City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 10, 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. Chair Clough presented Director of Public Works Friemoth’s reported on no burials at the Cemetery, mulching leaves at the Cemetery and parks, vacuumed leaves in Cemetery, took down Halloween decoration, installed Christmas trees in downtown pots, roughed in office walls, installed windows, started on soffit, facia and sidewalls on the new Cemetery building, on the second round of leaf pick up, patching potholes, hauling brush and compost, the Water Department – winterizing hydrants, meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, daily testing and maintenance exercising valves and installed a new sulfur scale, the Sewer Department – lift station and plant maintenance, a sewer back up on Hill Street due to root blockage, daily testing and E. Second Street lift station upgrades-inside piping, top hatch and wiring upgrades. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 10, 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. Council Member Harnisch stated that he was the second on the Prock Family Park donation instead of Council Member Clough at the October 27, 2020 Common Council meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved as corrected. Mayor Murphy reported on the November 5, 2020 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) the Firemen’s water fight will be July 11, 2021 after the parade downtown on West Street, 2) the Richie Yurkovich Band is available on July 11, 2021 to perform after the parade downtown in the tent, 3) discussion and approval to book the Thunderstruck Band for the 2021 event at a cost of $5,000 and 4) discussion on other events and ideas. Mayor Murphy reported on the November 9, 2020 joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding a joint session per Sec. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds, or the conducting of other specified public business, as long as competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session – the joint meeting adjourned in closed session. City Clerk Roehl reported on the November 10, 2020 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session on the Water Foreman, Utility Operator #1, Utility Operator #2, Public Works Operator and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer positions, 2) reconvening into open session, 3) the recommendation to internally post all the City Utility positions that open up, 4) the recommendation to regretfully accept Deputy Clerk- Treasurer Barbara Boyer’s Letter of Retirement Resignation in April, 2021 and to thank her for her eight years of service (2013-2021) to the City of Neillsville, and 5) to recommend to the Common Council to internally post the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer’s position. All Aye. Council Member Clough reported on the November 10, 2020 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee items (3, 4 and 5). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to internally post all the City Utility positions that open up. Council Member Counsell asked about advertising the positions. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the Personnel Committee wants to find out if there are any current employees who are interested in the positions first. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to regretfully accept Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Barbara Boyer’s Letter of Resignation in April, 2021 and thank her for eight years of service (2013-2021) to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Perrine, to accept the recommendation to internally post the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer’s position. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a 2020 Budget Amendment Transfer Request to transfer from Health Insurance (savings because of police officers’ vacancies) to Assessment of Property (for the 2021 Citywide Assessment Revaluation) and Street Construction (to cover W. Fourth Street-Sunset Place to Ferguson Street cost over runs). This is a one-time opportunity to adjust these funds without impacting either the 2020 or 2021 budget negatively. Discussion followed. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to authorize a 2020 Budget Amendment Transfer from Account No. 51973 Hospital Insurance Expense ($-62,500) to Account No. 51530 Assessment of Property ($+37,500) and Account No. 57330 Street Construction Outlay ($+25,000). All Aye. Council Member Neville stated that the City needs to close its current dog park by the old wastewater treatment plant until it is either fenced or a new dog park location is found. Council Member Clough questioned why. Council Member Neville stated our City Ordinances do not allow dogs to run at large and there is no fencing. Motion Neville, second Clough, to close the current City dog park. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the 2021 dental insurance renewal from Humana Dental. The Employee plan premium is increasing from $38.20 to $40.07 or $1.87 per month (4.9%). The Employee and Spouse plan premium is increasing from $76.40 to $80.15 or $3.75 per month (4.9%). The Employee and Child plan premium is increasing from $106.65 to $111.44 or $4.79 per month (4.5%). The Family plan premium is increasing from $146.85 to $153.51 or $6.66 per month (4.5%). The monthly overall increase is 4.6%. Motion Perrine, second Neville, to approve the 2021 Dental Insurance contract renewal with Humana Dental as presented. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the City of Neillsville was awarded a State of Wisconsin Route to Recovery Grant Program allocation of $39,169.69 (adjusted amount) for COVID-19 related goods and services provided. The expenditure period deadline is November 18, 2020. To date City-wide we have used $25,065.52, leaving an unused balance of $14,104.17. Clark County has exceeded their County allotment. If the City wants, we can transfer our unused funds to Clark County. County Clerk Christina Jensen has confirmed the Clark County would accept the transfer. Roehl recommended keeping the funds locally within the County, instead of returning them to the State of Wisconsin. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to authorize the transfer of any unused Route to Recovery Grant Program funds to Clark County, Wisconsin. All Aye. 7:15 P.M.-Mayor Murphy declared the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2021 Budget for the City now open. CITY OF NEILLSVILLE 2021 CITY BUDGET EXPENDITURES AND CONTINGENCY Operations and Maintenance General Government – 51000 $ 1,021,414 Public Safety – 52000 724,125 Public Works – 53000 784,569 Health & Human Services – 54000 82,884 Culture, Recreation, Education – 55000 317,903 Conservation & Development – 56000 45,255 Total Operations and Maintenance $ 2,976,150 Capital Outlay – 57000 115,175 Debt Service – 58000 510,362 Contingency – 34000 90,042 Total Expenditures and Contingency $ 3,691,729 LESS: REVENUES OTHER THAN FROM PROPERTY TAXES Taxes – 41000 $ 271,214 Special Assessments – 42000 3,157 Intergovernmental Revenues – 43000 1,257,203 Licenses & Permits – 44000 10,675 Fines, Forfeits & Penalties – 45000 28,000 Public Charges for Services – 46000 274,222 Intergovernmental Charges for Services – 47000 78,292 Miscellaneous Revenues – 48000 33,268 Other Financing Sources – 49000 130,800 Total Revenue $ 2,086,831 General Funds Applied 376,405 Total Revenue and Funds Applied $ 2,463,236 Proposed City Levy $ 1,228,493 Less: Computer State Aid <4,113> Net City Levy Before TIDs $ 1,224,380 PLUS: Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) 59,246 Net City Levy $ 1,283,626 Proposed Local Tax Rate $11.147474 per thousand. The City Clerk reported that the proposed 2021 General Fund Budget of $3,691,729 is higher than the Consumer Price Index (1.4%) and lower than the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Expenditure Restraint Program (1.4%) guidelines. The proposed 2020 tax levy of $1,224,380 without TIDs exceeds the State’s levy limit requirement of 0% plus net new construction (0.000%) of $-0-; however the Finance Committee has recommended approving levy limit adjustment increase: Section D, Line E ($158,362) for Debt Service Levy for general obligation debt authorized after July 1, 2005 - this would bring the City into compliance with the allowable levy limit for the City. Mayor Murphy called for appearances. Mayor Murphy called three times for appearances, there being none. 7:21 P.M. – The Budget Hearing was declared closed. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to approve the Levy Limit Section D, Line E adjustment for Debt Service Levy for general obligation debt authorized after July 1, 2005 ($158,362). On roll call: All Aye. Motion Clough, second Neville, to adopt the 2021 City Budget of $3,691,729 with $1,283,626 to be placed on the 2020 Tax Roll. On roll call: All Aye. Mayor Murphy thanked the Common Council members and City Clerk Treasurer for all their work throughout the budget process. City Clerk Roehl presented Suzanne Schoen’s, Clark County Social Services, report thanking the City for is partnership and support of the taxi services. For 2021, the City has budgeted 7,925 hours for the Neillsville Taxi and Clark County has budgeted 3,600 hours for the County Taxi. The 2021 Federal and State Aid reimbursement rate is 55.35% through the Section 53.11 program. The remaining cost split is 69% City and 31% County. Both taxi services provided by Abby Vans who was selected through a Request for Proposal process in 2017. Ridership for the City in 2019 was 11,831 or 33 trips per day and ridership for 2020 is projected to be about the same. The total local share cost is estimated at $126,118 (City - $87,021; County - $29,097). Schoen is asking for the City’s approval for submission of the 2021 taxi grant application jointly with Clark County and support of the City cost share. Motion Clough, second Harnisch, to approve submission of the 2021 taxi grant application jointly with Clark County and support of the City’s cost share. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on October, 2020 complaints, citations, warnings and business checks. Officer Guyer is scheduled to complete field training by the end of the year, part-time police officer interviews are requested in December and he has contacted Connie Kirchoff involving neighbors’ dogs running at large and he will continue to follow up. City Clerk Roehl presented a First Notice of Non-Compliance from the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Supervisor of Equalization, Wausau District Office notifying the City that they have four consecutive years of non-compliance. The City is required to be at full value assessment (between 90% and 110%) at least once every five years. The City assessment ratio has dropped the last four years from 88.25% in 2017 to 80.04% in 2020. The City has planned for and budgeted for a total assessment revaluation in 2021. Motion Neville, second Harnisch, that City Bills Nos. 1056 to 1105 in the amount of $83,469.76 be paid. All Aye. Mayor Murphy announced a closed session per Sec. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds, or the conducting of other specified public business, as long as competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, and may reconvene into open session. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to invite City Attorney Wachsmuth and City Clerk- Treasurer Rex R. Roehl to remain for the closed session. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to go into closed session per Sec. 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds, or the conducting of other specified public business, as long as competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, and may reconvene into open session. On roll call: All Aye. CLOSED SESSION Motion Neville, second Counsell, to adjourn in closed session. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************