City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 14, 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 four burials at the cemetery, equipment maintenance, fall and winter cemetery decorations have been removed, spring cleanup and raking gravel, Cemetery Sexton/Parks Director Barth will be on leave after surgery, snow and ice removal – salting, sanding, plowing roads and sidewalks, major work has been done on the street sweeper, hauling brush and compost, straightening signs, working on street lights, street sweeping, spring cleanup week is in progress, an electronics recycling will be on Friday, the sewer jetter is having problems, we have spent $1,000 so far and if a total pump rebuild is needed, it could be $5,000+, getting bids on the 18th Street lift station inside piping and pump (estimated at $14,000 to $20,000), the mixing basin had a blade break off one of the impellers caused by rags, the bid opening for the new bar screen project will be May 12, 2015, and water main flushing will be from April 27 to May 8, 2015. City Clerk Roehl presented the First Quarter 2015 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Daryn J. Horn, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 14, 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 introduced and swore in the City’s new police officer – Jason M. King. Mayor Mabie presented Fifth Ward Council Member Daryn J. Horn with a plaque for his 12 1/3 years of service to the City (December, 2002 to April, 2015) and thanked him for his service. Council Member Quicker reported on the March 31, 2015 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) librarians’ reports, 2) payment of bills, 3) updates on donation and carryover funds, 4) discussed using the library basement as a play area – no action taken, 5) discussed testing for asbestos in the basement, and 6) upcoming events – Unconditional Surrender at The Highground on April 18, and an antique appraiser at the library on May 30. Council Member Neville reported on the April 2, 2015 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussed the outdoor movie night, 2) discussed the golf outing, 3) discussed volunteers, 4) discussed prizes for kid’s games, 5) authorized Rock n’ Roll to Go to handle the kid’s games, 6) discussed setup, staging and tents for the Vic Ferrari concert, 7) update on American Legion activities for Heritage Days weekend, and 8) discussed the bean bag tournament and bingo. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the April 8, 2015 meeting of the Tourism Committee regarding: 1) presentation of and discussion on grant applications for the 70% Room Tax – Tourism Promotion and Development Funds, 2) recommendation to approve a grant to the 1897 Clark County Jail Museum for telephone, internet, and website services and advertising projects - $1,500, 3) recommendation to approve a grant to the Neillsville Heritage Days Committee for costs associated with staging the Vic Ferrari Band on July 11, 2015 - $1,200, 4) recommendation to approve a grant to the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for Chamber activities - $9,245.68, 5) recommendation to approve a grant to the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for Travel Host Magazine advertising project - $3,000, and 6) recommendation to approve a grant to the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for Autumn Harvest Fest on October 11, 2015 - $1,382.51. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the April 8, 2015 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) current activities of the Recreation Department, including receiving a $3,000 donation for children’s uniforms from Cummins, 2) current activities of the Parks Department, 3) presentation of and discussion on grant application for the 30% Room Tax – Parks and Recreation Funds, and 4) the recommendation to approve a grant to the Parks Department for a new restroom at Listeman Park - $15,598.38. Council Member Horn reported on the April 14, 2015 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, and 2) reviewed the First Quarter 2015 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Tourism Committee items (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). Motion Clough, second Quicker, to accept the recommendations approving the following 70% Room Tax – Tourism Promotion and Development Funds grants: 1897 Clark County Jail Museum, Inc. $1,500.00 Neillsville Heritage Days Committee $1,200.00 Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce $9,245.68 Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce $3,000.00 Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce $1,382.51 All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Parks and Recreation Board item (4). Motion Horn, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve a grant of $15,598.38 from the 30% Room Tax – Parks and Recreation Funds towards a new restroom at Listeman Park. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $3,000 donation from Cummins Business Services for Recreation Department T-ball and Juniorette softball uniforms. Motion Quicker, second Horn, to accept and appropriate $3,000 to Account No. 5530 Recreation Department Administration, and to thank Cummins for the donation. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $250 donation from the Clark County Law Enforcement Association for the Police Department K-9 Program. Motion Glassbrenner, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $250 to Account No. 52100 Police Department Administration, and to thank the Clark County Law Enforcement Association for the donation. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the property and liability insurance, including workers compensation, quote summary from Paul Wiese Consulting (the City’s consultant – he handles the insurance quotes every three years and reviews insurance matters). Two quotes were received: League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance - $106,551 and Travelers Insurance Company - $101,248. Wiese recommends staying with the League, even though the cost is about $5,000 higher, as the League’s coverage limit is $3 million with no deductibles. Travelers coverage limit is $1 million with varying deductibles by coverage line. Last year’s premium was $82,615. The main area of increase is the workers compensation premium, which is projected to increase $23,000 alone. Council Member Glassbrenner stated that the City has had a lot of workers compensation claims the last four years, and it takes three years to reduce premiums back down. Terry Christen stated workers compensation has a four year window with an experience modification three year factor. There are ways to reduce the cost, and United Heartland is coming in for safety training on May 5, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. Christen stated that the State of Wisconsin is looking to discontinue the Local Government Property Insurance Fund (LGPIF), which currently covers the City’s physical property (buildings, equipment, etc.). The League is researching what they can do. They may try to pick up the slack. Currently, the League has assisted other communities in placing property coverage with the standard market. There are options available. Christen stated that he works for Westland Insurance Services, out of the Tomah office, and primarily handles the League program. His territory is 14 counties with 73 municipal entities. Discussion followed. One sewer claim deductible of $5,000 nearly wipes out the quote difference in premium, and $3 million versus $1 million coverage limit. Motion Quicker, second Clough, to accept the renewal quote from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Company as presented. All Aye. Chief of Police Klueckmann presented the liquor license premises concealed carry sign, reminded everyone that this is tornado/severe weather awareness week, and stated that he has applied for a Susteen Community Outreach Mobile Forensic Grant to purchase software to download digital evidence from cell phones. If received, the grant would cover $4,400 of the total software cost of $6,395. The remaining balance of $1,995 would be the City’s costs. We should hear if we are approved shortly. Then the City would have to decide if we can fund it or not. The money is not in the 2015 Police Department budget. Chief of Police Klueckmann reported on March, 2015 complaints, citations, warnings, arrests and investigations. Klueckmann reported that a local business was a victim of an overseas cyber-attack. The credit card fraud affected customers from three local banks and involved malware originating out of China designed to access Point of Sale (POS) systems to run credit card sales. Council Member Clough reported that the Connect Communities application has been filled out and submitted. The City’s comprehensive plan was used as a basis for the information. The City’s downtown district (not including Russell’s or the Courthouse) has 74 businesses, 203.5 full-time equivalent employees, 84 buildings, 80 store fronts, 12 empty buildings, 3 empty lots, and a 15% vacancy rate. Clough thanked Deputy Clerk Ellen Clark for her help with the application process. City Clerk Roehl presented the First Quarter 2015 City Financial Statements, reported that the annual Common Council Reorganizational meeting will be Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., the assessor will be at City Hall for Open Book on Monday, April 27, 2015 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the Board of Review will be Monday, May 18, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer and Wine) Application: Neillsville Area Chamber of commerce, Deanna Heiman, Agent, for the Russell’s of Neillsville retail sales floor, for April 21, 2015 – Business After Five event Motion Horn, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Susan M. Connor, Hannah C. Fickett, Myanna M. Lansing Motion Neville, second Horn, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Quicker, that City bills Nos. 322 to 405 in the amount of $215,869.43 be paid. All Aye. Motion Horn, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye.  __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk