City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 14, 2014 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Horn presiding. On roll call: Mayor Mabie absent, all other members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Flynn reported on four burials at the cemetery, equipment maintenance, mowing and weed eating cemetery and parks, removed all summer decorations from the cemetery, removed flowers from the pots and hanging baskets, placed fall decorations in pots, mowing residential lawns, paving and landscaping on walking path from the Arboretum to Apple Valley Restaurant driveway is completed, hauling brush and compost, cleaning storm drains, worked on the storm sewer washout in industrial park, replaced a culvert on old railroad right-of-way on the dirt path between the old Legion Hall and Willow Street (Xcel Energy will pay for the culvert and the City will cover the labor), street sweeping, Grand Avenue and other paving projects are completed, the O’Neill Creek fountain has been removed for the season, mowed the old landfills and the industrial park, working with the contractor to schedule the Well No. 4 rehabilitation, working on building landings for several manholes along O’Neill Creek so the contractor can come in and clean and televise the sewer main. The City Clerk reported that the regular meeting date of Tuesday, November 11, 2014 is also Veteran’s Day. Discussion followed. Motion Neville, second Quicker, to reschedule the regular Tuesday, November 11, 2014 meeting to Monday, November 10, 2014 at 6:45 P.M. All Aye. Director of Public Works Flynn presented a Wastewater Screening Equipment Engineering Agreement with AECOM in the amount of $17,755. The agreement covers engineering evaluation, design phase, and bidding phase for adding raw wastewater mechanical screening equipment in the existing influent channel at the wastewater treatment plant to remove rags and debris. Motion Quicker, second Glassbrenner, to recommend to the Common Council that the Wastewater Screening Equipment Engineering Agreement with AECOM in the amount of $17,755 be approved as presented. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Third Quarter 2014 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Motion Neville, second Weiers, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 14, 2015 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Council President Glassbrenner presiding. On roll call: Mayor Mabie absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council President Glassbrenner reported on the September 24, 2014 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) current activities of the Recreation Department, 2) current activities of the Parks Department, 3) work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Recreation budget to the Finance Committee, and 4) work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Parks budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Quicker reported on the September 24, 2014 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and authorized ordering Neillsville history calendars, 2) discussed posts and plaques, 3) discussed maintenance of the 1919 Case steam engine in Schuster Park, 4) work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Historic Preservation budget to the Finance Committee, and 5) a public hearing on October 22, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. on placement of the Gates House, 18 Hewett Street, on the Local Historic Landmark Register. Council Member Horn reported on the September 25, 2014 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) work on and referral of the proposed 2015 Heritage Days budget to the Finance Committee, 2) discussion on the Miss Neillsville program, 3) discussed the 2014 Heritage Days event wrap up, and 4) authorized ordering pottery pieces. Council President Glassbrenner reported on the September 29, 2014 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session on the internal job posting of the Chief of Police position – one application was received by the deadline, 2) reconvening into open session with the hiring of Officer Scott Klueckmann as Chief of Police, effective October 1, 2014, at a starting salary of $50,000 increasing to $51,000 after six months, and 3) directed Chief of Police Klueckmann to contact those applicants remaining on the eligibility list from the last officer hiring to see if they are still available. Council President Glassbrenner reported on the September 30, 2014 meeting of the Transit Committee regarding review, discussion and authorization to proceed with submitting the 2015 DOT Transportation Aids (5311 Program) application for the City of Neillsville Taxi Service. Council President Glassbrenner reported on the October 6, 7, 9 and 13, 2014 meetings of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) department budget presentations, 2) work on the 2015 budget, 3) the recommendation to approve the “Managed Services for IT Infrastructure” Agreement with Bauernfeind Business Technologies in the amount of $470 per month effective November 1, 2014, and 4) the recommendation to terminate the TDS Telecom internet service contracts at City Hall, Cemetery and Water Department; upgrade the TDS internet contract at the Sewer Department to the highest available speed; and to authorize Charter Communications internet service contracts for City Hall, Cemetery and Water Departments. Council President Glassbrenner reported on the October 13, 2014 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to approve the Agreement Regarding Post-Employment Health Insurance with Scott Klueckmann, and 2) a closed session, reconvening into open session, with the recommendation to authorize the Police and Fire Commission to proceed with the hiring process for a new police officer at a pay rate of $20.00 per hour ($41,600) starting, $20.24 per hour ($42,100) after six months, and $20.48 per hour ($42,600) after one year. Council Member Horn reported on the October 14, 2014 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) rescheduling the regular Tuesday, November 11, 2014 meeting to Monday, November 10, 2014 at 6:45 p.m., 3) discussion and recommendation to approve a Wastewater Screening Equipment Engineering Agreement with AECOM in the amount of $17,755, and 4) reviewed the Third Quarter Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Council President Glassbrenner declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Council President Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Finance Committee items (3 and 4). Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve the “Managed Services for IT Infrastructure” Agreement with Bauernfeind Business Technologies in the amount of $470 per month effective November 1, 2014. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to terminate the TDS Telecom internet service contracts at City Hall, Cemetery and Water Department; upgrade the TDS internet contract at the Sewer Department to the highest available speed; and to authorize Charter Communications internet service contracts for City Hall, Cemetery and Water Departments. All Aye. Council President Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee item (1 and 2). Motion Horn, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to approve the Agreement Regarding Post-Employment Health Insurance with Scott Klueckmann. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to authorize the Police and Fire Commission to proceed with the hiring process for a new officer at a pay rate of $20.00 per hour ($41,600) starting, $20.24 per hour ($42,100) after six months, and $20.48 ($42,600) after one year. All Aye. The City Clerk reported that the regular meeting date of Tuesday November 11, 2014 is also Veteran’s Day. Discussion followed. Motion Horn, second Weiers, to reschedule the regular Tuesday, November 11, 2014 meeting to Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. All Aye. Council President Glassbrenner stated the next item is a request for a variance to allow a kennel license by Deborah Lomnes, 403 E. Second Street. Lomnes stated that she is applying for a variance because she currently has four dogs, and the City ordinance only allows for three dogs. She has done rescue dog care for a number of years, and is trying to retire from the activity. She has two dogs of her own, her daughter’s (who is attending school and cannot have her dog in the apartment) dog, and a rescue dog which places her over the limit. Council Member Quicker asked if the neighbors have been notified of your request. Lomnes stated that the neighbors – Amanda Smagacz, Mary Ellen Hartz and Mathias Gassen – know, and she has a fence in her back yard and her house is set back with a large front yard, so people using the sidewalk are a distance away. Council President Glassbrenner asked about one of her dogs attacking her. Lomnes stated that there was a delivery man on her porch, and the dogs were just trying to protect her. They did not show aggression to the delivery man. She was between the two dogs and got bit. Chief of Police Klueckmann stated the incident was investigated by Officer Aumann, and it is as she stated. She was told to license three dogs and apply for a variance. We have been working with her until the Council could meet. Lomnes stated that she has been working with Chuck Wegner at the Clark County Humane Society, but they will not take the Colorado bulldog because their insurance would not cover it. The dogs’ shots are up to date, but finding placement is an issue at this point. Council Member Neville asked if she could have more than four dogs with the rescue program. Lomnes stated she hoped not. She is trying to place the rescue dog, one of her own dogs is not happy living in town, so she is looking to relocate it, and in the spring when her daughter is done with school and can take her dog back, she may be down to one dog, but certainly not more than five dogs. Council President Glassbrenner stated that the City had a problem in the past on North Grand Avenue. Lomnes stated that she is not a dog breeder. Council President Glassbrenner asked about the children walking to school. Lomnes stated the dogs will bark, she watches them closely, and the back yard is fenced. Council President Glassbrenner stated that if you grant a variance, where do you end it next time. Council Member Horn stated what you do is a great thing, but it appears you have a hard time saying no. Lomnes stated that she is willing to allow a limit, 4 or 5 dogs. Her daughter’s dog will be gone after she is done with school in the spring. She does not intentionally search for dogs, and is trying to get out of the rescue program, but it is a fluctuating thing. She doesn’t want to go back to the days when she had 27 dogs in her house. City ordinance states you have ten days to license a dog. She cannot evaluate and place a dog in that amount of time, so she is trying to comply by requesting a kennel license. Council Member Horn asked if the Council could grant a temporary kennel license until June, 2014, and if the Chief of Police had any problems with that. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated we have no precedence for this, but once you grant a kennel license, you can’t limit the number of licensed dogs. Council Member Neville stated that she is not trying to hide anything. Lomnes stated that she understands why the City got rid of kennel licenses. She is not a breeder, but this is the only way she can come into compliance. Council President Glassbrenner asked what if there is a problem and someone gets bit. Then the dog should be gone. Lomnes asked if that meant if she got bit, or someone else. Motion Neville, second Horn, to grant Deborah Lomnes, 403 E. Second Street, a temporary kennel license to expire June 1, 2015, or to be revoked by the Common Council upon complaint, whichever is sooner. All Aye. Council President Glassbrenner read a letter of resignation from Second Ward Council Member Joseph Weiers effective October 31, 2014, as he is moving outside of his Second Ward district. Motion Neville, second Horn, to accept the resignation of Joseph Weiers, Second Ward Council Member, effective October 31, 2014, and to thank him for his service to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Chief of Police Klueckmann reported on September, 2014 complaints, citations, warnings, arrests and investigations. Klueckmann stated except for being short staffed, the department is operating very well, and he is overwhelmed by the words of encouragement and support he has received from the community since being hired as chief. City Clerk Roehl presented the Third Quarter 2014 City Financial Statements. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Nicole S. Parson, Joely C. Walter, and Brandon L. Wampole Motion Quicker, second Horn, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Weiers, that City bills Nos. 974 to 1059 in the amount of $511,819.63 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account bill No. 19 in the amount of $500.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Charles W. Glassbrenner, Council President ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk