City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 11, 2022 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 one burial at the Cemetery, the skid steer broke down and was taken in for repair, a rental unit is being used, snow removal and clean up, salting and sanding streets, picking up Christmas trees, hauling brush, equipment maintenance, Water Department-preparing for yearly DNR audit, daily testing and maintenance, looking into upgrading flow control meters for filter vessels, maintenance on caustic soda feed system, snow removal, meter change outs and repairs, Sewer Department- lift station maintenance, two homeowners had sewer backups on their side, repaired the water line for the automatic washdown on the bar screen, added insulation over the bar screen to prevent freeze ups and snow removal. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a request from Public Works employees to carryover 2021 unused vacation time due to snowstorms the last part of December. There is a total of 38 hours. Employees are Jason Kuhn (19 hours), Terry Stetzer (8 hours), Dale Zank (3 hours) and Regan Barth (8 hours). Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to recommend to the Common Council to allow Public Works employees to carryover their unused 2021 vacation hours to 2022, to be used by March 31, 2022. All Aye. Council Member Counsell stated that at a Library Board meeting it was discussed that the people from the Farmer’s Market were using the Library’s restrooms as a public restroom. Is there a need for a downtown public restroom, something of a dual purpose to serve as a downtown public restroom/visitor center for people passing through or attending the Farmer’s Market or other downtown activities. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a request from Brittney Lowry to have banners put up on our downtown poles for the Neillsville High School graduating seniors for the month of May. The banners would include their name and picture. The estimated cost for the City crew to put up and take down the banners is $1,300. The other concern is there are 76 graduates so even with two to a pole, 38 poles would be needed, the City only has 24 poles we can use. They would have to work it out. Council Member Neville stated we have a good working relationship with the School and the City could provide the labor without charge. Motion Neville, second Murphy, to recommend to the Common Council to allow the Neillsville Senior Class to have banners put up on the City poles, with the City providing the labor and they workout the rest of the banner situations and costs. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Harnisch, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************  COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 11, 2022 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. Council Member Clough reported on the January 11, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on and recommendation to allow Public Works employees to carryover their unused 2021 vacation hours to 2022, to be used by March 31, 2022 and 3) discussion on and recommendation to allow the Neillsville Senior Class to have banners put up on the City poles with the City providing the labor and they work out the rest of the banner situations and costs. Mayor Murphy declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Melanie Ganje stated that she has requested a Council review of her operator’s license which was denied by the Chief of Police. Ganje presented a letter of support from John Satterwhite, Probation and Parole Agent, along with her Rules of Supervision. Satterwhite has no concern with her working at Marathon/I-Mart gas station, as its primary purpose is not the sale of alcohol. Mildred Humphrey, Ganje’s mother, spoke of the process she has made in her recovery, she has done everything the Court has required of her. The Chief of Police has his reasons, but he did not speak with her parole officer. She is working hard to overcome her addiction, and Scott Hartung at Marathon has taken a chance on her. Jerilyn St. Amand stated she has never met a nicer person and she treats the customer right. Police Officer Isaac Guyer stated Ganje is on probation and has rules to follow. He has not seen an issue. Ganje is trying her best and the Chief may not know the whole situation. At a point in time, if a problem occurs the license can be taken away. She is one of Hartung’s best employees at Marathon. Council Member Counsell stated that Ganje’s case record on C-cap is a little concerning. Ganje stated she admits she is a recovering addict, she has completed treatment, moved here, she has a job at Super 8 and needs another at Marathon to stay active, she has a past, she made mistakes and she is trying hard to stay straight. Council Member Counsell asked if the license is annual. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that there is a process to revoke a license. Scott Hartung, Marathon/I-Mart Manager, stated that it is hard to find help, good help and part of Ganje’s job requirement is to get an alcohol license. With no license, she has no job, she will be fired, we are willing to give her an opportunity. Mayor Murphy called for further appearances. Mayor Murphy asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities items (2 and 3). Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to allow Public Works employees to carryover their unused 2021 vacation hours to 2022, to be used by March 31, 2022. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to allow the Neillsville Senior Class to have banners put upon the City poles with the City providing the labor and they workout the rest of the banner situations and costs. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a request to proceed with obtaining loan proposals from local financial institutions for the borrowing of $1.2 million for TIF District #4 Phase I borrowing for street construction, developer’s incentives, trail improvements and administrative costs. Discussion followed. Motion Neville, second Perrine, to authorize the City Clerk to proceed with obtaining loan proposals for the borrowing of $1.2 million for the TIF District #4 Phase I project. All Aye. Discussion followed on the Development Agreement between the City of Neillsville and Lisenby Properties, LLC for Tax Incremental Financing District #4. Council Member Counsell stated she has a list of items for the Council Members and City Attorney to review and discussion – insurance coverage amount, City listing on the insurance for notification if the policy is terminated, City approval of any ownership change in LLC members, obligation for required maintenance and repair on their part, etc. We are here to protect the City and our citizens. Discussion continued on insurance, membership changes, what is the recourse if the City has the ability to deny a change, making everything very clear, since we are putting a lot of trust in the Lisenby’s. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked Council Member Counsell to give her and the other Council Members a copy of the item list. Council Member Clough asked about the time line. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the City cannot payout any money without a Development Agreement in place. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to table the Development Agreement between the City of Neillsville and Lisenby Properties, LLC for Tax Incremental Financing District #4. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a request from the Police Department employees to carryover 2021 unused vacation time due to personnel shortages not allowing for time to be taken off. There is a total of 68 ½ hours. Employees are James Mankowski (40 hours) and Isaac Guyer (28 ½ hours). Motion Neville, second Counsell, to allow the Police Department employees to carryover their unused 2021 vacation hours to 2022, to be used by March 31, 2022. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Council Review of Melanie S. Ganje application for Operator’s license – City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the license can be tabled until the Chief of Police can be at the next meeting, if the Council desires. Council Member Neville asked Scott Hartung, Marathon/I-Mart Manager how long does Ganje have. Hartung replied they have 30 days, there would be time. Council Member Clough stated that he wants everyone to understand that there is no bad guy here, the Chief has a set of guidelines, the Council has the decision. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to table the Melanie Ganje Operator License. All Aye. Emily R. Fitzmaurice Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, that City Bills Nos. 1240 (2021) and 1 to 48 (2022) in the amount of $1,235,135.63 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Bill No. 1 in the amount of $225.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Harnisch, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Diane L. Murphy, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************