City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 28, 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 on four burials at the Cemetery, parks and bathroom maintenance, mowing and weed trimming, brush mowing (City Hall, Mount Moldy, Cemetery and along U.S. Hwy 10), finished up storm sewer work on W. Fifth Street, street sweeping, hauling brush, W. Fifth Street road construction is under way (Part of TIF District #4 project), Water Department-daily testing and maintenance, utility locates, sidewalk repair from past service breaks, finished meter reading, cleared trees at the wells to improve SCADA signal, mowing at the wells and booster station, Sewer Department-lift station rounds and maintenance, mowed at the wastewater plant, sprayed down oxidation ditch, clarifier and UV trough, mixing basin maintenance, working with the new hospital sewer lift station people, they are still having communication problems, will start sending out letters to people who put out their garbage and recycling more than twenty-four hours ahead of pick up schedule. Director of Public Works Friemoth reviewed the Sewer Department 2021 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Resolution. There were no major changes. Overall grade point average is 4.00 which puts us in the voluntary range. Our rate structure and replacement fund were reviewed in 2020. Future projects-rehab sewer mains, rehab clarifier, rehab E. Second Street lift station panel. City Attorney Wachsmuth read Resolution No. 617. Motion Perrine, second Neville, to accept the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommend to the Common Council that Resolution No. 617 be adopted. (See the Common Council minutes of June 28, 2022 for the printed resolution). All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth opened and read the American Asphalt of Wisconsin asphalt street paving bid for the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) project (Hewett Street from W. Eighteenth Street through W. Nineteenth Street) in the amount of $112.90 per ton for full width road paving. About 140 tons is needed. Motion Poeschel, second Petkovsek, to recommend to the Common Council to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt street paving bid for the LRIP project in the amount of $112.90 per ton. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water Bills Nos. 129 to 159 in the amount of $104,533.76 and Sewer Bills Nos. 94 to 112 in the amount of $53,995.26 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 28, 2022 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the June 13 and 27, 2022 meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) review and discussion on the City Attorney’s comments on codifying the Personnel Committee in the City’s Ordinances, 2) discussed Police Union contract and benefit review, 3) discussion on and changes to the City Custodian vacancy advertisement; 4) discussion on codifying the Personnel Committee in the City’s Ordinances, 5) discussion on human resources/personnel policies and procedures currently in place and 6) received a letter opening Police Union contract negotiations from the Wisconsin Professional Police Association. Mayor Poeschel presented the June 15, 2022 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session on the vacant Full-time officer position, 2) reconvening into open session and 3) the hiring of Derek Wheatley as a Full-time Police Officer with a one- year probation period. Council Member Neville reported on the June 16 and 23, 2022 meetings of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on food trucks, shirts, parade letter, parade giveaways and bike giveaways, 2) discussion on banners and signs and 3) discussion on golf outing, food vendors, parade, mini rodders and Miss Neillsville. Council Member Neville reported on the June 16, 2022 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) current activities-the Smokey the Bear sign is up, changing out light bulbs to LED as needed, fixed a leaky toilet and the Girl Scouts held a brat feed fundraiser and 3) discussion on and approval of insurance renewal without terrorism amendment. Council Member Clough reported on the June 22, 2022 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on Local Historic Preservation Commission Registry signage for the Merchants Hotel property, 105 W. Seventh Street, 2) discussion on the Historic Preservation Action Plan, 3) discussion on cooperation with the Beautification Committee on City projects, 4) discussion on creating a flyer of possible grant and loan assistance sources, 5) approaching the City to make the annual Historic Preservation a non-lapsing fund, 6) discussion on workshops and seminars and 7) reviewed fund balances. Council Member Neville reported on the June 23, 2022 meeting of the Dog Ordinance Committee regarding: 1) discussion on definitions of dangerous dog and nuisance dog, 2) discussion on findings and recommendations, 3) discussion on a fee for a nuisance dog and 4) sending recommended ordinance changes to the City Attorney and Chair Neville for review. Council Member Clough reported on the June 23, 2022 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to allow the transfer and reconveyance from Vickie Grap of Grave 5, Lot 24, Division Z, W ½, Map of 1969 to the City of Neillsville at the original purchase price of $350, 2) discussion on Sec. 4-5-10 of the Cemetery Ordinance which prohibits construction of vaults and mausoleums, 3) discussion on Columbariums, contacting Marshfield Monument for information-no action taken, 4) discussion on the Cemetery Fee Schedule, increasing costs, checking with other communities-no action taken and 5) current activities. Council Member Clough reported on the June 28, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and recommendation that Resolution No. 617 be adopted, 3) discussion on and recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt street paving bid for the Local Road Improvement Program project (Hewett Street from W. Eighteenth Street through W. Nineteenth Street) in the amount of $112.90 per ton and 4) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel swore in Derek R. Wheatley as a City Police Officer. City Attorney Wachsmuth presented the combustible material ordinance State Statute (Chapter168) and Wisconsin Administrative Code (ATCP 93) comparison as requested. Wachsmuth stated they don’t break down their codes by zoning types (residential, commercial, etc.), they regulate more by type (use, business use, storage size). It is extremely difficult to find something to match. Wachsmuth suggest to adopt the State Code, since it has changed multiple times over the years. The City could be more restrictive than the State. Council Member Clough stated that the comparison was excellent, overall adopting that State Statutes is the way to go. Sec. 3-4-6 Storage of Combustible Materials could include a pile of wood. Council Member Perrine stated that you can’t even buy a metal gas can anymore. Council Member Counsell stated she likes going with the State Statute, but could we put in a summary of the State Statues, in addition to the references, as not everyone can or knows how to research the State Statues. Wachsmuth stated that the State is always changing and they don’t break it down by say residential use. Wachsmuth stated the ordinance would have the State Statutes references. She will prepare the proposed ordinance for the next meeting. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Board of Cemetery Commissioners item (1). Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to allow the transfer and reconveyance from Vickie Grap of Grave 5, Lot 24, Division Z, W ½, Map of 1969 to the City of Neillsville at the original purchase price of $350. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities items (2 & 3). RESOLUTION NO. 617 COMPLIANCE MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION RESOLVED, that the City of Neillsville informs the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that the following actions were taken by the Common Council: 1. Reviewed the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report, which is attached to this resolution. ______________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ______________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Clough, second Perrine, to accept the recommendation that Resolution No. 617 be adopted. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt street paving bid for the Local Road Improvement Program project (Hewett Street from W. Eighteenth Street through W. Nineteenth Street) in the amount of $112.90 per ton. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented Erik Backlund’s Letter of Resignation as a City Police Officer. Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the resignation of Erik Backlund as City Police Officer effective July 8, 2022 and to thank him for his service to the City. All Aye. Fire Chief Matt Meyer stated as you know the City is in the market for a new fire truck, we have contacted three vendors-Rosenbauer, South Dakota; Darley, Chippewa Falls; and Pierce, Appleton. We are currently waiting on prices. There are two types of fire trucks: a Commercial truck (a dump truck or box truck)-they currently are having a hard time getting the chassis and are reluctant to give a price, they have a two year plus wait time; a custom cab truck has a 24 to 26 month wait, it is higher priced, but looking at a 40-year life. The Department has been doing a lot of planning and thinking about the future growth of the City, possible merger of departments (City/Rural or other municipalities). Prices are going up about 11 ½% per year. Greenwood and Colby have purchased Pierce trucks within the last year. We continue to shop and hope to get prices back by mid to late July. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue on behalf of the U.S. Treasury Department distributed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to non-entitlement units, our 2022 payment of $126,073.27 was received on June 21, 2022 and placed in a separate bank account. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a certified letter from the Wisconsin Profession Police Association opening contract negotiations for the City of Neillsville Professional Police Association. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer Only) Applications: Clark County Agricultural Society, Noreen L. Tyznik, Agent, for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street for July 16, 2022-Mud Bog Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Mobile Home Park Application: Live Oak Investments, LLC, Kevin Radman, Agent, 210 E. Division Street City Clerk Roehl stated that the trailer park is in the process of being sold. Council Member Counsell asked about the new owner and if everything was in compliance. City Clerk Roehl stated the application lists a telephone number and Milwaukee address. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that it was a battle last time the trailer park changed hands to get them into compliance, as of today they are in compliance; the new owner should come before the Council and let us know his plans and intentions. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated make sure he understands the City will hold his license. City Clerk Roehl stated the current license expires June 30, 2022. What happens next, are they evicted. Discussion on a temporary license period and having Chief of Police Mankowski contact the new owner. Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant a temporary license for 60 days subject to the surrender of the Neillsville MHC, LLC, Gregg R. Scheirman, Mobile Home Park license. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Aaliyah L. Banuelos, Jaden K. Barth, Janine M. Bethea, Joseph R. Bethea, Morgan N. Bethea, Megan M. Boe, Alan L. Buchholz, Allyssa M. Carney, Nancy L. Curtin, Brianna L. Fischer, Brenda L. Gilbert, Chelsie L. Gomez, Kaleb K. Grap, Logan K. Grap, Cathy A. Haines, Jennifer L. Hart, Jeanne M. Jacobs, Olivia D. Klabon, Margaret I. Knoop, Carol L. Mashin, Connie R. McDonald, Kim M. Nelson, Ryan J. Peters, Hannah M. Raine, Caroline A. Susa, Natalee J. Tovar, Annette S. Vanderhoof, Gregory M. Vanderhoof, Jaylee A. Williams. Motion Neville, second Perrine, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, that City Bills Nos. 624 to 675 in the amount of $324,320.45 and TIF District No. 4 Account Bills Nos. 4 and 5 in the amount of $766.07 be paid. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************