City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 15, 2022 3:30 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Member Counsell absent, all other members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on three burials at the Cemetery, parks and bathroom maintenance, removed two dangerous trees in the Cemetery, mowing and weed trimming, weed spraying, cleaned up downed trees in the frisbee golf course, finished street line painting, installed a catch basin and storm sewer on the Hewett Street (LRIP) project, hauling brush, cleaning catch basins, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, repaired a fire hydrant by City Hall, getting quotes to replace the treatment plant roof, poly pigged well transmission lines, Sewer Department-lift station rounds and maintenance, pulled and cleaned float switches at all the lift stations, added degreaser and odor control to lift stations, completed monthly DNR reports, hydrant flushing will begin August 15, 2022, no signs are allowed in public parks, including the Gazebo. Michael Gross presented a request for permission to hang a “High School Football Game Day” banner on the day of home football games in the downtown four-way stop sign area (like the Welcome Hunter sign has been). This year there are only three home games this year. The group would pay for the banner as a way to raise community support for the high school football games as their season starts before the school year begins. Mayor Poeschel stated you want it hung above the intersection, not on the gazebo. Council Member Petkovsek asked if the City had a policy and about putting up one sign with the games dates on it versus putting up and taking down the banner for each game. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated it would take a couple of guys with the boom truck a couple of hours to put it up and take it down. City Clerk Roehl stated that there is no policy. Council Member Perrine asked what about the other sports parents if they come and ask for a banner. Gross stated they thought about that, but football is so different, because the football season starts before the school term. The other sports have announcements, people are aware of when the games are. Mayor Poeschel stated give it a try, we can address others as they come. Motion Petkovsek, second Neville to recommend to the Common Council to grant the High School Football Team parents request to put up a banner on the Fifth Street and Hewett Street intersection with the dates of the home football games on it. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************  COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 15, 2022 3:45 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: Council Member Counsell absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the July 25 and August 8, 2022 meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) discussion on moving forward with human resources policies and manual, 2) a closed session on Police Union contract negotiation proposal and reviewing and interviewing candidates for the City Custodian position, 3) reconvening into open session to offer position to candidate for the City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour after a successful pre-employment background check; 4) a closed session on Police Union contract negotiations and candidates for the City Custodian position-adjourned in closed session. Council Member Clough reported on the July 26, 2022 meeting of the Nuisance Ordinance Committee regarding: 1) review of and discussion on current nuisance ordinances and 2) identifying and discussion on which ordinances require changes or modifications. Council Member Clough reported on the July 28, 2022 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation that Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS AND MAUSOLEUMS, be repealed and recreated as Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS, MAUSOLEUMS AND COLUMBARIUMS. (a) Vaults: (1) Are required for traditional full in ground burials. (2) Are required for decomposable material ash urn/containers in ground burials. (3) Are not required for non-decomposable permanent ash urn/containers in ground burial. (b) Mausoleums. (1) Are not allowed. (c) Columbariums. (1) Municipal and private columbariums are allowed with permission from the City, 2) discussion on and recommendation that SEC. 4-5-4 OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF INTERMENT (d)(1) be amended to remove “of Five ($5.00) Dollars”, 3) discussion on and recommendation to increase Cemetery fees effective January 1, 2023 (see schedule later in these minutes) and 4) discussion on and recommendation to increase St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery service fees effective January 1, 2023 (see schedule later in these minutes). Council Member Clough reported on the August 15, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) discussion on and recommendation to grant the High School Football Team parents request to put up a banner on the Fifth Street and Hewett Street intersection with the dates of the home football games on it. Mayor Poeschel declared all reported filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any question on the Board of Cemetery Commissioners items (1, 2, 3 and 4). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation that Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS AND MAUSOLEUMS, be repealed and recreated as Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS, MAUSOLEUMS AND COLUMBARIUMS. (a) Vaults: (1) Are required for traditional full in ground burials. (2) Are required for decomposable material ash urn/containers in ground burials. (3) Are not required for non-decomposable permanent ash urn/containers in ground burial. (b) Mausoleums. (1) Are not allowed. (c) Columbariums. (1) Municipal and private columbariums are allowed with permission from the City and that the City Attorney be directed to draft an ordinance amendment. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the recommendation that SEC. 4-5-4 OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF INTERMENT (d)(1) be amended to remove “of Five ($5.00) Dollars” and that the City Attorney be directed to draft an ordinance amendment. All Aye.  CITY OF NEILLSVILLE CEMETERY FEES Regular Sundays/ Increase Service Weekdays Saturdays Holidays* $ 150 Grave Lot Purchase (Single) $ 500 $ 500 $ 500 120 Grave Opening (Traditional) 450 675 900 75 Child’s Opening 225 337.50 450 - Stillborn Opening 125 187.50 250 50 Burial of Ashes 300 450 600 125 Disinterment 525 787.50 1,050 30 Filing Fee for Deed Transfers 50 - - 50 Staking Fee – Stone Company 50 - - *City Holidays are: New Year’s Day Veterans Day Good Friday Thanksgiving Day Memorial Day Christmas Eve Day Fourth of July Christmas Day Labor Day Motion Perrine, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to adopt the Cemetery Fee Schedule as presented, effective January 1, 2023. All Aye. FEES FOR SERVICES TO CATHOLIC CEMETERY Regular Sundays/ Increase Service Weekdays Saturdays Holidays* $ 35 Backhoe $ 125 $ 187.50 $ 250 20 Air Hammer/Water Pump 100 150 200 - Snow Removal 25 37.50 50 *City Holidays are: New Year’s Day Veterans Day Good Friday Thanksgiving Day Memorial Day Christmas Eve Day Fourth of July Christmas Day Labor Day Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to adopt the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery service fees as presented, effective January 1, 2023. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works item (2). Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to grant the High School Football Team parents request to put up a banner on the Fifth Street and Hewett Street intersection with the dates of the home football games on it. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski requested permission to fill the Police Officer vacancy. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to authorize the Police and Fire Commission to fill the Police Officer vacancy. All Aye. Police Officer Hunter Imm presented a request for the Police Department to update its records management system to Core Technology’s TAC.10 RMS Software-TAC 10 RMS Full User. It provides a secure electronic data exchange system between Criminal Justice partners (law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts). It provides incident and supplement submission, case status and disposition receipt, receipt and delivery notifications and command center exchange log view. Our current system dates to the late 1990’s, relies heavily on paper and going back to the office to use the computer. Imm has used the program previously in Cadott. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that he has a quote for the software of $7,600 with annual maintenance cost of $3,500. The Clark County Sheriff’s Department is switching January 1, 2023. Colby/Abbotsford and Thorp have already switched. A bigger concern is our outdated computer equipment, to make it happen will cost about $20,000. Council Member Petkovsek asked if leasing the hardware was considered instead of an outright purchase. Chief of Police Mankowski stated he would look into leasing, but we need to write technology and equipment into the budget. Other communities our size have a much larger budget. It is going to be expensive to switch, but it will be more expensive to wait and do it later. Motion Petkovsek, second Neville, to approve the Police Department records management system update. All Aye. Fire Chief Matt Meyer stated that two proposals were received for a new fire truck: Rosenbauer, South Dakota-$585,862 and Pierce, Appleton-$613,702. Darley, Chippewa Falls did not submit a proposal. This truck will serve us for the next 30 to 40 years. The Fire Department recommends going with the Pierce truck as it provides more bang for the buck. There will be some additional cost for equipment (hoses, nozzle, radios, etc.) when we switch to the new truck from the 1979 truck. Dan Schultz, Fire Apparatus and Equipment, Inc., dealer for Pierce. Pierce firetrucks are built in Appleton, WI. Three payment options are available for the #883 Pierce Enforcer Top Mount Pumper: #1 Advance Payment Discount Purchase – Full payment is made at the time of contract entry less the advance payment discount. ($613,702 - $30,663=$583,039) #2 Chassis Payment Discount Purchase – The chassis is paid for when completed and the balance is paid when the truck is completed. The chassis payment would be $287,734 about 120 days before the truck payment of $317,732 giving a $8,236 discount. ($613,702 - $8,236=$605,466) #3 No Advance Payment Discounts, Payment in Full upon completion ($613,702) Schultz stated another price increase for labor and inflation cost will go in effect on November 1, 2022 (about 6.5%). Over the last 3 to 4 years prices have increased 33.9% on the same truck. City Clerk-Treasurer Roehl stated that the City has $252,146.54 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $162,131.95 in City budget non-lapsing fund for a total cash on hand available of $414,278.49 plus a pledge from the Listeman Foundation of $150,000 over three years bringing the projected funds available to $564,278.49. The truck will take 27 months to be completed (about November/December 2024). The City will have two budget years (2023 and 2024) to come up with the $41,187.51 balance if Option #2 is selected. The ARPA funds have to be used by December 31, 2024. The ARPA funds and City budget non-lapsing funds could be used for the chassis down payment. The discount would be more the bigger the down payment made. Council Member Petkovsek asked if there are other grants out there and if the City owns its own firetrucks. Meyer replied grants are difficult to get and both the City and Rural own their own firetrucks with some vehicles and equipment shared. Motion Clough, second Perrine, to proceed with the purchase of a firetruck. All Aye. Discussion followed on using ARPA funds and City budget non-lapsing funds for the Payment Option #2 Chassis Payment Discount Purchase. Motion Perrine, second Clough, to approve the use of ARPA Funds to purchase a fire truck. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl stated that the Beautification Committee has collected $2,325 in donations for hanging flower baskets/decorations from area businesses and individuals. Motion Clough, second Perrine, to accept and appropriate $2,325 in donations for hanging flower baskets/decorations to Account No. 55340 Celebrations and to thanks the businesses and individuals for help in beautifying our City. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $350 donation from the Neillsville Kiwanis Club for flowers in the Sniteman Town Square flower garden. Motion Perrine, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $350 to Account No. 55340 Celebrations and thank the Neillsville Kiwanis Club for help in beautifying our City. All Aye. Council Member Neville presented a draft of “An Ordinance Amending Portion of Title 7, Chapter 1 Licensing of Dogs and Regulation on Animals” and asked Council Members to look it over and get back to him with any questions, suggestions as changes. The Dog Ordinance Committee will be meeting to review the draft and make a recommendation. Discussion followed on various sections, holding owners accountable, enforcement, a residents questions on nuisance dog noise and reporting (calls go through the County Dispatch, emails to the Police Department are not read until the office opens, etc.). Chief of Police Mankowski reported on trainings, one full-time officer vacancy, squad car maintenance, July parking enforcement, citations, compliments, business checks and activities. Mobile Home Park License: Live Oak Investments, LLC, Kevin Radman, Agent, 210 E. Division Street City Clerk Roehl stated that at the June 28, 2022 Common Council meeting they were granted a temporary license for sixty days. The Property Manager, Nicole Egland, has met with Chief of Police Mankowski and appeared at the July 26, 2022 Common Council meeting. The temporary license will expire and needs to be extended to year end June 30, 2023. Chief of Police Mankowski stated he is okay with the extension and having a local property manager is quite an improvement. Motion Clough, second Perrine, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Cassidy E. Galetka Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 755 to 817 in the amount of $139,891.15, TIF District No. 4 Account Bills Nos. 11 to 13 in the amount of $76,997.59 and CBDG Housing Escrow Account Bill No. 5 in the amount of $225.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************