City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 24, 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 burials at the Cemetery, lawn mowing and weed trimming, weed spraying along roads, brush mowing, poured in posts for electrical boxes in Cemetery and Listeman Park restroom, mowed two residential lawns, paved W. Fifth Street (Ferguson Street to the West), fountain maintenance, changed oil in trucks, replace a pump on the one ton dump truck, hauling brush, Water Department-daily testing and maintenance, utility locates, exercising water main valves, installing radio reads on meters, Sewer Department–I & I testing and lab work, cleaning UV lights, plant and lift station maintenance. Discussion followed on mowing of residential lawns, billing property owners $130 per time, repeat offenders and possibly increasing the billing rate for those repeat mowings (increasing charges each time). Motion Counsell, second Perrine, that Water Bills Nos. 188 to 207 in the amount of $19,669.54 and Sewer Bills Nos. 141 to 157 in the amount of $27,828.83 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Harnisch, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 24, 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 meetings were declared approved. City Attorney Wachsmuth presented the August 16, 2021 meeting of the TIF District #4 Joint Review Board regarding: 1) selection of Donald Quicker as a Citizen Member, 2) election of Diane Murphy as Board Chair and 3) reviewed TIF District #4 project plan, boundary map and timeline. Council Member Harnisch reported on the August 18, 2021 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and approval of a “Certificate Appropriateness” for Melissa Inlow, 318 E. Fourth Street for a fencing project, 2) discussion and approval of the “Historic Property Evaluation of Significance” form as updated, 3) discussion on the draft “Evaluation of Significance” and nomination of the “Merchants Hotel property,” 105 W. Seventh Street, to the Local Register of Historic Properties, 4) discussion on the Clark County Property Committee meeting required needed repairs at the Clark County Jail Museum and options for evaluating scope of work and funding, 5) discussion on funds and 6) discussion on Nolan John’s Eagle Scout project-John was awarded first place for Wisconsin Scout projects in 2020 for the improvements made to the WCCN Pavilion. Mayor Murphy reported on the August 19, 2021 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) a public hearing on proposed Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) District #4 project plan, boundaries and creation resolution and 2) discussion on and recommendation that Resolution No. 613-Recommending the Boundary and Approving the Project Plan for Tax Incremental District Number Four, City of Neillsville, be adopted. City Clerk Roehl reported on the August 23, 2021 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding a closed session on interviewing candidates for Firefighter positions- the meeting adjourned in closed session. City Clerk Roehl reported on the August 24, 2021 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session on reviewing and interviewing candidates for the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position and 2) reconvening into open session with the recommendation to hire Debbie Winder for the Other Part-time Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position at $15.00 per hour effective on or after September 1, 2021 with a one-year probation period. Council Member Clough reported on the August 24, 2021 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Planning Commission item (2). Mayor Murphy had read the following resolution as part of the Planning Commission report. City of Neillsville Planning Commission Resolution # 613 Recommending the Boundary and Approving the Project Plan for Tax Incremental District Number Four, City of Neillsville WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Legislature has established legislation allowing municipalities to create tax incremental financing districts in order to encourage development by allowing municipalities to recover associated project costs before overlying taxing authorities benefit from the additional values created; and WHEREAS, the Neillsville Planning Commission has prepared a Project Plan for the creation and implementation of Tax Incremental District Number Four (TID #4) with the purpose to promote the orderly growth and development of the west-side neighborhood through the use of tax increment financing to make TID #4 more attractive for housing and compatible, light commercial redevelopment and infill, which will significantly protect and enhance the value of property within TID #4 while providing economic benefits to the entire community and overlying taxing jurisdictions; and WHEREAS, said TID #4 Project Plan specifies the kind, number and location of all proposed public improvements and contains a detailed listing of estimated project costs; and WHEREAS, it has been demonstrated in said TID #4 Project Plan that the creation and operation of a Tax Increment Financing District is economically feasible and that the TID #4 goal, objectives, and desired development as envisioned within said plan could not be attained without the use tax increment financing; and WHEREAS, included in the TID #4 Project Plan is a description of the methods of financing all estimated project costs and the time when costs or monetary obligations related thereto are to be incurred; and WHEREAS, the TID #4 Project Plan also includes appropriate tables and maps showing existing uses and conditions of real property in the District, as well as proposed improvements and land uses in the District; and WHEREAS, the TID #4 Project Plan demonstrated that the creation and operation of the District will promote the orderly development of the City of Neillsville; and  WHEREAS, the Neillsville Planning Commission has conducted a public hearing at which interested parties were afforded a reasonable opportunity to express their views on the proposed TID #4 Project Plan and the creation of said District and the District boundaries; and WHEREAS, the City of Neillsville has complied with all provisions of Wisconsin Statutes 66.1105 and other relevant laws in the preparation of the TID #4 Project Plan and the creation of the District and said plan includes an attorney’s opinion stating that the plan is complete and complies with this section. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT, RESOLVED, that the City of Neillsville hereby adopts the TID #4 Project Plan and recommends to the City Council the approval of the proposed boundary for TID #4 as mapped within said plan; and ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 2021 ______________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk-Treasurer Motion Clough, second Perrine, that Resolution No. 613 be adopted. All Aye. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee item (2). Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to hire Debbie Winder for the Other Part-time Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position at $15.00 per hour effective on or after September 1, 2021 with a one-year probation period. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Security Health contract renewal for 2021-2022. The Family active plan premium is remaining the same at $1,961.17 per month-0.0% increase. The Single active plan premium is remaining the same $905.56 per month-0.0% increase. The current deductibles are $6,000 Family and $3,000 Single. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the health insurance contract renewal with Security Health Plan for 2021-2022. All Aye. Mayor Murphy read Michelle Pickett’s letter of resignation as member of the Parks and Recreation Board. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept Michelle Pickett’s resignation as presented and thank her for her 14 1/3 years (2007-2021) of service to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski asked Isaac Guyer and Hunter Imm to step forward announced that they have completed their one-year probation period and are now regular City of Neillsville Police Officers. Mankowski presented each one with special handcuffs which have their name engraved on them. A round of applause was given. Mayor Murphy reported that Chief of Police Mankowski and she were invited to Volk Field on August 13, 2021. They visited the base, saw what they have there for facilities, aircraft, equipment and personnel. They explained how their training affect our airspace. City Clerk Roehl reported a letter from the Wisconsin Department of Administration stating that the City of Neillsville’s January 1, 2021 population is estimated at 2,344 a drop of 119 residents (4.8%) since the 2010 Census. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Judy S. Lindner, Kara M. Montie, Debra A. Perkl Motion Neville, second Harnisch, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 764 to 814 in the amount of $243,651.76 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************