City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 24, 2023 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 no burials at the Cemetery, snow plowing, salting, picking up snow piles, equipment maintenance, shop maintenance, the skid steer is in the shop throwing EGR codes, took down Christmas decorations, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, snow removal, started taking inventory, replaced a water service on Grand Avenue, truck maintenance, Sewer Department-daily testing and rounds, snow removal at plant and lift stations, changed out tubing on auto samplers, started seasonal testing for ammonia. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented quotes for a Titan Leaf Vac-$88,500; Plow Truck-$218,000; John Deere Sub-compact Utility Tractor-$20,500; Backhoe with hammer- $146,950 (after a trade-in credit of $30,000 on our old one); Total-$473,950. Discussion on a borrowing in late summer, most other communities are using a leaf vac, those that don’t require residents to bag their leaves and they pick up and have to empty the bags. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to recommend to the Common Council the purchase of a Titan Leaf Vac-$88,500; Plow Truck-$218,000; John Deere Sub-compact Utility Tractor- $20,500; Backhoe with hammer-$146,950 (after a trade-in credit of $30,000 on our old one); Total-$473,950 with the funds to be borrowed later this summer. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Perrine, that Water Bills Nos. 328 (2022) and 1 to 30 (2023) in the amount of $61,654.26 and Sewer Bills Nos. 1 to 21 in the amount of $75,201.98 be paid. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Poeschel, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JANUARY 24, 2023 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 reported on the January 12, 2023 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the Beautification Committee’s request to place an arch in Prock Park-tabled, 2) discussion on installing an additional softball field at Listeman Park-no action taken, 3) discussion on a Columbarium at the City Cemetery, this project has been referred to the Grants Committee to investigate possible funding for an estimated $55,000 project with the recommendation to allow the Board of Cemetery Commissioners to proceed with the project pending financing being obtained, 4) Eric Hauge, TruMark Land Surveying, presented a request for a Boon Subdivision Plat Map Amendment moving lot lines and creating a new Certified Survey Map (CSM)-discussion on and recommendation to approve the Plat Map Amendment and create a new CSM and 5) discussion on the S.C. Swiderski development preliminary site design. Council Member Counsell reported on the January 17, 2023 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) librarians’ reports, 2) discussion on a Library Director’s credit card, 3) discussion on an overall building check, 4) discussion on and filed the Library Director’s Performance Review, 5) discussion on converting the work room into office space, 6) discussion on a new marquee for the front of the Library and 7) updates on donation and carryover funds. Mayor Poeschel reported on the January 18, 2023 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session for interviewing candidates for firefighter positions-adjourned in closed session. Council Member Clough reported on the January 18, 2023 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the 2023 Historic Preservation Commission Action Plan, 2) discussion on grant and loan assistance program and contact information, 3) discussion on an approved a request to the City Council to allow unused annual budgeted lapsing funds (beginning in year 2023) to be moved to the Historic Preservation non-lapsing fund to support the mission and goals of the Historic Preservation Commission as outlined in City Ordinance Chapter 3, Section 1-3-1, 4) discussion on historic property inquires from homeowners and updating the forms on the City’s website, 5) discussion on and approved submitting Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions membership dues, 6) discussion on the Annual report to the Wisconsin Historical Society and 7) reviewed funds on hand. Council Member Neville reported on the January 19, 2023 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on entertainment, 2) discussion on and hiring of Home Grown Tomatoes Band for Sunday afternoon after the parade, 3) discussion on children’s events, 4) discussion on advertising, signs and banners, 5) discussion on donation letters, 6) approved applying for the City of Neillsville Tourism Grant and 7) discussion on Grand Marshalls, theme, food vendors and pottery. Council Member Clough reported on the January 24, 2023 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on and recommendation to purchase a Leaf Vac ($88,500); Plow Truck ($218,000); Sub-compact Utility Tractor ($20,500) and a Backhoe with hammer ($146,950 after a trade-in credit of $30,000) for a total of $473,950 with funds to be borrowed after this summer and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that the Vibrant Spaces Grant is to help develop and enhance public spaces, she goes to all these meetings and this is the first she heard of Vibrant Spaces. Who is going to provide matching funds-Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) or the City. The City’s number one priority should be fixing our roads, especially Highway 10 and Hewett Street, they need maintenance year-round, there are cracks in the seams which could down a motorcycle. These roads are the City’s first impression. People can find grants for their pet projects. We need townhouses or side-by-side houses. We need to advertise in other states to attract people here, to see what we have in Clark County. Natalie Erpenbach stated that she is on the Grants Committee and deadlines come up quickly and you have to jump on the ones you need. We are working to revamp and reorganize the Grants Committee, when looking for a grant, consider what needs to be done, prioritize those needs, and work your way down the list. She does research for grants for other entities and she does feel that the City is missing out. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any question on the Planning Commission items (3 and 4). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to allow the Board of Cemetery Commissioners to move forward with the Columbarium project pending the securing of financing. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to approve the Boon Subdivision Plat Map Amendment moving lot lines and creating a new Certified Survey Map (CSM). All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Historic Preservation Commission item (3). Motion Counsell, to create a full non-lapsing fund for Historic Preservation to build up to $10,000 by allowing unused annual budget funds to rollover beginning in 2023. City Clerk Roehl stated currently the Historic Preservation is a partial non-lapsing fund account where donations, item sales (calendars, postcards, etc.) and formerly Tour of Homes proceeds are kept. If the Historic Preservation goes full non-lapsing everyone needs to be aware that in years they exceed their annual appropriations their carryover will be reduced. Heritage Days is billed for any overage and Beautification overage comes out of their carryover funds. Both Heritage Days and Beautification raise funds to support their efforts not relying on the City funds only. Remember non-lapsing status cuts both ways. Second Neville. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on Public Works/Utilities item (2). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to purchase a Leaf Vac ($88,500); Plow Truck ($218,000); Sub-compact Utility Tractor ($20,500) and a Backhoe with hammer ($146,950 after a trade-in credit of $30,000) for a total of $473,950 with funds to be borrowed later this summer. All Aye. City Attorney Wachsmuth read the resolution. Council Member Neville asked what exactly is the Vibrant Spaces Grant Program. Deanna Heiman stated it is a new program of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), it follows along the Placemaking Exercise that was done a few years ago. The Placemaking Exercise looked at what type of improvements would get people into and enjoy the community and a bike trail was identified. The Vibrant Spaces Grant has to be applied for by a municipality. It is similar to the DNR grant, there is no risk or obligation on the City. If the grant is awarded, the Neillsville Improvement Corporation, NIC, would pay for the work done and the paid bills would then be submitted to WEDC for reimbursement. Creating this relationship with WEDC could lead to other offerings in the future. Council Member Counsell stated that the resolution doesn’t say anything about the one-to- one match, she doesn’t want the City to be responsible. She would like to have seen the grant application ahead of time. The grant was out November 15, 2022 with a closing date of January 31, 2023. This is just like the taxi being pushed through at the last minute. Deanna Heiman stated that she just found out about the grant ten days ago. The City is never under any risk or obligation to spend. WEDC has the funds sent aside, NIC has to provide the paid invoices for reimbursement. The grant application has to go through the City and this resolution was modeled after the previous DNR grant application. Council Member Counsell asked about the missing information on the application. Deanna Heiman stated the information is not missing, unless the resolution is approved to submit the grant application there is no need for the City’s identification number and budget information. The budget is immaterial to what you are doing tonight, there is no risk to the City. Council Member Clough stated this grant is a State grant, the State has the money set aside, if you get the grant and don’t submit the invoices, you get no money. All this resolution does is authorize the Mayor to sign the documents. City Attorney Wachsmuth expressed concern about the way the resolution is worded- “for any financial aid” could be sometime in the future-for Vibrant Spaces should be added for clarification and instead of referring back to the DNR grant memorandum of understanding (MOU)-why no just put it in there. Mayor Poeschel stated that in order to get the grant dollars, NIC has to pay the bills and then invoices are submitted for reimbursement. RESOLUTION NO. 621 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION BY THE CITY OF NEILLSVILLE TO THE WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION VIBRANT SPACES GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, The City of Neillsville is interested in developing lands for public outdoor recreation purposes as described in the application; and WHEREAS, financial aid is required to carry out the project; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Neillsville has partnered with the Neillsville Improvement Corporation (NIC) through a Memorandum of Understanding dated February 8, 2022, to complete the project, and NIC will act as the fiscal agent, and HEREBY AUTHORIZES Duane G. Poeschel, City Mayor, to act on behalf of the City of Neillsville to: 1. Submit a grant application to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Community Development Investment (CDI) Program for financial aid through the Vibrant Spaces Grant Program that may be available; 2. Submit reimbursement claims along with necessary supporting documentation; 3. Submit signed documents; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if the grant is awarded, the City of Neillsville may enter into an agreement with WEDC to accept the funds and expend the grant funds in a manner that is in accordance with the terms of the WEDC CDI Vibrant Spaces grant award; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NIC, as Fiscal agent of the O’Neill Creek Trail Head project, shall be subject to and comply with all terms and conditions imposed upon City of Neillsville as “Sponsor” of the Vibrant Spaces Grant, as if signed by NIC as the Sponsor, and that NIC, shall be directly responsible for the costs associated with the grant program, and shall hold City of Neillsville harmless from any liability imposed by the Program. ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor Motion Clough, second Perrine, to adopt Resolution No. 621 with the insertions of the City Attorney’s language. Council Member Counsell-Nay. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. City Attorney Wachsmuth read Ordinance No. 1072 ORDINANCE NO. 1072 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEC. 8-3-10 (am) SNOWMOBILE, ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLES ROUTES AND TRAILS DESIGNATED. The Common Council of the City of Neillsville does hereby ordain as follows: Section 8-3-10(am) is amended to read: (am) ALL-TERRAIN AND UTILITY TERRAIN VEHICLE ROUTES DESIGNATED. (1) All roads in the City of Neillsville, Clark County, Wisconsin, that have been properly posted, shall be designated as an all-terrain and utility terrain vehicle route. __________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ___________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Council Member Counsell read the State Statues that ATV/UTV need the “authorization to operate” on highways within the City. The DOT website also states this. An enacted ordinance needs this strict language. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated they have to be properly posted before they can operate on the highways. Last time an ordinance was updated she was told you don’t want references to State Statutes in the ordinances. Council Member Counsell stated keep it as simple as possible for the citizens, why not use the language from the motion where the speed limit is up to 35 mph. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated they have to look at the route signs. Mayor Poeschel stated they will not look in the ordinance book, they will look at the posted sign. Motion Clough, second Neville, to adopt Ordinance No. 1072. Council Member Counsell- Nay. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that Jason Wampole has started the 18-week Police Academy. Chief of Police Mankowski introduced Halle Fecker, she is from Stratford and will graduate with a two-year Police Science degree in May. She will be doing an internship with us and if things go well, she will bet sent to the Fall Police Academy-you will see her around. Halle Fecker talked about herself and why she would like to be a Police Officer. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Icelinn M. Castner Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, that City Bills Nos. 51 to 100 in the amount of $595,238.17 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Bills Nos. 2 and 3 in the amount of $630.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************