City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 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 three burials at the Cemetery, advertising for summer help, garage doors installed on the new Cemetery building, equipment maintenance, patching potholes, hauling brush and compost, Austin Zank, Fourth Heavy Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance, has started work on March 16, 2021, the Water Department- meter change outs and installed radio readouts, meter reading is in progress, working on the annual Consumer Confidence Report, Sewer Department-lift station maintenance, daily testing and lab work, responded to three sewer backups, (none were the City’s), advertising for asphalt bids and bidding out vehicle fuel. Director of Public Works Friemoth requested that the City Ordinance 10-8-3(e) Fences, specifically residential privacy fences be changed to allow for closed fences in residential areas by removing the 25% open spacing requirement. Mayor Murphy stated that she has received comments on fences, they pay a $3 permit fee and put up what ever they want, there should be some kind of site plan with the application. The ordinance needs more teeth, maintenance and set back requirements. Council Member Neville asked who would make the decision on an application and enforce the requirements. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated Director of Public Works Friemoth as the City’s Building Inspector. If the applicant disagrees with the decision, they can appeal to the Council. Council Member Counsell stated that the ordinance reads kind of rough and needs to be updated and set backs looked at. Council Member Clough stated that the Wis Statutes has language on agriculture fences with each neighbor being responsible for their half. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated agriculture fence law won’t work well within a City. Residential fences are a different kind of fence and controlled by municipal ordinances. Mayor Murphy asked about putting a hold on new fence permit until we get the ordinance revised. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that you can’t put a moratorium in while you work something out. Wachsmuth suggested gathering a few other ordinances from other municipalities and the Council Members narrowing it down, before she drafts an ordinance . Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that he would get a few more ordinances from other cities and that we should also look at front yard fences. Motion Neville, second Murphy, that Water Bills Nos. 52 to 74 in the amount of $26,469.21 and Sewer Bills Nos. 48 to 61 in the amount of $21,705.74 be paid. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Harnisch, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk  ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 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. Council Member Harnisch requested that minutes from the March 9, 2021 meeting be corrected for clarification with the addition of the underlined language. Amended Paragraph: 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 was 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. Motion Clough, second Perrine, to approved the minutes of the March 9, 2021 meeting as amended. All Aye. Council Member Neville reported on the March 11, 2021 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) completion of the entry door, thanking the City crew for snowplowing, and holding on the building wall crack, 3) reviewed and accepted the 2020 Financial Statements. Council Member Harnisch reported on the March 17, 2021 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the James Bogart, 134 E. Fifth Street, property plans, improvements and nomination process for the Local Historic Registry, 2) received a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) and grant application for 218 Clay Street, 3) discussion on the withdrawn COA and grant application for 534 and 538 Hewett Street, 4) discussion on the preliminary nomination of the “Merchants Hotel property”, 105 W. Seventh Street for the Local Historic Registry, 5) discussion on the initial draft of the 2021 Action Plan, 6) reviewed the current City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan sections which are being revised, discussed possible properties for Registry listings and other Historic/Cultural/Tourism related information for the new Comprehensive Plan and 7) discussion on funds. Council Member Counsell reported on the March 18, 2021 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) Librarians’ reports, 2) reviewed and filed the Library Director’s evaluation, 3) discussion on and approval of Re-opening Protocol Phase 4, with the Library being open Saturdays, beginning April 10, 2021, 4) discussion on and acceptance of the Neillsville Public Library Annual Report for 2020, 5) discussion on the Library section of the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan dated 2013 and reviewing the Plan for changes, 6) reviewed facility use for 2020, 7) discussion on ways to increase patronage, 8) update on donation and carryover funds. Mayor Murphy reported on the March 18, 2021 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on a Heritage Artifact Display, 2) discussion on the Fire Department water fight and vehicle/equipment display, 3) discussion on and hiring of Country Lines Band at a cost of $600 to play downtown in the tent on Thursday, July 8, 2021, 4) discussion honoring Health Care Workers at the parade, 5) discussion on and booking of portables for the event, 6) discussion on and approved of “Neillsville the Way It Was” as the theme and 7) discussion on various other Heritage Days event. Council Member Clough reported on the March 23, 2021 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on updating City Ordinance 10-8 Fences and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that the Library does some really great things, check out their website and links. Jon Counsell stated that he is speaking about what seems to be a continuing misconception of about the ability of a Committee Chair to vote. At the last meeting Mayor Murphy stated that a six member committee is okay, since there would not be a tie vote, because as Chair she doesn’t vote. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities handout states that a Chair has all the rights to participate in discussion, motions and voting. No member is obligated to vote, they can abstain. State Statutes state that the Mayor does not count in determining a quorum and may only vote in case of a tie at the Council level. It is important for citizens to know how their Mayor and Council Members consider, discuss and stand on issues, as well as where appointed committee members stand on issues. By not voting Committee Chairs and members cause problems-where do they stand, they escape their responsibilities and the voter doesn’t have the information when going to the voting booth. Joy Palmer, CliftonLarsonAllen, presented the City, Water, Sewer, TIF District #2, TIF District #3, Special Revenue Funds and Other Governmental Funds 2020 Annual Audit Reports regarding: 1) the auditor’s report and opinion, 2) the City has $2.9 million in the General Funds with $1.9 million in Unassigned Fund Balance, which is a very good financial condition and very stable, 3) the Water Utility shows a positive change in net position ($5,533) and the Sewer Utility shows a negative change in net position ($<15,363>) with Rate of Returns (Water 2.21% and Sewer <0.6>%) these were very close-oversight is needed to make sure the fluctuations are monitored and utility rates are updated and sufficient to cover increasing expenses and revenue changes, 4) TIF Districts #2 and #3 were reviewed-TIF Districts are a large upfront investment ($2.1 million and $1.8 million respectively) recovered in future tax increments from the individual TIF Districts. The Council needs to be aware that TIF #2 has a deficit of $341,049 with 12 years remaining, the district was extended by the granting of distressed status in February 2016 by the State of Wisconsin, with a dissolution date of 2032. TIF #2 should pay off early, TIF #3 has 6 years of remaining life with a deficit of $533,564 which may not breakeven unless more development occurs, 5) risk disclosure on the City’s cash and investments were reviewed at year end-the majority (95.5%) was FDIC or NCUSIF insured or collateralized-the remaining 4.5% was under the State Deposit Guarantee Fund, which is not considered to be insured or collateralized, 6) reviewed the City’s long term debt-City Statutory limit is $7.0 million with current borrowing of $1.7 million-with $5.3 million available, the City is in good financial shape, 7) reviewed the GASB 68 and 71 Statements regarding the City’s share of the Wisconsin Retirement Pension Plan, 8) the General Fund Budget Comparison was reviewed, 9) reviewed the Compiled Schedule Report of long term debt, non-lapsing funds, insurance, water and sewer rates of return-regulatory basis, 10) reviewed the City’s internal control structure-lack of separation of duties, preparation of financial statements and audit adjustments and 11) in conclusion the records are in very good working order, the staff was open and cooperative, the City had an overall good year, with good financial planning in place. Council Member Clough clarified that the City is doing okay without any red flags. Palmer replied correct, there are no problems and she thanked the Clerk’s office staff for all their work. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept and file the 2020 Annual Audit report as presented. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a report on the City’s continuing appropriation accounts and their respective balances as of December 31, 2020. The following is a list of said accounts: Account No. 52100 Police Department Administration (K-9 and Police Training), Account No. 53450 Parking Lots and Meters, Account No. 55110 Library (City and Foundation), Account No. 55250 Parks and Recreation-Room Tax 30%, Account No. 55340 Celebrations-July 4th, etc., Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations, Account No. 56300 Planning (Historic Preservation), Account No. 56600 Urban Development, Account No. 56700 Economic Development, Account No. 56750 Tourism Promotion-Room Tax 70%, Account No. 57140 Public Buildings, Account No. 57220 Public Safety-Fire Department Vehicles, Account No. 57320 Machinery and Equipment, Account No. 57330 Street Construction, Account No. 57332 Bridges and Culverts, Account No. 57350 Airport, Account No. 57620 Parks. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to carry forward to 2021 the continuing appropriations as presented. All Aye. Mayor Murphy reported that the Neillsville Tourism Commission met and disbursed $21,250 in Room Tax Funds from 2019 and 2020; attended the United Communities of Clark County meeting in Thorp, with a presentation by Clark County Economic Development Executive Director Sheila Nybeg; and representing the City of Neillsville at The Highground recognition banquet-the City received a recognition plaque for support of The Highground. Council Member Counsell reported on touring the new hospital. Motion Clough, second Neville, that City Bills Nos. 267 to 313 in the amount of $159,552.10 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************