City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 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, picking up branches, mowing and weed whacking at the Cemetery and Parks, removed hanging flower baskets, trimming and pruning trees, street sweeping, maintaining street lighting, filling pot holes, paving is complete for the year, traffic control street line painting is complete, working on the Emerald Ash Bores Tree Grant project (we are removing an average of two to four trees per day depending on the tree size, our goal is 76 trees by the end of the year), leaf pickup will be the third week in October. 6:53 P.M.-Chair Quicker declared the Public Hearing on the Proposed Sewer Rate Increase now open. Chair Quicker called three times for appearances, there being none. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the Proposal for Sewer Rate Increase as follows: SEWER RATE INCREASE The sewer rate increase is being sought to provide an estimated increase of 5%, or $29,319 per year in gross revenues. The proposed quarterly rates for sewage contributors discharging domestic strength sewage are: Category A Sewer Service Charge Existing Proposed % Increase Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.30 $ 10.82 5% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. $ 8.25 $ 8.66 5% Category B Sewer Service Charge Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.30 $ 10.82 5% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. $ 8.25 $ 8.66 5% Surcharge BOD/lb $ 1.53 $ 1.61 5% Suspended Solids/lb $ 0.99 $ 1.04 5% Phosphorus/lb $ 13.89 $ 14.58 5% Hauler Charges* Charge Per Trip $ 25.00 $ 25.00 0% Holding Tank Charge $ 10.25 $ 10.25 0% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. Septic Tank Charge $ 69.57 $ 69.57 0% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. *Notice all haulers shall provide baskets for waste rag and debris interception prior to disposal. General Sewer Service – Unmetered Flat Rate $92.80 $ 97.43 5% This rate shall be applied only to single-family residential customers and approximates the cost for 1,000 cubic feet per quarter discharged to the sewer system. Definitions Category A: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge normal domestic strength waste water with concentrations of BOD no greater than 271 mg/L, suspended solids no greater than 265 mg/L, or phosphorus no greater than 10 mg/L. Category B: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge with concentration in excess of 271 mg/L of BOD, 265 mg/L of suspended solids, or 10 mg/L of phosphorus. Billing: Bills for sewer service are rendered quarterly and become due and payable on the first of the month following the period for which service is rendered. A late payment charge of 3%, but not less than $0.50 will be added to bills not paid within 20 days of issuance. This late payment charge is applicable to all customers. __________________________________________________________________________ Conversion Factors Million Gallons X 8.34 X Pollutant Concentration (mg/L) = Pounds Cubic Feet X 7.48 = Gallons __________________________________________________________________________ 6:58 P.M.-The Sewer Rate Increase public hearing was declared closed. Motion Mabie, second Glassbrenner, to approve and recommend to the Common Council, the Sewer Rate Increase effective for billings after December 1, 2107. On roll call: All members-Aye. Motion carried. Flynn presented proposals for lining approximately 2,300 linear feet of sanitary sewer main on Grand Avenue (W. Division Street to W. Fourth Street) and possibly 814 linear feet on W. Twenty-First Street from: HydroKlean, Rogers, MN $24.70/Linear Foot - $56,810 Visu-Sewer, Blaine, MN $31.15/Linear Foot - $71,645/$97,001.10 for both Discussion followed. Motion Counsell, second Mabie, to accept and recommend the low proposed from HydroKleen, Rogers, MN at $24.70/Linear Foot for the lining of sanitary sewer main on Grand Avenue (W. Division Street to W. Fourth Street) ($56,810) and possibly W. Twenty- First Street dependent upon televising results. All Aye. Motion Mabie, second Neville, that Water Bills No. 228 to 260 in the amount of $99,352.98 and Sewer Bills No. 162 to 182 in the amount of $67,915.95 be paid. All Aye. Motion Glassbrenner, second Mabie, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 7:05 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 September 12, 2017 meeting of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the budget process and directions to department heads and committees, 2) discussion on health insurance and deductibles, 3) referral of non-union wages to the Personnel Committee and 4) set the budget meeting schedule. Mayor Mabie reported on the September 12 and 26, 2017 meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session on non-union employees, reconvening into open session, with a recommendation of a non-union employee Wage Schedule for 2018 to the Finance Committee; and 2) discussion and recommendation to authorize the Chief of Police to advertise for a Full-Time Police Department Secretary position. Council Member Counsell reported on the September 13, 2017 meeting of the Commission on Economic Development regarding: 1) presentation by Memorial Medical Center (MMC) of the current plan to put MMC’s sewer line under the river using directional boring, since they will not be allowed to hang under either the US HWY 10 bridge or the CTY HWY B / W. Fifth Street bridge; cost estimates range from $576,340 to $613,605 based on a 6 or 8 inch line – MMC proposed covering $58,740 of the cost with the City picking up the remainder, Counsell reminded MMC that they had pledged no cost to the City taxpayers; MMC suggested that when it repays it’s $1.5 million City loan the City immediately grant a portion back to them – this would leave the City still owing money to the bank – discussion continued, 2) work on and referral of the proposed 2018 Economic Development budget to the Finance Committee, 3) discussion with Sheila Nyberg, Clark County Economic Development, on community education of funding sources and professional services for existing and startup businesses and 4) discussion on attracting new business to the downtown area and middle to higher-end housing option. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the September 13, 2017 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) current activities of the Recreation Department, 2) current activities of the Parks Department, 3) discussion on and recommendation to approve the Neillsville Cross Country Team’s request for use of the Listeman Arboretum as a Haunted Forest Fundraiser for new uniforms on October 14th through 21st, 2017, 4) work on and referral of the proposed 2018 Recreation Department budget to the Finance Committee and 5) work on and referral of the proposed 2018 Parks Department budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Neville reported on the September 14, 2017 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) discussed new events for 2018, bands, sponsorships and Pub Crawl and 3) work on and referral of the proposed 2018 Heritage Days budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Quicker reported on the September 18, 2017 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on and recommendation to allow the Transfer and Reconveyance from William and Susan Zank of Graves 1 and 2, Lot 38, Division X, E 1/2, Map of 1969 – to resell the graves and 3) work on and referral of the proposed 2018 Cemetery operating and capital budgets to the Finance Committee. Council Member Quicker reported on the September 19, 2017 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) librarian’s reports, 2) authorized Librarians Hart and Wegner to attend the Wisconsin Library Association conference, 3) discussion on replacing air conditioners and other building issues – table replacement of air conditioners, 4) read and discussed a patrons petition via letter for reinstatement of computer and internet services – no action taken, 5) discussed and allowed implemtation of after hours programming on trial basis, 6) payment of bills, 7) updated on donation and carryover funds and 8) discussed community activities. Council Member Glassbrenner reported on the September 21, 2017 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) current activities and 3) work on the 2018 operating and capital budgets. Council Member Counsell reported on the September 22, 2017 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on 2017 fall decorations and authorization to pay the bills for the fall decorations and 2) discussion 2017 winter decorations and authorization to pay the bills for winter decorations. Council Member Counsell reported on the September 25, 2017 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and tabling a Fall cemetery tour until 2018, 2) discussion and authorizing pricing of 200 to 300 calendars for 2018, 3) discussion and authorizing reimbursement to Chair Counsell of up to $100 for ink and 4) work on and referral of the proposed 2018 Historic Preservation budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Quicker reported on the September 26, 2017 meeting of the Commission of Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities 2) a public hearing on the proposed sewer increase with no appearance, 3) approval and recommendation of the proposed sewer rate effective for billings after December 1, 2017, 4) discussion and recommendation to accept the low proposal from HydroKlean, Rogers, MN at $24.70/Linear Foot for the lining of the sanitary sewer main on Grand Avenue (W. Division Street to W. Fourth Street) ($56,810) and possibly W. Twenty-First Street dependent upon televising results and 5) and payment of bills. Mayor Mabie declared all reports filed as presented within the City Clerk. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee item (2). Motion Glassbrenner, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation to direct the Chief of Police to advertise for a Full-Time Police Department Secretary position. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Parks and Recreation Board item (3). Motion Quicker, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to approve the Neillsville Cross Country Team’s request for use of the Listeman Arboretum as a Haunted Forest fundraiser for new uniforms on October 14 through 21, 2017. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked if there were any questions on the Board of Cemetery Commissioners item (2). Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to allow the Transfer and Reconveyance from Willian and Susan Zank of Graves 1 and 2, Lot 38, Division X, E 1/2, Map of 1969 – to resell the graves. All Aye. Mayor Mabie asked there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities items (3 and 4). SEWER RATE INCREASE The sewer rate increase is being sought to provide an estimated increase of 5%, or $29,319 per year in gross revenues. The proposed quarterly rates for sewage contributors discharging domestic strength sewage are: Category A Sewer Service Charge Existing Proposed % Increase Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.30 $ 10.82 5% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. $ 8.25 $ 8.66 5% Category B Sewer Service Charge Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.30 $ 10.82 5% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. $ 8.25 $ 8.66 5% Surcharge BOD/lb $ 1.53 $ 1.61 5% Suspended Solids/lb $ 0.99 $ 1.04 5% Phosphorus/lb $ 13.89 $ 14.58 5% Hauler Charges* Charge Per Trip $ 25.00 $ 25.00 0% Holding Tank Charge $ 10.25 $ 10.25 0% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. Septic Tank Charge $ 69.57 $ 69.57 0% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. *Notice all haulers shall provide baskets for waste rag and debris interception prior to disposal. General Sewer Service – Unmetered Flat Rate $92.80 $ 97.43 5% This rate shall be applied only to single-family residential customers and approximates the cost for 1,000 cubic feet per quarter discharged to the sewer system. Definitions Category A: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge normal domestic strength waste water with concentrations of BOD no greater than 271 mg/L, suspended solids no greater than 265 mg/L, or phosphorus no greater than 10 mg/L. Category B: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge with concentration in excess of 271 mg/L of BOD, 265 mg/L of suspended solids, or 10 mg/L of phosphorus. Billing: Bills for sewer service are rendered quarterly and become due and payable on the first of the month following the period for which service is rendered. A late  payment charge of 3%, but not less than $0.50 will be added to bills not paid within 20 days of issuance. This late payment charge is applicable to all customers. __________________________________________________________________________ Conversion Factors Million Gallons X 8.34 X Pollutant Concentration (mg/L) = Pounds Cubic Feet X 7.48 = Gallons __________________________________________________________________________ Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to approve the Sewer Rate Increase effective for billings after December 1, 2017. All Aye. Motion Quicker, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to low proposal from HydroKlean, Rogers, MN at $24.70/Linear Foot for the lining of the sanitary sewer main on Grand Avenue (W. Division Street to W. Fourth Street) ($56,810) and possibly W. Twenty- First Street dependent upon televising results. All Aye. Chief of Police Klueckman read a letter from Lutheran Social Services dated September 14, 2017, that their Transitions facility on Boon Boulevard has closed its program. Mayor Mabie stated that Randy’s Neighborhood Market takeover of Gordy’s Market has been delayed, but it is still moving in the right direction. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Jessica M. Fuller Motion Quicker, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough that City Bills Nos. 893 to 941 in the amount of $455,923.58 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Bills Nos. 20 to 22 in the amount of $6,022.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. _______________________ Steven J. Mabie, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************