City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JULY 28, 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 four burials at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance, mowing and trimming Cemetery and parks, watering flowers, mowing residential properties, trimming and pruning trees, chipping brush, took down a large maple tree on W. Fourth Street, working on a large tree on Court Street, maintaining street lighting, filling potholes, hauling brush and compost, street sweeping, placed a storm sewer manhole, 12 feet of curb and gutter, 180 feet of 15 inch pipe on E. Eighth Street, cleaned up the Willow Street project area, street line painting, the MW4 landfill well is planned for replacement this fall, the Airport will have military equipment on site August 10 to 20, 2020 for training, the Sewer Plant and lift station maintenance, plans are in the works for two lift station electric panel rehabs, upgrading the main panel at the Sewer Plant and pipelining on Clay Street-cost $194,532.00 and Water Department adding radio readouts. Angel Gebeau, AECOM Technical Services, Inc., Stevens Point, WI presented the Neillsville Water Resource Investigation report identifying potential well sites for future development for municipal water supply wells. Upon review of the Wisconsin Geological Natural History and DNR geological logs and well construction reports databases of 300 wells in the area. These are no out wash areas near the City, a distance from the City in quarry areas to the Southwest, reveal seven potential water supply areas. Director of Public Works Flynn asked Gebeau to explain the next steps in the well process. Gebeau stated the next steps would be to approach landowners for the permission to do exploratory borings, do the borings, test the water, purchase the land to protect the site reserving if for the future. Mayor Murphy asked how soon we needed to take action. Gebeau stated currently there are no issues, but your current wells are located on a quarry. Council Member Counsell asked if there are any restrictions on where you can or cannot drill a well. Gebeau stated that is has not been an issue in Wisconsin, however you have to disclose that you are drilling for a municipal water supply source. Council Member Weiers stated that all the potential sites are below Poertner Road. Gebeau stated there are no existing out wash source close to the City. Director of Public Works Flynn stated our current transmission line and treatment plant are south of the City, to look north of the City, even if you found a water source the cost for a second treatment plant and transmission line would be very costly. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to recommend to the Common Council to except and file the Neillsville Water Resource Investigation report as presented. All Aye. Henry Berry, Ratsch Engineering Company, Ltd., stated that the City had a very good bidder turnout for the Cemetery shop building-10 general contractors and 12 subcontractors bid-resulting in four separate bid contracts. Berry stated that Erickson Construction, Neillsville was the second low bidder, but he did not put in the deducts. Erickson was still $15,000 higher than the lowest General Construction bid. Erickson’s bid did have the lowest plumbing subcontractor, however this has been withdrawn. Berry stated that the low bids he would recommend are: General Construction-Americon, Tomah/Sparta $268,350.00 Alt. Bid #4 Delete Asphalt Paving - 10,900.00 Alt. Bid #5 Change Steel Header to LVL - 3,500.00 Alt Bid #6 Delete Grass Seading - 1,000.00 Net $252,950.00 Plumbing-Suda Plumbing, Loyal $ 25,985.00 HVAC-Jakel Plumbing, Heating & Electrical, Abbotsford 36,577.00 Electrical-Next Generation Electrical, LLC, Greenwood 19,000.00 Subtotal $ 334,512.00 Contingency 7,201.30 Engineering and State Fees-Ratsch Engineering, Company, Ltd 18,286.70 Total $360,000.00 Berry stated the General Construction deducts #4 and #6 can be done in house by the City and deduct #5 is okay-he prefers steel headers. We are right at the funding amount. The City could cancel all bids and rebid; but there is no reason to-all bids are good. Council Member Harnisch asked how the contractors are screen. Berry stated that he has worked with many of them in the past, many have been around for years and references have been checked. Mayor Murphy stated if you prefer a steel header-is it a better product. Berry stated not in this case, you don’t have many windows, therefore you have more wall support. Motion Counsell, second Harnisch, to recommend to the Common Council that the Ratsch Engineering Company, Ltd recommendation that the Cemetery Building bid accepted as follows: General Construction-Americon, Tomah/Sparta $252,950.00 Plumbing-Suda Plumbing, Loyal 25,985.00 HVAC-Jakel Plumbing, Heating & Electrical, Abbotsford 36,577.00 Electrical-Next Generation Electrical, LLC, Greenwood 19,000.00 All Aye. Motion Weiers, second Murphy, that Water Bills Nos. 175 to 209 in the amount of $138,006.05 and Sewer Bills Nos. 123 to 142 in the amount of $96,143.78 be paid. All Aye. Motion Murphy, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JULY 28, 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. Council Member Harnisch reported on the July 15, 2020 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on funding, 2) discussion on and approval of the Commission’s Action Plan, 3) received a “Certificate of Appropriations” form for minor exterior replacement at 218 Clay Street, 4) discussion on reporting requirements, 5) discussion on updating historic property listing, 6) discussion on a request for expense reimbursement and 7) discussion on the updated City website adding the Commission Application forms, communicating with historic property owners and Wisconsin Historical Society available information. Council Member Harnisch reported on the July 21, 2020 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) Librarians’ reports, 2) discussion on and approval of Reopening Protocol Phase 2, 3) election of officers: Nancy Kopp, President, Julie Counsell, Vice President, Maggie Gelhaus, Secretary, 4) discussion on and appointment of committee, 5) payment of bills and 6) update on donation and carryover funds. Mayor Murphy reported on the July 23, 20202 meeting of the Commission of Economic Development regarding: 1) discussion on, review of and recommendation to grant City of Neillsville COVID-19 Small Business Grants of a $1,000 each to the following businesses: Home Grown Goods, LLC, Foster Primary Eye Care LTD, Schmitty’s on Main, Fringe Benefits Complete Salon, Drippy Creek Saloon II, plus a City of Neillsville COVID-19 Small Business Grant of $812.60 to the Vac Shop. Mayor Murphy reported on the July 23, 2020 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to release deed restrictions on City of Neillsville Parcel No. 261.0984.000 and 261.0986.000 (northeast corner of Court Street and E. Seventh Street), owned by Clark County, as they will be sold and go back on the City of Neillsville tax roll and 2) discussion on the Beautification Committee’s recommendation for the future Prock Park designs-signs, flowers and shrubs, power pole, flag pole, water on site, arch and a large rock, plus yearly Christmas tree and 3) the recommendation to accept designs discussed, excluding Dolly Madison verbiage and arch, plus adding operation and dates to the plaque. Council Member Clough reported on the July 28, 2020 meeting of the Commission on Public Works Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) presentation, discussion on and recommendation to accept and file the Neillsville Water Resource Investigation report prepared by AECOM Technical Services, 3) presentation, discussion on and recommendation to accept the Ratsch Engineering Company, Ltd recommendation that the Cemetery Building bids be accepted as followed: General Construction-Americon, Tomah/Sparta-$252,900.00; Plumbing-Suda Plumbing, Loyal-$25,985.00; HVAC-Jakel Plumbing, Heating & Electrical, Abbotsford-$36,577.00; and Electrical-Next Generation Electrical, LLC, Greenwood-$19,000.00 and 4) payment of bills. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand, Sunset Place, thanked Council Member Harnisch for asking questions on studies and contracts, are there any grant for rural communities and has anyone checked for them, at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday a band was playing and people enjoy the accordian and organ music and an outdoor fundraiser was held at the Fairgrounds for the Clark County Mounted Search Team and K-9 Officer. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Economic Development Commission item. Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to grant City of Neillsville COVID-19 Small Business Grants of a $1000 each to the following businesses: Home Grown Goods Company, LLC, Foster Primary Eye Care LTD, Schmitty’s on Main, Fringe Benefits Complete Salon, Drippy Creek Saloon II, plus a City of Neillsville COVID-19 Small Business Grant of $812.60 to the Vac Shop. All Aye. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Planning Commission items (1 and 3). Motion Weiers, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to release deed restrictions on City of Neillsville Parcels Nos. 261.0984.000 and 261.0986.000 (northeast corner of Court Street and E. Seventh Street), owned by Clark County, as they will be sold and go back on the City of Neillsville tax roll. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to accept the designs discussed for the future Prock Park, excluding the Dolly Madison verbiage and arch, plus adding operational dates to the plaque. All Aye Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Commission of Public Works/Utilities (2 and 3). Motion Neville, second Harnisch, to accept the recommendation that Ratsch Engineering Company, Ltd recommendation that the Cemetery Building bids be accepted as presented. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 606 RESOLUTION EXTENDING PUBLIC HEALTH LEAVE TO CITY EMPLOYEES WHEREAS, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is contagious, and at times fatal respiratory disease, with an extreme risk of person-to-person transmission and significantly affects the lives and health of citizens, as well as the economy, and is a disaster that impacts the health, safety and security of the public; and, WHEREAS, on 01/30/2020 the World Health Organization has designated COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern, and on 01/31/2020 the United States Health and Human Services Secretary has declared a public health emergency for the entire United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, on 03/11/2020 the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 outbreak to be a pandemic; and, WHEREAS, on 03/12/2020 the Governor of the State of Wisconsin declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 through Executive Order #72; and, WHEREAS, on 03/13/2020 the President of the United States declared a national emergency with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic; and, WHEREAS, COVID-19 is likely to or is expected to impact the City of Neillsville; and on March 24, 2020, the City of Neillsville passed a resolution Declaring a State of Emergency in the City of Neillsville; and, WHEREAS, it is necessary for the protection of the health, safety, well-being and good order of the City of Neillsville to protect its citizens and employees; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Neillsville grants its employees a bank of additional days of paid leave to be used if directly impacted by COVID-19. This leave will be considered Public Health Leave and is limited to use only during the COVID-19 public health emergency as follows: 1. Public Health Leave is not guaranteed and may be changed or discontinued at the discretion of the Mayor or City Council. Public Health Leave is also subject to immediate change at the City’s discretion due to changes in state/federal legislation. 2. All full-time employees shall be eligible for 80 hours of Public Health Leave. The children’s librarian shall be eligible for 64 hours of Public Health Leave.  3. Public Health Leave can be used if the employee is unable to work or telecommute due to COVID-19 related reason, such as illness/symptoms, quarantine, child care, temporary leave issued by a supervisor, etc. This resolution shall be in effect from April 1, 2020 until January 12, 2021, unless terminated sooner by the Mayor or City Council, or until a subsequent superseding resolution is issued. ___________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Motion Clough, second Neville, that Resolution No. 606 be adopted. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 607 RESOLUTION EXTENDING RAISE TO POLL WORKERS DURING COVID-19 WHEREAS, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is contagious, and at times fatal respiratory disease, with an extreme risk of person-to-person transmission and significantly affects the lives and health of citizens, as well as the economy, and is a disaster that impacts the health, safety and security of the public; and, WHEREAS, on 01/30/2020 the World Health Organization has designated COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern, and on 01/31/2020 the United States Health and Human Services Secretary has declared a public health emergency for the entire United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, on 03/11/2020 the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 outbreak to be a pandemic; and, WHEREAS, on 03/12/2020 the Governor of the State of Wisconsin declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 through Executive Order #72; and, WHEREAS, on 03/13/2020 the President of the United States declared a national emergency with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic; and, WHEREAS, many of Neillsville’s poll workers fall into a category of vulnerable adults to the COVID-19 virus; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Neillsville shall pay its poll workers an additional $2.00 per hour above their regular poll worker rate during any elections which occur after the passing of this resolution, as a form of hazard pay in that they are required to be in close proximity with numerous members of the public on election days during the COVID-19 public health crisis, causing imminent risk to their health and safety. ___________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Motion Neville, second Weiers, that Resolution 607 be adopted. Council Member Clough and Harnisch abstained. All other members -Aye. Motion carried. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the following ordinance. ORDINANCE NO. 1062 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING §3-4-1 BURNING OF TRASH AND REFUSE The Common Council of the City of Neillsville does hereby ordain as follows: The index to Title 3, Chapter 4 shall be changed to read: §3-4-1 Outdoor Fires Section 3-4-1 is hereby amended to read as follows: SEC. 3-4-1 OUTDOOR FIRES (a) No person shall burn any brush, grass, rubbish, trash, rubber, plastic, leather or garbage on or in any street, alley, road, land, public grounds or private lot, except that a person can burn charcoal or firewood in a secured ground fire pit or can burn with a commercially sold outdoor gas or charcoal grill, gas fireplace, gas fire pit or gas fire table on a private lot. (b) Outdoor fires, except commercially sold grills, gas fire places, fire pits and fire tables, shall be located in a fire pit or other nonflammable containment no larger than 48”, and shall not be located closer than 20 fee to other flammable and combustible objects, such as wood fences, open fields, standing brush, dried grass, structures, patios/decks, outbuildings and similar improvements or hazards. (c) Outdoor fires shall be attended at all times and shall be extinguished if not attended. (d) Smoke complaints as a result of an outdoor fire shall be grounds for extinguishment. (e) Any private lot maintaining an outdoor fire shall have a water source on the property for purposes of extinguishing the fire. ___________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Discussion followed as the smoldering fires and smoke complaints being grounds for extinguishment and who would enforce it, the difference between digging a hole for “an in-ground” to “a secured ground” firepit. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Ordinance No. 1062 be adopted as amended. All Aye. Discussion on changing the parking permit fee and ordinance. City Clerk Roehl presented the Security Health contract renewal notice for 2020-2021. The Family active plan premium is remaining the same at $1,961.17 per month-0.0% increase. The Single active plan premium is remaining the same at $905.56 per month-0.0% increase. The current deductible is $3,000 to $6,000. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the health insurance contract renewal with Security Health Plan for 2020-2021. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $500 Dog Park donation from Darlene Kenowski. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept and appropriate $500 to Account No. 57620 Park Outlay and to thank Darlene Kenowski for her donation. All Aye. Mayor Murphy on behalf of the City Council extended condolences to St. Mary’s Catholic Church members on the sudden death of Father Varkey Joseph on July 21, 2020. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Jennie L. Gereau Motion Clough, second Harnisch, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 698 to 764 in the amount of $106,929.08 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************