City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 13, 2021 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Member Harnisch absent, all other members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on one burial at the Cemetery, Cemetery spring clean-up, raking rocks and patching sinkholes, park restrooms will be opening next week, the trout pond was stocked on April 5th, slowly moving things into the new Cemetery building, equipment maintenance, patching potholes, prepared a few areas for repairs, hauled and burned brush, cleaned off the O’Neill Creek dam, storm sewer repairs and maintenance, Water Department-meter changeouts and installed radio readouts, daily testing and maintenance, repaired two leaking services, dressed up patches on previous water main breaks, repaired main shut off valves at two of the well houses, Sewer Department-repaired bar screen gear box, daily testing and lab work, lined (patched) three spots where clay tile was broken, televising and jetting sewer mains, the fountain in O’Neill Creek is in bad shape (looking into prices and requesting Listeman Foundation funds), Spring clean-up is the week of April 26 through 30, 2021. City Clerk Roehl presented the First Quarter 2021 Water and Sewer Utilities Financial Statements. Motion Murphy, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL13, 2021 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Murphy presiding. On roll call: Council Member Harnisch absent (because of illness), all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Council Member Perrine reported on the March 25, 2021 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) 2020/2021 Recreation Department activities, 2) 2020/2021 Parks Department activities, 3) discussion on the City of Neillsville Outdoor Recreation Plan and 4) discussion on and recommendations to the Planning Commission for updates to the various parks to the City’s Comprehensive Plan 2033. Mayor Murphy reported on the March 31, 2021 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the Christmas tree decorating, 2) discussion on and approval of additional work at Prock Park (flag pole replacement, flower box around the sign, rock and signage), 3) discussion on flower planting, 4) discussion on flower donation letter, 5) discussion on a sign recognizing the Pierce Family tree donation in the Town Square Park and 6) discussion on committee member appointments. Council Member Clough reported on the April 13, 2021 meeting of the Commission on Public Work/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) reviewed the First Quarter 2021 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Council Member Counsell presented a request from Amber Vine, Store Leader Kwik Trip #313, for use of the parking lot behind the new City Hall, 106 W. Division Street, temporarily for training new store employees. A new store is opening in Marshfield at the end of July. They are helping train 30 to 40 co-workers on different shifts. Council Member Counsell stated that City will not need the parking lot at this point, it is a good idea to support a local business and these trainees will spend money in the City. Mayor Murphy stated that Vine had contacted her and she told Vine that the Property Committee would have to meet on the request. Murphy expressed concerns about liability, insurance and rental charges. Council Member Counsell stated the ad hoc Committee is for the building and we could request a “Letter of Waiver” from them. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that signing a waiver doesn’t cover totally, it depends on what happens, put a time frame on it, as things may change when the City actually moves into the building, the onus is on Kwik Trip to get everyone to sign a waiver. Council Member Neville asked this be tabled for more information on waivers and time limit. Mayor Murphy stated the next agenda item is when Council wants to receive nominations from the Mayor for committees, commissions, etc. including and additional information the Council would want. Council Member Counsell stated that it would be nice to get the Mayor’s nominations ahead of time, last year we received them the Friday before. Council Member Counsell presented a chart showing Committee assignments and Committee Chair-ships of each member. The Mayor is on 14 Committees and Chairs 11. The Chair positions should be spread around. Mayor Murphy stated a year ago when she was elected, she tried to even out the number of committees, she is involved and wants meetings setup on her schedule so she can be there. It’s her privilege as Mayor. Council Member Neville stated it is not a privilege. Council Member Counsell stated you have to share with the rest of us, others have jobs too, you are setting all the meetings. When the Council reorganization meeting is held, we still have to agree with your nominations it is not set in stone. Other people want to be on committee. Discussion continued Motion Counsell, second Neville, that the Mayor get draft nominations to the Council by the Friday before the annual meeting. Further discussion – motion amended. Motion Counsell, second Neville, that the Mayor get draft nominations to the Council by the Friday before the annual meeting or as soon as possible. All Aye. Mayor Murphy stated that the next agenda item is rolling over Police budget surplus into a non-lapsing fund for future use. Council Member Counsell stated we have never had a Police Department budget with a surplus until last year, we should look to the future and create a non-lapsing fund for training, equipment and unexpected needs. Council Member Clough stated that this should be forwarded to the Finance Committee. Council Member Counsell stated the next agenda item is getting a meeting scheduled for the newly formed ad hoc Building Committee. Mayor Murphy stated that the City Hall and Police Department Property Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. The reason there has not been a meeting is that she and City staff have been working on various items to present at the meeting for the Committee to discuss. Council Member Clough reported that the Central Wisconsin Horse Sale will be April 14 through 16, 2021 and the 100 Miles of Little Town Thrift Sales along US Hwy 10 from Ellsworth to Neillsville will be April 23 through 25, 2021. Mayor Murphy reported on attending The Highground Campaign Launch Event on April 8th presenting their new Welcome Center building plan and strategic plan; attending League of Wisconsin Municipalities zoom meetings with Sheila Nyberg, Clark County Economic Development Corporation, on the American Recovery Act, the City of Neillsville will be getting $240,000 approximately over two years (2021-2022). City Clerk Roehl presented notice that Clark County will be activating outdoor warning sirens as part of the tornado and severe weather awareness week on Thursday, April 15, 2021 and the first Wednesday of the month during the summer; and First Quarter City Financial Statements. Council Member Counsell presented a letter from Allan Hoesly stating his wish to continue serving on the Police and Fire Commission and Planning Commission and asking for re- appointment on both; and letter from Diane Kren, Executive Director of the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, about rumors that the Chamber of Commerce will be moving into the new City Hall, this was mentioned, but not discussed with the Chamber. The Chamber will stay at its present location in Unity Bank and only wishes to have a literature rack at the new City Hall. Mayor Murphy stated she only mentioned it once, asking if the Chamber wanted to be more visible. Appointment for Successor of Agent Applications: Neillsville Country Club, Inc., Neillsville Country Club, Bradley C. Lindner, Agent, 603 E. Division Street Motion Clough, second Perrine, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Bianca M. Fischer, Bradley C. Lindner, Jocelyn E. Thur Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Perrine, that City Bills Nos. 314 to 372 in the amount of $232,143.18 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************