City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 25, 2014 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, snow removal from streets, parking lots and sidewalks, widening streets, pushing back snow dumps, a major water main break by the fire hall on W. Eighth Street (which drained our water towers, losing approximately one million gallons of water, resulting in a DNR boil water order) has been repaired, we are anticipating more main breaks due to ground shifts, several water lateral freeze-ups have been thawed or bypassed to provide water, burned brush pile, the news has been broadcasting to leave your water running to prevent freezing in residences and businesses, however the City of Neillsville is not asking our customers to do this (Neillsville, with its clay soil, is not affected by the deep freeze as much as those with sandy soil), we will continue to monitor frost depths. Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Clark stated that starting with the April, 2014 utility billing cycle, the City will be offering two new payment options: 1) online payments using credit cards, Paypal or E-check), or 2) Automatic Payment from a checking or savings account. Clark presented the process for online payment – 1) go to the City’s website www.neillsville- wi.com, 2) select Pay Your Bills Online, 3) select How Do I - Pay - Water Utility Bills or How Do I - Water/Sewer – Pay My Water Bill, 4) select Wisconsin Payments (have your bill ready, as you will need your account number and the four-digit security code number), 5) select Payment Type from the dropdown box (a copy of your billing information will show along with the related charges) – current fees are: Credit card - 3.3%, Paypal - $2.50 or 3.5%, E-check - $1.75 or 1.2%, 6) enter payment amount. Clark stated for the Automatic Payment from your checking or savings account, the City has to have the completed Automatic Payment Authorization form with original signature (faxed, scanned or e-mailed forms will not be accepted), along with a voided check. The customer will get their billings as usual, the payment will be deducted from their account on the 20th of the month following the bill date (January, April, July and October). City Clerk Roehl presented the Global Treasury Management Services Master Agreement with BMO Harris Bank for Utilities Auto Pay Collections. This sets up ACH Origination Service and Online Banking for Business Service. Motion Quicker, second Neville, to recommend to the Common Council to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Global Treasury Management Services Master Agreement with BMO Harris with any costs or fees charged back to customers using this payment method. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Weiers, that Water bills Nos. 26 to 47 in the amount of $35,419.86 and Sewer bills Nos. 23 to 44 in the amount of $67,222.14 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Mabie, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************  COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 25, 2014 7:08 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Mabie presiding. On roll call: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Neville reported on the February 24, 2014 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) reviewed, discussed and denied a housing loan to Applicant #2014-01-NR because of a large negative equity balance, and 2) reviewed, discussed and recommended to approve a housing loan not to exceed $24,999 to Applicant #2014-02-NR for roof, chimney, electric, plumbing, front door, basement and closing costs. Council Member Horn reported on the February 25, 2014 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) Deputy Clerk Clark presented the process for online payment of water and sewer utility bills using the City’s website www.neillsville-wi.com. Another option available is Automatic Payment from the customer’s checking or savings account, 3) the recommendation to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Global Treasury Management Services Master Agreement with BMO Harris Bank for Utilities Auto Pay Collections, with any costs or fees charged back to customers using this payment method, and 4) 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 Grants Committee item (2). Motion Neville, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to approve a housing loan not to exceed $24,999 to Applicant #2014-02-NR for roof, chimney, electric, plumbing, front door, basement and closing costs. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (3). Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Global Treasury Management Services Master Agreement with BMO Harris Bank for Utilities Auto Pay Collections, with any costs or fees charged back to the customer using this payment method. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl opened the bids received on the City of Neillsville property, Parcel No. 174 (vacant lot at 108 W. Fifteenth Street). Barb Shaw $7,502.00 Bruce Rakestraw $7,500.00 Discussion followed. Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the bid of $7,502.00 from Barb Shaw for Parcel No. 174. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth reported that the City served a Raze Order on Amy Symington, for her property at 303 W. Fifteenth Street, on February 16, 2014. She has 30 days to respond (repair or raze the structure). Mayor Mabie stated that from February 13 to 16, 2014, the City experienced a traumatic water main break, which drained its water tower. On behalf of the City, he thanked all those who helped. Mayor Mabie thanked John Ross, Clark County Emergency Management Director. Mayor Mabie stated it was gratifying to see the way the community came together. Mayor Mabie read a Letter of Commendation for the work done by members of the Public Works Department. Mayor Mabie stated that the City is looking for a volunteer to run the City’s closed circuit audio- visual TV system in City Hall, used to televise our City Council meetings. Harvey Pischer has done it for many years, and is looking to retire. We thank him for his service to the City. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer and Wine) Application: Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Deanna Heiman, Agent, for the retail sales floor area of Russell’s of Neillsville, 211 W. Eighth Street, for March 25, 2014 – Business After Five event. Motion Horn, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Motion Glassbrenner, second Neville, that City bills Nos. 189 to 218 in the amount of $537,826.68 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************