City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 9, 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 two burial at the Cemetery, equipment maintenance on the bobcat, snowblower and changing the cutting edge on the grader, Winter Carnival set up and take down, brooming off the sidewalk snow, patching potholes, street lighting maintenance, hauling and burning brush, Water Department-meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, meter reading is in progress, a water main break on E. Fifth Street behind the water tower, Sewer Department-lift station maintenance, a home owner on E. Fifth Street had a sewer backup, daily testing and lab work, received complaints about dog running in the woods south of the Sewer Plant, which is private property and dog waste all over the road. Motion Perrine, Second Murphy, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 9, 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 the March 4, 2021 joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding: 1) reviewing what a Comprehensive Plan is, 2) reviewing the Comprehensive Plan update process, Scope of Work and draft plan update Table of Contents, 3) reviewed initial demographics, land use and economic data, 4) discussed issues and opportunities, 5) discussed overall goals and objectives, 6) discussed commission member assignments to complete-the community inventory and infrastructure assessment; drafting existing land use map; red-line goals, objectives and strategies from the 2013 Comprehensive Plan; and red-line the 2016 Outdoor Recreation Plan. Council Member Clough reported on the March 9, 2021 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Connie Kirchoff stated that we have severe problems with the police, when called you get a smart mouth back, the same officer did nothing to protect her child a number of years ago. She was swindled and robbed, the police did not want to hear about it. Chief Mankowski stated we talked about the dogs before, no one from our office was dispatched to your call, who is the officer, you have my telephone number call me, come down to the office. Jon Counsell handed out information from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and City of Neillsville Ordinance regarding mayoral appointments to the Police and Fire Commission subject to confirmation by the City Council. Council Members should understand what the confirmation process is-a balance of power, checks and balances in the constitution. The confirmation process is done a little to quickly, we are not expecting a days long hearing process, review background and qualifications, not just a rubber stamp. The Council needs to recognize the authority it has, you have the ability to say “No”. With two appointment items on the agenda, there is nothing saying who they might be, why not have the names ahead of time. Others may have knowledge or interest to volunteer, or conflicts and bias issues reviewed. Nominees views, positions and independent judgement could be determined by interview for an informed vote, with checks and balances in place. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that Jon Counsell’s statements were well said, more transparency is needed. Her current Alderman doesn’t speak to her. “She then went on to allege in a recent conversation with another individual” she has been told she has a big mouth and shouldn’t speak at Council meetings. She has opinions and concerns. She is her own person, she has a voice, the right to speak and will not be bullied. Mayor Murphy read Jeremiah Bogdonovich’s resignation as member of the Police and Fire Commission. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the resignation of Jeremiah Bogdonovich as member of the Police and Fire Commission. All Aye. Mayor Murphy introduced Margaret Gelhaus as her nominee to fill the vacant position on the Police and Fire Commission. Margaret Gelhaus introduced herself and gave her background, military and work history, retiring to Neillsville, previously attending a Citizens Police Academy and her willingness to serve the people. Council Member Counsell thanked her for being here, she is the first person who ever came ahead of appointment to introduce herself and it is appreciated. Motion Perrine, second Clough, to accept the recommendation and appoint Margaret Gelhaus as member of the Police and Fire Commission (2025) to fill the unexpired term of Jeremiah Bogdonovich. All Aye. Mayor Murphy stated the City now owns the BMO Bank building at 106 W. Division Street and she would like to set up a six-member committee to work on the different aspects of getting the BMO Bank building up to par and the Police Department remaining downtown. The City Hall and Police Department Properties Committee. Council Member Counsell questioned why six-member, why not an odd number of members for the tie breaker. Motion Neville, Second Counsell, to authorize forming a Committee. All Aye. Mayor Murphy nominated herself as Chair, Gary Ruzic, Jana Marden, Natalie Erpenbach, Barb Boyer and Steve Roberts. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked about Police Department representation. Mayor Murphy stated Allen Hoesly was asked, but turned it down. Council Member Counsell stated that she would like to be on it-she has an IT, finance and building background and is interested. What about Chief of Police Mankowski being on the Committee. Mayor Murphy stated Roberts could be left off and asked Chief Mankowski if he wanted to be on the Committee. Council Member Counsell states it would have been nice to get the names in advance instead of spur of the moment. Council Member Clough asked about input from Directors of Public Works Friemoth and City Clerk Roehl. Mayor Murphy stated that they can provide input without being on the Committee. Motion Neville, second Clough, that Mayor Murphy, Council Member Counsell, Chief of Police Mankowski, Barb Boyer, Natalie Erpenbach, Jana Marden and Gary Ruzic be appointed as members of City Hall and Police Department Properties Committee, with Mayor Murphy as Chair. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Kolin Schmitz, Eagle Scout Project donation from the Marguerite Listeman Foundation in the amount of $1,000 for re-doing the flag pole and walkway area landscaping in the cemetery. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to accept and appropriate $1,000 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay and to thank Kolin Schmitz and the Listeman Foundation for the donation. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on February, 2021 complaints, citations, warnings, business check, department goals, training, equipment purchases, squad cars, the 2020 Budget coming in under budget by $18,000 and working on Open Police Reports from 2019. Council Member Counsell asked about the old Merchants Hotel and the trailer park. Chief of Police Mankowski replied all of the tenants have removed their property and the unregistered vehicles will be moved out later this week. There have been no calls or complaints on the trailer park. Mayor Murphy reported that the Winter Carnival was a success and a giant thank you should be given to Frank and Meredith Donahue for putting together the men’s and women’s pool tournaments, their hard work brought in 55 teams who spent money in the City. Chief Mankowski stated that from a law enforcement standpoint, he was very impressed, the participants were great and well behaved. The only arrest over the weekend had nothing to do with the Winter Carnival. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Alex J. Amend, Michael P. Hart Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Perrine, that City Bills Nos. 214 to 266 in the amount of $115,284.69 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************