City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JULY 14, 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. Director of Public Works Flynn reported on one burial at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance, mowing and trimming Cemetery and parks, watering flowers, mowing residential properties, removed the small restroom at Listeman Park in preparation for the construction of a new one, trimming and pruning trees, chipping brush, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost, street construction-the Willow Street project final paving is complete will be adding a small section of storm sewer yet, the W. First Street project is complete waiting on Wisconsin Gas to finish corner sidewalk sections on Hewett Street, the W. Fourth Street project is complete, city wide prepared maintenance patches have been paved, the mobile home park looks great, street line painting has started, the Sewer Department is doing plant and lift station maintenance, the Water Department is doing meter change outs and adding radio readouts and storm call ins for power outages at the wells. Mayor Murphy stated that some properties downtown need to take care of their weeds. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that the City has started to spray weeds, he would contact the property owners, if they do not comply, he will take care of it and send them a bill. Director of Public Works Flynn reported on having a COVID-19 coronavirus issue last week, a Public Works employee was at a bar over the 4th of July weekend in very close contact with a person who was positive for COVID. The employee tested negative, but is still on quarantine. All other workers that worked in close proximity with our city worker, before he knew, were told to stay home, until his test results come back. His test came back negative. We are back in full force again. Flynn had been in communication with the Clark County Health Department for guidance. City Clerk Roehl reported that the regular meeting of Tuesday, August 11, 2020, is also the Partisan Primary Election day. Discussion followed. Motion Counsell, second Murphy, to reschedule the regular Tuesday, August 11, 2020 meeting to Monday, August 17, 2020 at 9:00 A.M. All Aye. Director of Public Works Flynn reviewed the Sewer Department 2019 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Resolution. There were no major changes. Our overall grade point average is 3.47 which puts us in the voluntary range. Our rate structure and replacement fund were reviewed in 2017. Future projects are rehab sewer mains, integrating more SCADA and remote monitoring at the Sewer plant and lift stations, rehab clarifier, rehab E. Second Street lift station and rehab Mulligan Lane lift station. I & I remains a major concern. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to accept the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommend to the Common Council that Resolution No. 605 be adopted. (See the Common Council minutes of July 14, 2020 for the printed resolution.) All Aye. Director of Public Works Flynn stated that the last sewer rate study was done in 2017. This study will look at the operating revenues and expenses, capital improvement projects planned, phosphorus removed costs, etc. Director of Public Works Flynn presented sewer rates study proposals from MSA Professional Services, Marshfield - $9,700 and AECOM Technical Services, Stevens Point - $4,200. Discussion followed. Motion Counsell, second Murphy, to recommend to the Common Council to approve the Consulting Agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $4,200 for a sewer rate study. All Aye. Director of Public Works Flynn said that AECOM has completed the City’s water well study looking for another well site. He is trying to get them here to present it, however AECOM as a company, currently has a business travel ban in place because of COVID. City Clerk Roehl presented the Second Quarter 2020 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Both utilities are struggling due to reduced usage (revenues) with businesses closed or cutting back and fixed costs remaining steady. Both utilities are currently showing a loss and drawing from reserve funds. Motion Neville, second Weiers, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JULY 14, 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 25 and July 7, 2020 meetings of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session on issues and procedures of the Neillsville Police Department-adjourned in closed session; 2) discussion on and acceptance of Police Officer Patrick A. Fehlman’s resignation, 3) discussion on and acceptance of Police Officer Jason M. King’s resignation, 4) discussion on and hiring of Hunter Imm as a regular full-time police officer, 5) a closed session to interview a candidate for a regular full-time police officer position and 6) reconvening into open session to extend a conditional offer of employment to Issac Guyer subject to background investigation. Council Member Weiers reported on the July 6, 2020 