City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JULY 9, 2019 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Quicker presiding. On roll call: Council Member Weiers 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, mowing and trimming Cemetery and parks, picking up branches, preparing ballfields, Schuster Park South restroom is complete except for door closures, having difficulties with Viking Electric in ordering the light poles for the Schuster Park walkway project, trimming and pruning trees, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost, the Sewer Department has started installing manholes and sewer main on Willow Street from E. Sixth Street to E. Seventh Street, street sweeping, the Contractor planted 14 replacement trees, under warranty as part of the Emerald Ash Borer Tree Grant, ATV trail sign maintenance, started construction on the Willow Street project (surveying has been done, Wisconsin Gas is moving their gas lines in the area, sewer work is in progress, then the road base will be rebuilt), saw cutting street patch areas for new asphalt, replaced 100 feet of curb and gutter in front of the Unity Bank, removed two trees and several large branches caused by high winds, street painting, a walk through with Health Officer Bakker of the old hotel was done and a package of information was turned over to the Police Department for citation action and set up of the Heritage Days event. Ryan Neville, Chief Administrative Officer, Marshfield Medical Center Neillsville, introduced the team working on the hospital sewer extension Kirk Dunlap, Mike Olson, Justin Frahm and Scott Miller – stating the goal is not to cost the City of Neillsville anything. Council Member Counsell stated that the City has already approved the sewer extension to the hospital. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that was before the Marshfield Clinic Health System involvement and an agreement was never signed. At that time the hospital was going to own and maintain it. The State wants the City to own and maintain it now. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the City has a Resolution limiting sewer hook-ups to property owners within the City limits (Resolution No. 344 dated March 24, 1987) which would have to be rescinded or amended. Council Member Counsell clarified that the City would now become the owner of the sewer extension, since the State Highway Administration will not allow a private sewer line in their right-of-way. Justin Frahm stated the sewer extension would be directionally bored at the river and open trench cut in the highway right-of-way, with the lift station by the bridge. Council Member Counsell clarified that the sewer extension portion under the river would go through the granite not the rubble. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked if the City has to own the lift station. Justin Frahm stated the lift station could be onsite or moved into the public right-of-way near the river, but we can’t have a private lift on a public site. Council Member Counsell stated that there are five properties with private lift stations. Mayor Glassbrenner stated that the hospital would maintain the entire system. Justin Frahm presented two site plan options. Mike Olson stated Option A has the sewer line coming out of the east side of the building with an easement crossing the western portion of the Brunette property, then along US HWY 10. Option B has the sewer line coming out of the west side of the building down River Avenue then along US HWY 10. Council Member Counsell stated two things have changed. City Attorney Wachsmuth replied the City will have to amend or rescind Resolution No. 344, then an agreement with the Hospital for maintaining the sewer extension and lift station because of the different ownership concept now. City Attorney Wachsmuth read Resolution No. 344 dated March 24, 1987. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that the Option B would benefit the City, Option A would limit us. West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission has been hired to do an Economic Impact Analysis for the new hospital. Discussion followed on amending or rescinding the Resolution, forcing people who want to connect to the sewer system to annex to the City, we have no tax lien authority outside our jurisdiction for unpaid utility bills, loss of tax base, etc. Council Member Neville asked about the future addition of the other entities-like the Care & Rehab shown on the site plans. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated she would talk to their attorneys. Ryan Neville suggested naming a location instead of an entity and asked if it would be okay to bring a maintenance agreement to the next meeting. Council Member Counsell stated we would need time to read the agreement and how do we deal with Option A or Option B. Does the City select one. Mike Olson stated that Option A is not available right now. City Attorney Wachsmuth will work on an exclusion clause for the resolution. City Clerk Roehl presented the Second Quarter 2019 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JULY 9, 2019 7:11 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Glassbrenner presiding. On roll call: Coucil Member Weiers absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Quicker reported on the July 9, 2019 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) presentation of and discussing on a request from Marshfield Clinic Health System for a sewer extension to the new hospital-this is because of the involvement of Marshfield, a change of ownership in the sewer line and lift station (the State Highway Administration will not allow a private sewer line in their right-of-way) from the hospital to the City, this ownership change triggers Resolution No. 344 which limits sewer hook-ups – the Resolution may have to be rescinded or amended, the sewer line under the river would be directionally bored at the river instead of going through the rubble, two site plan options for running the sewer extension from the hospital building and a maintenance agreement with the hospital to maintain the sewer extension and lift station and 3) reviewed the Second Quarter 2019 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Mayor Glassbrenner declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand, Sunset Place, asked if a decision has been made on a Chief of Police and she thinks the Hospital Site Plan-Option B is a good idea. Jon Counsell, 603 East Street, questioned why the hospital had not applied for a DOT option for the sewer line before asking the City to take ownership. Why the hospital has not finished establishing a sewer line route, what are they actually asking for. What is the rush, slow down, take the time to look at the whole idea and gather feedback. Interim Chief Patrick Fehlman reported on June, 2019 complaints, citations, warnings and investigations. The Chevy Tahoe has been repaired and is back in service. City Clerk Roehl presented the Second Quarter 2019 City Financial Statements Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Dawn M. Arndt, Jennifer L. Barton, Penny L. Courtney, Hannah E. Erickson, Brianna L. Fischer, Thomas D. Greene, Justin W. Poeschel, Amy M. Rakestraw, Brett E. Roehl, Betty J. Smith, Cynthia K. Strangfeld Motion Quicker, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Quicker, that City Bills Nos. 634 to 680 in the amount of $151,841.81 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________ Charles W. Glassbrenner, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************