City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 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, winterizing lawnmowers, working on playground equipment upgrades in Cliff’s Park, hauling brush and compost, Well No. 4 rehabilitation is complete, leaf pickup is in progress, replaced street signs along Division Street, installed Christmas decorations, and snow and ice removal – sanding, salting and plowing roads and sidewalks. Motion Quicker, second Neville, that Water bills Nos. 241 to 263 in the amount of $35,972.27 and Sewer bills Nos. 220 to 238 in the amount of $39,204.80 be paid. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 25, 2014 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 minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Horn reported on the November 19, 2014 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on Miss Neillsville guidelines, 2) discussion on bands for 2015, 3) discussion on suggestion box submissions, and 4) discussion on 2015 event items – pottery, golf outing, Chamber burger contest, food stand and bingo, bean bag tournament, and event poster. Council Member Horn reported on the November 25, 2014 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jennifer Zink, Nomad Bodyworks, stated that she had applied for a “Class C” Wine License, and has been working with a winery and other businesses on an event. Chief of Police Klueckmann stated that Zink did not qualify for a “Class C” Wine License, and has now filed for a Class “A” Retail Liquor License. The only issue is the public notice advertisement in the paper. Zink stated that City Clerk Roehl put the ad in the paper for a “Class C”, she was not notified that it should have been filed as a Class “A” until after the “Class C” was published, so now she has to wait until the Class “A” appears in the paper. Her request was in the paper, it is the City’s fault the wrong class was applied for, her application should have been approved tonight. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated law requires the publication of the license to be acted on. Zink stated that she would have to cancel her event. Mayor Mabie stated that this matter could have been handled differently, the City is not trying to derail your business efforts, we appreciate your being here. Zink stated that all the “Class C” licenses in Neillsville are incorrect. Chief of Police Klueckmann stated he will be working on corrections. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that at the last council meeting, she was directed to proceed with a collection action on the Stepping Stones Learning Center, LLC Promissory Note, dated November 6, 2011, in the amount of $15,000. The next day, the City Clerk’s office received a letter from Janine Bethea. Wachsmuth stated that she wrote back asking Bethea for a list of current employees and their dates of hire. Bethea wrote back with the requested information. Wachsmuth stated the she held off on the collection action and is awaiting further guidance from the Council. Council Member Glassbrenner stated she met her obligation. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that, based on the information Bethea provided, she has met the creation of eight jobs within three years. In the past, loan/grant projects have never asked for W-2 verification. Mayor Mabie stated Bethea had dragged her feet, time had lapsed, but she did finally come through. Motion Clough, second Neville, that, based on new information, the City will no longer proceed with the collection action on the Stepping Stones Learning Center, LLC Promissory Note dated November 6, 2011, in the amount of $15,000. All Aye. Chief of Police Klueckmann reported that Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth, Worden-Wachsmuth Law Office, has donated $1,000 for the implementation of a Body Worn Camera Program. Motion Horn, second Neville, to accept and appropriate the $1,000 for Body Worn Camera to Account No. 52100 Police Department Administration, and to thank Attorney Wachsmuth for her donation. All Aye. Council Member Clough stated that the back page of this week’s Shopper has a full page ad for shopping in Black River Falls. He has heard that years back, the Neillsville downtown was filled with people on Fridays. The downtown businesses are trying to get something going. They will be trying a Flashback Friday on December 5, 2014. Let’s try and see if we can fill the downtown. Businesses will be staying open longer. Watch for the ads. Retail License Transfer – Premises to Premises Application: Irving C. Schutte, Buck’s Dollar Bar, from 620 Hewett Street to 801 Hewett Street, effective on or about December 1, 2014 for his “Class B” Retail Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquor License. City Clerk Roehl stated that the transfer has to be subject to the surrender of the Dean E. Hainz, Degan’s Sport Zone, Reserved “Class B” Retail Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquor License at 801 Hewett Street, as two licenses on the same property are not allowed. Council Member Neville stated another contingency is what is he going to do with the 620 Hewett Street building. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that he talked with two different contractors and Irving Schutte. Council Member Horn asked about adjoining walls. Director of Public Works Flynn stated he believes the walls are touching, but not adjoining. Discussion followed on the safety hazard as it sits now; what will happen with the buildings next door when the building is taken down; the cost to take down the building; and the City not having to get involved with the building removal like the former Donald Schutte property on the north side. Todd Schmidt, Clark County Press, stated that the bricks on the Press building have been damaged, but they can’t get in to do repairs until the tavern building is removed. Director of Public Works Flynn estimated a $20,000 bond amount for taking down the tavern building and preventing damage to other existing buildings. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that she would have to research whether bond contingency could be placed on a license. Discussion followed on granting a temporary license. City Clerk Roehl stated Schutte’s license can only be transferred upon surrender of Hainz’s license. Once that occurs, Hainz’s license is dead. A new Reserve “Class B” License would cost $10,000 for Hainz to restart business if the Schutte license transfer were revoked. Council Member Glassbrenner stated we need to get more information from Irving Schutte, and City Attorney Wachsmuth has to do further research, too. Motion Glassbrenner, second Neville, to table the Retail License Transfer Premises to Premises Application of Irving C. Schutte. All Aye. Combination Cigarette and Soda Water License Application: Irving C. Schutte, Buck’s Dollar Bar, 801 Hewett Street No action taken due to the previous tabling of the Retail License Transfer. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Brett E. Roehl Motion Horn, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Horn, that City bills 1172 to 1212 in the amount of $991,828.68 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account bill 22 in the amount of $2,322.75 be paid. All Aye. Mayor Mabie stated we would like to take a moment to honor the passing of City Clerk Rex R. Roehl’s mother, Hazel Roehl. She was a very friendly, gregarious lady who will be missed. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************