City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL SEPTEMBER 10, 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. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on two burials at the Cemetery, mowing and weed trimming, spraying weeds, working on Prock Park bridge decking, the Gazebo project has started, storm clean up, finishing up pouring concrete on the sidewalk by the School, paved and finished street work on W. Second Street (Park Street East about 300 feet), paved and finished street work on W. Fifth Street (Grand Avenue to Hewett Street), picking up brush, equipment maintenance, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, meter reading, prepping to Low Zone water tower for a dry inspection, utility locates, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, replaced starter motor on the Grand Avenue lift station, mowing and weed trimming. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that the Gazebo is looking very nice. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 10, 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 meetings were declared approved. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the August 27, 2024 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) reviewed and updating the list of grants in progress, 2) received notice of Safe Routes to School grant award-City matching share $1,200 with work done in 2025, 3) discussion on City departments needs, 4) discussion on Cemetery Columbarium options, 5) discussion on and referral of 2025 Grants Committee budget request to the Finance Committee and 6) discussion on the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Poeschel reported on the September 5, 2024 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to vacate and discontinue 200 feet of the undeveloped plotted W. Seventh Street right-of-way located West of the intersection of Ayers Street and W. Seventh Street, 2) discussion on and recommendation to vacate and discontinue 104 feet of the undeveloped plotted Ayers Street right-of-way located North of the intersection of Ayers Street and W. Seventh Street, 3) discussion on and recommendation on the development and advertising for sale portions of City lot 261.1447.001 South of City Hall, 4) discussion on and recommendation on leasing out undeveloped land in the Industrial Park for farming, 5) discussion on and recommendation on leasing out City Landfill property Parcel Nos. 042.0311.000 and 042.0325.000 for hunting activities, 6) discussion on and recommendation of No Parking on E. Seventh Street East of Willow Street, 7) discussion on and recommendation to deny No Parking on E. Fifth Street from Center Street West 600 feet, 8) discussion on and recommendation to restrict parking 230 feet North of Division Street on the West side and 10 feet North of the first driveway from Division Street on the East side of Court Street. Council Member Clough reported on the September 10, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel called for appearances. John Langton stated that he is saddened to see we have to pass an ordinance (for no parking on E. Seventh Street), it is quite narrow for parking, just use common sense, vehicles parking are a hindrance for fire trucks, garbage trucks and other large vehicles, it is a safety concern. Blanche Prosser stated parking on E. Seventh Street is very rare, occasionally they use it to unload the camper, as they don’t have parking on their property, the garbage truck has no problems and ambulances can get through just fine, they have lived there 20 years and it has never been an issue until now, what is needed is a stop sign as people come speeding through, there are only three residences on this street. Jon Counsell stated parking issues-Dollar General on Court Street has had close calls with being hit, have there been accidents; on E. Seventh Street we wish common sense would prevail, whether you park sometimes only; the width of the road, narrowness of it or just parking in the wrong location, it is hard to get through, people come through quite fast and with cars parked there they have to weave around as they can’t see well; East Street is narrow too, should it have no parking; it’s a safety issue, it’s a through street, it is a concern. Jerilyn St. Amand stated when you come up to the stop sign by the Post Office it is hard to see when cars are parked, maybe no parking within a certain amount of feet would help. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Planning Commission items (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8). Motion Counsell to contact a local realtor to sell a portion of City lot 261.1447.001 South of City Hall. Mayor Poeschel stated the Planning Commission would like to work with a developer. Mayor Poeschel called for a second. There being none-the motion failed. Council Member Clough asked if it was the entire parcel. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated about four acres. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to look for a local developer when advertising for sale portions of City lot 261.1447.001 South of City Hall. All Aye. Council Member Counsell stated a local farmer has been haying the Industrial Park land, it is not the intent to plant corn. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated it is about twenty acres; if development occurs, they would lose the crop in that area. Council Member Neville stated manure spreading would be a concern. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation to work with legal counsel to develop a lease agreement for leasing out undeveloped land in the Industrial Park for farming. All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the old City Landfill is about 48 acres, the City mows it, uses it for the brush burn pile and landfill monitoring is required, our insurance company stated that there are no issues with leasing it for hunting purposes, our attorney would have to draw up an agreement. Council Member Petkovsek asked how many individuals could hunt on 48 acres. Council Member Clough stated is should be leased to only one party. Motion Neville, second Rochester, to accept the recommendation to lease out City Landfill property Parcel Nos. 042.0311.000 and 042.0325.000 for hunting activities. All Aye. Council Member Rochester asked if the Council would consider parking on the one side of the road for E. Seventh Street. Council Member Clough stated he drove the street, it looks narrow, but it is graveled out three feet on each side. Motin Rochester to approve No Parking on one side of E. Seventh Street East of Willow Street. Council Member Counsell stated she lives in the area, the road is used a lot, it is very narrow, how wide is that street. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated 21 feet wide, most streets are 32 to 36 feet wide typically. Council Member Petkovsek asked if it is the only narrow street we have. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated the North end of Prospect Street is also narrow. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that he doesn’t think it is a good idea to have any parking there, there are a couple of houses, a problem was identified, reinstall the stop sign, driving down on a nice September day is not the same as a Winter day, when the house fire happened in that area, a pickup truck could not get through, it is extremely tight, a single path. Mayor Poeschel repeated Rochester’s motion-to approve No Parking on one side of E. Seventh Street East of Willow Street. Second Clough. Council Member Counsell-abstained. All other members-Aye. Motion carried. Motion Neville, second Clough, to keep the parking on E. Fifth Street from Center Street West 600 feet as is and to accept the recommendation to deny No Parking. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to accept the recommendation to restrict parking 230 feet North of Division Street on the West side and 10 feet North of the first driveway from Division Street on the East side of Court Street. All Aye. Fire Chief Matt Meyer stated the new City Fire truck is here and he is requesting permission to sell the old 1980 City International Fire truck. Last time we advertised one for sale and parked it in the parking lot with the right to refuse any offer. Discussion on putting for sale online, using the Wisconsin Surplus site, trying to sell it local first, etc. Motion Clough, second Rochester, to authorize Fire Chief Meyer to sell the 1980 City International Fire truck. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel read the following initial resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 632 RESOLUTION DISCONTINUING ALLEY CONTINUING NORTH ON AYERS STREET, NORTH OF W. 7TH STREET IN THE CITY OF NEILLSVILLE, CLARK COUNTY, WISCONSIN WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Neillsville declares that the public interest requires that the alley continuing north on Ayers Street, north of W. 7th Street, in the City of Neillsville ought to be discontinued and vacated, being fully described on Exhibit “A” attached hereto; WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 66.1005 Wis. Stats. such vacation shall not terminate the easements acquired and the rights of the public in any of the underground structures, improvements or services as enumerated or otherwise existing in said public way and in said description of lands hereinbefore described, but such easements and rights and all rights of entrance, maintenance, construction and repair with reference thereto shall continue as if such public way had not been vacated. WHEREAS, a Notice of Lis Pendens of the Intention to Vacate the above property will be recorded with the Register of Deeds for Clark County, Wisconsin, prior to any hearing on this matter, and NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in the City Council by § 66.1003, Wis. Stats., BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Neillsville that the alley continuing north on Ayers Street, north of W. 7th Street above described be, and the same hereby are vacated and discontinued, since the public interest requires it. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 66.1005 Wis. Stats., such vacation shall not terminate the easements acquired and the rights of the public in any of the underground structures, improvements or services as enumerated or otherwise existing in said public way and in said description of lands hereinbefore described, but such easements and rights and all rights of entrance, maintenance, construction, and repair with reference thereto shall continue as if such public way had not been vacated. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to schedule a public hearing not less than 40 days after the date on which the resolution is introduced and to provide a class 3 notice of such hearing under Chapter 985, Wis. Stats., and to provide notice of such hearing to all appropriate property owners. ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Motion Neville, second Clough, that Resolution No. 632 be adopted. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel read the following initial resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 633 RESOLUTION DISCONTINUING ALLEY CONTINUING WEST ON W. 7TH STREET, WEST OF AYERS STREET IN THE CITY OF NEILLSVILLE, CLARK COUNTY, WISCONSIN WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Neillsville declares that the public interest requires that the alley continuing west on W. 7th Street, west of Ayers Street, in the City of Neillsville ought to be discontinued and vacated, being fully described on Exhibit “A” attached hereto; WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 66.1005 Wis. Stats. such vacation shall not terminate the easements acquired and the rights of the public in any of the underground structures, improvements or services as enumerated or otherwise existing in said public way and in said description of lands hereinbefore described, but such easements and rights and all rights of entrance, maintenance, construction and repair with reference thereto shall continue as if such public way had not been vacated. WHEREAS, a Notice of Lis Pendens of the Intention to Vacate the above property will be recorded with the Register of Deeds for Clark County, Wisconsin, prior to any hearing on this matter, and NOW, THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in the City Council by § 66.1003, Wis. Stats., BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Neillsville that the alley continuing west on W. 7th Street, west of Ayers Street above described be, and the same hereby are vacated and discontinued, since the public interest requires it. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to Section 66.1005 Wis. Stats., such vacation shall not terminate the easements acquired and the rights of the public in any of the underground structures, improvements or services as enumerated or otherwise existing in said public way and in said description of lands hereinbefore described, but such easements and rights and all rights of entrance, maintenance, construction, and repair with reference thereto shall continue as if such public way had not been vacated. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to schedule a public hearing not less than 40 days after the date on which the resolution is introduced and to provide a class 3 notice of such hearing under Chapter 985, Wis. Stats., and to provide notice of such hearing to all appropriate property owners. ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Motion Petkovsek, second Rochester, that Resolution No. 633 be adopted. All Aye. Temporary Class “B” Retailers License (Beer Only) Application: Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Jose L. Neville, Agent, for the parking lot on West Street, for October 12, 2024-Autumn Harvest. Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce, Tea L. Moscinski, Agent, for the parking lot on West Street, for October 12, 2024-Autumn Harvest. Motion Neville, second Rochester, to grant. All Aye. Motin Counsell, second Neville, that City Bills Nos. 822 to 858 in the amount of $489,869.03, TIF District No. 4 Account Bill No. 6 in the amount of $34,833.60 and ARPA-Local Recovery Fund Bill No. 1 in the amount of $2,089.11 be paid. All Aye. Council Member Petkovsek presented Chief of Police Mankowski’s report as printed regarding training, squad car maintenance, August parking enforcement, citations, warning, incidents, office activity, officer activity, business patrols and Town of Mentor contract policing. Motion Petkovsek, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************