City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 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 three burials at the cemetery, equipment maintenance, the reminder to remove fall and winter cemetery decorations by April 1st, started spring cleanup, snow and ice removal, salting, sanding and plowing roads and sidewalks, hauling brush and compost, trimming trees, straightening signs, working on street lights, alternating guys at the sewer plant for training, both Boon and Kuhn attended two days of sewer training, opening and thawing storm drains, picked up the new one-ton truck, spring cleanup week will be the week of April 13 to 16, 2015, there will be an electronics recycling event on Friday, April 17, 2015 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the city garage. Motion Quicker, second Neville, that Water bills Nos. 48 to 66 in the amount of $27,563.36 and Sewer bills Nos. 45 to 67 in the amount of $40,828.64 be paid. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 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 Mayor welcomed Nolan John, who is working on a Boy Scout merit badge. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Neville reported on the March 18, 2015 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) the financial report, 2) presentation and discussion on the Miss Neillsville program budget, 3) discussion on volunteers and schedules, 4) discussed the golf outing, 5) discussed the outdoor movie night, inflatables and children’s activities, 6) discussed setup, staging and tents for the Vic Ferrari band, and 7) discussed tents and activity placement. Council Member Clough reported on the March 18, 2015 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the remaining 2015 Historic Preservation calendars, 2) discussion on the 2016 Historic Preservation calendars, note cards, etc., 3) reviewed the new historic walking tour brochure, with the consensus to leave all 36 properties in it, 4) reviewed the United States Postal Service letter regarding proposed work on the parapet wall at the Post Office and agreed to the work being done, as long as the end result looks substantially similar to the original, 5) reviewed a request from the 1897 Clark County Jail Museum to remove the museum’s porch roof, and agreed to the work being done, as long as the end result looks substantially similar to the original shown in the photo, and 6) discussed the addition of a window on Tufts’ Mansion street side view without following the local registry procedure, and authorized a letter be sent to the Vosses asking them to the next meeting. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the March 19, 2015 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) installation of towel dispensers, 3) thanked the city crew for keeping the parking lots and sidewalks clear this winter, 4) discussed old abandoned sewer lines under the fire hall building, and 5) reviewed and accepted the 2014 financial statements. Council Member Horn reported on the March 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. Joy Palmer, CliftonLarsonAllen, presented the City, Water, Sewer, TIF District #2, TIF District #3, Special Revenue Funds and Other Governmental Funds 2014 Annual Audit Reports regarding: 1) the auditor’s report and opinion that the financial statements are reported fairly, 2) the City has $3.3 million in General Fund Balance, with $2.4 million in Unassigned Fund Balance, which is a very good financial condition and very stable, 3) both the water and sewer utilities show a positive change in net position and Rate of Return (Water - $47,546 – 2.48%, and Sewer - $121,996 – 3.36%), the PSC recommends 8% Rate of Return, 4) TIF Districts #2 and #3 were reviewed – TIF Districts are large up-front investments ($2 million and $1.7 million respectively) recovered in future tax increments from the individual TIF Districts. The Council needs to be aware that TIF District #2 has a deficit of $800,414, with 7 years remaining. Its annual increment is about $88,000. This means the City will be about $184,000 short and will have to cover the deficit unless more development occurs, 5) risk disclosure on the City’s cash and investments were reviewed at year end – the majority (95%) was FDIC insured or collateralized – the remaining 5% was at Citizen’s State Bank under the State Deposit Guarantee Fund, which is not considered to be insured or collateralized, 6) reviewed the City’s long-term debt – the City’s statutory debt limit is $5.9 million, with current borrowing of $2.9 million – with $3 million available, the City is in good financial shape, 7) the General Fund Budget Comparison was reviewed, 9) reviewed Compiled Schedules Report of debt service, non- lapsing funds, insurance and water and sewer utilities Rate of Return – regulatory basis, 10) reviewed the City’s internal control structure – lack of separation of duties, preparation of financial statements, and audit adjustments, and 11) in conclusion, the records are in very good working order, the staff was open and cooperative, the City had an overall good year, with good financial planning in place. Mayor Mabie, on behalf of the Council, thanked City Clerk Treasurer Roehl and Deputy Clerk- Treasurer Clark for doing a great job for the City. Motion