City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 27, 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 no burials at the Cemetery, mulching leaves at the Cemetery and parks, the trusses are done and metal roof in progress on the new Cemetery building, winterizing and closing park restrooms, finished landscaping around the windmill at Listeman Park, installed Fall decorations, leaf pick up in progress, the Fire Department burned the brush pile at the old landfill, hauled brush and compost, snow plowed the highway and emergency routes on October 20, 2020, cleaned up downed trees and brush from the winter storm, the Water Department – turned on and inspected the wells, towers and booster heaters, meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, daily testing and maintenance, winterizing plant and hydrants and Friemoth will be on vacation November 7 to 14, 2020. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a request from the Water Department to purchase a LD-15 leak detector at a cost of $3,725.00, from SubSurface Instruments, Inc., DePere, WI. It is a sound amplifier to hear leaking water flow. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to recommend to the Common Council to approve the purchase of a LD-15 leak detector for the Water Department in the amount of $3,725.00. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Murphy, that Water Bills Nos. 253 to 277 in the amount of $55,783.60 and Sewer Bills Nos. 171 to 197 in the amount of $80,621.33 be paid. All Aye. Motion Murphy, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 27, 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 October 19, meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) correction of last meeting minutes – the Yoders Maple Road Greenhouse flower bid should be $1,012.00 not $1,021.00, 2) discussion on the 2020 Christmas Tree Project and 3) discussion on Prock Park. Council Member Harnisch reported on the October 21, 2020 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion of funds, 2) discussion on the previous authorized Historic Preservation Grant to Jeff Kluckhohn and authorization of payment of the $2,500.00 grant from non-lapsing funds, 3) discussion on the October virtual local History & History Preservation Annual Conference, 4) discussion on local interest in the Historic Preservation Commission Grant Program, replenishment of non-lapsing funds, requesting funds from the Listeman Foundation and 5) discussion on the Commission’s 2020 Action Plan and historic property files. Council Member Clough reported on the October 27, 2020 Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on and recommendation to purchase a LD-15 leak detector for the Water Department in the amount of $3,725.00 and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Connie Kirchoff, 15 Huron Street, stated that a neighbor’s dog has been running around for over a year, there has been times she could not get out from her house to her car with the dog barring its teeth. The police officer could not get near him, even when trying to give him food. Something needs to be done. Mayor Murphy stated that the City has ordinances on dogs running. Chief of Police Mankowski stated he is not familiar with the situation, but will contact Kirchoff and figure out a plan. Mayor Murphy asked it there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (2). Motion Clough, second Perrine, to accept the recommendation to purchase a LD-15 leak detector for the Water Department in the amount of $3,725.00. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the following ordinance. ORDINANCE NO. 1063 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING §8-1-29 PERMIT PARKING The Common Council of the City of Neillsville does hereby ordain as follows: Section 8-1-29 shall be amended to read: (a) This section shall have priority over any section conflicting with this section. (b) All City parking lots shall be open to permit parking, except the patron parking lot on the North side of the Neillsville Public Library. There shall be no permit parking allowed on any City streets. Any person obtaining a parking permit can park in any of the available permit parking spots. (c) Parking permits shall be available for purchase through the Neillsville Police Department on a “first come, first serve” basis to a City of Neillsville resident or a business district property owner, manager or employee of a business actively in operation. Each business owner of an actively operating business shall be allowed one free parking permit. (d) Parking permits shall be issued to a specific person who shall only use the permit for a vehicle in which they are the registered owner. (e) Parking permits shall be issued on either a quarterly or annual basis with no proration for a quarterly permit. (f) The cost of the permits and the number of permits shall be set, and may periodically be changed by the Common Council and shall not be pro-rated during the quarter. (g) All vehicles utilizing parking permits must be moved every 72 hours and must contain current license and registration. (h) A parking permit holder shall not be allowed to reassign their permit to any other individual. (i) The parking permit shall be displayed by hanging the same on the rear view mirror while parked. Failure to so display said parking permit shall result in a parking citation being issued. It shall not be a defense to any parking  citation that the vehicle owner had a parking permit but it was not properly displayed. (j) A parking permit shall not give permission to park in a lot if an order of the Chief of Police or Common Council shall prohibit parking in said lot for a period of time. (k) Violation of any of these provisions can cause the owner of the permit to be cited under the general penalties provision and the vehicle will be subject to being towed at the owner’s expense. __________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Counsell, second Clough, that Ordinance No. 1063 be adopted. All Aye. Discussion followed on Ordinance §8-1-8 3 Hour Parking Areas – downtown streets, parking lots and signage. The consensus was for Director of Public Works Friemoth and Chief of Police Mankowski to work up a proposal and bring back their recommended updates. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $5,000.00 from Caroline O’Brien, Prock Family Representative, for Prock Park landscaping and development. Motion Counsell, second Harnisch, to accept and appropriate $5,000.00 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay and to thank the Prock Family for its donation. All Aye. Mayor Murphy stated that the Beautification Committee’s October 7, 2020 minutes stated that “Due to COVID-19 there will not be tree lighting ceremony or Santa at the Gazebo”. Mayor Murphy stated she is not in agreement with this, stating her feelings on how the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa visit could both be done safely and requested permission to move forward. Diane Kren, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, stated that the Chamber did not cancel the Tree Lighting, they were contacted by Santa stated that he would not do it this year and the Chamber was in the process of trying to work things out. They worked hard in the past to get the tree lit all the way to the top. Kren stated we all want respect, we have to be respected, the Chamber did not cancel. The Chamber took over from the City and is happy to do the Tree Lighting event. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the City and Chamber can work together on it. Council Member Clough stated that the City had done it for many years, before it asked the Chamber to take it over. Council Member Harnisch stated that there is a misunderstanding of the Beautification Committee minutes. There was discussion but no vote to cancel the Tree Lighting or Santa visit. They City needs to do what is best for the City of Neillsville, not do what other are doing, don’t compare us to other communities. Mayor Murphy asked what do we have to do to proceed with the event. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated no vote is needed, since there was no motion to cancel the event. Library Director Janay Ziebell stated that the Library does a lot of great things. The Library averages 173 people visits a week. Activities involved – reference questions, computer use, WIFI use, newspapers, periodicals, library cards, story hours, make and take projects, three parking lot programs, teen week read, library lovers’ week, working on hosting a harpist visit and an author visit. We are looking for someone to build us a curio cabinet to have rotating displays. Mayor Murphy stated that she is responding to an email that Council Member Harnisch sent to the City Clerks office. Murphy stated most people do not go to City Hall on a daily basis, citizens can use the mail, drop off box, email or telephone. It is difficult to talk on the telephone with a mask on. In these trying times our employees need to get their job done, they are trying to handle it the best they can and she will not dictate the wearing of masks. Mayor Murphy stated that the Common Council is an essential part of this community. These meetings are televised and need to be heard, people cannot hear through a mask. We are trying to do our best by spreading out as much as possible. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 1013 to 1055 in the amount of $148,083.93 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************