City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 23, 2020 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: all members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Chair Clough presented Director of Public Works Flynn’s report on one burial at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance, mowing and trimming Cemetery and parks, watering flowers, mowing residential properties, trimming and pruning trees, chipping brush, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost, cleaning up storm damage trees, storm sewer repairs on Clay Street and W. Fourth Street, street sweeping, street construction – preparing for paving on June 24, 2020 for W. Fourth Street, Willow Street, W. First Street and patches, still working on health tour issues – 1205 W. Fourth Street, 315 E. Fifth Street and 508 Forest Street, the Sewer Department is doing plant and lift station maintenance, the Water Department is doing meter change outs and adding readouts and Flynn will be on vacation from June 22 through July 7, 2020. Chair Clough presented Director of Public Works Flynn’s follow up on the Neillsville MHC, LLC (mobile home court), 210 E. Division Street. They are about done with the clean up and have been doing a great job. They have removed 51 cats, completed capping off sewer lines, mowed the area by the storm shelter, cleaned up debris by the dumpsters and are having two more dumpsters coming to finish the clean up. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water Bills Nos. 152 to 174 in the amount of $40,489.46 and Sewer Bills Nos. 108 to 122 in the amount of $22,233.72 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Weiers, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 23, 2020 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Murphy presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Mayor Murphy reported on the June 11, 2020 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to accept David Flynn’s Letter of Resignation for Retirement effective August 31, 2020 and to thank him for his 23 years, 3 months of service (1997-2020) as Director of Public Works and 2) a closed session reconvening into open session, with the recommendation to advertise the Director of Public Works position. Council Member Harnisch reported on the June 17, 2020 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on funding, 2) discussion on and proceeding to draft a “Action Plan” for 2020 and the future, 3) discussion on reducing the inventory of fundraising items for sale, 4) discussion on updating the historic property listing, 5) discussion on reporting requirements and 6) discussion on historic properties. Council Member Neville reported the June 18, 2020 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) current activities-the service entry door has been replaced and painted and a meeting with Badger Basement is set for July 15, 2020 to look at the building heaving which is causing a wall crack and 3) discussion on insurance renewal and declining the terrorism coverage amendment. Council Member Weiers reported on the June 22, 2020 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the weeding schedule and 2) discussion on Prock Park developments-sign placement, flag pole, etc. Council Member Clough reported on the June 23, 2020 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Matt Jorgensen, 1005 Emery Street, stated that he has two things for the Council to address: 1) the City of Neillsville website has a “Contact Us” button which he used and received no response to his inquiry – does it go somewhere, was it ignored or lost and 2) City Ordinance Sec. 7-1-3 requires a dog to be licensed at five months of age – his dog was born in November and he had to pay the unneutered license rate even though this veterinarian, Badger Animal Care, won’t spade a dog until it is six months old – Council needs to review its ordinance. Nicole Egland, 209 Clay Street, stated that is better for the pet to wait with the neutering until the animal is two years of age. Egland stated that she is here for the Park Place Mobile Home Court license and she introduced Angela Larsen, representative for Neillsville MHC, LLC owner of Park Place, 210 E. Division Street. Angela Larsen, Aurora, Colorado, stated she arrived Monday and is trying to pull things together, working with residents so they understand what their responsibilities are, a lot of the residents do take care of the property. Mayor Murphy asked if someone will be supervising the trailer park. Egland stated that she has worked with Larsen on other projects and has become more involved after the City’s Attorney’s letter. Larsen stated that two trailers are vacant – they will be rehabilitating one and they are still looking at the other as to whether it can be redone or removed. Council Member Counsell asked if most tenants own their own trailer. Larsen replied most do, the accumulation of items occurred over the years and two more roll off dumpsters have come in. Council Member Clough asked if the points in the City Attorney’s letter have been addressed. Director of Public Works Flynn’s report stated they are doing a great job. Egland showed pictures on her cell phone of what was done. Council Member Counsell questioned if they had plans to keep the place cleaned up. Larsen replied yes. They had struggled with getting local contractors, until they got Egland’s help with contacts. Nicole and Josh Egland will be doing regular drive throughs. They are working up a set of trailer park rules and regulations for the tenants to sign. Council Member Counsell asked about the delinquent mobile home parking fees for 2020. Larsen stated that Lots 4 and 5 have moved out and she would be submitting payments for them and she is working to resolve matters with Lots 1, 3 and 9. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that he would like to see the “code of conduct” (rules and regulations). Communication is needed on a regular basis, it was your decision to buy the trailer park and there has been issues with tenants harboring known drug dealers. Larsen stated she would meet with Chief of Police Mankowski. City Attorney Wachsmuth reviewed the list of issues in the letter sent to Neillsville MHC, LLC, Gregg Scheirman, owner. Discussion followed. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee items (1 and 2). Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation to accept David Flynn’s Letter of Resignation for Retirement effective August 31, 2020 and thank him for his 23 years, 3 months of service (1997-2020) as Director of Public Works. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to advertise the Director of Public Works position. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth reported that Lloyd Meyer has signed off on the City’s paid off land contract with him. The lawsuit has been dismissed, documents recorded and Xcel Energy notified. Mobile Home Park Application: Neillsville MHC, LLC, Trailer Park, Gregg R. Scheirman, 210 E. Division Street Discussion on delinquent parking fees, Chief of Police review of the park rules and regulation and contact information. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to grant the license based on payment of parking fees and language satisfactory to the Chief of Police in the tenant letter. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Stephanie J. Beelman, Allyssa M. Carney, Diane M. Courtney, Hannah E. Erickson, Brianna L. Fischer, Marri C. Grace, Lillian D. Hart, Mark D. Hemp, Nicholas A. King, Catherine A. Kleckner, Tamara A. Mallory, Amy M. Rakestraw, Joy L. Schultz, Kristy L. Sischo, Emily K. Smith, Brianna E. Washington, Devin J. Weaver, Olivia R. Zank Motion Neville, second Counsell, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 566 to 621 in the amount of $223,144.79 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************