City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBBER 27, 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 two burials at the Cemetery, trimming trees, picking up sticks and limbs, mowing and weed trimming, working on the 2023 budget, finished excavation work on W. Fifth Street (Ayers Street to Oak Street) with paving scheduled for the second week in October, tarring Grand Avenue and Airport runway, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, finished meter reading, did annual water sampling, pour concrete to fix sidewalks after service repairs, Sewer Department-a technician serviced the Hospital lift station on US Hwy 10 and replaced the circuit board as the generator was not starting, lowered manholes on the W. Fifth Street project for grading, saw cut patches for water and sewer work, mixer maintenance at the Sewer Plant (motor and gear box sent in for repairs), cleaning manholes on the northside of the City, the DOT will be moving the stop-and-go light on the City Hall corner back and putting a longer arm on (the cost to the City will be about $3,600), hopefully this will prevent future breakoffs. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported that pursuant to the Sewer Connection agreement with Marshfield Medical Center-Neillsville (Memorial Hospital, Inc.), the City has taken ownership of the sewer main extension and lift station located within the public right-of-way effective September 27, 2022. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a letter from Maggie Gelhaus urging the City and School District to address the Homecoming toilet papering and pranks as vandalism as each year it seems to be getting worse. City residents and businesses should not have to be cleaning up the unsightly mess. City Clerk Roehl reported that the regular meeting on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 is also the Fall General Election day. Discussion followed. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to reschedule the Tuesday, November 8, 2022 meeting to Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 4:15 P.M. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Perrine, that Water Bills Nos. 211 to 241 in the amount of $116,069.54 and Sewer Bills Nos. 148 to 165 in the amount of $59,535.42 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 27, 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. Mayor Poeschel reported on the September 13, 2022 meeting of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the budget process and directions to department heads and committees and 2) discussion on and setting the budget meeting schedule. Council Member Neville reported on the September 15, 2022 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) discussion on music/bands and 3) discussion on donations/sponsorship letters. Council Member Neville reported on the September 15, 2022 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) thank yous to-Mickey Marty for fixing some bricks on the building, the Street crews for painting the parking lines and the Firemen’s club for purchasing seven new tables, 3) discussion on and approval for the Firemen’s Club to use the Fire Hall for their annual Steak Feed fundraiser and 4) work on and approval of the 2023 operating and capital budgets. Council Member Clough reported on the September 19, 2022 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding: 1) current activities and 2) work on and referral of the 2023 Cemetery budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Neville reported on the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) current activities of the Recreation Department, 2) current activities of the Parks Department, 3) work on and referral of the 2023 Recreation Department budget to the Finance Committee, 4) work on and referral of the 2023 Parks Department budget to the Finance Committee, 5) discussion on and approval of an arch to be put up by the larger rock in Prock Park, 6) discussion on and approval to change the tennis court at Listeman Park into a pickleball court, 7) discussion on and recommendation to the Planning Commission to move forward with a splash pad park at Cliff’s Park and 8) discussion on and approval to install drain tile at Listeman Park by the playground area to help dry it out faster by the toys. Council Member Clough reported on the September 21, 2022 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the 2022 and 2023 Historic Preservation Action Plans, 2) discussion on creating a flyer of possible grand and loan assistance sources, 3) discussion on additional sources of Historic Preservation Commission related funding opportunities, 4) reviewed fund balances, 5) work on and referral of the 2023 Historic Preservation budget to the Finance Committee, 6) discussion on and approval to reimburse David Harnisch and Natalie Erpenbach for full cost of registrations for attending the Annual Local History and Historic Preservation Conference being held October 13 and 14, 2022 in Wausau and 7) discussion on property owners needing building permits and Certificate of Appropriateness. Council Member Neville reported on the September 22, 2022 meeting of the Airport Commission regarding: 1) current activities and 2) work on and referral of the 2023 Airport operating and capital budgets to the Finance Committee. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the September 26, 2022 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session on Police Union contract negotiations and non-union employees-adjourned in closed session. Council Member Counsell reported on the September 27, 2022 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) librarian’s reports, 2) work on and referral of the 2023 Library Board budget to the Finance Committee, 3) discussion on the Library Director and Children’s Librarian attending the ARSL and WLA conferences in November and 4) updated on donations and carryover funds. Council Member Clough reported on the September 27, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) rescheduling the regular Tuesday, November 8, 2022 meeting to Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 4:15 P.M. and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Denise Clough, Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) Board Member, stated that NIC was invited to the Town of Fremont Board meeting on September 14, 2022 to share information on Rails to Trails from Neillsville to Granton to Chili, 13 miles along the Xcel power line. There seems to be some confusion about the City of Neillsville’s involvement. The City of Neillsville co-signed the DNR grant application. A Councilperson at the town meeting implied the City was on the hook for $50,000 and that it was taxpayer money. This is a grant and not a loan which has to be repaid. NIC is excited about the project and construction has begun-there will be a sidewalk, ADA accessible restrooms, play station area, adult exercise workstations, canoe and kayak launch area, a Lion’s club picnic shelter, etc. NIC’s goal is to help with the Clark County and Neillsville area tourism. Council Member Counsell stated that she was the Council Member at the Town of Fremont Board meeting. There are taxpayer dollars being used-DNR grants are funded by tax dollars. Angela Eckman, Chippewa Valley Technical College, Campus Business Development Manager for Chippewa Falls and Neillsville, stated the Neillsville Campus is near and dear to her personally as she has family in the Greenwood/Neillsville area. She is here to address the presence of the Neillsville Campus, she is disappointed by what she hears, people saying things about what is being offered and how the campus is being utilized. Eckman stated with the passing of the referendum, CVTC is building a transportation center and emergency services building, while these are not local buildings, both programs can provide for local services, the current problem is CVTC cannot find a local instructor for the transportation program, it is not for a lack of effort in looking, we are working on returning the CNA program, but the State is slowing responding. Eckman stated that CVTC has been active in the community with the Chamber, June Dairy breakfast, Fall Festival, etc., career fairs (Mayville, OEM, Cummins, etc.), worker training for businesses (safety, leadership, blueprint reading, etc.), partnering with Grassland for hazardous material handling and training staff for emergency services, hosting area association meetings. Eckman stated the Neillsville campus is unique as it is on the intersecting edge of four technical colleges and provides the opportunities for collaboration. You may not see a packed parking lot, but there is effort, resources, passion and dedication to this facility. Council Member Counsell thanked Eckman for coming, it would be nice to get periodic updates and next time you should be on the agenda. Jerilyn St. Amand stated a lot of people don’t know the CVTC Campus is up there, people want to go back to school and continue learning. Eckman stated this is important feedback, what target audience are you addressing. St. Amand replied people who work during the day, they want night classes. Eckman questioned who are they. St. Amand stated better communication with people is needed, people are afraid to come to the Council Meetings. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Parks and Recreation Board items (6 and 8). Motion Counsell, second Petkovsek, to accept the recommendation to change the tennis court at Listeman Park into a pickleball court. All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the drain tile installation would tie into the W. Fifteenth Street storm sewer line and drain into Listeman Pond. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to install drain tile at Listeman Park by the playground area to help dry it out faster by the toys. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the regular meeting of Tuesday, November 8, 2022 is also the Fall General Election Day. Discussion followed. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to reschedule the Tuesday, November 8, 2022 meeting to Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 4:30 P.M. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented Diane Kren’s letter of resignation from the Tourism Commission. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the resignation of Diane Kren as member of the Tourism Commission and to thank her for her service to the City. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski invited everyone to stop by Hardee’s on October 2, 2022 from 7:30 A.M to 9:30 A.M. to have coffee with a cop, a letter from Maggie Gelhaus addressing Homecoming toilet paper and pranks, Homecoming activities are civil unrest, they may be City ordinance violations, but not criminal activities, the managing of 75 to 100 children is overwhelming, he will be meeting with the School to try and come up with a plan for next year. City Clerk Roehl presented an invitation from the Neillsville Branch of Simplicity Credit Union to stop in and hear about their plans for their new building with drive through anytime this week-September 26 through 30, 2022. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Melanie S. Ganje Mayor Poeschel read Chief of Police Mankowski’s letter regarding the operator’s license application from Melanie S. Ganje. Mankowski’s position has not changed and he does not recommend issuing Ganje an operator’s license. Discussion followed. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to deny the license based on the information provided by the Chief of Police. All Aye. Steve D. DeCloux and Karen S. Simm Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Petkovsek, that City Bills Nos. 893 to 933 in the amount of $82,894.24 be paid. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************