City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Horn presiding. On roll call: all members present The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Flynn reported on two burials at the cemetery, equipment maintenance, picking up branches and trash, mowing and weed-eating in cemetery and parks, cleaning restrooms, watering flower baskets and planters, mowing vacant properties, installed new playground unit in Listeman Park, opening storm drains, street sweeping, working on downtown street lighting, patching sidewalks on Hewett Street and the Department of Commerce was in the City doing inspections today. Director of Public Works Flynn reported that no bids were received on the 1992 John Deere 544E front end loader. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that the total reconstruction project on Grand Avenue will cost about $165,000 and he is requesting authorization to use the $100,000 of HoDag funds on hand for this project. The storm sewer portion of this project is $40,418.57. Flynn would like to purchase the storm sewer pipe, inlets and grates (cost - $21,313.57) yet this year before price increases occur. This would require a transfer of funds from the street construction outlay account to storm sewer outlay account. Motion Quicker, second Mabie, to recommend to the Common Council the use of HoDag funds ($100,000) for the Grand Avenue total street reconstruction project. All Aye. Motion Glassbrenner, second Weiers, to recommend to the Common Council the transfer of $21,313.57 from Account No. 57330 Street Construction Outlay to Account No. 57344 Storm Sewer Outlay for the Grand Avenue project storm sewer materials. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Weiers, that Water Vouchers Nos. 195 to 211 in the amount of $104,160.22 and Sewer Vouchers Nos. 184 to 206 in the amount of $76,935.90 be paid. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 24, 2013 7:00 P.M. The Common Council meet in regular session, Mayor Mabie presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Mayor Mabie reported on the September 10, 2013 meeting of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the budget process, state revenues, levy limit freeze, 9.8% health insurance increase, the PSC proposed water rate increase for hydrant rental charges, wage increases for non- union and police union wage increases, 2) directions to department heads and committees to hold the 2014 budget requests to the 2013 levels and make cuts where possible, 3) discussed and recommended approval of a three-year agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen for audit services: 2013 - $21,500 / 2014 - $21,600 / 2015 - $21,700, 4) discussed and recommended approval of a three-year contract with Associated Appraisal Consultants, Inc. for assessment services: 2014 - $6,800 / 2015 - $6,850 / 2016 - $6,900, 5) discussed and recommended approval of a one- year agreement with Paul Wiese Risk Management Services for insurance consultant services: $2,100, 6) referred all non-union salaries and benefits to the Personnel Committee for review and recommendation and 7) set the budget meeting schedule. Mayor Mabie reported on the September 12, 2013 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session on non-union wages and benefits, reconvening into open session, with the recommendation to the Finance Committee for the 2014 non-union wage schedule, and to have Chief of Police Lindner contribute 9% to the cost of his health insurance premium. Mayor Mabie reported on the September 16, 2013 meeting of the Economic Development Commission regarding 1) discussion on current activities and 2) work on and referral of the proposed 2014 Economic Development budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Weiers reported on the September 17, 2013 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding 1) discussion on and authorizing fall decorations, 2) discussion on and authorizing winter decorations, 3) discussion on and authorized adding four hanging baskets on the north side of town in 2014, 4) discussion on spring 2014 flowers and 5) discussion and referral of the proposed 2014 Beautification budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Quicker reported on the September 17, 2013 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding: 1) a presentation by Tim Brekke, Gesche Funeral Home, on various types of urns and urn vaults, 2) discussion on Cemetery ordinances on permanent outer containers for cremations, 3) current activities and 4) work on and referral of the proposed 2014 Cemetery budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the September 18, 2013 meeting of the Tourism Committee regarding: 1) presentation of and discussion on grant applications for the 70% Room Tax – Tourism Promotion and Development Funds and 2) recommendation to approve the following grant amounts: Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce - $175 for Autumn Harvest Celebration entertainment, and The Highground - $175 for new highway signage. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the September 19, 2013 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) current activities and 3) work on the 2014 operating and capital budgets. Council Member Neville reported on the September 19, 2013 meeting of the Airport Commission regarding: 1) discussion on a presentation to the Clark County Finance Committee asking for funding support, 2) discussion on future airport improvement projects with the Bureau of Aeronautics and 3) work on and referral of the proposed 2014 Airport operating and capital budgets to the Finance Committee. Council Member Horn reported on the September 24, 2013 meeting of the Commission on Public Works Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) no bids were received on the 1992 John Deere 544E front end loader, 3) discussion on the Grand Avenue total reconstruction project (Division Street to W. Fourth Street), 4) the recommendation to authorize the use of HoDag funds ($100,000) for the Grand Avenue total reconstruction project, 5) the recommendation to transfer $21,313.57 from Account No. 57330 Street Construction Outlay to Account No. 57344 Storm Sewer Outlay for the Grand Avenue project storm sewer materials and 6) payment of bills. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Finance Committee items (3, 4 and 5). Motion Horn, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve a three-year agreement with CliftonLarsonAllen for audit services. All Aye. Motion Quicker, second Weiers, to accept the recommendation to approve a three-year contract with Associated Appraisal Consultants, Inc. for assessment services. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to approve a one-year agreement with Paul Wiese Risk Management Services for insurance consultant services. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Tourism Committee item (2). Motion Weiers, second Horn, to accept the recommendation to approve the following grant amounts: Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce - $175 for Autumn Harvest Celebration entertainment and The Highground - $175 for new highway signage. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities items (4 and 5). Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to authorize the use of HoDag funds ($100,000) for the Grand Avenue total reconstruction project. All Aye. Motion Weiers, second Glassbrenner, to accept the recommendation to transfer $21,313.57 from Account No. 57330 Street Construction Outlay to Account No. 57344 Storm Sewer Outlay for the Grand Avenue project storm sewer materials. All Aye. The City Clerk presented the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Funding Assistance Programs SFY 2014 Grant in the amount of $4,985 from the State of Wisconsin – Department of Health Services. Motion Horn, second Weiers, to accept and appropriate the $4,985 EMS grant funds to Account No. 52300 Ambulance Service. All Aye. Mayor Mabie read the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO. 570 A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER Whereas, Memorial Medical Center is a community-owned private not-for-profit integrated delivery system and has a long history of providing vital services for the health and wellbeing to the citizens of Neillsville and Clark County, Wisconsin and surrounding areas; and Whereas, the Critical Access Hospital Necessary Provider status of Memorial Medical Center is threatened by a recommendation from the United States Office of the Inspector General , which would be harmful to the long term future of Memorial Medical Center; and Whereas, short driving distances and times are known to be a factor in life or death situations in an agricultural community; and Whereas, Memorial Medical Center provides these critical health care services, as well as vital employment for area residents; and Whereas, the City of Neillsville Common Council wholeheartedly supports Memorial Medical Center; Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the City of Neillsville Common Council supports the continuation of Critical Access Hospital Necessary Provider status for Memorial Medical Center in its current definition and implementation. Passed this 24th day of September, 2013. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor __________________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Mayor Mabie introduced Interim Chief Executive Officer David Baltzer, , Assistant Administrator Ryan Neville and President of the Board of Directors Robert Barth from Memorial Medical Center. David Baltzer thanked the Council for allowing him to address them. Baltzer stated that Neillsville has a wonderful community-owned facility. Baltzer gave a brief background of the 1965 Medicare law, the 1980 reimbursement law based on procedures performed, the 1997 law creating the “Critical Access Hospital” designation, and the new federal Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General’s proposal to eliminate “necessary provider” status and have a major impact on our facility. We all know the federal government has financial problems and this would create a problem for Memorial Medical Center, which the Board and community would have to find a way to work around. Once again, thanks for your consideration of this resolution and support of Memorial Medical Center. Robert Barth thanked the Council for its wisdom and support of Memorial Medical Center. Motion Quicker, second Weiers, that Resolution No. 570 be adopted. All Aye. Chief of Police Lindner presented Officer Kathryn McDonald’s letter of resignation effective October 28, 2013. Officer McDonald has served since August 25, 2008 (5 years, 2 months). Motion Quicker, second Horn, to accept Officer McDonald’s letter of resignation effective October 28, 2013. All Aye. Mayor Mabie thanked McDonald for her work and dedication to the City over the last five years. Chief of Police Lindner requested authorization to hire a replacement for the police department vacancy. The police department has been operating with a staff of six officers since 1986. The staffing level was reviewed in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2012 when vacancies were filled. Motion Horn, second Neville, to authorize the Police and Fire Commission to move forward with the process to fill the police officer vacancy. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving the Quick Claim Deed from Clark County on the former Dolores Eisner property, 108 W. Fifteenth Street; the final billing from West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) on the City’s 2033 Comprehensive Plan Update – WCWRPC went over budget on this project, but they will be absorbing the additional costs; WCWRPC will be holding a Clark County Flood Management and Preparedness Local Officials Seminar on October 28 and 29; a letter from CESA 10 reminding elected officials to complete the survey for the “Race to the Top” grant application; and a letter from the Clark County 2014 Alice in Dairyland Program Committee informing the City that Clark County is hosting the event and asking for sponsorship support. City Clerk Roehl reported on the Notice of Entry in the National Register and State Register of Historic Places for the Neillsville Standpipe, 325 E. Fourth Street. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Deborah S. Boucher, Sidney J. Colwell, Dana L. Elmhorst and Clover J. Schofield. Motion Horn, second Quicker, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Quicker, that bills on City Vouchers Nos. 864 to 897 in the amount of $126,736.76 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************