City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM DECEMBER 13, 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 three burials at the Cemetery, putting up Christmas decorations, equipment maintenance, completing leaf pickup, hauling brush, salting streets, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, fixed a water leak at the booster plant, valve exercising, meter reading, Sewer Department-daily testing and rounds, lift station maintenance, winterizing plant and lift stations, submitted monthly DNR reports. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a proposal from the Clark County Planning, Zoning and Land Information Department to provide complete reviews of all submitted Certified Survey Maps (CSMs) for the City. There is no cost to the City for this review service. The surveyor is charged $50 to review a one lot CSM and $10 for each additional lot. Discussion followed. Motion Counsell, second Poeschel, to recommend to the Common Council to authorize the Clark County Planning, Zoning and Land Information Department to do complete CSM reviews for the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM DECEMBER 13, 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 November 22, 2022 meeting of the Tourism Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and approved changes to the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce reminder letters to room tax grant recipients, 2) discussion on the City Attorney’s review of room tax grant eligibility requirements per state statutes, 3) discussion on and approved changes to the 2023 room tax grant application, 4) discussion on and set publication date for the 2023 room tax grant announcement as January 11, 2023 and 5) discussion on and set meeting date to award room tax grants as March 14, 2023. Mayor Poeschel reported on the November 29, 2022 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session for interviewing candidates for Other Part-Time Police Officer positions, 2) reconvening into open session, 3) offered a candidate an Other Part-Time position with a one-year probationary period based on successful background checks and 4) offered a candidate an Other Part-Time position with a one-year probationary period based on successful completion of the Law Enforcement Academy and successful background checks. Council Member Neville reported on the December 5, 2022 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) discussion on the Community’s use of the Hockey Rink, 2) formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to further discuss the details of the Hockey Rink- Committee members: Jon Counsell, Allie Dickinson, Luke Friemoth, Sue Voigt and Jerilyn St. Amand, 3) update regarding Listeman Foundation funding for the park, 4) updated on Listeman Park ballfield, 5) update on pickleball court at Listeman Park and available funding and 6) update on a splash pad at Cliff’s Park, grants and fundraising (estimated cost- $300,000 to $400,000). Council Member Clough reported on the December 13, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) recommendation to authorize the Clark County Planning, Zoning and Land Information Department to do complete CSM reviews for the City of Neillsville. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports files as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand questioned why everyone’s property taxes on her block went down when real estate prices have went up, everyone’s property taxes should have went up. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (2). Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to accept the recommendation to authorize the Clark County Planning, Zoning and Land Information Department to do complete CSM reviews for the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported the Chevy Tahoe broke down during an out-of-county mental health transport. The estimated repair cost of $7,000 to $8,500 exceeds the vehicle’s value. The vehicle has been taken out of service. City Clerk Roehl stated that Chief of Police Mankowski has found a 2017 Ford Explorer with police package at a cost of $24,755. We are requesting permission to replace the Chevy Tahoe. City Clerk Roehl presented a 2022 Budget Amendment Transfer Request to Transfer from Health Insurance (savings because of Police Officer vacancy) to Police Auto. This is a one-time opportunity to adjust these funds without impacting either the 2022 or 2023 budget negatively. Discussion followed. Motion Clough, second Perrine, to authorize the purchase of a 2017 Ford Explorer with police package at a cost of $24,755. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Clough, to authorize a 2022 Budget Amendment Transfer from Account No. 51973 Health Insurance Expense ($-27,000) to Account No. 52150 Police Auto ($+27,000). All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the 2023 dental insurance contract renewal from Delta Dental. The Single Plan remains the same at $38.50 per month. The Employee + Spouse Plan remains the same at $77.00 per month. The Employee + Children Plan remains the same at $78.50 per month. The Family Plan remains the same at $128.52 per month. Motion Petkovsek, second Neville, to accept the dental insurance renewal with Delta Dental for 2023. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the Final resolution for curb and gutter assessment on Hewett Street (Eighteenth Street to Nineteenth Street). There is only one owner affected, the rest of the project is replacement at the City’s cost.  RESOLUTION NO. 620 FINAL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND THE LEVY OF A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AGAINST BENEFITTED PROPERTY WHEREAS, the governing body of Neillsville, Wisconsin passed a preliminary resolution during their regular Common Council meeting at City Hall on July 26, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works prepared a report on the proposed public improvements consisting of installation of curb and gutter and preliminary assessment(s) against benefitted property; and, WHEREAS, the only owner with property affected by the special assessment executed a waiver, allowing the City to immediately commence the improvements and levy without the need for public hearing or further notice; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the governing body of Neillsville, Wisconsin determines as follows: 1. The report of the Director of Public Works, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth herein is approved. 2. All construction of the improvements have been completed in accordance with the report hereby adopted. 3. Payment for the improvements shall be made by assessing 100’ of the benefitted property owned at 1802 Hewett St., parcel # 261.0202.000 at the cost of $18.00 per foot. 4. Assessments for all projects which are part of the report are included. 5. Assessments shall be due within 45 days of billing date and shall be paid as one lump sum. Any unpaid balance shall accrue interest at the rate of 6% per annum. 6. The municipal clerk shall mail a copy of this resolution and a statement of the final assessment against the benefitted property, together with notice of payment, to every property owner who is part of the special assessment. ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Motion Counsell, second Neville, that Resolution No. 620 be adopted. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski requested a moment of silence in memory of Retired Police Chief Lawrence “Larry” Hadzima who passed away on November 23, 2022. Hadzima served a Chief of Police from 1981 to 1983. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on trainings, interviewed two individual for Other Part-Time positions with background investigations to begin, the Chevy Tahoe broke down, November parking enforcement, citations, warnings, compliments, complaints, office activities, business checks and activities, meeting with the Town of Mentor Board and citizens to explain police services provided. Class “B” Retail Fermented Malt Beverages License Application: Simply Creative, LLC, Jodi L. Sampson, Agent, 518 Hewett Street Motion Counsell, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. “Class C” Wine License Application: Simply Creative, LLC, Jodi L. Sampson, Agent, 518 Hewett Street Motion Clough, second Perrine, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Simply Creative, LLC, Jodi L. Sampson, Agent, 518 Hewett Street Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Cigarette License Application: JC’s Business, LLC, John C. Aumend, Agent, 212 W. Seventh Street Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Jennifer L. Bacholl, Reese G. Salaz, Gregory M. Sampson, Jodi L. Sampson Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Hotel/Motel Room Tax Permit Applications: Black Water Lodges, Beth Darst, Agent, 1214, 1216, 1218 W. Fourth Street DAHI Hospitality, Inc. d/b/a Super 8, Bhupendra A. Patel, Agent, 1000 E. Division Street Forward GRP, LLC, Neillsville House, Logan Grap, Agent, 401 W. Seventeenth Street Tuft’s Mansion, LLC, James A. Voss, Agent, 26 Hewett Street Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant all the listed permits. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Counsell, that City Bills Nos. 1122 to 1180 in the amount of $138,682.36, TIF District No. 4 Account Bills Nos. 24 and 25 in the amount of $84,882.73 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Bills Nos. 9 and 10 in the amount of $5,330.00 be paid. All Aye. Council Member Petkovsek reported that the Winter 2022 edition of BenchMarks, a publication of Marshfield Clinic Health Systems, highlights two local families (The Joann and Wayne Voss family and Wayne and Peggy Gross family.) and highlights the importance of the Neillsville facility. Motion Petkovsek, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************