Quicker, second Horn, to accept and file the 2014 annual audit report as presented. All Aye. The City Clerk presented a report on the City’s continuing appropriation accounts and their respective balances as of December 31, 2014. The following is a list of said accounts: Account No. 51100 Legislative/Council (Cable TV Broadcast Fund), Account No. 52100 Police Department (K-9 Fund), Account No. 53450 Parking Lots and Meters, Account No. 55110 Library, Account No. 55250 Parks & Recreation – Room Tax 30%, Account No. 55340 Celebrations, Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations, Account No. 56300 Planning (Historic Preservation Brochures), Account No. 56300 Planning (Historic Preservation Calendars), Account No. 56600 Urban Development, Account No. 56700 Economic Development Administration, Account No. 56750 Tourism Promotion – Room Tax 70%, Account No. 57140 Public Buildings, Account No. 57220 Public Safety – Fire Department Vehicles, Account No. 57320 Machinery and Equipment, Account No. 57330 Street Construction, Account No. 57332 Bridges and Culverts, Account No. 57343 Sidewalks and Crosswalks, Account No. 57350 Airport, Account No. 57620 Parks. Motion Horn, second Neville, to carry forward to 2015 the continuing appropriations as presented. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth reviewed the changes discussed at the last council meeting, before reading the following ordinance. ORDINANCE NO. 1047 AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND RECREATE 9-2-2 CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS PROHIBITED The Common Council of the City of Neillsville does hereby ordain as follows: Section 9-2-2 entitled Carrying Concealed Weapons Prohibited, is hereby repealed and recreated to read as follows: SEC. 9-2-2 FIREARMS RESTRICTED IN CERTAIN BUILDINGS a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of this chapter. 1) Firearm – means a weapon that acts by force of gunpowder. 2) Law enforcement – means any person employed by the State of Wisconsin or any political subdivision of this state, for the purpose of detecting and preventing crime and enforcing laws or ordinances and who is authorized to make arrests for violations of the law or ordinances he or she is employed to enforce. 3) Weapon – means a handgun, an electronic weapon as defined at Wis. Stats. §941.295(1c)(a), a knife, other than a switchblade knife under §941.24, or a billy club. 4) Controlled-access facility – means a facility or area that has designated entrances for ingress and egress controlled by a door, gate, attendant or other means to limit entry while the facility is open and can be locked or secured when closed, or in the instance of temporary events of less than three weeks, designated entrances may be either secured when closed or the controlled-access facility removed at the termination of the temporary event. b) In addition to the provisions of Wisconsin Statutes enumerating places where the carrying of a weapon or firearm is prohibited, including exceptions thereto, it shall be unlawful for any person other than a law enforcement officer or other City officer or official designated by the Neillsville Chief of Police to enter the following City of Neillsville municipal buildings, facilities or locations while carrying a weapon or firearm: 1) City Hall; 2) Neillsville Public Library; 3) Fire Station; 4) Police Station; 5) City Wells, Pump Houses, and all related buildings; 6) Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lift Stations, and related buildings; and, 7) Any and all other municipal buildings or controlled-access facilities owned or operated by the City of Neillsville, whether now in existence or later constructed or leased. c) It shall be unlawful for any person other than a law enforcement officer to enter any building, facility, or location open to the public that is posted as a no firearms or concealed weapons location while possessing, carrying, or concealing a firearm or weapon, whether with or without a state permit. d) Signs meeting the requirements of Wis. Stats. §943.13(2)(bm)1 shall be posted in prominent places near public entrances of all buildings, structures or locations that restrict or prohibit firearms or concealed weapons. e) 1) Signs of at least 5 inches by 7 inches in size shall be posted in prominent places near public entrances to all licensed premises selling alcohol for on-premise consumption to advise patrons firearms are prohibited on such premises except with a valid concealed weapons permit pursuant to Wis. Stats. §941.237(2), and so long as the permit holder does not consume alcohol. 2) Licensees that prohibit all firearms and concealed weapons on the premise and post signs complying with sub d) above shall be exempt from this requirement. 3) The City Clerk shall have signs meeting these requirements produced and available for licensees. Licensees shall post such signs or signs substantially similar of comparable size, font and content.  