City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 13, 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, snow and ice removal from streets and sidewalks, trimming and pruning trees, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost to old landfill, the Water Department is doing meter maintenance, the Sewer Department is doing lift station maintenance, please do not drive between our snow removal equipment, use different route, we will be widening streets and with all this snow driveways and sidewalks will be refilled, we will be working on clearing street, parking and parking lots downtown. Director of Public Works Flynn presented the County Payment Billing Statement received from Matt Claucherty, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, assigning the Counties to receive the Neillsville Wastewater Treatment Facility Multi-discharger phosphorus variance payments. The four counties and their respective payment shares are: Monroe County 17.8% $ 932.42 Taylor County 42.6% 2,231.52 Trempealeau County 22.0% 1,152.43 Wood County 17.6% 921.94 Total 100.0% $5,238.31 This year’s payment is only based on the last six months of 2018 (July through December). During this period Neillsville was 100.6981118 lbs. of phosphorus over our permit target. The per pound amount is $52.02 per pound. The total payment due is 100.6981118 lbs. times $52.02 per pound equals $5,238.31. Discussion followed. Clark County did not get involved in the DNR phosphorus removal program. Council Member Neville received a call from a lady thanking Matt Thoma for helping her get unstuck when she was stranded in the middle of the road. Motion Clough, second Weiers, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 13, 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 on the January 23, 2019 meeting of the Commission on Economic Development regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to grant West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission’s (WCWRPC) request for $2,000 as the City’s share to do a feasibility study pertaining to the Marshfield Clinic Center-Neillsville 2) discussion on and recommendation to pledge $10,000 ($5,000 each for two years) as a donation for the Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization Project. Council Member Counsell reported on the January 24, 2019 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on properties that might be interested in going on the local landmark register, 2) discussion on the 2019 Christmas tour-lining up properties and tour times, 3) discussion on calendars and uses for old calendars, 3) discussion on other possible fundraisers and 4) an update on the former Christie building, 514-518 Hewett Street. Council Member Neville reported on the February 6, 2019 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) an update on the Miss Neillsville Program, 2) discussion on possible new events and 3) discussion on sponsorships. Council Member Quicker reported on the February 11, 2019 meeting of the Property Committee regarding: 1) opening the one bid received on the former Christie property, 514-518 Hewett Street, from Jeff and Maxine Kluckhohn in the amount of $500, 2) reviewed the development plan and time frames and 3) discussion on and recommendation to accept the $500 bid and work plan from Jeff and Maxine Kluckhohn on the former Christie property, 514-518 Hewett Street. Mayor Glassbrenner reported on the February 11, 2019 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding discussion on and recommendation that the vacant Chief of Police position be posted. Mayor Glassbrenner reported on the February 11, 2019 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding discussion on and recommendation that a salary range of $60,000 to $70,000 plus benefits, with any additional monies requiring Common Council approval for the vacant Chief of Police position. Council Member Quicker reported on the February 13, 2019 meeting of the Commission of Public Works Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) a County Billing Statement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources assigning four counties to receive the Neillsville Wastewater Treatment Facility Multi-discharge phosphorus variance payments totaling-$5,238.31 (Monroe, Taylor, Trempealeau and Wood counties). Mayor Glassbrenner declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Chief of Police Klueckmann reported on January 2019 complaints, citations, warnings and investigations. Our new Police Officer Benjamin Hintze will begin work on February 20, 2019. Chief of Police Scott Klueckmann presented his Letter of Resignation effective March 8, 2019. Mayor Glassbrenner stated that the City owes Klueckmann a debt of gratitude for all he has done for our City. Klueckmann started at the bottom and worked his way up to the top as Chief of Police. Along the way he was our drug dog, Ricco, handler, drug enforcement officer, detective, etc. Klueckmann has done a lot for this department. Motion Quicker, second Clough, to accept Scott Klueckmann’s Letter of Resignation effective March 8, 2019 and to thank him for his 28 years, 8 months of service (1990-2019), the last 4 ½ years as Chief of Police to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Jerilyn St. Amand, Sunset Place, as a citizen of Neillsville thanked Klueckmann for all he did over the years as officer and Police Chief. Combatting drugs, crimes and drunk drivers with integrity, honesty and leadership, which is reflected in your department. Good luck in the future. Denise Clough, 202 Mulligan Lane, Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) Board Member, stated the current Rails to Trails project being worked on from Neillsville through Granton to Chili, will stimulate business traffic and tourism to Clark County. Xcel Energy owns 98% of the land. NIC has been working with Xcel for three years, working with individual landowners and would issue leases comparable to Xcel leases. A large informational meeting would be held by NIC in April. Clough referenced a letter to the editor in the Clark County Press, February 13, 2019 edition. A landowners meeting at the Grant Township Hall was called by Jon Counsell and Bill Comstock. NIC was not informed of this meeting. