City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 14, 2023 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, mowing and mulching leaves, installed light poles for Listeman Park Tennis Court, working on Arboretum bridges – (part of TIF District No. 4 project), put in sono tubes for the Storybook Trail, hauling brush, equipment maintenance, leaf pick-up in progress, Water Department – daily testing and well rounds, utility locates along Hewett Street for the State’s Highway 73 road project planning, water main valve exercising, running generators, furnace maintenance, Sewer Department – daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance, oil change and maintenance of sludge tank blowers, sludge hauling was called off due to rain will be rescheduled, the surplus equipment auction brought in $21,470 and he will be on vacation the week of November 20 to 24, 2023. Director of Public Works, Friemoth, presented a proposal to install an overhead garage door (20’ by 12’) on the westside of the Water Department building. The proposal from Gaier Construction to cut and frame out the opening and install the garage door is $14,850. If an insulated door is needed, the additional cost is $1,725. Discussion followed. Motion Petkovesk, second Counsell, to recommend the installation of an overhead insulated garage door on the Westside of the Water Department building at a cost of $16,575. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 14, 2023 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 meetings were declared approved. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the October 24, 2023 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: review and updated the list of grants in progress. Council Member Rochester reported on the October 26, 2023 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and approved TD Happy Faces to do face painting for the 2024 event, 2) discussion on donation letters and 3) discussion on and hiring the bands Verge and Uncommon Determinator for Saturday night. Council Member Clough reported on the November 14, 2023 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) discussion on and recommendation to install an overhead insulated garage door on the westside of the Water Department building at a cost of $16,575. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jessica Clark, Clark County Social Services Business Manager, requested approval from the City to submit the 2024 taxi grant application with Clark County and support of the City’s cost share. This funding is provided by the 5311 Program with a 31% County and 69% City cost split. The City taxi runs 364 days a year for a total of 7,925 hours. The County taxi runs 254 days on the first taxi and 208 days in the second taxi for a total of 3,580 hours. Request for Proposals were done in 2022 with only one bid received showing a 44% increase, the 2024 increase will be an additional 3.7% bringing the hourly rate to $42.45 per hour. The City taxi is at its maximum hours allowed. The City has some options, which include raising fare rates. Mayor Poeschel stated that the City is looking into possibly raising fare rates and reducing hours, but this won’t happen until sometime next year. We need to proceed with this application currently. Motion Neville, second Clough, to approve submission of the 2024 taxi grant application with Clark County and support of the City’s cost share. Council Member Counsell – Nay. All other members Aye. Motion carried. City Clerk Roehl presented the 2023 dental insurance renewal from Heather Loniello, Tricor Insurance Agent for Delta Dental. The Employee plan premium is going from $38.50 to $41.58 or $3.08 per month (8%). The Employee and Spouse plan premium is going from $77.00 to $83.16 or $6.16 per month (8%). The Employee and Child plan premium is going from $78.50 to $84.78 or $6.28 per month (8%). The Family plan premium is going from $128.52 to $138.80 or $10.28 per month (8%). The monthly overall increase is 8%. The agent has checked other plans and recommended we stay with Delta Dental. Motion Neville, second Rochester, to approve the 2024 Dental Insurance contract renewal with Delta Dental as presented. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce 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 1, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. until done. Motion Counsell, second Rochester, 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 1, 2023. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented a request the CART Center to hang a banner on the Gazebo for the “Ugly Sweater Fun Walk” on Saturday, December 2, 2023 (The banner would be hung from November 15 through December 3, 2023.) and to close Court Street from E. Fourth Street to E. Fifth Street and Armory Avenue at the Court Street intersection from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on December 2, 2023. Motion Clough, second Rochester, to grant the CART Center request to hang a banner on the Gazebo for the “Ugly Sweater Fun Walk and to close the Court Street from E. Fourth Street to E. Fifth Street and the Armory Avenue intersection on December 2, 2023. Council Member Petkovsek – Abstained. All other member – Aye. Motion carried. Mayor Poeschel presented David Harnisch’s Letter of Resignation as a member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept David Harnisch’s Letter of Resignation effective immediately and to thank him for his service as a member of the Historic Preservation Commission (2020-2023). All Aye. The City Clerk reported on receiving the following donations from the Marguerite Listeman Foundation - $5,000 for the Listeman Park Pickleball Court and $10,000 for the Children’s Play Program. Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $15,000 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay and to thank the Listeman Foundation for the donations. All Aye. The City Clerk presented a card from a “mature new kid on the block” complimenting the City and Beautification Committee on the Harvest Display around the clock by the Library. 7:15 P.M. Mayor Poeschel declared the Public Hearing on the Proposed 2024 Budget for the City now open. CITY OF NEILLSVILLE 2024 CITY BUDGET EXPENDITURES AND CONTINGENCY Operations and Maintenance General Government – 51000 $ 1,013.375 Public Safety – 52000 851,168 Public Works – 53000 936,770 Health & Human Services – 54000 90,552 Culture, Recreation, Education – 55000 336,111 Conservation & Development – 56000 43,355 Total Operations and Maintenance $ 3,271,331 Capital Outlay – 57000 102,656 Debt Service – 58000 462,300 Contingency – 34000 95,907 Total Expenditures and Contingency $ 3,932,194 LESS: REVENUES OTHER THAT FROM PROPERTY TAXES Taxes – 41000 $ 290,555 Special Assessments – 42000 1,201 Intergovernmental Revenues – 43000 1,499,184 Licenses & Permits – 44000 10,760 Fines, Forfeits, & Penalties – 45000 22,000 Public Charges for Services – 46000 100,776 Intergovernmental Charges for Services – 47000 91,563 Miscellaneous Revenues – 48000 53,532 Other Financing Sources – 49000 121,477 Total Revenues $ 2,191,048 General Funds Applied 402,445 Total Revenue and Funds Applied $ 2,593,493 Proposed City Levy $ 1,338,701 Less: Computer State Aid <4,113> Net City Levy Before TIDs $ 1,334,588 PLUS: Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) 106,528 Net City Levy $ 1,441,116 Proposed Local Tax Rate $10.172517 per thousand The City Clerk reported that the proposed 2024 General Fund Budget of $3,932,194 is higher than the Consumer Price index (5.4%) because of the 20% increase in Shared Revenue the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Expenditure Restraint Program has issued no guidelines and frozen the amount at the 2024 level. The proposed 2023 tax levy of $1,334,588 without TID’s exceeds the Statue’s levy requirement of 0% plus net new construction (0.523% or $5,621); however the Finance Committee has recommended approving a levy limit adjustment increase: Section D, Line E ($257,578) for Debt Service Levy for general obligation debt authorized after July 1, 2025 – this would bring the City into compliance with the allowable levy limit for the City. Mayor Poeschel called three times for appearances – there being none. 7:20 P. M. – Mayor Poeschel declared the budget hearing closed. Motion Neville, 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 ($257,578). All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to adopt the 2023 City Budget of $3,932,194 with $1,441,116 to be placed on the 2023 Tax Roll. On roll call: All Aye. Chief of Police Markowski reported on Coffee with A Cop, training, a pre-employment background investigation for a part-time applicant, replace the computer server which was unbudgeted, the new squad car has been picked up and accessory equipment is being installed, October parking enforcement, citations, warning, incidents, office activity, calls, officer activity, business patrols, citizens interactions, Town of Mentor contract policing. Chief of Police Markowski reported on attending a World Relief Wisconsin meeting on October 23, 2023 at the Eau Claire Library. World Relief Wisconsin announced that 75 Congo refugees will be moving to within 100 miles of Eau Claire on January 1, 2024. A refugee is someone who is forced to flee their home country due to war, violence, persecution or well-founded fear. The U.S. Government screening process is extensive. They probably won’t be locating in the Neillsville area, since we don’t have the services, they have in Eau Claire. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Kelli N. Blastic, Ruben J. Bertzyk, Jade M. Kleinschmidt, Camilla M. Smith, Mindy M. Strangland Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, that City Bills Nos. 1019 to 1088 in the amount of $275,990.27 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************