City Council

COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 20, 2021 4:00 P.M. The Common Council meeting in annual session was called to order by Mayor Murphy. On roll call: all members present. The City Clerk swore in John C. Perrine, Daniel M. Clough and Julie A. Counsell for their respective terms in their respective offices. The Council welcomed John C. Perrine (First Ward Council Member), Daniel M. Clough (Second Ward Council Member) and Julie A. Counsell (Fifth Ward Council Member) as newly elected and re-elected members. Mayor Murphy call for appearances Tim A. Voigt stated he filed a letter expressing interest in being on the Police and Fire Commission. Jon Counsell stated that you have two interested in the Police and Fire Commission Council Member John Perrine and Tim A. Voigt. Counsell presented history of more than 80 years of the statutes on Police and Fire Commission, it was put into place to take the politics out of the management of the Police Department. When new leaders come in the old employees were let go and new people were put in place. The statute created five year staggered terms with the idea of the terms being longer than the elected officials term, continuity would prevail and separate the political from operations. He is not here to judge the qualifications of the candidates. Recent history shows in part what potential problems can occur. Mayor Murphy stated that each year an appointment worksheet of expiring terms is prepared. Last year she followed what previous Mayors’ have done – Mayor Glassbrenner was on nine committees and chair of all of them and Mayor Mabie was similar. Researching the ordinances, the Mayor is required to participate in five committees. Last year when she was elected the citizens wanted Heritage Days brought back downtown. Mayor Murphy announced the purpose of the meeting is to recognize the Council and make appointments of the various officials, boards, committees and commissions. Mayor Murphy presented her nominees for Council consideration. President of the Council: Mayor Murphy nominated Council Member Clough. Council Member Counsell read Ordinance Sec. 2-2-4 which states that the Council “shall after organization, choose from its members a President.” The five of us decide after we get done with the organization. Weed Commissioner: Motion Neville, second Harnisch, that the Director of Public Works (2022) be re-appointed as Weed Commissioner. All Aye. Building Inspector: Motion Perrine, second Clough, that the Director of Public Works (2022) be re-appointed as Building Inspector. All Aye. Zoning Administrator: Motion Clough, second Harnisch, that the Director of Public Works (2022) be re-appointed as Zoning Administrator. All Aye. Emergency Government Director: Motion Clough, second Perrine, that the Chief of Police (2022) be re-appointed as Emergency Government Director. All Aye. City Forester: Motion Clough, second Neville, that the Cemetery Sexton/Parks Director (2022) be re-appointed as City Forester. All Aye. Official Newspaper: Motion Clough, second Neville, that the Clark County Press (2022) be re-appointed as the City’s official newspaper. All Aye. City Hall Custodian: Motion Counsell, second Neville, that the City Clerk-Treasurer (2022) be re-appointed as City Hall Custodian. All Aye. Representative to the Municipal Ambulance Board: Motion Neville, second Perrine, that Mayor Murphy (2022) be re-appointed as the City’s Representative to the Municipal Ambulance Board. All Aye. Representative to the Community Fire Hall Board: Motion Counsell, second Clough, that Council Member Neville (2022) be re-appointed as the City’s Representative to the Community Fire Hall Board. All Aye. Historic Preservation Commission: Motion Harnisch, second Counsell, that Council Member Harnisch, Daniel Clough, Natalie Erpenbach, Nicole Keller, Barbara Miller, Jeff Kluckhohn and Julie Simek be re-appointed as members of the Historic Preservation Commission (2022), with Natalie Erpenbach as chair. All Aye. Illegal Tax Committee: Motion Clough, second Neville, that Council Members Counsell, Neville and Perrine be appointed as members of the Illegal Tax Committee (2022), with Council Member Counsell as chair. All Aye. Solid Waste and Recycling Committee: Motion Counsell, second Perrine, that Council Members Counsell, Neville and Perrine, and the Director of Public Works be appointed as members of the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee (2022), with Council Member Counsell as chair. All Aye. Committee on Finance: Motion Counsell, second Perrine, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Committee on Finance (2022), with Mayor Murphy as chair. All Aye. Board of Review: Motion Neville, second Perrine, that the Mayor and entire Council, with the City Clerk-Treasurer as Secretary, shall constitute the Board of Review (2022), with Mayor Murphy as chair. All Aye. Library Board: Motion Clough, second Harnish, that Council Member Counsell (2022), John Gaier – School District Superintendent (2024), Margaret Gelhaus (2024) and Graeme Williams (2024) be re-appointed as members of the Library Board. All Aye. Other members are: Mary Sladich (2022), Peggy Buchda (2023) and Logan Grap (2023). The Library Board elects its own chair. Board of Health: Motion Counsell, second Perrine, that the Mayor and the entire Council shall constitute the Board of Health (2022), with Mayor Murphy as chair. All Aye. Commission on Public Works/Utilities: Motion Counsell, second Neville, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Commission on Public Works/Utilities (2022). All Aye. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities elects its own chair. Zoning Board of Appeals: Motion Perrine, second Clough, that Council Member Perrine (2022) be re-appointed as member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, with Julie Counsell as chair. All Aye. Other members are: Julie Counsell (2022), Joan Hubing (2022), Diane Murphy (2023) and Lynn Schoengarth (2023). Planning Commission: Motion Clough, second Perrine, that Mayor Murphy (2022), Council Member Counsell (2022), Parks and Recreation Board Chair (2022), Natalie Erpenbach (2024), Allan Hoesly (2024) be re-appointed as members of the Planning Commission, with Mayor Murphy as chair. All Aye. Other members are: Greg Glisczinski (2022) and Amber Vine (2023). Parks and Recreation Board: Motion Counsell, second Neville, that Council Member Perrine (2022), Wendell Attoe (2024) and Nate McDonald (2024) be re-appointed as members of the Park and Recreation Board, with Council Member Perrine as chair. All Aye. Other members are: Robin Harder (2022) and Sue Voigt – Representative of the School District (2022), Jacob Ormond (2023) and Michelle Pickett (2023). Police and Fire Commission: Mayor Murphy nominated Council Member Perrine and Allan Hoesly as members of the Police and Fire Commission. Council Member Counsell asked that the nominations be split into separate votes. Council Member Neville stated that Council Member Perrine would do a great job, but do we want to have five private citizens with no Council Members, we don’t want a repeat performance, no politics or hard feelings. Council Member Harnisch stated that he respects Council Member Perrine, but if should be all citizen members. Motion Clough, that Council Member Perrine be appointed as a member of the Police and Fire Commission. Motion dies for lack of second. Motion Counsell, second Harnisch that Allan Hoesly (2026) be re-appointed as member of the Police and Fire Commission. All Aye. Motion Harnish, second Counsell that Tim A. Voigt (2024) be appointed as member of the Police and Fire Commission. Council Members Harnisch, Counsell and Neville – Aye. Council Members Clough and Perrine – Nay. 3-Aye, 2-Nay. Motion carried. Other members are: Lowell Gesche (2022), Robert Johnson (2023) and Margaret Gelhaus (2025). Airport Commission: Motion Counsell, second Harnisch, that Council Member Neville (2022), Director of Public Works (2022) and DeWayne Seelow (2027) be re-appointed as members of the Airport Commission, with Council Member Neville as chair. All Aye. Other members are: Robert Petkovsek (2022) and Brian Barth (2023). Board of Cemetery Commissioners: Motion Clough, second Harnisch, that Council Members Counsell and Perrine, City Clerk-Treasurer, Douglas Bjerke and Jana Marden be re-appointed as members of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners (2022), with Jana Marden as chair. All Aye. Commission on Economic Development: Motion Counsell, second Neville, that Mayor Murphy (2022), Dan Clough (2024) and Carrie Morrell (2024) be re-appointed as members of the Commission on Economic Development, with Mayor Murphy as chair. All Aye. Other members are: Gary Ruzic (2022), Tim M. Voigt (2022), John Gaier (2023), and Jana Marden (2023). Grants Committee: Motion Neville, second Harnisch, that Council Member Harnisch (2022), Director of Public Works (2022), William Neville III (2024) and Brent Shoup (2024) be appointed as members of the Grants Committee, with William Neville III as chair. All Aye. Other members are: Dale Berger (2022), Jody Conner (2022), Tim Brekke (2023), and Margaret Gelhaus (2023). Personnel Committee: Motion Perrine, second Harnisch, that Mayor Murphy, Council Members Clough, Neville and Perrine be re-appointed as members of the Personnel Committee (2022), with Council Member Neville as chair. All Aye. Property Committee: Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Council Members Clough, Counsell and Neville, Joan Hubing and Julie Simek be appointed as members of the Property Committee (2022), with Council Member Clough as chair. All Aye. Heritage Days Committee: Motion Counsell, second Clough, Matt Meyer, Mayor Murphy, Council Member Neville, Frank Donahue, Dale Erickson, Michelle Friemoth, Logan Grap, Maggie McDonald, Barbara Miller, Amanda Mortenson, Gerald Pfeiffer, and Justin Poeschel be appointed as members of the Heritage Days Committee (2022), with Council Member Neville as chair. All Aye. Beautification Committee: Motion Harnisch, second Neville, that Council Member Harnisch, Doris Bakker, Kathryn Brugger, Margaret Gelhaus, Linda Hemp, Barbara Miller, Janice Miller and Barbara Petkovsek be appointed as members of the Beautification Committee (2022), with Barbara Miller as chair. All Aye. Transit Committee: Motion Clough, second Neville, that Mayor Murphy, Council Member Harnisch, Jana Marden and DeWayne Seelow be appointed as members of the Transit Committee (2022), with Mayor Murphy as chair. All Aye. Tourism Commission: Motion Clough, second Harnisch, that Council Member Harnisch, Ricky Buchsteiner, Jessica Harder, Mary Mashin, Amber Vine and James Voss be appointed as members of the Tourism Commission (2022), with Ricky Buchsteiner as chair. All Aye. City Hall and Police Department Properties Committee: Motion Clough, second Counsell, that Mayor Murphy, Council Member Counsell, Chief of Police Mankowski, Barb Boyer, Ricky Buchsteiner, Jana Marden, and Gary Ruzic be appointed as members of the City Hall and Police Department Properties Committee (2022), with Mayor Murphy as chair. All Aye. President of the Council: Motion Counsell, second Harnisch, that Council Member Neville be appointed as President of the Council (2022). Council Members Counsell, Harnisch, and Neville – Aye. Council Members Clough and Perrine – Nay. 3-Aye, 2-Nay. Motion carried. Council Member Clough stated that he just wants to let people know that while this meeting goes quickly, a lot of work and conversation are done ahead of time. Council Member Counsell thanked Mayor Murphy for getting the appointment lists out ahead of time on Friday. Council Member Harnisch suggested amending the Title 2 of the ordinances regarding nominations being brought ahead of time. City Clerk Rex Roehl reported due to the city-wide assessment revaluation the City Assessor will not have the assessment roll completed in time. The Board of Review will need to meet to formally adjourn the Board of Review to a later date. The Assessor anticipates that the Open Book will be Thursday, August 19, 2021 and Board of Review will be Thursday, September 23, 2021. The initial Board of Review will be Tuesday, May 25, 2021 to meet and adjourn. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ BOARD OF HEALTH COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 20, 2021 4:30 P.M. The Board of Health met in annual session, Mayor Murphy presiding. On roll call: all members present. Also present: City Health Officer Doris Bakker. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Health Officer Bakker presented the City’s annual health report and activities for 2020 -2021 regarding: liquor, beer and wine inspections; no cockroaches this year; we still have many cats (52 were removed and we are working on one issue, but it is under control for now); the County took the lead on the coronavirus; the old Merchants Hotel eviction went very smoothly and well done; a house and grounds with excessive lead paint issues has been cleaned up by Clark County with the removal of the house and contaminated soil (it was the highest lead problem ever seen in the County); and a few mold/hygiene inspections. Council Member Counsell asked about the trailer park. Bakker stated there has been no complaints, there are still a few cats roaming. Mayor Murphy asked about vermin in the old hotel now that it is empty and their food source removed, there are concerns about them moving out to other places, should the property be fumigated. Discussion followed with Health Officer Bakker and Chief of Police Mankowski to follow- up. Council Member Neville asked about the Concern Apartments. Bakker stated that there have been no complaints received. Once a cockroach is found, monthly extermination for a year is needed. Discussion followed the annual inspection tour. The City ordinance does not require a tour. Discussion followed on a joint Board of Health tour versus individual tours by Council Members. Motion Counsell, second Neville, that each Council Member do an individual tour of their ward with the Director of Public Works by June 1, 2021 and that a report of properties be made for the entire council. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. _____________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************