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and forwarding to the Planning Commission a plan for Prock Park development to include a sign, flag pole, a large rock with two signs, an archway with future planting of flower trees and shrubs and 2) a commitment from Caroline O’Brien (Prock family) to donate $2,000 to the project. Mayor Murphy reported on the July 9, 2020 meeting of the Commission on Economic Development regarding discussion on, review of and recommendation to grant City of Neillsville COVID-19 Small Business Grants of $1,000 each to the following businesses located within the City limits of Neillsville which have met the eligibility criteria that was set: The Brickyard Bar & Grill, Carl’s Barbershop, The Green Lantern, Strike Time Lanes, Rooster Bar & Grill, The Glass House, B & F Machine & Specialty, Cannabis Cultivators, Country Floral & Boutique, AKF Martial Arts Academy, Joan’s Hair Hut, King House, Buck’s Creekside, New Beginnings Holistic Healing, Tufts Mansion Bed & Breakfast. Council Member Clough reported on the July 14, 2020 meeting of the Commission on Public Works Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) rescheduling the regular Tuesday, August 11, 2020 meeting to Monday, August 17, 2020 at 9:00 A.M., 3) reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommendation that Resolution No. 605 be adopted, 4) discussion and recommendation to approve the Consulting Agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $4,200 for a sewer rate study, and 5) reviewed the Second Quarter 2020 Water and Sewer Financial statements. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Police and Fire Commission items (2 and 3). Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept Patrick A. Fehlman’s resignation as Police Officer, effective June 30, 2020 and to thank him for his 3 years, 4 months of service (2017-2020) to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to accept Jason M. King’s resignation as Police Officer, effective July 15, 2020 and to thank him for his 5 years, 6 ½ months of service (2015-2020) to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Economic Development item. Motion Clough, second Weiers, to accept the recommendation to grant City of Neillsville COVID-19 Small Business Grants of $1,000 each to the following businesses located within the City limits of Neillsville, which have met the eligibility criteria that was set: The Brickyard Bar & Grill, Carl’s Barbershop, The Green Lantern, Strike Time Lanes, Rooster Bar & Grill, The Glass House, B & F Machine & Specialty, Cannabis Cultivators, Country Floral & Boutique, AKF Martial Arts Academy, Joan’s Hair Hut, King House, Buck’s Creekside, New Beginnings Holistic Healing, Tufts Mansion Bed & Breakfast. All Aye. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public/Works Utilities items (3 and 4). RESOLUTION NO. 605 COMPLIANCE MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION RESOLVED, that the City of Neillsville informs the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that the following actions were taken by the Common Council: 1. Reviewed the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report, which is attached to this resolution. ___________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Clough, second Weiers, to accept the recommendation that Resolution No. 605 be adopted. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve the Consulting Agreement with AECOM Technical Services, Inc. in the amount of $4,200 for a sewer rate study. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the regular meeting of Tuesday, August 11, 2020 is also the Partisan Primary Election day. Discussion followed. Motion Clough, second Neville, to reschedule the Tuesday, August 11, 2020 meeting to Monday, August 17, 2020 at 9:15 A.M. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Associated Bank loan has been closed and the proceeds received for the Cemetery/Parks building. Motion Weiers, second Counsell, to accept and appropriate $360,000 to Account No. 49100 Proceeds From Long-Term Debt (revenue account) and to Account No. 57140 Public Buildings Outlay (expense account). All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a Wisconsin Elections Commission Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (WEC CARES) Subgrant award in the amount of $1,542 for additional costs, associated with the national emergency, for the 2020 Federal election cycle related to the coronavirus. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept and appropriate the $1,542 WEC CARES Subgrant Funds to Account No. 51440 Elections. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth present the previous Neillsville Emergency Order: Employee Leave dated March 30, 2020 which expired when Governor Evers’ Public Health Emergency Order ended. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked if the Council Member wanted to do this again in light of the recent Public Works Department shut down related to a COVID-19 issue last week which did turn out negative. Employees do have Federal and State Family Leave options. Discussion followed on doing a resolution versus an emergency order, extending the public health leave retro-active to April 1, 2020 and extending it to the first of the year. Motion Neville, second Clough, to direct the City Attorney to draft a Public Health Leave Resolution. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth presented the previous Neillsville Emergency Order: Election Poll Worker Pay dated April 6, 2020 has expired. Discussion followed on the August and November elections. Motion Neville, second Weiers, to direct the City Attorney to draft an Election Poll Worker Pay Resolution. Council Members Clough and Harnisch abstained. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. Mayor Murphy reported on receiving complaints on fire pits and she presented a copy of the City of Marshfield ordinance on Outdoor Fires. Fire Chief Matt Meyer stated that he has reviewed the Marshfield ordinance. He thinks the 36 inches in diameter is rather small and he suggested 48 inches in diameter and adding the wording “that all fires should be extinguished before being left unattended”. Council Member Counsell stated that Marshfield’s 30 feet to other objects is quite a distance, some of our lots are small, she suggested 20 feet. Counsell asked if the Fire Department ever had a fire caused by a fire pit. Fire Chief Meyer replied “No”, most of the complaints involve smoke. Common sense would be if the wind is blowing smoke towards the neighbor you would put it out. Council Member Harnisch stated some communities require fires be put out by certain times on weekdays and later on weekends. Discussion followed on gas fire pits, gas fire pits can actually be set on decks, you don’t get sparks from a gas fire pit, not reinventing the whole ordinance, just adding language to ours, etc. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated she will draft an ordinance based on the discussion. Mayor Murphy stated that Sharon Bjerke played patriotic music in the Gazebo during the Farmer’s Market on a Saturday near the 4th of July. She has now received another request. She would like to handle these requests without having to bring them to the Common Council each time. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that you have to be really careful, if you deny someone, you need a reason. Council Member Counsell asked if this is just limited to music, what if someone wants to protest or do a magician program. Council Member Clough stated the Gazebo is a community area, a public place someone could just sit down and play music. If it is an event, then the Council should grant permission, if not, its someone in a public place. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on June, 2020 complaints, citations, warnings, investigations and business checks. The background check on Hunter Imm is complete and he will be starting full-time training on July 17, 2020. He met with Park Place Mobile Home Community management and reviewed their action plan criteria for tenants/owners and homes. He checked with other communities on parking permits and fees, focusing on businesses first, raising permit fees, limiting the number of permits a business or individual can get and development of an application to gather contact information. Council Member Counsell stated that allowing people to park for $5 per month is cheap, we are having people using the parking lots for storage, vehicles have flat tires and unlicensed. Discussion followed on updating the ordinance and raising parking permit fees. Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the Second Quarter 2020. The Department responded to 11 calls (9-Rural: 2 down power lines, missing boater, body recovery, 2 cancelled enroute, car rollover and 2 mutual aid to Granton; 2-City: an apartment fire and LP relief valve); installed storage shelving and replaced the service door at the Fire Hall; updating the Smokey Bear sign; hose testing is completed; toured the new hospital construction before sheet rock was installed; live propane burn training; attended quarterly Community Fire Hall and Rural Fire Association meetings; the City’s equipment is in good shape. The City’s trucks are in good condition; however, the 1978 International is 42 years old (we need to start looking at replacing it) and the 1995 Freightliner is 25 years old (cost of a new fire truck is in the $350,000 to $400,000 range). The Fire Department is still planning their annual steak feed in October. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a certified letter from the Wisconsin Professional Police Association opening contract negotiations for the Neillsville Professional Police Association and the Second Quarter 2020 City Financial statements. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Lisa A. Boyer, Rita J. Donahue, Jennifer E. Lindner, Wendy L. Proffitt, Betty J. Smith, Michael L. Smock Motion Clough, second Harnisch, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Weiers, that City Bills Nos. 622 to 697 in the amount of $448,013.42 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk