City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 27, 2018 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, prepared and stored mowers for winter, prepared snow removal equipment, installed Christmas decorations, trimming and pruning trees, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost to the landfill, prepared and stored street sweeper for winter, the Water Department is in the process of changing out some meters and exercising water valves, the Sewer Department is doing lift station maintenance, leaf pick up is in the final round in South-West area moving East, salt and sand has been mixed for winter use. Motion Glassbrenner, second Clough, that Water Bills Nos. 295 to 328 in the amount of $89,534.77 and Sewer Bills Nos. 187 to 206 in the amount of $36,836.76 be paid. All Aye. Motion Weiers, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 27, 2018 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Glassbrenner presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Quicker reported on the November 27, 2018 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Glassbrenner declared the report filed as presented with City Clerk. Jon Counsell, 603 East Street, stated that he heard comments about using the old railroad bed right of way from Neillsville to Chili as a non-motorized sports trail. The Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) has this on their project list. Counsell stated upon talking to a NIC member he found out the following: 1) NIC has an agreement to purchase ownership from Xcel Energy, but Xcel Energy would retain the powerline rights, no price has been finalized, 2) there are three gaps in the right of way because of non-Xcel ownership, some type of agreement would have to be reached with these landowners or the trail would have to find a way around them, 3) no funding has been committed or received for the project, but once a route is determined grants will be applied for, 4) some adjoining landowners have easements and questions about whether use of the right of way would be allowed, 5) he is surprised that this has not been publicized more, as it affects both trail users and adjoining landowners, and hopes that lack of publicity is not an attempt to avoid public input, everyone should be aware so they can provide input, 5) if people have questions NIC can be reached at 715-743-3440 or 508 Hewett Street-monthly meetings are the second Monday of each month, 6) he is not involved in NIC and only learned about the trail last week and 7) is the City aware of this project-there are questions: where will the trail and trailhead be located, zoning, parking, what is the City’s responsibility for the trail and parking maintenance within the City, restroom facilities, lighting, signage, littering, what is the City liability, what is the cost to City taxpayers, etc. Denise Clough, 202 Mulligan Lane, NIC Board Member, stated that NIC was founded in 1989 to inspire fellowship and networking of businesses and community members to promote the community and tourist trade through improvement projects of which rails to trails is one. Suzanne Schoen, Clark County Social Services, thanked the City for its partnership and support of the taxi services. For 2019, the City has budgeted 7,904 hours for the Neillsville Taxi and the County has budgeted 3,620 hours for the County Taxi. The 2019 Federal and State Aid reimbursement rate is 56.03% through the Section 53.11 program. The remaining cost split is 69% City and 31% County. Both taxi services are provided by Abby Vans who was selected through a bid process in 2017. Ridership for the City dropped in 2017, but is on an upswing for 2018. The total local share cost is estimated at $111,779 (City-$77,128; County $34,651). The 5 Year Coordination Plan was updated and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in 2018. Mayor Glassbrenner is a member of the Coordination Committee. The taxi service had two audits this year-an on-site review and a financial 2014-2017 review. Both audits went well and we are awaiting final reports. Discussion followed on the taxi services and other transportation assistance services available to Clark County residents. Motion Clough, second Quicker, to approve submission of the 2019 taxi grant application jointly with Clark County and support of the City cost share. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $14,000 donation from the Marguerite Listeman Foundation for Schuster Park lighting. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $14,000 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay and to thank the Listeman Foundation for the donation. All Aye. Council Member Counsell stated that she has met with an electrician on the Prock Park property, if you noticed the hay down on the site, plans are to put up a tree. Counsell thanked Beautification Committee members, Parks Director Barth and his crew for their work in making our City look good. Mayor Glassbrenner reported that Fran Barlow was presented with her plaque for 16 years (2002 to 2018) of dedicated services as a Beautification Committee Member. Council Member Clough stated that he is also President of the Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC). NIC has been working on the rails to trails project for four years, contact him for information and questions. NIC has been working with landowners to secure the route and re-routes. Mayor Glassbrenner reported on attending a United Communities of Clark County meeting in Dorchester with a tour of Meyer Manufacturing facilities. Hotel/Motel Room Tax Permit Applications: DAHI Hospitality, Inc., d/b/a Super 8, Mahesh Patel, Agent, 1000 E. Division Street O’Neill Manor, LLC, Julie Counsell, Agent, 824 Hewett Street Motion Quicker, second Clough, to grant all the listed permits. Council Member Counsell abstained. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Caitlin R. Courtney and Jessica M. Morden Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Weiers, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 1134 to 1167 in the amount of $913,544.06 paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________ Charles W. Glassbrenner, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************