City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 10, 2015 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 one burial at the cemetery, equipment maintenance, hauling brush and compost, picking up Christmas trees, straightening signs, snow and ice removal, salting, sand and plowing roads and sidewalks, filling potholes, Scott Elmhorst Excavating has completed demolition and backfilling on the Buck’s Dollar Bar, all that remains is placing a silt fence to control runoff during spring rains, burned the brush pile, rehabilitation of the street department bathroom has begun along with the cleaning and painting of the break room, the storm drain on W. Twenty-First Street has been jetted twice due to frost depths water has been ordered to run on three properties, our new truck chassis has arrived and the box will be installed next, AECOM has provided three sewer auto bar screen quotes, the sewer department personnel and AECOM are reviewing references on the three companies and user information. Motion Clough, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 10, 2015 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. Mayor Mabie reported on the February 3, 2015 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding discussion on, and a split vote (4 to 1), on a recommendation to adopt a Resolution Supporting Highway 10 Four Lane Expansion. Council Member Neville reported on the February 5, 2015 meeting of the Heritage Days committee regarding: 1) the financial report, 2) discussion on Miss Neillsville, 3) discussed music for the event, 4) hiring the Dweebs to perform, 5) update on the poster, 6) discussed a parade Grand Marshall, 7) authorized adding Neville as a checkbook signer, 8) discussed refurbishing the tent, and 9) authorized ordering an additional 50 pieces of pottery. Council Member Horn reported on the February 10, 2015 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Thomas Harnisch reported that Mayor Mabie would be the emcee for the UW-Madison Marching Bank performance at the School Fieldhouse on February 28, 2015, and the Council Members and everyone else is invited to attend the event sponsored by the Neillsville Kiwanis Club. Harnisch stated that the resolution for the Highway 10 four lane expansion before you tonight differs from the original in that the original actually set aside the land. The current resolution has that the land be reserved for a road only, it does not give the land to the Department of Transportation (DOT). It may take 30 years, but we have to get going, as we will not get any help with the expansion. Everyone knows a four lane highway is safer than a two lane highway, and it would be more attractive for people to live and work here. The state needs more east/west highways, and Highway 10 is in the center of the state. Harnisch urged adoption of the resolution and sending it to the County Board. Mayor Mabie stated that at the Planning Commission, people with an interest in the project were invited – Attorney Harnisch; Tom Beekman, WI DOT West Central Region; Rick Daily, Clark County Forestry and Parks; and Dan Clough, President of the Neillsville Improvement Corporation. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 575 RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HIGHWAY 10 FOUR LANE EXPANSION NOW COMES the City of Neillsville, Wisconsin by its Common Council, asking with the enactment of this Resolution that the County of Clark, by its County Board consider this Resolution: WHEREAS, Clark County now owns over 160 acres in southern Clark County that borders North of US Highway 10 from Highway B to the west County line of Clark County; and, WHEREAS, the cited acreage in this area is contained within a ten (10) mile stretch approximately eight (8) rods wide all north of existing US Highway 10; and, WHEREAS, if this acreage were reserved for highway use, it may, in the future, aid in the State deciding to construct two additional traffic lanes to complete a four (4) lane highway for US Highway 10 in Clark County; and, WHEREAS, a four lane highway located in Clark County, rather than being diverted elsewhere, could confer substantial economic benefits to both the City of Neillsville and Clark County as a whole; and, WHEREAS, the Common Council believes a four (4) lane highway when complete will make vehicle travel west of Neillsville safer and more attractive for vehicle travel on US Highway 10; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council for the City of Neillsville, by passing of this resolution wishes to make it known that it does support, and formally requests the reservation of this real estate for purposes of expanding Highway 10 to a four lane highway in Clark County for the economic benefit of both the City of Neillsville and Clark County as a whole, and for the safety of those traveling thereon. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be forwarded to the County Clerk for Clark County for consideration by the Executive Committee of the Clark County Board, with copies to County Board Chairman, Wayne Hendrickson, Forestry and Parks Committee Chairman, Jeff Kolzow, and to Brian Kunze and Doris Bakker. Dated this 10th day of February, 2015. ____________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk-Treasurer Mayor Mabie stated that it is not the City’s intention to try and force or intimidate the County Board’s action. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, that Resolution No. 575 be adopted. Council Member Clough asked for discussion. Council Member Clough stated that as President of the Neillsville Improvement Corporation, he is on record at the Planning Commission meeting that several business owners agree this would work against the business community and more effort should be made toward creating a business destination point to attract more people than possibly creating another bypass. Mr. Beekman from the DOT stated that it won’t happen without an environmental impact study and legislative action. This proposal has no traction at the County level. It is not in the City’s best interest until we have a need. It makes it known of the City’s intent to support a future bypass. Mayor Mabie disagreed that it is an intent for a bypass. Council Member Glassbrenner stated that since the DOT turned the four lane at Marshfield north on Highway 13 to Highway 29 at Abbotsford, you are going to see DOT continuing to improve that route and less and less truck traffic and work on our section of Highway 10. We need to keep going on this, it is not in the best interest of the City to do nothing. If we want to expand and get more business, a four lane would be beneficial for moving people and goods. Council Member Clough stated we have no transportation problem. It makes it easier for a bypass. We need to make this a destination place. Council Member Glassbrenner stated that we don’t take enough advantage of what we have here – the Highground and Bruce Mound, etc. Mayor Mabie asked for a roll call vote. Glassbrenner – Aye, Quicker – Aye, Clough – Nay, Neville – Nay, Horn – Abstained. 2 – Aye, 2 –Nay, 1 – Abstained. Mayor Mabie (cast the tie breaker vote) – Aye. Motion carried – 3 – Aye, 2 – Nay, 1 – Abstained. Council Member Clough stated that the state has changed concealed carry weapon laws, but City ordinances have not been updated for it. Chief of Police Klueckmann’s report on January, 2015 complaints, citations, warnings, arrests and investigations was handed out. Temporary Class “B” Retailers License (Beer) Application: Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Deanna Heiman, Agent, for the Memorial Medical Center, Manz Conference Room, 216 Sunset Place, for February 17, 2015 – Business After Five event. Motion Neville, second Horn, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Dan Clough, The Thirsty Bookworm, 508 Hewett Street Motion Neville, second Quicker, to grant. Council Member Clough - Abstained, all other members – Aye. Motion carried. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Robert O. Featherston and Kent Luedtke Motion Neville, second Horn, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, that City bills Nos. 116 to 178 in the amount of $1,355,764.46 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************