City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL SEPTEMBER 24, 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 no burials at the Cemetery, mowing and weed trimming, spraying weeds, brush mowing, the Gazebo project is in progress, leveling dirt around the new sidewalk by the school, pavement patch prep work, mowing the dump, picking up brush, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, meter reading, Low Zone Water Tower was inspected waiting results, utility locates, replaced twenty feet of water main on W. Seventh Street and added a main valve, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, filled out land applications for various farm fields and submitted soil tests to DNR for field application and a water leak at Division Street and Center Street. Motion Neville, second Rochester, that Water Bills Nos. 243 to 269 in the amount of $97,168.37 and Sewer Bills Nos. 159 to 174 in the amount of $59,101.05 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM SEPTEMBER 24, 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. Mayor Poeschel reported on the September 10, 2024 meeting of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) discussion on the budget process and directions to department heads and committees, 2) referred non-union wages and benefits to the Personnel Committee for review and recommendation and 3) discussion on and setting the budget meeting schedule. Council Member Neville reported on the September 12, 2024 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding: 1) current activities of the Recreation Department, 2) current activities of the Parks Department, 3) work on and referral of the 2025 Recreation Department budget to the Finance Committee, 4) work on and referral of the 2025 Parks Department budget to the Finance Committee, 5) discussion on the Schuster Park South Shelter and recommendation to approve the appropriation of $13,500 from City Parks and Recreation Room Tax funds for roof repairs on the Schuster Park South Shelter, 6) discussion on the Hockey Rink clean up and repairs, sending the Hockey Association a letter informing them to remove the work trailer and provide a list of their Board members and 7) discussion on upcoming interviews for the Recreation Director position – Robin Harder and Mandy Krejci will participate in the Personnel Committee interview process on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Board. Mayor Poeschel reported on the September 16, 2024 meeting of the Economic Development Commission regarding work on and referral of the 2025 Economic Development budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Neville reported on the September 17, 2024 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) Librarians’ reports, 2) work on and referral of the 2025 Library budget to the Finance Committee, 3) discussion on the WLA Conference, 4) payment of bills, 5) update on donation and carryover funds and 6) upcoming community events. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the September 17, 2024 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) work on and referral of the 2025 Beautification budget to the Finance Committee, 2) discussion on donations received, 3) discussion on the 2024 flowers and decorations, 4) discussion on the Fall decorations, 5) discussion on Winter decorations and 6) discussion on Prock Park decorations. Council Member Clough reported on the September 18, 2024 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding: 1) current activities, 2) cleaning off Cemetery decorations twice a year, 3) discussion on a columbarium-the number of cremations are increasing each year, lack of funding (budget, grants, etc.-perpetual care funds cannot be used for new construction, they are limited to maintenance), different sizes and shapes available, having another presentation, checking with other cemeteries, doing a survey to see the interest, etc. and 4) work on and referral of the 2025 Cemetery budget to the Finance Committee. Council Member Clough reported on the September 18, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) approved payment of a Historic Preservation 50% Grant for 411 State Street in the amount of $500 for porch roof repairs, 2) discussion on the City’s website, the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant submission in the Spring of 2025, historic homes needing plaques and possible placement of QR codes on future plaques, self-guided (QR Code) Cemetery tour and contractors list, 3) work on and referral of the 2025 Historic Preservation budget to the Finance Committee and 4) approved payment of $66 for postage. Council Member Rochester reported on the September 18, 2024 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) discussion on the 2024 Heritage Days event, 3) discussion on 2025 entertainment, 4) approved hiring the Jack Damage band for Saturday night, July 12, 2025, 4) discussion on setup for Autumn Harvest celebration, Saturday, October 12, 2024 and 5) work on and referral of the 2025 Heritage Days budget to the Finance Committee. Mayor Poeschel presented the September 19, 2024 meeting minutes of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) Election of Officers-Margaret Gelhaus, President, Robert Johnson, Vice President and Bradley Lindner, Secretary, 2) appointment of Officer Hunter Imm as Sergeant and 3) appointment of Derek Wheatley as Corporal. Council Member Rochester reported on the September 19, 2024 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) payment of bills, 2) current activities, 3) discussion on and approved the Firemen’s Club request to use the Fire Hall for their annual Steak Feed fundraiser and 4) work on and approval of the 2025 operating and capital budgets. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the September 23, 2024 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session on reviewing and interviewing candidates for the Recreation Director position and non-union employee wages, 2) reconvening into open session and 3) the recommendation to the Finance Committee for a 2.5% increase in wages of non-union City employees. Council Member Clough reported on the September 24, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Parks and Recreation Board item (5). Motion Counsell, second Rochester, to accept the recommendation to appropriate $13,500 of the City Parks and Recreation Room Tax funds for roof replacement on the Schuster Park South Shelter. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented a request from Mark and Lynda Lisenby, Lisenby Properties, LLC to amend Section II. Developer’s Obligation B.2 of the Development Agreement between the City of Neillsville and Lisenby Properties, LLC for Tax Incremental Financing District #4 dated February 8, 2022. Mayor Poeschel stated this project has been a struggle with financing and COVID and materials availability and they are asking for an extension. Six months was discussed, but a year is recommended just so we don’t have to come in again if things are delayed. Lynda Lisenby stated they have 62 units completed, 4 more in the drywall stage and 7 with mechanical roughed in. It should be completed in late May. Motion Clough, second Rochester, to amend Section II. Developer’s Obligation B.2 of the Development Agreement between the City of Neillsville and Lisenby Properties, LLC for Tax Incremental Financing District #4 dated February 8, 2022 to “Have the apartments completed and ready for occupancy no later than January 1, 2026.” All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented a request from Mark and Lynda Lisenby, Lisenby Properties, LLC for the City of Neillsville to sponsor a Wisconsin Economic Development Small Business Development Grant Program pass through grant with Lisenby Properties, LLC. Lynda Lisenby stated they are withdrawing this request as they are not ready at this time as the application is due in mid-October. This grant requires the City or County to make the request, then if awarded determine where the funds would go. Lynda Lisenby stated that the proposal was for Apartment Senior Living which would provide three meals per day, monthly activities/gatherings, lifeline, laundry services, weekly cleaning and elective door to door garbage pick up service. It would require a commercial kitchen if the full goal of 20 to 30 units would sign up. Lynda Lisenby stated while they are not applying at this time. The City should look into the program for use by other local businesses-neither the City or County has participated in the program. Council Member Counsell asked if they were going to do this without the grant and how much would the cost be. Lynda Lisenby stated they have some participants already, they are doing a slow start, the participants are co-mingled throughout the apartments, wherever they are (everyone benefits with singles, families and elders all living together in one community instead of segregating groups), they live independently. The cost is the regular rent for whatever apartment they have plus $1,500 for the full services. Mayor Poeschel stated the next item is a request from Jessica Gunderman, owner, to keep three chickens at 204 W. Eleventh Street under Ordinance Section 10-1-22. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated the request came via email, the property is two parcels totaling .64 acres. Motion Rochester, second Clough, to grant Jessica Gunderman permission for 204 W. Eleventh Street to have up to three (3 hen) chickens, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or excess number of animals occur. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported Homecoming toilet papering started two days in advance of Homecoming, only one property damage incident to a political sign and one complaint on toilet papering was received. City Clerk Roehl reported on an upcoming Regional Resource meeting co-hosted by the Clark County Economic Development Corporation and Clark Electric Cooperative on October 3, 2024 at the Clark Electric Cooperative building, Greenwood, WI. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: David M. Becker, Cathy A. Haines and Linda L. Polzin Motion Clough, second Rochester, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Neville, that City Bills Nos. 859 to 902 in the amount of $135,891.99 and TIF District No. 4 Account Bill No. 7 in the amount of $30,000.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************