City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 25, 2022 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Member Petkovsek 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, brush cutting, winterized Cemetery water lines, mulching leaves, winterized Town Square irrigation system, replaced garage windows at Police Department, closed down park restrooms, hauling brush, finished paving projects, replaced a few sidewalk aprons on W. Fifth Street, stock piling winter salt, leaf pickup in progress, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, removed seasonal meters at the school, valve box and curb stop repairs, exercising water main valves, cleaning road boxes, Sewer Department-washed down and vacuumed out and cleaned flat manholes, flushing sewer mains, checking form fields for sludge hauling, added risers to low manholes on the north end of town. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a Neillsville Optimist Club request to close Court Street from E. Fourth Street to E. Fifth Street for their annual Children’s Christmas Party on December 10, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. in conjunction with the CART Center. Discussion followed. Motion Poeschel, second Counsell, to recommend to the Common Council to grant the Neillsville Optimist Club request to close Court Street from E. Fourth Street to E. Fifth Street for their annual Children’s Christmas Party on December 10, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. in conjunction with the CART Center. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that Water Bills Nos. 242 to 275 in the amount of $67,750.14 and Sewer Bills Nos. 166 to 188 in the amount of $107,962.26 be paid. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Poeschel, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM OCTOBER 25, 2022 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: Council Member Petkovsek absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Mayor Poeschel read the minutes of the October 11, 2022 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and approved the purchase of eight (8) five-foot benches, color-gray and slate for the Town Square Park from B&B Outdoor Furniture, 2) discussion on and approved flower choices for the hanging baskets and pots for 2023, 3) discussion on and approved the Winter banner idea, 4) discussion on and referral of the Military Banner Program to the City Attorney for review, 5) discussion on Fall decorations and decorating and 6) discussion on and approved the purchase of a gift certificate for Jim Wetzel for Fall decorations. Council Member Counsell reported on the October 11 and 20, 2022 meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session on reviewing and interviewing a candidate for the City Custodian position-adjourned in closed session; 2) a closed session on Police Union contract negotiations and non-union employees, 3) reconvening into open session, 4) recommendation to accept the Neillsville Professional Police Association WPPA- LEER Police Union contract 2023-2024 as negotiated, 5) recommend that the Wage Schedule for 2023 as adopted by the Finance Committee for budgetary purposes be amended and 6) directed the City Clerk to prepare the necessary Budget Line and Category changes as affected by the Amended Wage Schedule for 2023 as adopted. Council Member Neville reported on the October 13, 2022 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) discussion on creating a Miss Neillsville checking account, 3) discussion on entertainment, 4) reviewed draft donation letters and 5) discussion on and approval to apply for a Clark County Community Foundation grant. Council Member Neville reported on the October 17, 2022 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) discussion on and approved the use of the Hockey Rink for dog training with the conditions that it is cleared with the Youth Hockey Association and reviewed in 12 months, 2) discussion on location of dog park-no action taken, 3) discussion on a pickleball court at Listeman Park and approved to apply for a Clark County Community Foundation grant, 4) discussion on a splash pad at Cliff’s Park-no action taken, 5) discussion on lack of baseball fields and possibility of adding a field at Listeman Park and 6) discussion on applying for a Clark County grant for more equipment for the school pool. Mayor Poeschel read the minutes of the October 18, 2022 meeting of the Tourism Committee regarding: 1) discussion on requesting the Chamber of Commerce to send out a reminder notice to 2022 grant recipients notifying them of the December 31, 2022 deadline to spend funds and January 31, 2023 deadline to submit invoices for reimbursement and 2) discussion on changes to the 2023 grant application guidelines. Council Member Clough reported on the October 25, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) the recommendation to grant the Neillsville Optimist Club request to close Court Street from E. Fourth Street to E. Fifth Street for their annual Children’s Christmas Party on December 10, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.in conjunction with the CART Center and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any question on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (2). Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation to grant the Neillsville Optimist Club request to close Court Street from E. Fourth Street to E. Fifth Street for their annual Children’s Christmas Party on December 10, 2022 from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.in conjunction with the CART Center. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel recommended Jessica Elmhorst be appointed as a member of the Tourism Commission to fill the unexpired term of Diane Kren. Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to appoint Jessica Elmhorst (2023) as a member of the Tourism Commission. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a League of Wisconsin Municipalities magazine article-“Change State Law to Save PEG Channels”. The article states unless Wisconsin law is changed “Public, Education and Government (PEG)” access channels for most municipal use of cable TV will end. Motion Perrine, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 980 to 1024 in the amount of $103,024.42, TIF District No. 4 Account Bill No. 20 in the amount of $6,034.00 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Bill No. 6 in the amount of $65.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************