City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 8, 2019 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, street and sidewalk snow and ice removal, taking down and storing Christmas decorations, trimming and pruning trees, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost to old landfill, the Water Department is doing valve maintenance, the Sewer Department is doing manhole maintenance, picking up and chipping Christmas trees placed on the boulevard. Director of Public Works Flynn presented a Professional Service Agreement with MSA Professional Services, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 (estimated) for a Wastewater Capacity Analysis. MSA would evaluate the existing wastewater treatment collection system and plant capacity, confirm the ability that the existing plant can handle the increased anticipated wastewater load from the proposed new hospital and future development West of the Black River and suggest upgrades to the collection system needed to handle the anticipated wastewater load. Motion Glassbrenner, second Clough, to recommend to the Common Council to approve the Professional Services Agreement with MSA Professional Services, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 (estimated) for a Wastewater Capacity Analysis. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Weiers, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 8, 2019 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. Mayor Glassbrenner reported the January 8, 2019 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session on whether to continue with the hiring of a new police officer and 2) reconvening into open session authorizing Chief of Police Klueckmann to continue with the hiring process for a new police officer. Council Member Quicker reported on the January 8, 2019 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) the recommendation to approve the Professional Services Agreement with MSA Professional Services, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 (estimated) for a Wastewater Capacity Analysis. Mayor Glassbrenner declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. City Attorney Wachsmuth reported on contacting Memorial Medical Center (MMC) and Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) regarding the City of Neillsville economic development loan with MMC. Wachsmuth stated she was told there was no buy out, there is an Acquisition Agreement, but nothing has changed. MMC still operates under Memorial Hospital, Inc. and retained their Federal Identification Number, nothing has changed, there has been no deed transfer. Wachsmuth stated that MCHS would not provide a copy of the Acquisition Agreement because of confidentiality, MCHS has people sitting on the MMC Board and MCHS stated nothing has happened that would cause or call for the loan to be paid off. Wachsmuth stated that she pointed out to MCHS the loan document language about organizational changes, merger or consolidation. MCHS maintains there was no sale. Council Member Counsell stated that MMC has changed to Marshfield Clinic-Neillsville Center on their website and in a press release, in the Marshfield News Herald of December 10, 2018. Council Member Neville asked if we could call the note as a way to get information. Wachsmuth stated that if you call the note, you have to be willing to follow through with a lawsuit if necessary. Wachsmuth stated that Kelly Silbernagel, Director of Finance at MMC, had referred her to Dan Kirschnik, Associate General Counsel at MCHS. Kirschnik told Wachsmuth that all assets and liabilities remain with MMC, the transaction does not impact the loan, the agreement entered in a change in control and an amended incorporation. Council Member Clough asked Wachsmuth to exchange another letter with MCHS, because it walks and talks like an acquisition. Council Member Neville stated have them come in to a meeting. Council Member Counsell stated that the loan is tied to the old facility, we don’t want to discourage the new facility, but our responsibility is to the taxpayers. Motion Clough, second Neville, to direct the City Attorney to contact the Marshfield Clinic Health System and let them know that we would like more information and that someone should come to a meeting here to answer questions. All Aye. Chief of Police Klueckmann reported on December 2018 complaints, citations, warnings and investigations for 2018 with a summary of activities. Mayor Glassbrenner read a letter from Mason Companies notifying the City of workforce reduction, with the closing of the Figi’s Companies, Inc. facility at 1535 Industrial Park Drive in Neillsville, 57 full-time workers were terminated on January 4, 2019 (non-seasonal employees benefits will go through March 2019). Mayor Glassbrenner reported on receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for the City of Neillsville for their support of The Highground and a thank you card from the CART Center for Tourism Committee’s support of their “Ugly Sweater” event. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Allison A. Susa Motion Quicker, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Motion Quicker, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 1 to 47 in the amount of $1,714,761.35 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye.  ___________________________ Charles W. Glassbrenner, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************