City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL APRIL 23, 2024 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. Chair Clough asked for nominations for Chair of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities for the upcoming year. Council Member Neville nominated Council Member Clough, second Rochester. Chair Clough called three times for further nominations. There being none. Motin Petkovsek, second Poeschel, to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Council Member Clough as Commission Chair. All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on one burial at the Cemetery, opened park restrooms, trimming and removing trees, grading Cemetery roads, dragging ball fields, hauling brush and compost, started Spring cleanup, patching potholes, Water Department- daily testing and well rounds, installing meters and radio reads, took delivery of the Oberlin iron filter press, ran generators, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, sewer lining on W. Fifth Street is ongoing (part of the TIF District #4 project), R&R Sewer is videoing sewer mains for future maintenance plans and general plant maintenance. City Clerk Roehl presented the First Quarter 2024 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Motion Poeschel, second Counsell, that Water Bills Nos. 85 to 118 in the amount of $68,116.34 and Sewer Bills Nos. 59 to 82 in the amount of $87,248.81 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Poeschel, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 23, 2024 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. Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 16, 2024 meeting of the Board of Health regarding: 1) Health Officer Bakker’s City annual health report and activities for 2023-2024, 2) discussion on cleaning up properties, feral cats and dog bites and 3) discussion on and approval that each Council Member do an individual tour with the Director of Public Works. Council Member Clough reported on the April 17, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and approval of a Certificate of Appropriation for 411 State Street front porch repair, 2) discussion on and approval of a grant of 50% of the front porch repair at 411 State Street up to $1,000 (maximum grant amount $500) and 3) discussion on the 2024 Historic Preservation Commission action plan-grants, letters, self-guided Cemetery tour, contractors and website. Council Member Rochester reported on the April 18, 2024 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) discussion on children’s entertainment and activities in Schuster Park on Saturday of the event, 3) discussion on beverage options, 4) discussion on and approval of “Celebrating 30 Years” as the 2024 parade theme and 5) discussion on and approval of the 2024 logo. Council Member Clough reported on the April 23, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) election of Council Member Clough as Commission Chair, 2) current activities, 3) reviewed the First Quarter 2024 Water and Sewer Financial Statements and 4) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the First Quarter 2024 activities. Attending the Clark County Emergency Services Association meeting in Loyal, going to Pierce to finalize the City’s new truck plans, ordered the 4th of July fireworks, attended three Personnel Committee meetings, attended an electric bus training in Granton, set up the port-a-tank for the Winter Carnival Polar Plunge event, working with Natalie Erpenbach on submitting an Assistance to Firefighters Grant application for $250,000 for SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and a compressor for filling the air bottles, conducted a home inspection for a foster home, attending a Lion’s Club meeting with a presentation on the new firetruck (the Lion’s Club has donated $3,000), changing the Smokey Bear sign, and attending the State Firefighters Convention in Stevens Point. Fire Chief Meyer reported on responding to 14 calls this quarter (4-City and 10-Rural). The City had a deer on ice, but it was gone by the time we arrived to practice an ice rescue, two faulty alarms and a house structure fire; the Rural had one one-car accident, two two-car accidents, two vehicle fires, one brush fire, one motorcycle accident on the trail, one grass fire, one mutual aid cancelled enroute to Granton and setting up a landing zone at the airport. Fire Chief Meyer reported on servicing leaking valves on Engine #1, the new fire truck starting build date is June 24, 2024 with completion by mid/late August, the Firemen’s Club with a donation and steak feed money has purchased new rescue leveling struts for about $10,000 for vehicle rescue operations. Two Firefighters, Bob and Jeff Schultz, have left the Department, each with 30+ years of service-we thank them for their service. The Department currently has 27 firefighters and are looking for three more if anyone is interested. Council Member Counsell asked what the likelihood of getting the grant is. Fire Chief Meyer stated SCBA’s are a high priority item. Last time we got the grant on the second-round application. City Clerk Roehl presented the First Quarter 2024 City Financial Statements; Open Book will be Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and Board of Review will be Monday, May 20, 2024 from 8:00 A.M. to 10 A.M. Mayor Poeschel reported attending The Highground annual recognition dinner and presented the plaque the City of Neillsville received for it’s 15 years of continuous support; and after review by the City Attorney, based on the State Statues, the City will not be able to file a claim against the attorney malpractice insurance policy. Tavern Operators’ License Application: Susan M. Voigt Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Rochester, that City Bills Nos. 373 to 411 in the amount of $175,601.07 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************