City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 14, 2023 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Member Neville 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 brush and hauling it to the compost site, opening catch basins, equipment maintenance, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, removing snow from around fire hydrants, oil and filter changes for generators, troubleshooting Well No. 4 generator- found that mice got into it, scheduling filter vessel inspection, proposals for Well No. 1 chemical rehabilitation ($21,710) and pump installation ($5,720), Sewer Department-daily testing and rounds, repaired water line on bar screen, washed down clarifier and getting quotes for manhole rehabilitation and sewer lining. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented the annual WI DNR Water Department Sanitary Survey. It’s a review of paperwork, wells and buildings. No major deficiencies were found. Paperwork updates are needed for wellhead protection plan, private wells, emergency operations and water system map. The Industrial Park water tower is due for inspection this year, the High School water tower exterior needs painting, well house roofs need repair or replacement and generators should be added to all the well houses. Council Member Counsell asked how much it would cost to paint a water tower. Director of Public Works Friemoth replied about $180,000. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a request to replace both of the overhead shop furnaces at the Street Department shop for an estimated cost of $7,800. One has been completely shut down because of the cracks and broken paddles, the other is limping along. City Clerk Roehl stated that funding is available in Account No. 57140 Public Buildings as we have funding remaining from the new City Hall project. The Police Station has a quote to replace their condensate pump (about $4,200), however there is enough cash to cover both in Account No. 57140 Public Buildings. Motion Perrine, second Poeschel, to recommend to the Common Council to replace two overhead shop furnaces at the Street Department shop building at an estimated cost of about $7,800 with funding coming from Account No. 57140 Public Buildings. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving notice from Clark County Treasurer Renee Schoen that Clark County has started foreclosure petitions on three properties on which the City has tax roll liens; Scott Davis, 305 E. Fifth Street, Parcel No. 604 (Razing the building and Weed Cutting-$13,573.75); Joshua Harmon, 319 E. Fifth Street, Parcel No. 608 (Delinquent Utilities, Snow Removal and Weed Cutting-$1,973.55); and Dorothy Commers, 1109 Grand Avenue, Parcel No. 353 (currently caught up on delinquencies). We may end up writing these expenses off if the County cannot recover enough funds upon sale. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, to adjourn. All Aye. ________________________________ Daniel Clough, Chair _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************  COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 14, 2023 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: Council Member Neville absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the January 25, 2023 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) discussion on employee health insurance and health insurance deductible reimbursement with a motion to leave health insurance benefits the way they are, 2) discussion on updating the Employee Handbook and set up a work group to work on the update and 3) discussion on the City Attorney position and how it serves the City. Mayor Poeschel presented the February 7, 2023 meeting minutes of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session on candidates for the firefighter positions and 2) reconvening into open session with the hiring of Taylor Hill, Isaac Balderas, Logan Oldham, Quentin Fausett and Trevor Taubenhein as firefighters. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the February 1, 2023 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the 2022 Winter decorations and ideas for 2023 Winter decorations, 2) discussion on ideas for a City of Neillsville Theme, 3) discussion on Prock Park design and development work with Kranzations on a metal arch with the wording “Prock Park” across the top to be placed on the existing “Welcome to Neillsville” sign, 4) discussion on and recommendation to the Planning Commission on benches and bench sponsorship in the Town Square Park, 5) discussion on possible repairs to the gazebo in Town Square Park, 6) discussion on and approval of establishment of the Military Banner Program, 7) discussion on a Mural Program and setting up a work group, and 8) discussion on flower baskets, pots and gardens delivery and planting. Council Member Clough reported on the February 14, 2023 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on the annual WI DNR Water Department Sanitary Survey, 3) discussion on and recommendation to replace two overhead shop furnaces at the Street Department shop building at an estimated cost of $7,800 with funding coming from Account No. 57140 Public Buildings and 4) a report on Clark County property foreclosures within the City. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (3). Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to replace two overhead shop furnaces at the Street Department shop building at an estimated cost of $7,800 with funding coming from Account No. 57140 Public Buildings. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Clark County Community Foundation, Inc. 2022 Recreation Grant in the amount of $1,000 for the Listeman Park Pickleball Court. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept and appropriate the Clark County Community Foundation, Inc. grant for $1,000 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented Brian Barth’s letter of resignation from the Airport Commission. Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, to accept the resignation of Brian Barth as a member of the Airport Commission and to thank him for his service to the City. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on installation of the new management system, doing alcohol checks with an 18 year old assistant-the individual was not served by anyone, trainings, Officer Wampole has started the Police Academy, the hand-held radar unit has been replaced, Squad car #7 has been placed in service, January parking enforcement, citations, warnings, incidents, office activity, calls, officer activities, business patrols and Town of Mentor patrol. Fire Chief Meyer reported on the Fourth Quarter 2022. The Fireman’s annual steak feed was well attended, attended an Emergency Services meeting in Chili, held fire prevention week activities for Kindergarten classes, Ehlen’s Daycare and St. John’s School, firemen served as pallbearers for Retired Fire Chief Duane “Pete” Peterson’s funeral and the large US flag was set up and flown from Spencer’s and Owen’s ladder trucks, provided a truck for the Clark County Highway Department’s move over display/picture, did Fall yard cleanup for retired firefighters and widows, provided crossing guards for Halloween Trick-or-Treat, met with School personnel on bomb threat procedures, attended both Rural Fire Association and Community Fire Hall meetings, the second round of business inspections have been done, four new firemen have completed entry level classes and can now enter buildings. The Department responded to 23 calls (13-City: 2 false alarms, 3 lift assist, 2 structure, 1 car accident, 1 two car accident, 1 chimney, 1 smoke alarm, 1 natural gas odor, bomb threat at school; 10-Rural: milk truck rollover, ATV accident, 2 down power lines, 2 false alarms, 2 vehicle accidents, semi rollover, dump truck accident). The City’s trucks are in good condition, the new truck is on order, it will be 21 to 22 months before delivery, the equipment is in good condition. Council Member Clough stated Winter Carnival is coming up February 24 to 26, 2023. 7th District US Representative Tom Tiffany will be holding a listening session at the American Legion Hall February 15, 2023 at 9:30 A.M. and 69th Assembly Representative Donna Razor will be holding a listening session at the Thirsty Bookworm on March 2, 2023 at 7:00 P.M. Hotel/Motel Room Tax Permit Application: Pray’s Golden Gaits, LLC, Bonnie Thunstrom and Joe Hastings, Agents, 319 State Street Motion Clough, second Perrine, to grant. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Perrine, that City Bills Nos. 101 to 165 in the amount of $374,014.04 be paid. All Aye. Motion Perrine, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************