f) Any person violating any of the provisions of this Section shall, upon conviction thereof, forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $500, plus court and other costs, for each separate violation, and shall further be subject to penalty for trespass under §943.13 Wis. Stats. g) City of Neillsville employees shall be prohibited from using or possessing a firearm or weapon while on duty, except law enforcement officers and those authorized by the Chief of Police. h) City of Neillsville shall further require that any special event within the municipality, which requests an alcohol license, shall post the event as firearm and concealed weapons prohibited, pursuant to subsection e) 1) above. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication. ____________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Clough, second Glassbrenner, that Ordinance No. 1047 be adopted. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the following ordinance, which removed the twenty-four hour waiting period. ORDINANCE NO. 1048 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 7-12-4(f)(4) TATTOO ESTABLISHMENTS; CUSTOMERS The Common Council of the City of Neillsville does hereby ordain as follows: Section 7-12-4(f)(4) is amended to read: (4) Prior to application of a tattoo, the customer shall sign a consent form. The consent form shall include: (a) Name and age of customer. (b) Date and time consent form is signed. (c) Date and time tattoo is applied. (d) The statement, “Warning, tattooing has been linked to the transmission of Hepatits B.” The word “Warning” shall be not less than ¼” in height and remaining statement no less than 1/8” in height. This ordinance shall be effective upon publication. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor __________________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Clough, second Quicker, that Ordinance No. 1048 be adopted. All Aye. Deputy Clerk Clark presented the Connect Communities application. Connect Communities is a program of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and similar to their Main Street program. It offers technical assistance and networking opportunities to local leaders interested in revitalizing their downtown or urban commercial districts. Clark stated that WEDC only selects 20 communities to participate in the Connect Communities program annually through an application process. The program requires the City have an organization that focuses on downtown/urban commercial district issues, a sign agreement with WEDC, semi-annual reporting, access to a computer with required software, and payment of an annual $200 fee. Clark stated that, if chosen, Connect Communities services include: A ListServ/Network Group, participation in a Main Street Executive Director Workshop, an on-site visit from a WEDC staff member, on-line open house, training for the City’s downtown director, roundtable discussion groups, links to college/university student projects, access to WEDC’s development library and training materials, webinars and regional training opportunities. Clark stated that the Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) would be the downtown organization working with WEDC. Council Member Clough stated the whole idea is for everyone to work together – the City, the Chamber of Commerce, and NIC. Joining Connect Communities is a good idea just for the resources available. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that if the City is the applicant and the City pays the fee, how is the City tied to the downtown group. The City is committing to something not run by the City. Discussion followed. Motion Horn, second Neville, to authorize the submission of a Connect Communities application to WEDC. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a letter from Randy Fitzmaurice, Motorhead Mafia Car Club President requesting closing of W. Seventh Street, W. Sixth Street, West Street, and the lower city parking lot on Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an antique car show. The proceeds will be donated to local charities to be selected later. (The 2014 charities were the United Way Backpack Drive and Special Olympics.) This is promoted as a family event, and will include music. Motion Neville, second Horn, to grant the request to close West Street from W. Eighth Street to the Nicolet Bank parking lot, West Seventh Street from Hewett Street to Grand Avenue, the intersection of West Street and W. Sixth Street, and the lower city parking lot on Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an antique car show. All Aye. Mayor Mabie reported that at the Friends of the Highground and Recognition Dinner, the City received a Friends of the Highground award plaque. Change of Agent Successor Application: For the Neillsville Country Club, Inc., Neillsville Country Club, 603 E. Division Street, Andrew R. Olson, Agent City Clerk Roehl reported that this application had been tabled at the last meeting (March 10, 2015). The original application has been withdrawn and a new one submitted. Chief of Police Klueckmann has reviewed and signed the Approval of Agent form now. Discussion followed. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Motorhead Mafia Car Club, Randy Fitzmaurice, Agent, 600 block of West Street for July 18, 2015 – Antique Car Show Motion Neville, second Horn, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Horn, that City bills Nos. 280 to 321 in the amount of $582,897.75 and CDBG Housing Escrow bill No. 1 in the amount of $191.55 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************