City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 10, 2022 4:15 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, removed Fall decorations, putting up Winter decorations, mulching leaves, bathroom shut down and winterized, leaf pick up is ongoing, street sweeping downtown as well as curb and gutter, leaves throughout City, equipment maintenance, street light maintenance, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, valve box repair and cleaning, winterizing hydrants, exercising water main valves, repaired water main valve at Well No. 3, Sewer Department-land applied sludge from harvester tank, shoveled and washed down harvester tank, replaced diffusers and other maintenance, flushing sewer mains, repairs and maintenance on sewer plant mixing basins. Jack Miller, Huron Street, stated he has raked leaves seven times this season and the City has only picked up once, he has shoveled the road three times because the gutters were jammed with leaves. The City’s leaf picker is 50 years old and a piece of junk. It takes three guys to operate and unload, 4 ½ hours pay per load. Invest in something different. His neighbors don’t rake leaves, he is thinking of putting up a snow fence. Spend the tax money properly, tax the people fairly, something is wrong with the City. Please invest some money. You invested in this City Hall building for five people and you are still paying for the Police Station. The School District is putting out a referendum for money too. Motion Poeschel, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 10, 2022 4:30 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 stated that he would be taking the agenda items out of order for the Department of Corrections next, then the budget hearing. Marie Peterson, Department of Corrections Program Specialist-Sex Offender Registry, went over some of the statistics-Wisconsin has 26,322 registrants, Clark County has 121 registrants. Their work is governed by WIS Statute Section 301.45, Registrants usually fall into two categories a 15-year period or lifetime. Communities have put residential restriction into place to protect their community and children, however studies show that 64% of all sexual abuse goes unreported, 93% of the victims know their attacker. It comes down to prevention and education. When a community has residential restrictions, these people are pushed out of community contact and resources. Bree Lien stated when offenders are released on GPS tracking, they have no place in the City to go, because of the residency restrictions. They end up living out in the countryside, sometime in sketchy housing, there is poor cell service and we can lose GPS signal, there are transportation barriers where they cannot get to treatment or checking in. Clark County has recently started a Housing Coalition to look into the homeless situation. The City’s residency restriction ordinance does not have an appeal process of other circumstances, only if they lived here can they come back here. We would hope that you would look at other options. Tina Schoengarth stated they are looking for residential option, now we have to look elsewhere, which does not help the registrants. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that the Neillsville Police Department has an extremely good working relationship with the Neillsville office of the Department of Corrections. We would like to see how we can work with them. Somethings are beyond our control, but we need to figure out how to help these people so we know where they live. Our problem is because we are the County seat, services are here. We don’t necessarily want to change the City ordinance, but options to work with the Department of Corrections to help these people. Some of the housing available out in the County, none of us would live in. We cannot kick the can down the road, as human beings and leaders, we need to be helpful and find a solution. Council Member Petkovsek stated an ordinance change would allow them to go to the new residential treatment facility that is coming in next year. Tina Schoengarth replied that would be one option. Mayor Poeschel stated that he and Chief Mankowski will be looking at the City’s ordinance and coming back with a proposal. 4:45 P.M.-Mayor Poeschel declared the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2023 Budget for the City now open. The City Clerk stated based on the Amended Wage Schedule for 2023 as recommended by the Personnel Committee on October 20, 2022 the following Budget Line and Category changes will need to be made to the Proposed 2023 City Budget, there is no change to the proposed levy, changes are: Account No. Account Name Change 51971 City Retirement Expense Increased $ 369 51972 Social Security Expense Increased $ 340 51973 Hospital Insurance Expense Decreased $ 3,452 Total General Government Decreased $ 2,743 52100 Police Department Administration Increased $ 1,037 Total Public Safety Increased $ 1,037 53100 Street Department Administration Increased $ 1,706 Total Public Works Increased $ 1,706 Net Changes $ -0- EXPENDITURES AND CONTINGENCY Operations and Maintenance General Government-51000 $ 974,370 $ 971,627 Public Safety-52000 773,049 774,086 Public Works-53000 834,719 836,425 Health & Human Services-54000 88,398 Culture, Recreation, Education-55000 329,203 Conservation & Development-56000 45,005 Total Operations and Maintenance $ 3,044,744 Capital Outlay-57000 118,606 Debt Service-58000 344,666 Contingency-34000 87,701 Total Expenditures and Contingency $ 3,595,717 LESS: REVENUES OTHER THAN FROM PROPERTY TAXES Taxes-41000 $ 292,150 Special Assessments42000 1,842 Intergovernmental Revenues-43000 1,291,245 Licenses & Permits-44000 10,660 Fines, Forfeits & Penalties-45000 23,000 Public Charges for Services-46000 98,986 Intergovernmental Charges for Services-47000 84,928 Miscellaneous Revenues-48000 47,907 Other Financing Sources-49000 127,139 Total Revenues $ 1,977,857 General Funds Applied 402,445 Total Revenues and Funds Applied $ 2,380,302 Proposed City Levy LESS: Computer State Aid $ 1,215,415 Net City Levy Before TID’s <4,113> PLUS: Tax Incremental Districts (TID’s) $ 1,211,302 Net City Levy 69,415 $ 1,280,717 Proposed Local Tax Rate $ 9.236677 per thousand The City Clerk reported that the proposed 2023 General Fund Budget of $3,595,717 is lower than the Consumer Price Index (7.7%) and lower than the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Expenditure Restraint Program (7.9%) guidelines. The proposed 2022 tax levy of $1,211,302 without TID’s exceeds the State’s levy limit requirement of 0% plus net new construction (0.366% or $3,940), however the Finance Committee has recommended approving a levy limit adjustment increase: Section D, Line E ($139,943) for Debt Service Levy for general obligation debt authorized after July 1, 2005-this would bring the City into compliance with the allowable levy limit for the City. Mayor Poeschel called for appearances. Jack Miller, Huron Street, stated that he is a disabled veteran and he hopes the Police wages got a decent pay raise, we are not paying them enough for putting their lives on the line. Taxes in the City are not fair, some people think they are big shots. He has compared assessments; some people’s assessments went up but the taxes went down. Some people have a lot of extra lots which are assessed for $1,000 each and are worth a lot more than that, they laugh because they are big shots, screw those in poverty or on fixed income, the City doesn’t care. The big shots talk a good game, but do they give to the food pantry or others. Tax the people fair, but this City does not. The City Clerk, Police Chief and Patrolmen are underpaid for the work they do. Jerilyn St. Amand thanked Miller for his service and agreed that there is something wrong with the City’s assessments, is a different Assessor needed. Mayor Poeschel called three times for appearances-there being none. 5:00 P.M.-Mayor Poeschel declared the budget hearing closed. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to accept the Personnel Committee recommendation to amend the Wage Schedule for 2023 and make the Budget Line and Category changes as presented. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to approve the Levy Limit Section D, Line E adjustment for Debt Service Levy for general obligation debt authorized after July 1, 2005 ($139,943). All Aye. Motion Clough, second Neville, to adopt the 2023 City Budget of $3,595,717 with $1,280,717 to be placed on the 2022 Tax Roll. On roll call: All Aye. Mayor Poeschel thanked the Common Council Members and City Clerk-Treasurer for all their work throughout the budget process. Mayor Poeschel read the minutes of the November 4, 2022 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding attending a virtual League of Wisconsin Municipalities 6.5-hour webinar on various aspects of the roles and responsibilities of the Police and Fire Commission. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the November 4, 2022 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session on reviewing a candidate for the City Custodian position and 2) reconvening into open session with the recommendation to offer Terrance McCarville the City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour with a 90-day probation period. Council Member Clough reported on the November 10, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee item (2). Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to hire Terrance McCarville for the City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour with a 90-day probation period effective on or after November 16, 2022. All Aye. Council Member Petkovsek stated the union contract has been ratified by the union members as presented. Changes include: increased probationary period; longevity payments; increased floating holiday hours, additional pay, unused hours expire on December 31st each year; Employee retirement contribution set by the State; travel per diem added; outside work language added; removed COVID hazard pay; no wage increase for 2023, but added differential pay for night shift, weekend shift and field training officer; 2% wage increase for 2024; and the contract is for two years (2023-2024). Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept the Personnel Committee recommendation from October 20, 2022 to accept the Neillsville Professional Police Association WPPA-LEER Police Union Contract 2023-2024 as negotiated. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented a request from the CART Center to hang a banner on the Gazebo for the “Ugly Sweater Fun Walk” on Saturday, December 3, 2022. The banner would be hung from November 10 through December 3, 2022. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to grant the CART Center request to hang a banner on the Gazebo for the “Ugly Sweater Fun Walk” event on December 3, 2022. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for use of the C.C. Sniteman Town Square Park and Gazebo for the “Official Tree Lighting/Santa’s Coming to Town” event on Friday, December 2, 2022. Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, to grant the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce request for the use of the C.C. Sniteman Town Square Park and Gazebo for the “Official Tree Lighting/Santa’s Coming to Town” event on Friday, December 2, 2022. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on trainings, squad car maintenance, the Chevy Tahoe needs to be replaced after this winter season, October parking enforcement, citations, warnings, compliments, complaints, office activities, business checks and activities, this is the first month with the Town of Mentor limited police services, everything went well, and they will be attending training on the new Core Technology’s TAC.10 RMS Records Management System. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Vicki L. Dunn and Olivia J. Dupee Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, that City Bills Nos. 1025 to 1073 in the amount of $177,288.16 and TIF District No. 4 Account Bills Nos. 21 to 23 in the amount of $149,311.89 be paid. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************