City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 8, 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 Friemoth reported on one burial at the Cemetery, mowing and trimming Cemetery and parks, plumbing and cement work on the new cemetery building, plumbing is finished on the new East Listeman Park restroom, new rocker toy installed at Cliff’s Park, trimming and pruning trees, equipment maintenance, hauling brush and compost, brush mowing roads, Industrial Park and old land fill, storm sewer maintenance, Water Department has finished flushing hydrants, meter reading is in progress, meter change outs and installing radio readouts, a new water service has been bored under Division Street for the new fairgrounds barn, the Sewer Department is doing lift station and plant maintenance, flushing sewer mains, mowing and brushing the O’Neill Creek main, hauling sludge and sludge tank cleaning and maintenance. Angel Gebeau, AECOM Technical Services, Inc., Stevens Point, WI presented sewer rate increase proposals. The City has been notified that the Wisconsin DOT will be doing US Hwy 10 through the City from the stop and go light to the East City limits in 2027. The water main replacement cost estimate is $429,250.00 and sewer main replacement cost estimate is $583,090.75 for a total utility estimate is $1,012,340.75. Gebeau presented a summary of revenue 2000 through 2019 actual and 2020 estimated were reviewed showing a downward water usage trend, due to water saving measures, also affecting sewer revenue. Industrial use is down a lot. A summary of expenses for 2007 through 2019 actual and 2020 estimated were reviewed showing an average increase of 1.9%. Estimated projections for 2019 through 2026 were reviewed. Gebeau continued with projected expenses for 2019 through 2026. The expenses consist of - Operating Expenses, Debt Service and CWF Replacement repayments, Highway 10 Project set aside, Sludge Hauling, Capital Improvements, Collection System Maintenance and Phosphorus Removal. Gebeau continued with projected revenues for 2019 through 2026 with rate increases of 3%, 5% and 7% both with and without the Highway 10 project set-aside. The Sewer Utility would not keep up with the inflation and expenses and revenue projections at the 3% level of rate increase; at the 5% level rate of increase it would keep up with inflation and revenue and expense projections without Highway 10 project set-aside; at the 7% level of rate increase it would match inflation and revenue and expense projection plus a $20,000 annual set aside for the Highway 10 project with a projected shortfall of $384. Discussion followed on capital improvement project (CIP), phosphorus removal cost and the 2027 Highway 10 project. Gebeau recommended the 5% level of rate increase at the bare minimum. Motion Murphy, second Neville, to recommend to the Common Council to proceed with the process for a 7% sewer rate increase. All Aye. Jerilyn St. Amand, Sunset Place, asked if this proposed rate increase is due to the new hospital. Chair Clough responded no. Motion Weiers, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 7:05 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 August 25, 2020 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session non union employee wages-the meeting adjourned in closed session. Council Member Counsell reported on the September 3, 2020 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) election of Graeme Williams as President, 2) appointments to committees to fill spots left by resignations and 3) discussion and authorization to create a sliding scale for the position of Assistant Librarian with a sliding scale of $10 to $12 per hour based on experience and education. Mayor Murphy reported on the September 3, 2020 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the Beautification Committee’s recommendation to name the new park at 1710 Black River Road “Prock Park” and the recommendation to name the new park “Prock Park”, 2) discussion on the Beautification Committee’s recommendation to install a decorate metal arch with the words Prock Park on top-action on the arch tabled and 3) discussion on moving the Neillsville Dog Park into Listeman Park plus guidelines and other concerns-action on the location change tabled. Council Member Clough reported on the September 8, 2020 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) presentation by Angel Gebeau, AECOM, of the sewer rate study and 3) the recommendation to proceed with the process for a 7% sewer rate increase. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Murphy swore in Luke J. Friemoth as City Neillsville Director of Public Works. Jerilyn St. Amand, Sunset Place, stated that she is a dog owner and she has concerns and reservations about the proposed dog park location in Listeman Park. Based on personal experiences the fairgrounds would be a better location and people do not license and train their dogs. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Planning Commission item (1). Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation to name the new park at 1710 Black River Road “Prock Park”. All Aye. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (3). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to proceed with the process for a 7% sewer rate increase. