City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 10, 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 four burials at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance, mowing and trimming Cemetery and Parks, preparing ballfields, cutting trees and brush in the Listeman Arboretum to open the trails, the Schuster Park walkway lights have arrived, trimming and pruning trees, sent out second letters to property owners to repair sidewalks-if they don’t contact us they will be billed the total replacement cost, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, street sweeping, hauling brush and compost, maintaining ATV trail signs, working on E. First Street from Court Street to State Street-the base is about 70% complete, however about 220 feet of curb and gutter washed out during heavy rains, which we will have to replace, the Sewer Department has completed installing three manholes on Clay Street, the Water Department is in the process of reading meters. City Attorney Wachsmuth reviewed the Sewer Connection Agreement with Memorial Hospital, Inc., d/b/a Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville. Council Member Clough stated that Agreement #6 should have a period of operation time before the City accepts “Ownership of the Sewer Line”. Mike Olson, Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville, stated it has been discussed and 90 days could be added to Agreement #6. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked if Memorial Hospital, Inc. is the actual owner of the real estate. Olson replied-Yes. Council Member Counsell asked if this Agreement #14b states the “Agreement Runs with the Land” why is Agreement #14d “Assignment” necessary. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated this agreement will be recorded with the Register of Deeds and the City should be approving any Assignment. If they transfer to an Affiliate, such as MCHS Hospital, Inc., it could be done without the City’s consent. Dan Kirschnik stated that future plans are to merge the hospital into one legal entity, MCHS Hospitals, Inc. The Hospital would not have the hassle of Assignment with an Affiliate. Council Member Counsell stated that Agreement #1 Sewer Hook Up wording “unconditional right” is very vague. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the wording “Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement” covers the “unconditional right”, since they have to meet all the terms and conditions. Wachsmuth has no problem with taking “unconditional right” out. Council Member Counsell stated that the fourth Whereas reads funny, the Hospital is extending its sewer line to the City, it is written backwards. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated it boils down to the fact that in the end the City is going to own it. Council Member Neville asked what “Extraordinary Expenses” in Agreement #7 means. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated “Extraordinary Expenses” are defined further down. An example would be-there is a difference between a single home connecting, a larger user, or a user leasing directly from the Hospital when the Hospital still owns the real estate. Mayor Glassbrenner stated that a 90 day period needs to be added to Agreement #6 “Ownership of the Sewer Line”. City Attorney Wachsmuth clarified “after 90 days of use”. Dan Kirschnik asked the City for approval of the Sewer Connection Agreement so they can move ahead and meet with the Town of Pine Valley Board. Motion Glassbrenner, second Clough, to recommend to the Common Council that the Sewer Connection Agreement with Memorial Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Marshfield Medical Center- Neillsville with the changes discussed be approved. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Jerry L. Quicker, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 7:07 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 Weiers reported on the August 27, 2019 and September 9, 2019 meetings of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) presentation, discussion on and accepted the proposal from the “Friends of the Black River” to place boulders at the junction of O’Neill Creek and Black River to protect the trail, 2) presentation, discussion on and approved a proposal by Logan Grap and Riley Hebert to hold family friendly events at the Schuster Park Bandstand, 3) presentation, discussion on and approved a proposal by Mandy Krejci and Brianna Roehl to proceed with the dog park project at Listeman Park, by requesting permission from the Listeman Foundation and with the dog park committee fundraising for the project, 4) accepted a $2,500 donation from the Motorhead Mafia Car Club for a new merry-go-round at Schuster Park to replace the old one and thanked them for the donation; 5) 2019 activities of the Recreation Department, 6) 2019 activities of the Park Department, 7) work on and referral of proposed 2020 Recreation Department budget and 8) work on and referral of proposed 2020 Parks Department budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Weiers reported on the August 28, 2019 and September 3, 2019 meetings of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the preliminary Prock Park sign design, 2) discussion on the downtown banners, approved the cardinal design for Fall/Winter, the Spring/Summer design was previously approved and authorized ordering 25 of each design on poly canvas at a cost of $6,920 plus shipping, 3) discussion on and approval to continue the Fall flower pot décor with pumpkins, cornstalks, etc. 4) discussion on and approval to proceed with an Adopt-A-Tree program for Christmas decorating of flower pots, criteria to be determined, a $25 gift certificate to be awarded to the winner, 5) work on and referral of the proposed 2020 Beautification budget to the Finance Committee; 6) discussion on and approval requesting 2020 flowers and basket pricing from Mill Creek Gardens, proceeding with ordering if the pricing is acceptable, with re-bidding to all area greenhouses for 2021 flowers and 7) discussion on flower suggestions. Council Member Weiers reported on the September 4, 2019 Solid Waste and Recycling Committee regarding: 1) presentation by Kurt Redfern, Express Disposal, Inc., Thorp, WI for solid waste and recycling collection, 2) reviewed a proposal from Dale Marth, Advanced Disposal, Marshfield, WI presented at the United Communities of Clark County, July 22, 2019 meeting, for solid waste and recycling collection, 3) discussion on both proposals, cart services vs. bags/cans and bin service for collection and costs and 4) the recommendation to take part in the joint United Communities of Clark County contract for bags/cans service for garbage collection and bins service for recycling collection with Advanced