City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 26, 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 no burials at the Cemetery, plowing and hauling snow, sidewalk snow removal on residential properties, not done by the owner, installed trim in office and bathroom, waiting on TDS to transfer phone lines to the new Cemetery building and Ratsch Engineering went through the punch list on January 22, the hydraulic coupling went out on the grader, sign maintenance, sanding roads, street light maintenance, filling potholes, picking up Christmas trees, mixing compost piles at the landfill, filled in low spots on the landfill, the Water Department – meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, daily testing and maintenance, preparing meter counts and parts inventory, the Sewer Department – lift station and plant maintenance, daily testing, the new hospital lift station was started up and on-site training was held January 19, the Clark County Highway Department crack filled the Division Street/Grand Avenue intersection of U.S. HWY 10, the inter-department employee transfers are doing well in their new positions. Motion Counsell, second Clough, that Water Bills Nos. 1 to 33 in the amount of $61,224.47 and Sewer Bills Nos. 1 to 28 in the amount of $192,680.14 be paid. All Aye. Motion Murphy, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 26, 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. Council Member Harnisch reported on the January 20, 2021 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness application for Egland Enterprises, LLC, 534 and 538 Hewett Street for roof replacement, window replacement and façade cleaning, maintenance and painting, 2) discussion on and approval of a $500.00 Historic Preservation Grant for Egland Enterprises, LLC, 534 and 538 Hewett Street for Certificate of Appropriateness work approved, 3) discussion on and denial of the Historic Preservation Grant from Dean Glaze, 319 State Street for exterior work on the Judge O’Neill house, former Neillsville Hospital location, since the exterior was completed prior to approval, 4) closed session on the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC)-Regional Business Fund, Inc.-“Downtown Façade Loan Fund Program” loan application of Egland Enterprises, LLC, 534 and 538 Hewett Street, 5) reconvening into open session to table action on the application pending discussion with WCWRPC and the City Attorney, 6) discussion on and review of the new Historic Preservation Commission brochure, 7) discussion on and review of letter and brochure sent to the Historic Preservation office Annual Report-Certified Local Government-for calendar year 2020, 9) discussion on and approval of the revised Historic Property Improvement Grant Application form, 10) discussion on and approval of payment of invoices for brochure printing costs and postage, 11) reviewed, accepted and filed a copy of the Eagle Scout Service Project of Nolan John-Historic Improvement Project-Wisconsin Pavilion-1201 E. Division Street, Neillsville, WI restoring lighting to building pylons and glass roof center and thanked Nolan John and Central Wisconsin Broadcasting (WCCN) for their efforts and financial support of this service project. Council Member Clough reported on the January 26, 2021 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that we need to give our Rescue and Fire people kudos for being such good people. Council Member Harnisch reported on contacting Paul Knoff, Bauernfeind, regarding virtual Council meetings. It may fall outside their role as the City’s IT company. Knoff stated that government must be very careful about security and liability issues when researching software platforms. Continue to ask questions-do we want to set something up here, then move to another building, what are the hardware needs for each Council Member. Gary Thierfelder, Bauernfeind’s IT advisor for City Hall agrees with the idea of virtual meetings, however he needs more information, what are the requirements for how many participants, the current equipment at City Hall is very convoluted-Audio Architects and Charter Cable providers my need to be involved to see what we have and what we need, and cost concerns. Harnisch stated there will be a learning curve, an introduction to the basics will be needed, the City doesn’t have a paid IT person on staff, so the Council is the unofficial IT team, he asked for a motion to proceed with the virtual meetings to get a better handle on costs, etc. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that there are more hardware needs than just Council Members-a lot or people attend Mayor, Clerk, Chief of Police, Director of Public Works, etc. Mayor Murphy stated we know there will be updating, Allan Hoesly has stepped up and wants to help, he has worked for the school and his church, he has recommended Audio Architects also. It is wonderful that a local person wants to help and Council Member Harnisch should contact him. Council Member Counsell stated she doesn’t see a problem with going virtual, however don’t spend our resources here, if we are moving. We need to see a plan or options, if it involves a lot of IT there will be a cost. Figure out a game plan how to deal with people who have questions, what is the process. Harnisch asked who wants to do this, he is not an IT person, but he will meet with Hoesly. City Attorney Wachsmuth clarified that streaming is completely different then virtual. Streaming means everyone is here in the room, virtual, can be from home. Council Member Harnisch stated that if he cannot get to City Hall, he wants to be able to attend the meeting from home, other people can come in if they have a link and there is control by a host. Council Member Counsell stated that we are a year into this COVID-19 thing and we haven’t missed a meeting. How high a priority is it? We have continued meeting and adapted, don’t run down a path if no one is going to use. Council Member Harnisch stated look at this down the line for the new building. Council Member Neville suggested forming a building committee. Council Member Harnisch stated it is a good idea to begin the conversation. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on White Pines (Old Merchants Hotel) building, 105 W. Seventh Street, Ladd Elmhorst, owner. Mankowski stated that he has had good communication with Ladd and Deanna Elmhorst, as of January 27th the building will be closed and locked down with limited access for maintenance reasons and safety checks. There is very little stuff left in there. They have agreed if anyone is going to enter the building, they will contact the Police Department for a police presence. The building has been listed for sale. The Police Department will continue to do safety checks. Council Member Counsell asked if they are going to change the locks. Chief of Police Mankowski replied yes, they have been very cooperative. Council Member Clough asked if real estate agents can walk through the building. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that she would hope that the owner would make them aware of the evacuation order and that there is potential liability if entering. Council Member Clough stated that a prospective buyer can enter under an evacuation order. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated there is a difference between an evacuation order and condemnation. They have to be made aware of the order and liability and that they are entering at their own risk. Council Member Neville asked if the Police Secretary hazard pay should go to the Personnel Committee. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the Police Secretary was done differently than the rest. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to refer the Police Secretary hazard pay to the Personnel Committee. All Aye. Mayor Murphy reported on a tour of Cummins on January 14, 2021 with Gary Veltus, Workforce Development and Sheila Nyberg of Clark County Economic Development Commission. Cummins has an excellent working relationship with 3M and has been doing masks orders for them. Cummins is growing and looking for employees and projecting adding another 30 jobs to their workforce. Ninety percent of their workers live within 20 miles of Neillsville. The Neillsville Plant was their only plant to remain open during COVID-19. Cummins is adding manufacturing lines and currently leasing the former Figi’s building. Cigarette License: Nature’s Intentions, Inc., Dakota R. Wynn, Agent, 541 Hewett Street Motion Clough, second Harnisch, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Amber L. Hemstrom, Nate W. McDonald, Jessy M. Wilson Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 63 to 128 in the amount of $624,951.52 be paid. All Aye. Motion Harnisch, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk