City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 23, 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, sidewalk snow removal on residential properties, not done by the owner, finished installing the trim in the Cemetery building, a garage door failed and Americon came and fixed the roller cable, equipment maintenance on the Kubota RTV and a plow truck electrical issues, the plow truck with the rear end out has been fixed, sanding roads, street light maintenance, the Water Department – meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, had a few frozen meters, daily testing and maintenance, inventory is done, had a water main break on Hill Street, a frozen service on Hewett Street, the Sewer Department – lift station maintenance, the inventory is done, daily testing and lab work, a panel upgrade was done at the old sewer plant, the DOT is planning on resurfacing ST HWY 73 from US HWY 10 north to W. Nineteenth Street around 2027, a reminder that utility customers are responsible for frozen meter damage. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water Bills Nos. 34 to 51 in the amount of $24,147.10 and Sewer Bills Nos. 29 to 47 in the amount of $86,789.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Murphy, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 23, 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 February 17, 2021 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) Egland Enterprises, LLC, 534 and 538 Hewett Street having withdrawn their Certificate of Appropriateness, 2) having contacted Dean Glaze on denial of his Historic Preservation Grant request, 3) discussion on the Historic Preservation Office – 2020 Certified Local Government Annual Report, 4) discussion on and assignment of final status for the 2020 Action Plan, 5) discussion on the 2021 Action Plan, 6) discussion on funds, 7) discussion on and authorization to proceed with the listing of the “Merchants Hotel property”, 105 W. Seventh Street on the City of Neillsville Local Registry of Historic Properties. Mayor Murphy reported on the February 18, 2021 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding a closed session on candidates for Other Part-time Police Officer positions – the meeting adjourned in closed session. Mayor Murphy reported on the February 18, 2021 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session to interview candidates for Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position and hiring recommendation for the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position, 2) reconvening into open session, 3) the recommendation to hire Austin Zank for the Full-time Fourth Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position at $16.70 per hour on the Step Program effective on or after March 1, 2021 and 4) the recommendation to hire Helenia Rivas for the Other Part-time Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position at $15.00 per hour effective on or after February 24, 2021. Mayor Murphy reported on the February 18, 2021 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and hiring of the Richie Yurkovich Band to play in the downtown tent on Sunday, July 11, 2021 after the parade, 2) discussion on and hiring of the Zor Shriners at a cost of $425 to participate in the parade on July 11, 2021, 3) discussion on parade Grand Marshalls and 4) discussion on various other Heritage Days events. Council Member Clough reported on the February 23, 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. Jon Counsell stated Mayor Murphy released a statement, after a show of support by citizens and the Police and Fire Commission dismissed the complaints against the Chief of Police Mankowski, referencing a February 11, 2021 meeting with Mayor Murphy, City Attorney Wachsmuth, Chief of Police Mankowski and his attorney. This meeting was not authorized by the Police and Fire Commission or the Common Council. This meeting was cancelled and Mayor Murphy stated she has hired a personal attorney. After voting in the February 16, 2021 Primary Election, Counsell stepped next door to the Police Department and a meeting was just ending there with Mayor Murphy, City Attorney Wachsmuth, Chief Mankowski and his attorney. This meeting wasn’t going to take place, what is going on, no minutes, no record of the meeting, what is the perception, where is the transparency, what was the purpose, does the Mayor have a personal attorney or is the City Attorney her personal attorney. Ask the Mayor and City Attorney, the citizens and Council Members should find out why there was a meeting and what the subject was. Jerilyn St. Amand thanked Jon Counsell for speaking up, something is going on and transparency is needed, she made an open records request and was denied everything she requested. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee items (3 and 4). Motion Neville, second Harnisch, to accept the recommendation to hire Austin Zank for the Full-time Fourth Operator position at $16.70 per hour on the Step Program effective on or after March 1, 2021. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to accept the recommendation to hire Helenia Rivas for the Other Part-time Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position at $15.00 per hour effective on or after February 24, 2021. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a letter from Mark Brown, Associated Appraisal Consulting, Inc. stating that after careful consideration, they have decided that interior inspections will not be possible due to COVID related challenges for the 2021 assessment year. They have proposed three Addendums for the Council’s consideration: A) Exterior Only Inspection, B) Optional Payment Agreement and C) Property Record Questionnaire. Discussion followed on the Property Record Questionnaire. Council Member Clough stated the purpose of a reassessment is to get updated numbers, the intent is to get as close to actual as possible, some people will fill it out, half is better than none. Council Member Counsell stated we are asking people to fill it out to raise their own taxes. Mayor Murphy stated a lot of older people don’t have computers to download the form. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that they will be mailed a form by the assessor, which can be mailed back, or if they prefer to go on-line to type it and email it back. Council Member Perrine stated that there is a telephone number on the form to call for assistance or questions. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to approve “Addendum A – Exterior Only Inspections” to the 2021 Contract for Revaluation Assessment Services. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Perrine, to approve “Addendum B – Optional Payment Agreement” to the 2021 Contract for Revaluation Assessment Services. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Harnisch to approve “Addendum C – Property Record Questionnaire” to the 2021 Contract for Revaluation Assessment Services. Council Member Clough – Aye, Council Member Harnisch – Aye, Council Member Neville – Nay, Council Member Counsell – Nay, Council Member Perrine – Aye. 3 – Aye, 2 – Nay. Motion carried. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on January, 2021 complaints, citations, warnings, business checks and department plans for 2021. Council Member Clough asked how the parking passes were working out. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that there has been no problem and that copies of our ordinance were included with the passes. Council Member Clough reminded everyone that Winter Carnival is going on February 26, 27 and 28, 2021. Hotel/Motel Room Tax Permit Application: Corey R. Krueger Rooming House, 401 W. Seventeenth Street Motion Counsell, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. “Class A” Retail Liquor and Malt Beverages License Application: IYS Ventures, LLC, I Mart Stores, Scott W. Hartung, Agent, 1 Hewett Street Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye Combination Cigarette and Soda Water License Application: IYS Ventures, LLC, I Mart Stores, Scott W. Hartung, Agent, 1 Hewett Street Motion Perrine, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 170 to 213 in the amount of $1,142,196.24 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************