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $1,000 donation from the Marguerite Listeman Foundation for Christmas decorations. Motion Counsell, second Weiers, to accept and appropriate $1,000 to Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations and to thank the Listeman Foundation for the donation. All Aye. Mayor Murphy presented a request from the Neillsville Fire Department to close W. Eighth Street from Grand Avenue to Hewett Street and West Street from W. Eighth Street to the rear parking lot of the Brickyard Bar & Grill for their steak feed fundraiser on October 3, 2020 from approximately 3:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. Motion Counsell, second Harnisch, to grant the Neillsville Fire Department request to close W. Eighth Street from Grand Avenue to Hewett Street and West Street from W. Eighth Street to the rear parking lot of the Brickyard’s Bar & Grill for their steak feed fundraiser on October 3, 2020 from approximately 3:00 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. All Aye. Council Member Neville introduced Brianna Roehl and Mandy Krejci. Neville asked them to give their dog park proposal, they were never told they had to go through the Planning Commission. Brianna Roehl, 202 W. Fifteenth Street, presented drawings of the proposed dog park within Listeman Park. The fencing would be 25 feet from the children and toy area, it would have both a large and small dog area with entrance gates and a maintenance entrance for equipment. Brianna Roehl stated most people don’t know about the current dog park location by the old City dump and sewer treatment facility. The current location has issues - it is not fenced in, wild animals run through, smell from the compost, the road is rough and not open in the winter, not handicapped assessable, lacks water for both the people and dogs, it’s a capped old landfill and an approach cannot be dug in. Brianna Roehl stated the proposal location in Listeman Park, provides a family oriented site, which is under used, a hidden gem, Boon Construction has donated a culvert to help with the wetness in the area. The Committee is looking to fundraise $15,000 for the fence, benches and shade. Currently there are 265 dogs licensed within the City. Dog park rules would have to be set similar to Eau Claire and Marshfield. Brianna Roehl stated that she checked with the City of Eau Claire and last year in their two separate dog parks they had 17 cases reported with only 6 involving dogs. The Neillsville Retirement Center is in full support of the dog park location. Over the Labor Day holiday weekend she did an online poll and 71 responses would like to see the dog park moved. Council Member Counsell asked if the Listeman Foundation was contacted. Brianna Roehl stated she had talked with Ben Urlaub, Listeman Foundation and he verbally said it was okay, nothing in writing, but a $2,500 donation has been received. Mayor Murphy stated that the Listeman Foundation does not own the park, the City does. Brianna Roehl stated the dog park started with Linda Holets and a fundraiser at the CART Center and over $3,000 plus a culvert have been raised. Council Member Neville thanked Brianna Roehl, stating a lot of people were for it, it’s a great location, the Dog Park Committee has researched every inch of the City, for a location. Natalie Erpenbach, 1015 W. Fifth Street, stated that she saw the dog park article in the Clark County Press, and after all that Prock Park went through, she questioned if the new park location would fall under the Planning Commission, too. It is still part of the Planning Commission’s responsibility. Let the Commission do its work, we need to get there, everyone is trying to do their best for the City. Council Member Clough stated that he has been aware of this for a while, but thought that the dog park was still in the planning stages, he applauds the work that has been done, now we have to go through the process. Mayor Murphy stated that she knows there is a lot of people against it, it won’t be resolved at the next Council meeting, it is going to take some time. Mandy Krejci stated we went to the Park and Recreation and got their blessing, we want everyone to know what is going on, this started in 2015. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the group has been trying to put this together, the reason there is no fence at the current dog park is lack of funds raised. Council Member Neville stated that dogs aren’t allowed to run in a City park, without a fence the old location should be shut down. Mayor Murphy read First Ward Council Member Joseph F. Weiers Letter of Resignation effective September 8, 2020. Motion Neville, second Clough, to sadly accept First Ward Council Member Joseph F. Weiers Letter of Resignation effective September 8, 2020 and to thank him for his two years (2018 to 2020) of service to the City of Neillsville. Council Member Weiers abstained. All other members - Aye. Motion carried. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on August, 2020 complaints, citations, warnings, business checks and in-office contacts. Officer Hunter Imm scheduled for sole patrol on September 14, 2020 and Officer Guyer has begun field training. Tavern Operator’s License Applications Dominque C. Glassbrenner Motion Clough, second Counsell, to grant. Council Member Neville abstained. All other members - Aye. Motion carried. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that City Bills Nos. 855 to 897 in the amount of $69,952.72 be paid. All Aye. Mayor Murphy presented Joseph F. Weiers with a plaque for 2 years (2018-2020) as First Ward Council Member and thanked him for his service to the City of Neillsville. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk