City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 12, 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, mulching leaves at the cemetery and parks, winterizing water lines at the cemetery and park restrooms, opening storm drains, street sweeping, leaf pickup is ongoing, preparing Christmas decorations, fall clean-up of garden and plant waste is complete, snow/ice removal salt has arrived, the electronics recycling held on November 8, 2013 went very well. Director of Public Works Flynn reported that the demolition project at 108 W. Fifteenth Street (Eisner property) is now complete. After the Amish finished with the upper structure removal, the city crew removed the basement, disconnected the water, and capped the sewer. The demolition costs will be a little over $9,500, depending on the final dumpster costs. Discussion followed. Thor Backus, Regional Staff Representative for AFSCME Wisconsin Council 40, introduced himself and encouraged the City Council to keep a reliable work force for the city. The City Clerk reported that the regular meeting date of Tuesday, December 24, 2013 is also Christmas Eve Day. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, to reschedule the regular Tuesday, December 24, 2013 meeting to Monday, December 23, 2013 at 6:45 p.m. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 12, 2013 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Mabie presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minute of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Quicker reported on the October 30, 2013 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) work on the new Historic Walking Tour brochure, and 2) discussion on posts and plaques. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the November 4, 2013 meeting of the Transit Committee at the Clark County Courthouse regarding attending and participating in the public hearing for the shared-ride taxi service to Clark County, including the City of Stanley, and to the City of Neillsville. Pam Kernan, Clark County Social Services, presented the Management Plan from the Section 5311 Program grant application. Council Member Horn reported on the November 12, 2013 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) completion of demolition project at 108 W. Fifteenth Street – Eisner property, and 3) rescheduling the regular Tuesday, December 24, 2013 meeting to Monday, December 23, 2013 at 6:45 p.m. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. The City Clerk reported that the regular meeting date of Tuesday, December 24, 2013 is also Christmas Eve Day. Motion Quicker, second Glassbrenner, to reschedule the regular Tuesday, December 24, 2013 meeting to Monday, December 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. All Aye. The City Clerk reported on the 2014 dental insurance renewal notice from MetLife. The single plan premium is increasing from $37.34 to $38.46, or $1.12 (3.0%) per month. The family plan premium is increasing from $111.77 to $119.26, or $7.49 (6.7%) per month. Motion Horn, second Weiers, to approve the 2014 dental insurance contract renewal with MetLife. All Aye. Director of Public Works Flynn reported the demolition project at 108 W. Fifteenth Street (Eisner property) has been completed for a little over $9,500. What is the next step? Discussion followed on advertising the property for sale with the City retaining its right to refuse all offers. At least the City will recoup some of its money. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, to authorize the Director of Public Works to advertise the property at 108 W. Fifteenth Street for sale by sealed bid. All Aye. Chief of Police Lindner reported on October 2013 complaints, citations, arrests and investigations. Property owners at 14 Court Street and 303 W. Fifteenth Street continue to be cited for failing to clean up their properties, the fire siren has been repaired and is awaiting installation. LEFT BLANK 7:17 p.m. – Mayor Mabie declared the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2014 Budget for the City now open. The City Clerk read the following proposed budget summary: CITY OF NEILLSVILLE 2014 CITY BUDGET EXPENDITURES AND CONTINGENCY Operations and Maintenance General Government – 51000 $ 948,698 Public Safety – 52000 648,698 Public Works – 53000 710,946 Health & Human Services – 54000 88,053 Culture, Recreation, Education – 55000 289,877 Conservation & Development – 56000 78,050 Total Operations and Maintenance $ 2,764,134 Capital Outlay – 57000 133,322 Debt Service – 58000 241,311 Contingency – 34000 78,470  Total Expenditures and Contingency $ 3,217,237 LESS: REVENUES OTHER THAN FROM PROPERTY TAXES Taxes – 41000 $ 272,416 Special Assessments – 42000 -0- Intergovernmental Revenues – 43000 1,237,713 Licenses & Permits – 44000 10,885 Fines, Forfeits & Penalties – 45000 15,000 Public Charges for Services – 46000 94,102 Intergovernmental Charges for Services – 47000 54,987 Miscellaneous Revenues – 48000 77,113 Other Financing Sources – 49000 107,700 Total Revenue $ 1,869,916 General Funds Applied 299,423 Total Revenue and Funds Applied $ 2,169,339 Proposed City Levy $ 1,047,898 Less: Computer State Aid 5,790 Net City Levy Before TIDs $ 1,042,108 PLUS: Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) 56,468 Net City Levy $ 1,098,576 Proposed Local Tax Rate for 2013 Tax Roll - $9.54082 per thousand. Details on the budget are on file for public inspection at the office of the City Clerk. The City Clerk reported that the proposed 2014 General Fund budget of $3,217,237 is lower than the Consumers Price Index (1.6%) and Wisconsin Department of Revenue Expenditure Restraint Program (2.5%) guidelines. The proposed 2013 tax levy of $1,042,108 without TIDs is within the state’s levy requirement of 0% plus net new construction (1.501%) of $15,411. Mayor Mabie called three times for appearances, there being none. 7:21 p.m. – The Budget Hearing was declared closed. Motion Quicker, second Weiers, to adopt the 2014 City Budget of $3,217,237 with $1,098,576 to be placed on the 2013 tax roll. On roll call: All Aye. Mayor Mabie stated the next agenda item is what to do with the burned out house at 303 W. Fifteenth Street, Amy Symington, owner. Council Member Glassbrenner stated that the city will probably end up taking it down. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that Symington called her asking why she was being fined. Wachsmuth replied because she was not cleaning up the property. The first citation issued to Symington has not yet gone to court. Chief of Police Lindner stated that it takes about two months after a citation is issued for a court date. In this case, it will be December 16, 2013. Council Member Glassbrenner asked if the city should contact Symington to see what her plans are, or just go with a raze order. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated if the city proceeds with a raze order, the costs can be placed on the tax roll. You can’t do a personal judgment, too – it is one or the other. With a tax roll lien, if not paid, the city gets the property eventually. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that Symington has had more than enough notice and every opportunity to do something. City Attorney Wachsmuth reviewed the raze order process. A title search has to be done first, as anyone with a lien on the property has to be served a raze order. If no one contests the order, then after 30 days you can move forward. If the order it contested, it will take longer. Motion Horn, second Neville, to authorize City Attorney Wachsmuth to start the raze order process on the property at 303 W. Fifteenth Street. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on the Notice of Entry in the National Register and State Register of Historic Places for the Charles and Theresa Cornelius House, 118 Clay Street. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Sydney J. Colwell Motion Quicker, second Horn, to grant. All Aye. Motion Glassbrenner, second Neville, that bills on City Vouchers Nos. 1012 to 1080 in the amount of $121,584.53, and CDBG Housing Escrow Vouchers Nos. 4 and 5 in the amount of $60.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************