City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 12, 2021 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, plowing and hauling snow, sanding, the electrical is finished, waiting on garage door rails at the new Cemetery building, equipment maintenance, mixed salt and sand pile, hauling brush and compost, burnt brush pile, picking up Christmas trees, the Water Department – meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, daily testing and maintenance, cleaning wells and booster station and replaced the furnace heat exchanger at the Water Department under warranty, the Sewer Department – lift station and plant maintenance, the sewer main lining on Clay Street is complete, daily testing, the new hospital has completed the under the river boring and working on the lift station, reminder that the City brush dump is for City residents only, don’t put snow on the roadway or push it across the road and the work on the southside of US Hwy 10 by the bridge is being done by Charter Communications for the new hospital. Motion Murphy, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 12, 2021 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 January 7, 2021 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) five people appearing in support of Police Chief Mankowski, 2) discussion on and authorized scheduling interviews for part-time police officers as soon as possible, 3) discussion on hiring a full-time police officer, 4) a closed session per Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(b) for the purpose of considering the demotion, dismissal, licensing, discipline or tenure of a public employee or a person licensed by a board or commission in regard to complaints against the Police Chief, 5) reconvening into open session and 6) approved the motion that the Police and Fire Commission has reviewed the complaints received based on the Seven Criteria for Determining “Just Cause” standard under Wis. Stats. 62.13(6m) criteria, the Police and Fire Commission does not find that the complaints received warrant dismissal or suspension, the Police and Fire Commission will not proceed with further action, the complaints are dismissed. Council Member Clough reported on the January 12, 2021 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that in the unofficial Police and Fire Commission meeting minutes, there were two pages of public appearances not read tonight, you keep talking about TV and zoom, people can’t or don’t want to be here, people have eyes and can observe things, you are looking at buying the BMO Bank building for a new city hall, you have streets in need of repair, the Chief of Police should be reimbursed for his legal fees for fighting these unfounded complaints, which has divided the community and dragged his name through the mud, some people say things at their place of business, CVTC taxes went up and they hold no classes here. Council Member Harnisch reported on listening to a League of Wisconsin Municipalities Webinar on going virtual with meetings and presented a listing of webinar highlights. The League urged updating of the law to reflect technology changes and actual practices. Harnisch stated everyone can go to the League’s website and watch the webinar, think about this further for the next meeting. Council Member Counsell stated she would like to see how much the cost is, how do we make sure access is available, the City does not have an IT Department, who is going to help with problems. Mayor Murphy stated that a lot of people watch the Council meetings on television. Chief of Police Mankowski presented a request from Police Department employees to carryover 2020 unused holiday and vacation time, since personnel shortages and COVID-19 matters have not allowed for time to be taken off. City Clerk Roehl stated that James Mankowski (24 hours), Brett Chwala (20.5 hours), Isaac Guyer (18.5 hours) and Ben Zawislan (40 hours) have a total of 103 unused hours. In the past the carryover had to be used within thirty days, however due to the continuing staff shortage 90 days may be more appropriate. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to allow Police Department employees to carryover their unused 2020 vacation and holiday hours to 2021, to be used within 90 days. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski presented a request for hiring a full-time police officer. Council Member Counsell stated that the Council approved the 2021 budget which included the funding for the position. Do we still have to approve the position every time. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated usually the Common Council approves hiring for a position and the Personnel Committee handles it, in this case the Common Council has to authorize the hiring and the Police and Fire Commission has to handle it. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to authorize the hiring of a full-time police officer. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl stated that Resolution No. 606 - Resolution Extending Public Health Leave to City Employees adopted on July 28, 2020 expires today, January 12, 2021. Does the Council wish to extend this. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to extend Resolution No. 606 until June 8, 2021 resetting the 80 hours for full-time employees and 64 hours for the Children’s Librarian. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl stated that Resolution No. 607 - Resolution Extending Raise to Poll Workers During COVID-19 adopted July 28, 2020 expires today, January 12, 2021. Does the Council wish to extend this. Motion Perrine, second Neville, to extend Resolution No. 607 until June 8, 2021 paying an additional $2.00 per hour above their regular poll worker rate. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl stated that the Common Council on August 17, 2020 extended the Clerk- Treasurer’s office personnel $2.00 per hour hazard pay increase until January 12, 2021. Does the Council wish to extend this. Motion Neville, second Perrine, to extend the Clerk-Treasurer’s office personnel $2.00 per hour hazardous pay increase to June 8, 2021. All Aye. Fire Chief Meyer stated that the Fire Department does semi-annual fire inspections of commercial buildings. Inspector Robert Schultz inspected the White Pines (Old Merchants Hotel) building and they had a City building permit to redo some apartments, which they had torn apart. Schultz had concerns so Meyer revisited with him. In the second round of inspections in December, 2020 not a lot had been done and the City building permit was going to expire. The property was re-inspected on January 7, 2021 and the situation has not changed. Fire Chief Meyer stated on January 11, 2021 the White Pines, 105 W. Seventh Street, Ladd Elmhorst, owner, building was re-inspected by City Fire Inspector Schultz, Fire Chief Meyer, Director of Public Works Friemoth, Wisconsin Fire Prevention Coordinator Rick Sommerfeld and Wisconsin State Building Inspector Lucas Dederich. Fire Chief Meyer stated due to the condition of the building an evacuation order was issued and posted at 5:00 P.M. on January 11, 2021 and everyone was out by 7:00 P.M. No one is allowed to sleep in the building, no entry is allowed into the building, except to get out personal property during arranged times. Mayor Murphy stated that the important thing is that the people are safe and secure. Fire Chief Meyer stated the Salvation Army and Red Cross were contacted, four people were put up in a motel, the others went to family or friends. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the City has to check, so no one is going back in, they can’t stay there. Chief of Police Mankowski questioned the liability, we don’t have building access, it is the landlord’s responsibility to see that no one is going in. Council Member Counsell questioned the next step. Director or Public Works Friemoth stated they have to have an engineer draw up plans, submit them to state for approval, they can do nothing without that approval, it will not happen over night. City Attorney Wachsmuth states that the City placarded the property, the City said it is not safe, the City could be liable if someone gets in and gets hurt. Chief of Police Mankowski stated it is not City property, the landlord has been told to set hours for the people to get in and get their stuff, it is not our responsibility. Fire Chief Meyer stated people are going in with their keys, they have been told to make arrangements with the landlord, hasps could be put on exterior doors. Council Member Counsell asked if the City can tell the landlord to put locks on the doors. Discussion on state law, liability issues, allowing people to access, etc. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the building is placarded, the landlord cannot give someone permission to stay in there overnight, they can get in to get their stuff by appointment, but that is all. Other communities often put on the door locks. Chief of Police Mankowski stated emotions are high with the tenants and property owners, the property owner has a caretaker involved, lets come back in two weeks with a plan. It gives the tenant two weeks to get their stuff out, the landlord can set hours for pickup and the property owner is responsible. Mayor Murphy read the following: PROCLAMATION Whereas, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the operations of the City of Neillsville on a daily basis since March 2020; and, Whereas, City Clerk Rex Roehl and his amazing team guided our community through an extraordinary election season, including helping people navigate the absentee voting process and continuously improving their own internal processes to improve safety during our elections; and, Whereas, the City Clerk’s office overcame immense difficulties including changes to the polling site environment, training new election workers, along with retaining and recruiting election workers to support safe and secure voting; and, Whereas, elections workers-both experienced and new to this process-played a critical role in helping voters safely and securely access their ballots with face masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, sanitized pens; and, Whereas, the Department of Public Works, City Library and staffs made adjustments and accommodations in support of the Common Council its Commissions and Committees, the City Clerk’s Office, and the citizens and businesses of Neillsville; and, Whereas, the City’s Police and Fire Departments have worked in coordination with all levels of City governments, it’s citizens and businesses to maintain order and communication that resulted in expected outcomes; and, Whereas, in order to recognized the extraordinary efforts made by all City of Neillsville Employees, the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Neillsville urge citizens, voters, businesses, organizations, and public officials, throughout our community to join in celebrating and thanking these individuals; THEREFORE: I, Diane L. Murphy, Mayor of the City of Neillsville do hereby proclaim January 2021 as City Employee Appreciation Month in the City of Neillsville. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on December, 2020 complaints, citations, warnings and business checks. Fire Chief Meyer reported on the Fourth Quarter 2020. The Department served 953 at their steak feed, held fire prevention week activities, burnt the City’s brush pile, did community service fall clean up for retired firemen and widows, provide firemen as crossing guards for Halloween, Trunk-or-Treat at the Fairgrounds and taking Santa Claus to the tree lighting, attending the Community Fire Hall Board and Rural Fire Board meetings, fire inspections, COVID-19 had reduced the number of meetings and trainings, the Fire Hall building has a wall crack developing. The Department responded to 10 calls – none in the City – Rural had two two-vehicle accidents, tree fire, mutual aid to the Sheriff’s Department for a person search, debris fire, shed fire, down power line, chimney fire, car accident, garage fire. The City’s trucks are in good condition; however, the 1978 International is 43 years old and cannot pass the pump test, the 1995 Freightliner is 25 years old. Hotel/Motel Room Tax Permit Application: Black Water Lodges, Beth Darst, Agent, 1214, 1216 and 1218 W. Fourth Street Motion Clough, second Harnisch, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Nature Intentions, Inc., Dakota R. Wynn, Agent, 541 Hewett Street Motion Counsell, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Jessica R. Elmhorst Motion Neville, second Perrine, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Perrine, that City Bills Nos. 1 to 62 in the amount of $2,113,039.05 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 Clough, second Neville, to invite City Attorney Wachsmuth, Director of Public Works Friemoth and City Clerk-Treasurer Roehl to remain for the closed session. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, 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 sessions. On roll call: All Aye. CLOSED SESSION Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to reconvene into open session. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, to purchase the BMO Bank building at 106 W. Division Street, pursuant to the accepted offer of $325,000.00. On roll call: All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to borrow the BMO Bank building purchase price temporarily from the City’s Budgetary Reserve Fund until the borrowing for the full project is arranged for, no later than December 31, 2021. On roll call: All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk