City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 24, 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, removed one tree at Listeman Park, set up and take down for winter carnival volleyball, upgraded radios for the narrow band change over, hauled brush and compost, trimming trees, straightening signs, snow and ice removal, salting, sanding, and plowing roads and sidewalks, working on street lighting, alternating guys at the sewer plant for training, burned brush pile, no broken city water mains yet, but have had a few customer laterals break, electrical wiring issues at the E. Twelfth Street sewer lift station flooded a basement three times (the lift station has been rewired). Motion Quicker, second Mabie, that Water bills Nos. 25 to 47in the amount of $30,329.47 and Sewer bills Nos. 18 to 44 in the amount of $63,995.14 be paid. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 24, 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. Council Member Clough reported on the February 18, 2015 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) fundraising ideas were discussed – note cards, historic home tour and a small historic project, 2) approved holding a historic home tour on December 4 and 5, 2015, 3) discussed guidelines for distributing calendar sale money to the community, 4) discussed the walking tour brochure, and 5) approved annual membership in the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions. Council Member Neville reported on the February 19, 2015 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) the financial report, 2) discussed beer and set-up with S&S Distributing representatives, 3) updates on the Miss Neillsville program, 4) discussed a parade Grand Marshall, 5) discussed the golf outing, 6) discussed being unable to contact “Decades” for children’s games, 7) discussed the Vic Ferrari band set-up, 8) discussed expectations for committee members, and 9) update on Mormon events and contributions. Council Member Horn reported on the February 24, 2015 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. Council Member Clough asked what is the League? Mayor Mabie stated the League of Wisconsin Municipalities is our connection to the State of Wisconsin as far as legal work, they help local municipalities with questions and resources. The League puts us in a pool, jointly working together for economic growth and maintaining revenues. The League lobbies on behalf of cities. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 576 RESOLUTION FOR THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PROSPERITY: AN AGENDA FOR A COMPETITIVE 21ST CENTURY WISCONSIN WHEREAS, the state Legislature and the Governor understand that job creation and economic growth is a top priority; and, WHEREAS, municipalities are the foundation of Wisconsin’s economy, and local leaders share the same goal of job creations and economic vitality; WHEREAS, the state should focus its support and limited resources for local government on incorporated communities, which are the economic engines of the state as evidenced by the following: - Wisconsin’s metropolitan regions already account for 75% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product. - Wisconsin’s cities and villages are home to 70 percent of the state’s population, 87 percent of all manufacturing property, and 89 percent of all commercial property. - Most of the small businesses created in Wisconsin get their start in cities and villages. - Startups and other knowledge-based economic activity occurs almost exclusively within cities and villages. WHEREAS, to compete globally, Wisconsin needs to develop and maintain quality communities than can attract and retain talent and enterprise and spur job creation; WHEREAS, for the state’s economy to flourish, state and local leaders must work collaboratively; WHEREAS, the League’s Partnership for Prosperity legislative agenda recognizes that thriving municipalities are critical to a successful state economy and calls for a new state-local partnership to drive the state’s economy forward and spur job creation by: 1) Helping communities continue to provide quality local services while holding the line on property taxes. 2) Investing in local transportation infrastructure. 3) Enhancing and promoting economic development best practices, like the expansion of the historic tax credit that was accomplished in the 2013-2014 legislative session.  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Neillsville urges the Governor and the Legislature to work collaboratively with municipal leaders to accomplish the critical goals of job creation and economic growth. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Neillsville urges the Legislature and the Governor to enact the League’s Partnership for Prosperity agenda. PASSED this 24th day of February, 2015, at Neillsville, Wisconsin. ____________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Clough, second Horn, that Resolution No. 576 be adopted. All Aye. Council Member Glassbrenner reported that Governor Walker’s proposed budget does away with the Local Government Property Insurance Fund (LGPIF), which was originally started to provide affordable insurance coverage for unique government needs. This will raise costs to the City. Contact your state representatives and urge them to keep the LGPIF going. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that he has received a lot of questions about why the City removes the snow from the south side Division Street sidewalk from S. Hewett Street to the Fairgrounds. The sidewalk is entirely on private property. In exchange for the easements to put in the sidewalk, the City agreed to remove the snow. Motion Neville, second Glassbrenner, that City bills Nos. 179 to 215 in the amount of $552,371.55 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk