City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 25, 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, picking up branches and trash, watering flowers, cleaning Listeman Arboretum trails, mowing residential lots, the last of the summer part-time workers are done this week, hauling brush and compost, working on street lighting, cleaning storm drains, street sweeping, burned brush pile, mowed the landfill, repaired a monitoring well at the landfill, raising manholes on Twenty-First Street, the airport project is moving slowly (trying to correct the drainage problems under the runway and taxiway), replaced sidewalk sections by the Grand Avenue bridge and Hewett Street/E. Seventh Street, repaired a storm sewer inlet on E. Seventh Street, trimming branches above Hewett Street sidewalks, the Water Department will begin water main flushing on September 8, 2015, the fire department training practice on the former Golden Eagle Restaurant went well – Dollar General is having an asbestos evaluation done, we are working on a trial dog park at the old landfill down by the old sewer plant – for right now dogs are required to be on a leash. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water bills Nos. 173 to 189 in the amount of $23,802.24 and Sewer bills Nos. 177 to 202 in the amount of $45,953.40 be paid. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Glassbrenner, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 25, 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 August 12, 2015 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) presentation by Chris Straight, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, of an amendment for “distressed” status of TIF District #2, project timeline and restrictions (this amendment would extend the life of TIF District #2 by ten years to August 20, 2032 to allow additional time to recover costs), and 2) hold a joint public hearing with the Common Council on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 7:15 p.m. on the TIF District #2 project plan amendment as finalized. Council Member Clough reported on the August 10 and 18, 2015 meetings of the Connect Communities Committee regarding: 1) a joint meeting with the Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) – discussion on NIC projects: kiosks, t-shirts, geocaching, canoe landings, historical marker and Rails to Trails; 2) discussion on a logo and catch phrase, 3) discussion on promotion and planning for the Connect Communities kick-off on October 1, 2015 at 3:00 p.m., and 4) discussion on the City’s agreement with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Council Member Counsell reported on the August 19, 2015 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) reviewed historic photos, narrowing it down to thirteen for the 2016 calendar, 2) authorized ordering 300 calendars and 100 sets of note cards, 3) the 2015 notecards have been received and are at businesses for sale, 4) discussed the feedback received regarding what has been happening with the historic preservation ordinance, and 5) presentation of a “Certificate of Appropriateness” request form – no action taken. Council Member Quicker reported on the August 25, 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. Jon Counsell stated that he has been in contact with Xcel Energy representatives for the last few years regarding a trail on the old railroad bed. Xcel is not opposed to walkers, hikers, snowshoes, bicycle or horse riders, but any type of motorized use is off limits. It has to be maintained as a natural surface. Xcel has a number of concerns. The main concern is having to maintain their main power transmission line and being able to run the heavy equipment needed to maintain the line. Nothing can be done to change the grade, as there are strict requirements for setting poles and ground to electric line distances. Xcel is not opposed to a trail, but they are moving cautiously slow – many okays are needed. The City Clerk reported on receiving a $1,000 donation from the Marguerite Listeman Foundation for Christmas decorations. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $1,000 to Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations, and to thank the Listeman Foundation. All Aye. The City Clerk reported on receiving a $5,500 donation form the Marguerite Listeman/Harold Naedler Foundation for video equipment. Motion Quicker, second Counsell, to accept and appropriate $5,500 to Account No. 51100-319 Legislative-Council-Cable TV Broadcast, and to thank the Listeman/Naedler Foundation. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth reported that National Subrogation Services, LLC (NSS) filed a claim for damages related to Sabrina Meddaugh sewer backup on June 12, 2015. Statewide Services, Inc., administers the claims for the City’s insurance company (League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Company), has recommended disallowing this claim. NSS has paid Meddaugh for her claim less her deductible, and filed a claim against the City to recoup their payment. If the City denies the claim, they have a six-month time frame to file a lawsuit. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that the Grand Avenue sewer line collapsed. That sewer line had been cleaned by a contracted sewer jetter previously - who knows if there is a connection. The backup did get into Meddaugh’s furnace. That is why the claim is over $5,000. Discussion followed. Motion Clough, second Quicker, to disallow the National Subrogation Services, LLC claim for damages related to the Sabrina Meddaugh sewer backup per recommendation from our insurance company. All Aye. Council Member Clough reported that the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Lori Schultz, has given two weeks’ notice, so the Chamber is looking for a new director. Mayor Mabie reported on attending the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mayors and Village Presidents Conference in Elkhart Lake, and the annual meeting of the Red Arrow 32nd Division held at the Neillsville American Legion Hall. Council Member Counsell reported on attending the Clark County Economic Development Corporation meeting last week. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that City bills Nos. 850 to 893 in the amount of $652,475.55 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************