City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 5, 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, mowing and weed eating cemetery and parks, watering flowers, preparing ballfields, mowing residential lawns, hauling brush and compost, cleaning storm drains, street sweeping, working on the Grand Avenue water main replacement project – the new main is in and laterals and hydrants are being hooked up, work on the Grand Avenue storm sewer is in process. Angel Gebeau, AECOM, presented the sewer rate increase proposals. A summary of revenues for 2010 through 2013 actual and 2014 estimated were reviewed. A summary of expenses for 2007 through 2013 shows an average increase of 1.6%. Estimated projections for 2014, 2015 and 2016 were reviewed. The Clean Water Fund loan repayment runs through 2016. Gebeau continued with projected expenses for 2014, 2015 and 2016. The expenses consist of five groups – Operating Expenses, Debt Service, CWF Equipment Replacement Set-aside (the CWF limit was met in 2010, now it is maintenance replacement payments only), I&I Set-aside, and CIP Set-aside. Gebeau continued with projected revenues for 2014, 2015 and 2016, with rate increases of 5%, 10% and 15%. The Sewer Utility would continue deficits projected at the 5% and 10% levels of rate increase. The 15% level of rate increase would meet operating expenses, as well as cover the set-asides for I&I and CIP. Discussion followed on CIP projects – Grand Avenue patches, bar screen, lift station and pipe repair; a phosphorus removal optimization plan needs to be done; and I&I needs for cleaning, jetting and televising. Gebeau presented a comparison of hauler waste fees for holding tanks and septic tank waste. Neillsville’s rates of $19.72 and $99.38 per 100 cubic feet are very high comparable to others in the area. Most charge a lower volume rate and add an administrative fee. Gebeau stated that Neillsville would be most comparable to Augusta which charges $92.20 per 1,000 gallons plus $25 per trip charge. Flynn stated that until the bar screen is installed we are not ready to accept hauler waste, but a rate can be established so when we are ready it is in place. Discussion followed. The consensus of the Commission was to review the information presented for the next meeting. City Clerk Roehl stated that Wisconsin Payments, the company used to process online utility payments using credit cards, Paypal or E-checks, will be discontinuing business. A new company – PSN (Payment Service Network, Inc.) will be taking over the online payment processing for utility payments. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************  COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 5, 2014 7:10 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 minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Horn reported on the August 5, 2014 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding : 1) current activities, 2) presentation by Angel Gebeau, AECOM, of the sewer rate study – discussion followed with no action taken and 3) online utility payments will be handled through a new company, PSN (Payment Services Network, Inc.), which will be replacing Wisconsin Payments for credit cards, Paypal or E-checks. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the July 24, 2014 Memorial Medical Center Finance Committee meeting regarding projects being worked on, and the month of June was in the black, breaking 33 months of being in the red. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on attending a Clark County Transportation Planning/Coordination meeting. The Clark County Taxi will be budgeting for two additional days in 2015 – currently they have more requests for rides than they can handle. The Neillsville City Taxi ridership is running around 1,200 per month. Deanna Heiman, former Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce Director, thanked the Council for their support over the past years and introduced Lori Schultz as the new Director. Heiman will work with Schultz during the transition. Heiman presented a copy of Travel Host magazine showing the advertisements funded by the City Tourism Committee room tax money grant that the Chamber received. In partnership with the Chamber, this advertising will be a year long campaign. Mayor Mabie, on behalf of the Council, thanked Heiman for her help and cooperation over the years. Mayor Mabie stated the next agenda item is requesting that the Heritage Days Committee take over control of the Miss Neillsville and Little Miss Neillsville program. The program was separated from the City in 2012. Mandy Smock-Krejci runs the program and needs help and direction. If the City were to take back the program, then they would have insurance coverage through the City, otherwise they will have to get their own insurance coverage. City Clerk Roehl read the motions from the May 10, 2012 Common Council meeting accepting the Heritage Days Committee recommendations that: 1) Miss Neillsville and Little Miss Neillsville stand as their own entity (separate from the City and Heritage Days Committee) and 2) that the Miss Neillsville float/trailer and decorations be turned over to the Miss Neillsville Committee. Council Member Neville asked if the City took Miss Neillsville under our wing through the Heritage Days Committee, would they (the Miss Neillsville Committee) answer to the Heritage Days Committee. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated as a sub-committee of the Heritage Days Committee they have no power on their own. The Miss Neillsville Committee reports to the Heritage Days Committee who reports to the Common Council. Mayor Mabie stated that it does not make sense to have a Miss Neillsville if she can’t represent the City – we need to work this out to get the insurance issues settled – what if there was a storm and a tree fell on the float. Mandy Smock-Krejci stated that she never asked to be off the Committee, but she doesn’t want to be told what they can do. If Miss Neillsville does fundraising, they should be able to do what they want with the money, not just put it into the Heritage Days Committee pot. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that in order for things to work through the City’s coverage you have to be reportable to the City Heritage Days Committee. Expectations, projects and events should be known and worked out ahead of time. Mandy Smock-Krejci asked why the City could not take over the float, but not the event. Mayor Mabie stated it needs to be done all together. Council Member Horn stated that if Miss Neillsville raises funds, they want it to go for their purposes, not the general Heritage Days Fund. Council Member Neville stated that Miss Neillsville dollars have to go through the Heritage Days Committee for accountability. The groups have to work together. The Heritage Days Committee needs to know your plan proposals – you may set some things, some you may not. Motion Horn, Second Neville, that the Heritage Days Committee take control of the Miss Neillsville and Little Miss Neillsville program, float/trailer and decorations. All Aye. Chief of Police Lindner reported on July 2014 complaints, citations, arrests and investigations. No problems were encountered with Heritage Days. Mayor Mabie reported on the July 28, 2014 meeting of the United Communities of Clark County and tour of the Holland Cheese plant and farm in Thorp. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Elizabeth E. Harris and Michelle R. Mashin Motion Quicker, Second Neville, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, Second Weiers, that City bills Nos. 743 to 795 in the amount of $61,882.51 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account bill No. 14 in the amount of $7,060.00 be paid. All Aye Motion Neville, second Horn, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************