City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JULY 14, 2015 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Quicker 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, mowing and weed eating cemetery and parks, trash pickup, watering flowers, cleaning Listeman Arboretum trails, mowing residential lots, removed and replaced shingles on the Gazebo, set up and take down of Heritage Days, hauling brush and compost, working on street lighting, cleaning storm drains, street sweeping, cleaning up brush and trees after storm damage, painting lines, the Grand Avenue construction project is complete for this year, street patching is 95% complete. Director of Public Works Flynn reviewed the Sewer Department 2014 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Resolution. There were no major changes. Our overall grade point average of 3.81 puts us in the voluntary range. Our rate structure and replacement fund was reviewed in 2014. Future projects are adding a mechanical bar screen, grout 2,000 feet of sewer line, and phosphorus removal. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the resolution. Motion Counsell, second Mabie, to accept the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommend to the Common Council that Resolution No. 579 be adopted. (See Common Council minutes of July 14, 2015 for the printed resolution.) All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Second Quarter 2015 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Motion Mabie, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JULY 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. Council Member Counsell reported on the June 24, 2015 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and denial of the application for a “Certificate of Appropriateness” from Dawn and James Voss for the addition of a window at Tufts’ Mansion, 26 Hewett Street, 2) reviewed the Historic Architectural Tour brochures, 3) viewed photos for 2016 historic calendar, 4) authorized printing of 100 sets of note cards based on the 2015 and 2016 calendars, and 5) discussed an inquiry by Dan Clough, 508 Hewett Street, (Thomas Lowe Meat Market) regarding exterior repairs – the repairs are considered ordinary maintenance or repair under Ordinance 1-3-5(b)(5) – a “Certificate of Appropriateness” is not required. Council Member Neville reported on the June 25 and July 1, 2015 meetings of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) reviewed banner and sign posts, 3) “Despicable Me 2” was chosen for movie night, 4) discussed port-a-potties, power/electricity and tents, 5) chose “Our Heritage” as the 2015 theme, 6) the 4-H club will hold a bake sale, 7) discussed poster distribution; 8) financial report, 9) set up will be Thursday, July 1, 2015, 10) update on Miss Neillsville contest, 11) discussed Miss Neillsville scholarships, 12) update on the golf outing, 13) update on the trailer, and 14) discussed the Business After Five event. Mayor Mabie reported on the June 30 and July 13, 2015 meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session to interview Wastewater Operator/Utility Worker position candidates, 2) reconvening into open session with the recommendation to offer the position to Brian Geiger (he has since declined the offer); 3) a closed session to interview Wastewater Operator/Utility work position candidates, and 4) reconvening into open session with the recommendation to offer the position to Daniel Bautch at $16.50 per hour, with an increase to $17.50 per hour upon passing the Wastewater Grade I Certificate requirements. Mayor Mabie reported on the July 9, 2015 meeting of the Economic Development Commission regarding: 1) presentation and discussion on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Connect Communities Program, 2) the recommendation to create a Connect Communities Committee as a sub-committee of the Economic Development Commission, and fund the initial $200 fee and related expenses of the Connect Communities Program, and 3) updates on Mayville Engineering Corporation, the Lutheran Social Services building and Dollar General. Council Member Quicker reported on the July 14, 2015 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities 2) reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommendation that Resolution No. 579 be adopted, and 3) reviewed the Second Quarter 2015 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. James Voss, Tufts’ Mansion, 26 Hewett Street, presented a formal written appeal to the Common Council of the Historic Preservation Commission’s denial of a “Certificate of Appropriateness” for addition of a window, asking the Common Council to repeal the Commission’s denial and grant them a “Certificate of Appropriateness”. Voss filed the appeal with the City Clerk. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee item (4). Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the recommendation that Daniel Bautch be hired for the Wastewater Operator/Utility worker position at $16.50 per hour, with an increase to $17.50 per hour upon passing the Wastewater Grade I Certificate requirements. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Economic Development Commission item (2). Council Member Counsell asked that the recommendation vote be split, with a separate vote on funding. Motion Counsell, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to create a Connect Communities Committee as a sub-committee of the Economic Development Commission. Council Member Clough – Abstained. All other members – Aye. Motion carried. Motion Counsell, second Quicker, to authorize payment of the initial $200 fee for the Connect Communities Program. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (2). RESOLUTION NO. 579 COMPLIANCE MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION RESOLVED that the City of Neillsville informs the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that the following actions were taken by the Common Council: 1. Reviewed the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report, which is  attached to this resolution. ____________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the recommendation that Resolution No. 579 be adopted. All Aye. Mayor Mabie nominated Julie Counsell to fill the vacant Tourism Committee member position. Council Member Glassbrenner asked if having two council members on the committee would be a concern. Council Member Counsell stated that it is not uncommon, as Historic Preservation has two council members. Motion Neville, second Quicker, to accept the Mayor’s recommendation and appoint Julie Counsell as a member of the Tourism Committee (2016). Council Member Counsell – Abstained, Council Member Clough – Nay, All other members – Aye. 3 – Aye, 1 – Nay, 1 – Abstained. Motion carried. Mayor Mabie asked Council Member Clough to read the names of the people submitted on the Connect Communities application. Mayor Mabie nominated these individuals for members of the Connect Communities Committee: Daniel Clough, Deanna Heiman, Linda Garrett, Ellen Clark, Merrill Brunette, Steve Mabie and Barb Miller. Motion Neville, second Glassbrenner, to accept the recommendation and appoint the individuals as listed as members of the Connect Communities Committee. Council Member Clough – Abstained. All other members – Aye. Motion carried. City Clerk Roehl stated that the Beautification Committee has collected $1,695 in donations from area businesses and individuals for hanging flower baskets. Council Member Clough stated that the Neillsville Improvement Corporation at their meeting approved payment for a hanging basket. Motion Glassbrenner, second Counsell, to accept and appropriate $1,695 in donations for hanging baskets to Account No. 55340 Celebrations, and to thank the businesses and individuals for help in beautifying our city. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $300 donation from the Neillsville Rotary Club for flowers in the Sniteman Town Square flower garden. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $300 to Account No. 55340 Celebrations, and to thank the Neillsville Rotary Club for the help in beautifying our Town Square Park. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented an e-mail from Chris Straight, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) on the process to declare the Tax Incremental Financing District No. 2 distressed. The process involves meetings of the Planning Commission, Common Council and Joint Review Board; completion and adoption of a project plan amendment; all within a very short time frame by September 30, 2015. City Clerk Roehl stated that TIF No. 2 currently expires in 2022 and has seven TIF increments left to pay off its’ indebtedness of $800,414 plus interest. The annual TIF increment for 2014 was $84,110, down from $87,575 in 2013, because of the reduction in the Chippewa Valley Technical College mill rate (decrease caused by additional state funding). If the proposed amendment is approved, the life of the district could be extended, which would help the city to recover its costs. Motion Glassbrenner, second Counsell, to authorize Chris Straight, WCWRPC, to proceed with the distressed designation process for TIF District No. 2. All Aye. Chief of Police Klueckmann reported on June, 2015 complaints, citations, warnings, arrests and investigations, and semi-annual totals for the same. Council Member Neville, Co-chair of the Heritage Days Committee, thanked the committee members, volunteers, sponsors, city crews and the Mormon group. City Clerk Roehl presented the Second Quarter 2015 City Financial Statements. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer Only) Application: Clark County Agricultural Society, Noreen L. Tyznick, Agent, for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street for August 5 to 9, 2015 – Clark County Fair Motion Clough, second Quicker, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Clark County Agricultural Society, Noreen L. Tyznick, Agent, for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street Motion Counsell, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Hillary S. Anding, Joshua W. Carr, Steven F. Dux, Teresa R. Emerson, Jennie L. Gereau, Lacey A. Knoop, Brett E. Roehl, Joely C. Walter, Donald K. Woolner, Jr. Motion Clough, second Glassbrenner, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Neville, that City bills Nos. 674 to 751 in the amount of $273,031.67 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ____________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************