry were also present. No comments were received. Motion by Whittle to close the Public Hearing. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The Public Hearing was closed at 6:57pm.

Mayor Follon called the regular council meeting to order at 7pm. Council members Alex Fettkether, Tom Whittle, Crystal Nicholson, and Parker Klingman answered Roll Call. Megan McDonald, Mike Howard, Nancy Berger, Tom Klingman, Zach Bennington, Phil Mueller, and Rhonda Fry were also present.

Tom Klingman discussed interest to look into the potential of any public use of the old Cass Street bridge. The clerk will contact the city’s insurance and city attorney for information on inspection requirements and costs for pedestrian use as a seating/viewing area.

Tom Klingman discussed the possibility for VCTC to work with sponsors to host a Diesel Showcase Event the last weekend in July. Funds raised would be used to purchase new flags for town. Topics discussed included: need to determine insurance costs, law enforcement coverage, city costs for prepping for events, and campground operations for events. Motion by Whittle to contact insurance for City issues, and to request $1000 from event proceeds to cover city maintenance hours plus any increase that might come on the City’s insurance as a result of events on public grounds. A public hearing will be held at the Volga Library at 7pm on Monday May 12 to gather community input regarding the possible event, unless insurance discussion does not allow for events. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Zach Bennington requested the City vacate a portion of Lafayette Street at the back of his property. Motion by Fettkether to not vacate a portion of Lafayette Street. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Comments: Tom Klingman discussed consideration of dust control for the north end of Washington Street from the intersection of Pine Street to the end of the street. Public Works is developing a plan for future dust control to rotate rock application and dust control application based on an annual budget and rotation. It was noted that West Union Trenching will be in town to follow up on the settling of the ground around the fiber installations. Zach Bennington discussed volunteering to assist with ball diamond and volleyball court maintenance in cooperation with the Park Board.

Updates on Focus Areas-

Transportation Infrastructure:

Monthly street maintenance plan- Public Works is waiting on cold patch costs. Pothole maintenance is being completed as needed on Washington Street.

Mayor Follon was contacted by Alliant Energy. Several poles on Washington Street are in need of replacement or removal. Motion by Whittle to replace existing poles with new poles in the same location. Second by Nicholson.

All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Follon provided an update on the Oak Street Bridge discussion with the County Engineer. The City will continue to inspect the bridge as required for the life of the current bridge, and continue to seek funding opportunities to cover engineering costs for bridge replacement.

Washington Street Project: The City will wait for an update from the County and contractor, and work with Origin to finalize the scope of the project with options from the engineer.

Community Beautification: Council discussed follow-up on letters for property cleanup plans. The City Attorney has received the judgement information for those who have not provided plans as requested. Additional communications will be made for junk vehicles.

Department Updates:

Public Works: Mark Linse submitted a written request for permission to pay for and apply dust control on Marion Street. Motion by Klingman to approve. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Works reviewed the budget and recommended Butler, Cedar and Oak Streets for rock and a single application of dust control. Motion by Fettkether to approve Three Rivers FS for $.80 per foot for a single application. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Water/Sewer/Garbage Departments:

Water pressure project: Origin is waiting on paperwork from the contractor to finalize completion. The system is operational at this time.

Motion by Fettktether to approve Contractor Payment No. 21 in the amount of $4484.95 for work completed.

Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Works discussed the costs for sewer lagoon gauge materials. Motion by Klingman to approve the $700-$1000 in costs for stainless steel. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Fettkether to approve purchase of rock for sewer lagoon roadways. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Public Works updated council on the sewer lagoon sludge study results. The report was favorable for another 7-10 years on the levels determined before action is needed.

Administration:

Mayor Follon presented Resolution 2025-05: A Resolution adopting the FY 25-26 Budget and Certification of Taxes

Motion by Klingman to approve Resolution 2025-25. Second by Nicholson. A Roll Call vote was taken. Ayes: Nicholson, Klingman, Whittle, Fettkether. Nays: none. Motion carried.

Motion by Fettkether to set a Public Hearing for amending the current FY25 Budget. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Nicholson to table the First Reading of Ordinance #173: Alliant Energy Franchise Renewal. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Park Board: McDonald discussed the upcoming work day planned for April 17th to install cameras, grill, and other park maintenance projects to start the year.

Emergency Services: Nicholson reported that the First Responders will be providing services for the Driftless 100 Gravel Bike Race.

Library Board: Follon reported that the Board is working on a Grand Opening for the new building.

The Consent Agenda: was presented with the following items: 1) Minutes, 2) Claims, 3) Treasurer’s Report-March

2025, 4) Bank Reconciliation-March 2025, 5) Monthly Budget Report, 6) Application for Liquor License:

Sunflower Hill, 804 Washington Street, and 7) Approve posting of 2024 Water Sampling Consumer Confidence

Report. Motion by Fettkether to accept the Consent Agenda. Second by Whittle. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

Delinquent Utilities were discussed and shut offs were approved.

Motion by Whittle to Adjourn. Second by Klingman. All voted in favor. The meeting was adjourned at 9:16pm.