Disposal and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract. Council Member Neville reported on the September 9, 2019 meeting of the Airport Commission regarding work on and referral of the proposed 2020 Airport operating and capital budgets to the Finance Committee. Mayor Glassbrenner reported on the September 9, 2019 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding discussion on and recommendation to approve the sale of Industrial Park land Parcel No. 261.1376.007 to Xcel Energy for a cost of $29,200. Council Member Quicker reported on the September 10, 2019 meeting of the Commission of Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) discussion on and recommendation that the Sewer Connection Agreement with Memorial Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville with the changes discussed be approved. Mayor Glassbrenner declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Glassbrenner asked if there were any question on the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee item (4). Motion Counsell, second Quicker, to accept the recommendation to take part in the joint United Communities of Clark County contract for bags/cans service for garbage collection and bin service for recycling collection with Advanced Disposal and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Planning Commission item. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to approve the sale of Industrial Park land Parcel No. 261.1376.0007 to Xcel Energy for a cost of $29,200. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner asked if there were any questions on the Commission of Public Works/Utilities item (2). Motion Clough, second Weiers, to accept the recommendation that the Sewer Connection Agreement with Memorial Hospital, Inc. d/b/a Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville with the changes discussed be approved. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner stated the next agenda item is the ATV Ordinance trial review. Mayor Glassbrenner presented letters from Dave Harnisch, Neillsville, on efforts to organize an area riders’ club within the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association and from Randy Harden, President of the Wisconsin ATV/UTV Association, in support of continuing the city wide ATV/UTV route ordinance. Interim Police Chief Fehlman reported no significant complaints were received. Discussion followed updating Ordinance Title 8 Chapter 3 Snowmobiles. Council Member Quicker suggested changing the speed limit from ten (10) miles per hour to the posted speed limit within the City. City Clerk Roehl stated when changes are being made the chapter name should be updated to include ATVs and UTVs along with the Snowmobiles. Motion Quicker, second Weiers, to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance amendment changing the speed limit to the posted speed limit within the City. All Aye. Mary Mashin, Green Lantern Tavern, 231 W. Seventh Street, stated that she has an issue with the signs placed on Grand Avenue which pick out certain businesses for free advertising. She has been on the ATV trail for years and there is no sign advertising her business. She contacted Mayor Glassbrenner, Director of Public Works Flynn and tried to contact Council Member Neville. Director of Public Works Flynn stated with the opening of the whole City to ATVs the directional signs could come down when the speed limit signs are posted. Standard signs are $25 per sign, specialty signs are $100 per sign. Discussion followed on taking signs down and posting signs at the main entrances to the City only. Mayor Glassbrenner presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for use of CC Sniteman Town Square Park for Autumn Harvest Fest, to hang a banner on the Gazebo announcing the event and to close Hewett Street from Division Street to W. Eighth Street and Amory Avenue from Court Street to Hewett Street on Sunday, October 13, 2019. Discussion followed. The event runs from 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. approximately. Motion Quicker, second Clough, to grant the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce request for use of CC Sniteman Town Square Park for Autumn Harvest Fest on Sunday, October 13, 2019, to hang a banner on the Gazebo announcing the event and to close Hewett Street from Division Street to W. Eighth Street and Amory Avenue from Court Street to Hewett Street. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving the following donations from the Marquerite Listeman Foundation: $6,000 for the Library front steps repairs, $1,400 for Christmas Decorations and $50,000 for the City’s new residential incentive program. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept and appropriate $6,000 to Account No. 55110 Library Department Administration, $1,400 to Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations and $50,000 to Account No. 57720 Economic Development Outlay and to thank the Listeman Foundation for the donations. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Neillsville Firemen’s Club has purchased a 2019 Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman truck and wishes to donate it to the City for the Fire Department. Funds were raised by the Firemen’s annual steak feed fundraiser. Motion Weiers, second Neville, to accept the 2019 Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman truck and to the thank the Neillsville Firemen’s Club for the donation. All Aye. Interim Police Chief Fehlman requested permission to sell the old 2010 Chevy Impala Squad car. It is currently not being used and housed by the Public Works Department. The sale would also include the equipment, as it is outdated. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to allow the sale of the 2010 Chevy Impala Squad car. All Aye. Mayor Glassbrenner reported on the Gateway Counseling Services, 510 W. Fifth Street, ribbon cutting and open house today. Interim Police Chief Fehlman reported on August, 2019 complaints, citations, warnings and investigations. Our IT service has notified us Windows 7 will not be supported next year and we will be going to Windows 10. City Clerk Roehl presented an invite from The Highground for any Council Member who is interested in participating in a Fall Tour and Future Expansion Summit on October 9, 2019 to provide input and feedback into the future growth at The Highground and Camp Victory. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Randi J. Bryan and Allison A. Susa Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Quicker, second Neville, that City Bills Nos. 837 to 870 in the amount of $94,843.31 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________ Charles W. Glassbrenner, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************