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation and people need to get together and talk about concerns and issues. This can be a win-win situation for our area. NIC’s monthly meetings are the second Monday every month at The Thirsty Bookworm. Barb Petkovsek, 206 Ferguson Street, thanked NIC for their work and economic endeavors to promote a healthy lifestyle. Keeping an open mind with factual information, is when best decisions can be made. Mayor Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Commission Economic Development items (1 and 2). Mayor Glassbrenner stated that people in the community want to know what the impact of the new Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville is going to be for Neillsville and surrounding area. Of the $13,000 price tag for the study most of the money has been raised by citizens. The City’s share is $2,000. Motion Clough, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to grant West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission’s request for $2,000 as the City’s share to do a feasibility study pertaining to the Marshfield Clinic Center-Neillsville. All Aye. Council Member Clough stated that he has been attending meeting of the Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization Project. This project is $1.65 million, constructing two new building, combining a fairgrounds and event center for more year round use. Since the City will benefit for the most from this project we are asking for a pledge. Natalie Erpenbach, Treasurer, Clark County Community Foundation, Inc. is coordinating donations for the project. Motion Quicker, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to pledge $10,000 ($5,000 each for two years) as a donation for the Clark County Fairgrounds Revitalization Project. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Property Committee item (3). Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to accept the $500 bid and work plan from Jeff and Maxine Kluckhohn on the former Christie property, 514-518 Hewett Street, contingent on them meeting the timeline and City approval of writing off of property costs against the property. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Police and Fire Commission item. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the recommendation that the vacant Chief of Police position be posted. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee item. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation that a salary range of $60,000 to $70,000 plus benefits, with any additional monies requiring Common Council approval for the vacant Chief of Police position. All Aye. Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the Fourth Quarter 2018. The Department responded to 7 calls (4-Rural: vehicle accident, two chimney fires and mutual aid to Greenwood (Grassland fire) and 3-City: rescued a cat from a tree, a fire in the shredder truck and an electrical fire at Hansen’s IGA); attending a Clark County Emergency Services meeting in Spencer; the Firemen’s steak feed had the highest attendance yet at 736; Fire Prevention Week visits by school children, 4K classes and taking a truck to St. John’s; helping with traffic control, the big flag and fireworks at The Highground 30th Anniversary celebration; attending Community Fire Hall and Rural Fire Association meetings; SCBA flow testing was done; did a community service day for fire fighter’s widows (raking leaves); helped as crossing guards for Halloween Trick or Treat; drove Santa to the tree lighting at the Gazebo; new trailers for the UTV and ATV were donated by the Firemen’s Club with funds, from the steak feeds; building inspections were done for the last half of the year-the Merchant’s Hotel basement is looking fine; drug awareness training was held; and the department is asking people to adopt a fire hydrant and help keep it clear of snow. Fire Chief Meyer stated that the Fire Department would like to start up an Auxiliary/Reserve force. The Fire Chiefs put together a list of activities-wash hose; roll hoses; load hose on trucks; wash, maintain and replace hand tools; maintenance on equipment and small engines; help at fill sites-hydrants wet and dry, ponds and creeks; refuel small engines; refuel trucks; drive trucks to service/maintenance appointments; wash trucks; etc. To be fully covered by worker’s compensation they should be paid, since they are driving vehicles and crawling around washing and cleaning (slips and falls) someone could get hurt. City Clerk Roehl stated that he, Fire Chief Meyer, Mayor Glassbrenner and Deputy Clerk Boyer met with Jesse Furrer, agent for the City’s insurance carrier, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Company, to discuss the Fire Department’s thoughts. If these retired firefighters show up at the Fire Hall or on the site of a fire with food or drinks, or help with fundraisers they could be considered volunteers. But once they start acting like a firefighter (driving vehicles, moving hoses and equipment-doing things an ordinary citizen would not be allowed to do) then they become more than volunteers. For a minimal amount of pay and time involved. It would be best to put them on the payroll and have them and the Fire Department covered. Mayor Glassbrenner stated that the Rural Fire Association has agreed to and recommended to the Common Council to start a Reserve Firefighter Program for retired firefighters with pay at the maintenance rate of $10 per hour. Council Member Neville asked about how many people would be involved. Fire Chief Meyer stated two now maybe two to three more in a few years, probably not more than five or six all total. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to approve starting a Reserve Firefighter Program for retired firefighters with pay at the maintenance rate of $10 per hour. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Jason A. Boyer and Randi J. Bryan Motion Quicker, second Clough, to grant all he listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Weiers, that City Bills Nos. 111 to 166 in the amount of $340,322.92 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Weiers, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________ Charles W. Glassbrenner, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************