City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 13, 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 eight burials at the Cemetery, mulching leaves at the Cemetery and parks, the cement slab, framework done and trusses set on the new Cemetery building, cement floor and sidewalk poured for the new Listeman Park restroom, replaced a light at the Listeman Ballfield, installed a windmill at the Listeman Park pond, the hanging baskets and summer flowers have been removed, Fall decorations installed, a stump was grounded on W. Fourth Street and 24 feet of sidewalk replaced, finished brush trimming roads, hauled brush and compost, street light maintenance, removed the fountain from O’Neill Creek, leaf pickup is under way, the Water Department – dealing with high customer water billings and leak trouble shooting, meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, daily testing and maintenance, the Sewer Department - lift station and plant maintenance, flushing sewer mains, stained the chemical building, poured new steps in the downtown parking lot, Clark County is requesting comments on their Clark County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan which is updated every five years and the City’s Electronics Recycling Event will be held this Friday, October 16, 2020 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Clark Recycling. 6:50 P.M. – Chair Clough declared the Public Hearing on the Proposed Sewer Rate Increase now open. Chair Clough called three times for appearances, there being none. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the Proposal for Sewer Rate Increase as follows: SEWER RATE INCREASE The sewer rate increase is being sought to provide an estimated increase of 7%, or $41,747 per year in gross revenues. The proposed quarterly rates for sewage contributors discharging domestic strength sewage are: Category A Sewer Service Charge Existing Proposed % Increase Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.82 $ 11.58 7% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. $ 8.66 $ 9.27 7% Category B Sewer Service Charge Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.82 $ 11.58 7% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. $ 8.66 $ 9.27 7% Surcharge BOD/lb $ 1.61 $ 1.72 7% Suspended Solids/lb $ 1.04 $ 1.11 7% Phosphorus/lb $ 14.58 $ 15.60 7% Hauler Charges* Charge Per Trip $ 25.00 $ 26.75 7% Holding Tank Charge $ 10.25 $ 10.97 7% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. Septic Tank Charge $ 69.57 $ 74.44 7% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. *Notice all haulers shall provide baskets for waste rag and debris interception prior to cost disposal. General Sewer Service – Unmetered Flat Rate $ 97.44 $104.26 7% This rate shall be applied only to single-family residential customers and approximates the cost for 1,000 cubic feet per quarter discharged to the sewer system. Definitions Category A: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge normal domestic strength  waste water with concentrations of BOD no greater than 271 mg/L, suspended solids no greater than 265 mg/L, or phosphorus no greater than 10 mg/L. Category B: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge with concentration in excess of 271 mg/L of BOD, 265 mg/L of suspended solids, or 10 mg/L of phosphorus. Billing: Bills for sewer service are rendered quarterly and become due and payable on the first of the month following the period for which service is rendered. A late payment charge of 3%, but not less than $0.50 will be added to bills not paid within 20 days of issuance. This late payment charge is applicable to all customers. __________________________________________________________________________ Conversion Factors Million Gallons X 8.34 X Pollutant Concentration (mg/L) = Pounds Cubic Feet X 7.48 = Gallons __________________________________________________________________________ City Clerk Roehl reported that the public hearing notice was in the Clark County Press on September 23, 2020 - no public comments have been received. 6:55 P.M. – Chair Clough declared the Sewer Rate Increase public hearing closed. Chair Clough asked if Commission Members has any further discussion or questions. Motion Murphy, second Perrine, to approve and recommend to the Common Council the sewer rate increase effective for billings after December 1, 2020. On roll call: All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Third Quarter 20202 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 13, 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 September 23, 2020 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session on Police Union contract negotiations – the meeting adjourned in closed session. Council Member Perrine reported on the September 28, 2020 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) 2020 activities of the Recreation Department, 2) 2020 activities of the Parks Department, 3) work on and referral of the proposed 2021 Recreation Department budget to the Finance Committee and 4) work on and referral of the proposed 2021 Parks Department budget to the Finance Committee. Mayor Murphy reported on the October 1, 6, and 8, 2020 meeting of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) presentation of department budgets; 2) work on the 2021 budget; 3) adoption of the Wage Schedule for 2021, 4) reviewed major areas of revenue and expenditure changes and 5) recommendation of budget categories and levy amount of the 2021 budget to the Common Council for Public Hearing Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 7:15 P.M. Total budget $3,691,729 – Proposed Levy including Tax Increment Districts - $1,283,626 – an increase of $79,289. Council Member Harnisch reported on the October 7, 2020 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the three bids received for the 2021 flower and hanging baskets, 2) accepted the low local bid from Yoders Maple Road Greenhouse in the amount of $1,021, 3) discussion on and approval to proceed with a 2020 downtown Christmas Tree decorating contest, with Chamber gift certificates awarded to the top three winners, 4) discussion on Prock Park – electricity to be installed before the holidays, the rock is in progress, the Prock Family representative, Caroline O’Brien, informed the Committee of increasing their donation to $5,000 for landscaping and development and 5) discussion on Mina Ozturk’s information regarding “Monarch City USA”. Council Member Clough reported on the October 13, 2020 Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) a public hearing on sewer rate increase with no appearances, 3) approval and recommendation of the proposed sewer rate increase effective for billings after December 1, 2020 and 4) reviewed the Third Quarter 2020 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Murphy asked it there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (3). SEWER RATE INCREASE The sewer rate increase is being sought to provide an estimated increase of 7%, or $41,747 per year in gross revenues. The proposed quarterly rates for sewage contributors discharging domestic strength sewage are: Category A Sewer Service Charge Existing Proposed % Increase Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.82 $ 11.58 7% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. $ 8.66 $ 9.27 7% Category B Sewer Service Charge Fixed Quarterly Charge $ 10.82 $ 11.58 7% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. $ 8.66 $ 9.27 7% Surcharge BOD/lb $ 1.61 $ 1.72 7% Suspended Solids/lb $ 1.04 $ 1.11 7% Phosphorus/lb $ 14.58 $ 15.60 7% Hauler Charges* Charge Per Trip $ 25.00 $ 26.75 7% Holding Tank Charge $ 10.25 $ 10.97 7% Volume Charge/100 cu.ft. Septic Tank Charge $ 69.57 $ 74.44 7% Volume Charge/100 cu. ft. *Notice all haulers shall provide baskets for waste rag and debris interception prior to cost disposal. General Sewer Service – Unmetered Flat Rate $ 97.44 $104.26 7% This rate shall be applied only to single-family residential customers and approximates the cost for 1,000 cubic feet per quarter discharged to the sewer system. Definitions Category A: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge normal domestic strength waste water with concentrations of BOD no greater than 271 mg/L, suspended solids no greater than 265 mg/L, or phosphorus no greater than 10 mg/L. Category B: Those sanitary sewer users who discharge with concentration in excess of 271 mg/L of BOD, 265 mg/L of suspended solids, or 10 mg/L of phosphorus. Billing: Bills for sewer service are rendered quarterly and become due and payable on the first of the month following the period for which service is rendered. A late payment charge of 3%, but not less than $0.50 will be added to bills not paid within 20 days of issuance. This late payment charge is applicable to all customers. __________________________________________________________________________ Conversion Factors Million Gallons X 8.34 X Pollutant Concentration (mg/L) = Pounds Cubic Feet X 7.48 = Gallons __________________________________________________________________________ Motion Clough, second Harnisch, to accept the recommendation to approve the Sewer Rate Increase effective for billings after December 1, 2020. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $455 Dog Park from the Neillsville Dog Park Committee. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to accept and appropriate $455 to Account No. 57620 Park Outlay and thank the Neillsville Dog Park Committee for its donation. All Aye. Mayor Murphy stated that the next item is COVID-19 pay for the Police Department Secretary. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to refer this matter to the Personnel Committee. All Aye. Mayor Murphy stated that should children be allowed to go Trick-or-Treating. Council Member Neville stated that the Clark County Health Department has put out a Public Health Best Practice guide. City Clerk Roehl stated the current Trick-or-Treat hours were set back in 2011 for 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. on Halloween Day, October 31 each year. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated every household can choose to participate or not, if you want to participate leave your house light on. Discussion followed. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to set the October 31, 2020 Trick-or-Treat hours from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. for this year only. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that based on the discussion at the last Council Meeting she struggled with putting together this draft ordinance amendment, also based on the last discussion, she asked that a copy of Ordinance 8-1-8 3 Hour Parking Areas be made. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the draft Ordinance Amending §8-1-29 Permit Parking. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated permits are issued to registered owners of a vehicle, what if you have two or three vehicles do you have to change your permit every time you use a different vehicle. Council Member Counsell stated the application could identify multiple vehicles. Council Member Clough stated that you should be able to hang the parking permit you paid for in any vehicle that you drive that day. Jim Smagacz, Parking Enforcement Officer, clarified that if a parking permit is not hanging, even though they have one issued, they can be cited. Smagacz stated that when a vehicle is covered by snow, instead of brushing off the vehicle he goes by the license plate number if he knows the vehicle, otherwise he has to asked when he gets back to the office. Council Member Counsell stated that if you don’t have a list of license plates, how are you going to know without running the plate. It’s easy to give your permit to a buddy. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that if you have a vehicle with a permit, but the plate is expired how do you find the owner to get the vehicle moved. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the permit owner is responsible, if you cannot contact them, the vehicle can be towed at the owners’ expense. Mayor Murphy stated that each business owner should get a free parking permit. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that would have to be added to the ordinance. Chief of Police Mankowski asked about City employees at City Hall and the Library. Council Member Clough stated that could be handled as an employment issue. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated an exception should be written in. Council Member Counsell stated that she agrees with Council Member Clough we need an application process to track permit vehicles. Discussion followed on moving vehicles for snow removal, free permits for business owners and 3 Hour Parking Areas. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to set the parking permit fee at $35 per quarter or $120 annually, with only the annual fee being allowed to be prorated on a quarterly basis (½ or ¾). All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on September, 2020 complaints, citations, warnings and business checks. Officer Imm has completed field training and now working on his own. City Clerk Roehl presented the Third Quarter 2020 Financial Statement. Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the Third Quarter 2020. The Department responded to 10 calls (7-Rural: 1 vehicle rollover, mutual aid to Granton for a shed fire, an ATV accident, 2 shed fires, a lawn mower fire and two vehicle accident; 3 – City: a cat rescue, electrical smoke and faulty fire alarm); provided units for the 4th of July fireworks, worked on the 2021 budget, attended the Community Fire Hall and Rural Fire Association meetings. The City’s trucks are in good condition; however, the 1978 International is 42 years old and cannot pass the pump test, the 1995 Freightliner is 25 years old. The Firemen’s Steak Feed on October 3, 2020 served 952 steaks. The firemen will be helping out as crossing guards for Halloween Trick-or Treating. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Penny L. Courtney Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 953 to 1012 in the amount of $324,416.06 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************