City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL MAY 28, 2024 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Mayor Poeschel absent, all other members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on three burials at the Cemetery, storm damage clean up at Cemetery and parks, putting up and watering hanging flower baskets, mowing and weed trimming, cleaning up the Cemetery for Memorial Day, dragging ballfields, hauling brush and compost, putting up flags and banners, removing ten fallen trees and storm damage clean up from the roads, pothole patching, tree trimming, Water Department- daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, installing meters and radio reads, flushing fire hydrants, installation of the Oberlin iron filter press at the booster station, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance, mowing and plant maintenance, WI DNR gave us a notice of non-compliance for a chemical addition we have used to treat phosphorus for more than a decade and that they have been aware of, this will require us to do an abbreviated facilities plan to update our treatment processes, we are working with MSA Engineering to meet the requirement. Motion Counsell, second Neville, that Water Bills Nos. 119 to 148 in the amount of $54,446.47 and Sewer Bills Nos. 83 to 101 in the amount of $44,612.34 be paid. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MAY 28, 2024 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, President of the Council Neville presiding. On roll call: Mayor Poeschel absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. President of the Council Neville presented the May 13, 2024 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session to interview a candidate for the Other Part-time Police Officer position, 2) reconvening into open session and 3) authorized the hiring of Adam Olson on a part-time basis with a one-year probationary period, pending a successful background check and physical. Council Member Rochester reported on the May 16, 2024 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on set up in Schuster Park, 2) an update on kid’s games and 3) discussion on the event poster. President of the Council Neville reported on the May 20, 2024 meeting of the Board of Review regarding: 1) examination of the City’s 2024 Assessment Roll for errors and omissions and to hear any assessment objections and 2) no property owners appeared in objection to their assessments. Council Member Petkovsek presented the May 21, 2024 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding reviewed and updating the list of grants in progress. Council Member Clough reported on the May 22, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness for 411 State Street for roof replacement with a change of materials and 2) discussion on the 2024 Historic Preservation Commission action plan-steps for submission of the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant in the Spring of 2025, finalizing the self-guided (QR Code) Cemetery tour, and contractors list. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the May 23, 2024 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and approval of donation costs for replacement benches, picnic tables and gliders at various City parks as the items cost plus plaque cost plus 20%, 2) discussion on donation letters, 3) discussion on and approved accepting a donation from the family of Francis Barlow, 4) planting of the downtown flowers and 5) a thank you to the “The Rec-Ing Crew” for their help with planting the flowers. Council Member Clough reported on the May 28, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. President of the Council Neville declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. President of the Council Neville presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce to use the Heritage Days tent for the June Dairy Breakfast on the Terry and Becky Byrne’s Family Dairy Farm on Sunday, June 9, 2024 and that the City crew assist with the set up and take down of the tent-they intend to reimburse the City of the use of these resources. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Chamber has four or five volunteers to help with the set up and only need two people from the City crew. President of the Council Neville stated that the Chamber is willing to reimburse the City for the labor costs plus mileage since it is not within the City. Council Member Petkovsek stated we don’t want to set a precedent here. Motion Counsell, second Petkovsek, to grant on a non-precedent basis that the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce request for use of the Heritage Days tent and allow the City crew to assist with the tent set up and take down, since this event is outside of the City. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl present the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Vibrant Spaces Grant CDI-VS23-53547-O’Neill Creek Trail Head project payment of $31,567.73. Motion Clough, second Rochester, to accept and appropriate the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Vibrant Spaces Grant in the amount of $31,567.73 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay. Council Member Counsell-No, and I would like it noted that that trailhead goes through my ward and all the property owners that are on that trail told me they’re against it. All other members-Aye. 4-Aye, 1-Nay, motion carried. City Clerk Roehl presented the 2024 Recycling Grant funds received from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $9,943.54 (2023-$9,919.26). Motion Counsell, second Rochester, to accept and appropriate $9,943.54 to Account No. 53620 Refuse and Garbage Collection. All Aye. City Clerk reported on receiving donations from the Marquerite Listeman Foundation for the Recreation Department Kidz Program ($1,000), a Youth Trip ($500) and Mind Over Miles Walking Club ($1,500). Motion Rochester, second Petkovsek, to accept and appropriate $3,000 to Account No. 55300 Recreation Department Administration and to thank the Listeman Foundation for its donations. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving donations from the Listeman/Naedler Foundation for the 4th of July Fireworks ($3,500), Heritage Days ($2,000), the second of a three-year pledge for a new fire truck ($50,000) and the Recreation Department Basketball program ($3,000). Motion Counsell, second Clough, to accept and appropriate $5,500 to Account No. 55340 Celebration, $50,000 to Account No. 57200 Public Safety-Fire Department Vehicles and $3,000 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay, and to thank the Listeman/Naedler Foundation for its donations. All Aye. Council Member Clough stated that he disagrees with Council Member Counsell as five adjacent property owners are for it. Council Member Counsell stated that Xcel Energy has agreements with two landowners for land use and those property owners will not let the trail go through. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Clark County Highway Department will be hosting an open house on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at the new Clark County Highway facility, 511 W. South Street, Loyal, WI and that the 2023 Locally Assessed Form PA-551 Personal Property Value Report has been filed. This is the result of the 2023 WI ACT 12 exempting personal property from taxation. The values removed from the Assessment Roll are $1,548,700 from non-TID parcels and $365,700 from TID (Tax Incremental District) parcels-total$1,914,400. This is being replaced with a Personal Property Aid payment from the State. Taven Operator’s License Application: Roger A. Opelt Motion Clough, second Rochester, to grant. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Rochester, that City Bills Nos. 480 to 517 in the amount of $119,180.25 and TIF District No. 4 Account Bill No. 3 in the amount of $84,387.50 be paid. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ William E. Neville IV, President of the Council ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************