City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JULY 26, 2016 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 one burial at the cemetery, equipment maintenance, picking up trash, mowing and weed whacking, cleaning pavilions, trimming and pruning trees, mowing residential lots, watering flowers, preparing ball fields, picking up branches after the storm, hauling brush and compost, saw cutting bad street areas, dugout and prepared for paving, patches paved, crack sealing is complete, street line painting is complete, street sweeping, digging up E. Fifteenth Street from Hewett Street to Bruley Street, had a meeting with the DNR on our open wastewater positions, dug in the water line for the new Listeman restrooms and striped lines at The Highground. Motion Neville, second Mabie, that Water Bills Nos. 169 to 191 in the amount of $42,156.24 and Sewer Bills Nos. 142 to 163 in the amount of $78,405.40 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JULY 26, 2016 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 meetings were declared approved. Council Member Counsell reported on the July 13, 2016 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the feedback on the Historic Architectural Tour Brochure and sending a copy of the brochure to each owner, 2) discussed more homes for the 2017 calendar and possible topics for future calendars, 3) discussed the Christmas Tour of Homes and 4) discussion on and recommendation to have the City Christmas Holiday decorations up and lights lit no later than the Friday after Thanksgiving. Mayor Mabie reported on the July 14, 2016 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and approval to advertise the vacant Wastewater Operator position to the general public, with applications due by August 8, 2016 or until filled, 2) discussion on and approval to advertise the vacant Water/Wastewater Operator position by posting in-house and to the general public, with applications due by August 8, 2016 or until filled, 3) a closed session regarding reviews of the Director of Public Works position and Other Part-Time Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position and 4) reconvening into open session with the recommendation that Director of Public Works Flynn’s salary be increased $3.67 per hour to $30.25 per hour ($62,920) effective August 1, 2016. Council Member Counsell reported on the July 14, 2016 meeting of the Economic Development Commission regarding: 1) discussion with the Clark County Economic Development Director Sheila Nyberg on the Midwest Living Magazine advertisement, current employment and housing issues, 2) discussed a need for a more structured grant request process, 3) an update on available property near the industrial park, 4) discussed a need to have a ‘home’ for tourism information, 5) discussed housing possibilities in the Boon Subdivision and 6) discussed meeting every six weeks. Council Member Counsell reported on the July 20, 2016 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) the 2016 season planters and hanging baskets, 2) discussed ideas to continue making our City beautiful, 3) discussion on and recommendation to have the City Christmas Holiday decorations up and lights lit no later than the Friday after Thanksgiving and 4) discussion on placement of planters and hanging baskets. Council Member Clough reported on the July 25, 2016 meeting of the Connect Communities Committee regarding: 1) discussed empty building marketing signs designs and the theme of “Downtown Revolution” was chosen, 2) approved purchasing the coraplast signs from JBC Printing ($121.50), 3) discussion on and approved sponsor participation in the amount of $800 for the Chamber Autumn Harvest Festival event using the “Downtown Revolution” campaign and 6) discussed WEDC training and their spring campaign of “Downtown Open House Wisconsin”. Council Member Quicker reported on the July 26, 2016 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. Brittany Kalsow, 319 E. Fifth Street, stated that a neighbor is a registered sex offender, who is living in the City against City ordinance, since the crime did not happen within the City. Kalsow is concerned because of her own young children and being right next to the school. The individual is threatening and intimidating. Kalsow has talked with the City Police Department and others, but no one is helping. Mayor Mabie stated that we are concerned with the safety of our children and residents. He directed the City Attorney to contact Chief of Police Klueckmann and look into this. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Historic Preservation Commission item (4) and Beautification Committee item (3) – both made the same recommendation. Discussion on not turning on the lights until the Friday after Thanksgiving. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that it takes a half day to set the timers and energize lighting. Discussion on taking down the big Christmas tree in the Town Square. The Beautification Committee is working on a plan and Flynn would like time to clean up, lime and reseed the area. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, to have the City Christmas Holiday decorations up and lights lit on the Friday after Thanksgiving. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee item (4). Motion Quicker, second Clough to accept the recommendation that Director of Public Works Flynn’s salary be increased $3.67 per hour to $30.25 per hour ($62,920) effective August 1, 2106. Mayor Mabie presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for use of Sniteman Town Square Park (Gazebo) for the Autumn Harvest Celebration on Sunday, October 9, 2016 and to close Hewett Street from Division Street to Eighth Street for safety reasons. Discussion followed on the blocking off of the state highway the full distance and not allowing residents to cross without having to go all the way to Division Street. Wagon rides to the Tufts’ Mansion during the event were a concern. The request was tabled until the Chief of Police could address the Council. Mayor Mabie presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce to hang a banner on the gazebo for the Autumn Harvest Celebration. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to grant the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce request to hang a banner on the gazebo, no more than two weeks, before the Autumn Harvest Celebration. All Aye. Mayor Mabie presented a request from the Neillsville Seventh Day Adventist Church to close Clay Street from W. Fourth Street to W. Fifth Street on Sunday, August 7, 2016 for the 125th Anniversary of the church building at 316 W. Fifth Street. Council Member Neville stated that they have contacted the neighbors and have no objection to the one block closure. Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant the Neillsville Seventh Day Adventist Church request to close Clay Street from W. Fourth Street to W. Fifth Street on Sunday, August 7, 2016 for the 125th Anniversary of the church building celebration. All Aye. Mayor Mabie read the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer Elizabeth Gaier’s Letter of Resignation. Motion Neville, second Quicker, to accept Assistant Clerk-Treasurer Elizabeth Gaier’s Letter of Resignation effective July 29, 2016 and to thank her for her service to the City. All Aye. Mayor Mabie requested that the vacant Assistant Clerk-Treasurer’s position be filled. Motion Clough, second Glassbrenner, to refer the vacant Assistant Clerk-Treasurer’s position to the Personnel Committee to begin the hiring process. All Aye. Mayor Mabie read Library Board Member Mary Jurgaitis’ resignation from the Library Board. Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept Library Board Member Mary Jurgaitis’ resignation from the Library Board and to thank her for her service to the City. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Chippewa County Housing Authority (they manage the City’s housing program) received a request for a CDBG Loan write-down for Jeremy Pozega and Heather Gilbert (Loan #04-NR-11-06), 209 W. Tenth Street. They no longer live there, the home has been vacant for a year and a half and rented previously. There has been an offer made on the property through Sunrise Real Estate, however, the offer is not enough to clear all the back real estate taxes, outstanding loans and expenses. They are asking for a loan reduction of $2,500 to close the deal. Chippewa County Housing Authority and Grants Committee members have reviewed the request with the consensus that it is better to recover the most we can versus having a property on our hands possibly. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the City should see the closing statement so we are assured that the owners/sellers received no money in their pockets because of the write- down. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to grant the request for the CDBG Housing Loan #04-NR- 11-06 to Jeremy Pozega and Heather Gilbert at 209 W. Tenth Street be written down by an amount not to exceed $2,500 and that the City be given a closing statement assuring the City that the owners/sellers received no money in their pockets because of the write-down. All Aye. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on attending the Memorial Medical Center’s Finance Committee meeting. Revenues are down because of the summer months, however, they are still ahead of this time last year. They have obtained their improvement loan, began using a new health record system and completed a redesign of the Loyal Clinic. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that The Highground should be commended for the wonderful week of tribute to the Persian Gulf veterans. City Clerk Roehl reminded everyone that the next regular meeting has been moved because of the Partisan Primary Election to Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 6:15 p.m. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Cheyenne L. Coulthard, Miranda S. Fabian, Jeffery S. Opelt, Linda L. Ormond and Tammy K. Ormond. Motion Quicker, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Glassbrenner, that the City Bills Nos. 756 to 802 in the amount of $418,187.22 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor __________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk