City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 22, 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, lawn mowing and weed trimming, dragging ball diamonds, mowed four residential lawns, cutting up a few trees in the Arboretum after a storm, assisting with the Cemetery Eagle Scout project, street light maintenance, storm sewer repair, preparing patches for paving, hauling brush, street sweeping, Water Department-daily testing and maintenance, leak checking system, exercising water main valves, hydrant maintenance Well No. 4 rehab is complete, safe samples have comeback and the well is back online, Sewer Department–I & I testing, daily testing and lab work, plant and lift station maintenance, the fountain was put into O’Neill Creek and street line painting will be delayed, because the paint companies cannot get the resin that goes into the paint. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that she reviewed the fence information that Council Member Harnisch handed out at the last meeting, she would recommend taking the fee out of the ordinance and have the fee established by the Council on a fee schedule instead of having to change the ordinance whenever the fee is raised. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked the Commission members what they want in or out of the ordinance-what heights, setback, corner triangles on the line fences, etc. Council Member Counsell stated decorative fences only in the front yard, we want the ordinance be consistent and a lot easier to be used. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked how do you define decorative, do you want different heights and how is the height justified. Discussion followed on three-foot fences in the front yard and visual triangle, six-foot fences in the back residential area, seven-foot fences by commercial areas, the front yard decorative fences cannot be solid. Discussion followed on property line setbacks and fence maintenance. A two-foot setback from the property line to allow for maintenance on both sides of the fence (weed cutting, mowing, etc.), having the property owner talk to the neighbor before putting in a fence, suggesting the property owner have a survey done, but not mandating it. Council Member Counsell suggested language allowing for meter readers to have access to the meters. Council Member Clough suggested a grandfather clause for non-conforming fences and if the fence is redone by more than 60% it would have to come into compliance. Discussion on specialty fences, a snow fence is not a decorative fence, opening it up to, too many variables. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated she will take this discussion back and draft an ordinance for the next meeting. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water Bills Nos. 130 to 151 in the amount of $92,756.44 and Sewer Bills Nos. 100 to 114 in the amount of $49,004.08 be paid. All Aye. Motion Murphy, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ___________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 22, 2021 7:10 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 meetings were declared approved. Council Member Neville reported on the June 10, 2021 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on event security, 2) discussion on golf outing sponsors, 3) discussion on games and prizes, pottery, trailers, ice cream and Miss Neillsville and 4) update on the Parade. Council Member Harnisch presented the June 16, 2021 meeting of the Historic Preservation Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the preliminary nominations of the “Merchants Motel” property, 105 W. Seventh Street, to the local Historic Register, 2) discussion on the 2021 Action Plan, 3) reviewed the City Comprehensive Plan-Historic Preservation updates draft version, 4) discussion on funds, 5) discussion on and approval of the Historic Property Improvement Grant in the amount of $363.45 for window replacement, 218 Clay Street, Chris and Nicole Keller, owners, and 6) discussion on needed repairs at the Clark County Jail Museum and an upcoming June meeting with the Clark County Property Committee to discuss options. Council Member Neville reported on the June 22, 2021 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) Election of Officers-Harold Eddy, Chair, Wayne Wegner, Vice-Chair, Jose Neville, Secretary and Rex R. Roehl, Treasurer, 2) payment of bills, 3) current activities-replacing lights, lawn mowing and cleaning up brush along the northside of the building, 4) appointed building committee and insurance committee members and 5) approved insurance reviewed without terrorism amendment. Council Member Clough reported on the June 22, 2021 meeting of Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on fences and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Robert Johnson stated that he is here to raise personnel issues. After the May 3, 2021 Police and Fire Commission meeting the issues of Police Officer’s salaries and the City’s 15-mile residency requirement were discussed, these issues were reported at the May 11, 2021 Common Council meeting, he has seen no mention or discussion on this matter by the City. The Police Department is down by one full-time officer and one part-time officer, if this continues, we won’t have a department. The City Council is spending half million dollars on a new building, but doesn’t want to compensate its workers. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that she agrees with Johnson, the police officers should be paid what they are worth and they should get equipment. She is also aware of a fence situation where the fences are so close, you can’t fit between to maintain the grass properly. City Clerk Roehl presented the Kolin Schmitz Eagle Scout Project donations in the amount of $1,750 for the Cemetery landscaping project. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to accept and appropriate $1,750 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay and to thank the donors. All Aye. Mayor Murphy presented an Agreement between the City of Neillsville and West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) for the Development of Tax Incremental Financing District #4. City Clerk Roehl stated the Agreement outlines the project scope and responsibilities and time schedules with a cost not to exceed $7,000. Council Member Clough asked about additional costs. City Clerk Roehl stated there would be costs for filing the application with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, public hearing notices, etc. The additional expenses and WCWRPC fee would be reimbursable from the TIF District once the State approval is received. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to approve the Agreement with WCWRPC at a cost not to exceed $7,000 for the development of Tax Increment Financing District #4. All Aye. Mayor Murphy presented a request to close West Street from W. Fourth Street to W. Sixth Street for the Heritage Days event 2021. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to grant the request to close West Street for the Heritage Days 2021 and that the Heritage Days Committee work with the Chief of Police. All Aye. Mayor Murphy presented a request to close the parking lot on West Street from Tuesday, July 6, 2021 to Tuesday, July 13, 2021 for the Heritage Days 2021 event (tent set up through take down). Motion Clough, second Harnisch, to grant the request to close the parking lot on West Street from Tuesday, July 6, 2021 to Tuesday, July 13, 2021 for the Heritage Days 2021 event (tent set up through take down). All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth responded to Robert Johnson’s earlier statements, stated that the City cannot make changes without re-negotiating the Police Union contract. Robert Johnson stated no union would refuse a wage increase. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that negotiations are a give and take, the Council can’t make a decision without negotiations, the City just signed a two-year contract and she has not contacted the union. Council Member Counsell stated so nothing is happening, is it a dead issue? Robert Johnson stated he brought this up, as there is a problem getting people to apply for the vacant police department positions. City Attorney Wachsmuth reported that a §1983 federal case has been filed against Chief of Police James Mankowski by Patrick Fehlman, the City’s insurance company has been contacted and an answer to the complaint will be filed within the 21 days required. City Clerk Roehl reported that the other Part-time Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position is being re-advertised. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Alex J. Amend, Dawn W. Arndt, Donna K. Atkinson, Aaliyah L. Banuelos, Stephanie J. Beelman, Riley W. Beyer, James W. Chadwick, Diane M. Courtney, John H. Donahue, Cathy A. Haines, Meredith J. Donahue, Briana L. Fischer, Kaleb K. Grap, Logan K. Grap, Venson L. Griffin, Dinna M. Halle, Amber L. Hemstrom, Dixie M. Hensler, Catherine A. Kleckner, Alex M. Langreck, Raven A. Lisiecki, Carol L. Mashin, Connie R. McDonald, Angela M. Montgomery, Kim M. Nelson, Devon S. Opelt, Ryan J. Peters, Amy M. Rakestraw, James R. Seefeldt II, Kristy L. Sischo, Michael L. Smock, Ashley M. Trojan Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 558 to 611 in the amount of $213,615.44 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************