City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 22, 2017 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Quicker presiding. On roll call: Council Member Clough absent, all other 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, picking up branches, mowing and weed whacking at the Cemetery and Parks, preparing ball fields, watering flowers, working on Arboretum – clearing trails and chipping brush, trimming and pruning trees, street sweeping, cleaning storm sewer inlets, maintaining street lighting, filling pot holes, Prospect Street – rebuilding road base, curb and gutter and storm sewer is complete, working on E. Sixth Street (Center Street to Willow Street), working on replacing a couple of culverts on E. Fifteenth Street and preparing asphalt patches for mid-September paving, started street line painting parking spaces and crosswalks, talked with Lori Fassbender, Wis DNR, about the City tabling the “Multi Discharger Variance” pending Wis DNR’s written disapproval of our “Economic Variance” application, received formal approval from FEMA on the demolition of three floodplain houses on Grand Avenue – appraisals will be ordered and a process meeting scheduled in September, he will be on vacation from August 24 to September 1, 2017. Angel Gebeau, AECOM, presented the sewer rate increase proposals. A summary of revenue 2000 through 2016 actual and 2017 estimated were reviewed. A summary of expenses for 2007 through 2016 shows an average increase of 2.5%. Estimated projections for 2017 through 2024 were reviewed. Gebeau continued with projected expenses for 2017 through 2024. The expenses consist of – Operating Expenses, Debt Service and CWF Replacement repayments, Sludge Hauling, Capital Improvements, Collection System Maintenance and Phosphorus Removal. Gebeau continued with projected revenues for 2017 through 2024 with rate increases of 3%, 5% and 7% (system usage has decreased 2.5% per year for the last ten years). The Sewer Utility would keep up with inflation at the 3% level of rate increase; at the 5% level of rate increase it would keep up with inflation and the projected use reduction; however, to match utility needs for the next five years, a 7% level of rate increase is needed. Discussion followed on capital improvement projects (CIP), phosphorus removal unknowns, reducing the unmetered flat rate usage base from 1,400 cu. ft. to 1,000 cu. ft., I & I reduction is critical, the City offers a pool fill rebate for water drained not going into the sewer system, this is not done by many utilities, as pool water should be discharged back into the sewer system and not to groundwater. Motion Glassbrenner, second Counsell, to recommend to the Common Council to proceed with the process for a 5% sewer rate increase, with a reduction in the unmetered flat rate wage base from 1,400 cu. ft. to 1,000 cu. ft. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water bills Nos. 198 to 227 in the amount of $25,991.88 and Sewer Bills Nos. 147 to 161 in the amount of $28,997.39 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 22, 2017 7:28 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Mabie presiding. On roll call: Council Member Clough absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Counsell reported on the August 15, 2017 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding discussion on a Fall Cemetery Tour as a fund raiser. Council Member Neville reported on the August 17, 2017 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) set the date for next year’s event as July 6-8, 2018, 3) discussed bands, 4) discussed the 2017 event wrap up and changes for 2018 and 5) discussed possible new events for 2018. Council Member Quicker reported on the August 22, 2017 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) presentation by Angel Gebeau, AECOM, of the sewer rate study, 3) the recommendation to proceed with the process for a 5% sewer rate increase, with a reduction in the unmetered flat rate usage base from 1,400 cu. ft. to 1,000 cu. ft. and 4) payment of bills. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Commission of Public Works/Utilities item (3). Motion Glassbrenner, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation to proceed with the process for a 5% sewer rate increase, with a reduction in the unmetered flat rate usage base from 1,400 cu. ft. to 1,000 cu. ft. All Aye. Mayor Mabie presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for use of the Sniteman Town Square (Gazebo) Park for the “Santa’s Coming to Town” event on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to grant the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce request for use of the Sniteman Town Square (Gazebo) Park on Saturday, December 2, 2017 for the “Santa’s Coming to Town” event. All Aye. Council Member Glassbrenner presented the Security Health Plan contract renewal notice for 2017-2018. The Family actives plan premium is going from $1,877.92 to $1,949.28 per month – a 3.8% increase. The Single actives plan premium is going from $867.12 to $900.07 per month – a 3.8% increase. The current deductible is $2,000/$4,000. Deductibles of $2,500/$5,000 and $3,000/$6,000 were looked into. Any deductible change would have to be effective January 1st. Discussion followed looking at other carriers, employee health issues and partial deductible reimbursement. Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, to accept the health insurance contract renewal with Security Health Plan as presented with a deductible increase to $2,500/$5,000 effective January 1, 2018. All Aye. City Attorney read the following ordinance. ORDINANCE NO. 1055 AN ORDINANCE CREATING SEC. 8-1-9 USE OF SIDEWALKS The Common Council of the City of Neillsville does hereby ordain as follows: Section 8-1-9 is created as follows: (a) DEFINITIONS. The following definitions shall apply to this section: (1) Pedestrian. Shall have the meaning as set forth in sec. 340.01(43) Wis. Stats., and currently defined as any person afoot or any person in a wheelchair, either manually or mechanically propelled, or other low- powered, mechanically propelled vehicle designed specifically for use by a physically disabled person, but does not include any person using an electric personal assistive mobility device. (2) Sidewalk. Shall have the meaning as set forth in sec. 340.01(58) Wis. Stats., and currently defined as that portion of a highway between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, constructed for use of pedestrians. (b) OBEDIENCE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES. No person shall fail to obey the instruction of any uniform traffic control device when traveling as a pedestrian on any highway or City owned right of way within the City unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer. (c) USE OF SIDEWALKS. Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall move, walk, run or otherwise travel along and upon an adjacent roadway, alleyway or other City owned right of way except when the sidewalk is visibly unsafe, obstructed or closed to public travel. Where sidewalks are provided but wheelchair access is not available, disabled persons may move along and upon an adjacent roadway until they reach an access point in the sidewalk. (d) NO SIDEWALK AVAILABLE. Where a sidewalk is not provided adjacent to a roadway, each pedestrian walking along and upon such roadway shall move, walk, run or otherwise travel only on the shoulder thereof and as far as practicable from the edge of such roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder adjacent to a walkway is provided each pedestrian traveling along and upon such roadway shall move, walk, run or otherwise travel as near as practicable to an outside edge of such roadway and if such roadway carries motor vehicle traffic traveling in opposite directions each pedestrian walking along and upon such roadway shall move, walk, run or otherwise travel only upon the left side of such roadway so as to face oncoming traffic. (e) PEDESTRIANS TO YIELD TO MOTOR VEHICLES. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb, sidewalk, crosswalk or any other place of safety adjacent to or upon a roadway and move, walk, run or otherwise travel into the path of a vehicle which is so close to such pedestrian as to constitute an immediate hazard to such pedestrian. (f) PENALTIES. Violation of any portion of this section shall be subject to the general penalties provision of the City of Neillsville Ordinances. Passed at a regular session of the Common Council this 22nd day of August, 2017 This ordinance shall be effective upon publication. _______________________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Quicker, second Counsell, to adopt ordinance No. 1055. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth reported that Bremer & Trollop Law Offices, S.C. filed a claim for injuries and damages as a result of Debra Schoengarth’s alleged trip and fall on August 7, 2015. Statewide Services, Inc., administers the claims for the City’s insurance company, (League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Company), has recommended denying the claim. If the City denies the claim, they have a six-month time frame to file a lawsuit. Motion Counsell, second Quicker, to deny the Debra Schoengarth’s claim for injuries and damages per recommendation from our insurance company. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $750 donation from Gross Motor’s, Inc. for Cliff’s Park. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $750 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay and to thank Gross Motors, Inc. for their donation. All Aye. Chief of Police Klueckmann reported on July, 2017 complaints, citation, warnings, investigations and that Officer King was accepted into the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Safety 2017 Fall Drug Recognition Expert School, this is a nationally recognized and extremely demanding training. Currently Clark County only has one DRE to cover the whole county. The Department has two pending retirements in 2018 – Detective Jeffery Pokallus in January after serving the City for 29 years and Police Secretary Trudy Griepentrog after serving the City for 40 years. Council Member Glassbrenner asked about the big trucks parking on W. Fifth Street in front of Family Dollar to unload. Chief of Police Klueckmann stated that he would contact Family Dollar and ask them to have the trucks park and unload on the Grand Avenue side. City Clerk Roehl reported that Suzanne Lindenman at Clark County Social Services contacted the City stating that the proposed changes to the Taxi Service have changed back to the way reporting is being done, except that the contracts and bidding has to be handled and signed for by Clark County. Council Member Counsell reported on attending the Clark County Tourism meeting. A state tourism grant for $7,000 has been received by the County and will be used to do more advertising. The Harvest Moon Tour will be September 14 to October 8, 2017 and they are working on another Midwest Living Magazine advertisement. Class “A” Fermented Malt Beverages License Application: Country Floral & Boutique, LLC, Country Floral & Boutique, Valerie L. Dietrich, Agent, 1113 E. Division Street Motion Neville, second Quicker, to grant. All Aye. Retail License Transfer – Premises to Premises Application: Country Floral & Boutique, LLC, Country Floral & Boutique, Valerie L. Dietrich, Agent, from 517 Hewett Street to 1113 E. Division Street on or after August 23, 2017 for the Class “A” Retail Liquor license. Motion Quicker, second Glassbrenner, to grant. All Aye. Temporary Amendment Request to Class “B” Retail Fermented Malt Beverages and “Class C” Wine Licenses Application: Schmitty’s on Main, LLC, Schmitty’s on Main, Darla J. Harder, Agent, 436 Hewett Street – to add the front fenced in area to the licenses for the Autumn Harvest Fest event on October 8, 2017 Motion Glassbrenner, second Quicker, to grant. All Aye. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer Only) Application: Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jana L. Schmitz, Agent for Christie Country Quilts, 532 Hewett Street, for October 18, 2017 – Business After 5 event. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Farron R. Dignin, Clarissa M. Rochester Motion Neville, second Quicker, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Glassbrenner, that City Bills Nos. 788 to 835 in the amount of $564,065.78 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Bills No. 14 to 16 in the amount of $845.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. _______________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************