City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL NOVEMBER 26, 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 three burials at the Cemetery, picking up branches in the parks, cleaning up a downed tree near the Schuster Park North pavilion, putting up Christmas decorations and checking lights, leaf pickup, hauling brush, taking down the Veterans banners, putting up the winter banners, equipment maintenance, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, rehab on Well No. 4 in progress, utility locates, strung new lights on Water Tower Star, new flow meter installed at the Low Zone booster station, installed bulk caustic soda feed system and scale (used to have to transfer caustic soda from bulk tank to smaller tank every couple of days), Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, cleaned sludge tank blower filters, cleaned out old sewer plant building, winterizing equipment. Motion Neville, second Poeschel, that Water Bills Nos. 302 to 337 in the amount of $123,118.20 and Sewer Bills Nos. 194 to 217 in the amount of $87,677.97 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM NOVEMBER 26, 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. Council Member Rochester reported on the November 13, 2024 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding the Truck Show, activities and posters. Council Member Neville reported on the November 19, 2024 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) Librarians’ reports, 2) WLA Conference report, 3) discussion on City Library budget and Clark County Board Library budget, 4) discussion on revised Director’s Evaluation Template, 5) payment of bills, 6) updates on donation and carryover funds and 7) community events. Council Member Clough reported on the November 20, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) watching a video prepared by Jason Gunderman for the upcoming National Parks Service grant application, 2) discussion on and denial of a Historic Preservation Commission Grant Application, since the work was done prior to applying for the grant, 3) discussion on the 2024 Historic Preservation Commission Action Plan – list of contractors, murals project, updating forms and website, the National Parks Service Paul Bruhn grant application and self-guided (QR Code) Cemetery tours and 4) discussion on the 1897 Clark County Jail old building. Council Member Clough reported on the November 26, 2024 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities Commission regarding: 1) current activities and 2) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on Police Officer Derek Wheatley’s background and progress leading up to his promotion as Corporal of Police. Mayor Poeschel swore in Police Officer Wheatley as Corporal of Police for the Neillsville Police Department. Chief of Police Mankowski introduced Retired Stratford Chief of Police Tim Miller who pinned the Corporal badge on Police Officer Wheatley. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on Police Officer Hunter Imm’s background and progress leading up to his promotion as Sergeant of Police. Mayor Poeschel swore in Police Officer Imm as Sergeant of Police for the Neillsville Police Department. Chief of Police Mankowski introduced Retired Boyd-Cadott Chief of Police Louie Eslinger who pinned the Sergeant badge on Police Officer Imm. 7:21 P.M. – Mayor Poeschel declared the Public Hearing on Discontinuing the Alley continuing North on Ayers Street, North of W. Seventh Street in the City of Neillsville, Clark County, now open. Mayor Poeschel read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 634 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, this Resolution was introduced before the City Council of the City of Neillsville on September 10, 2024, Notice of Pendency of Application to Vacate the above- described property was filed with the Register of Deeds for Clark County on October 29, 2024; Notice of Hearing was duly published in the Clark County Press, a copy of said Notice was served more than 30 days prior to the hearing in the manner prescribed by law on the owners of all of the frontage of the lots and lands abutting upon the portion of said street to be discontinued or a waiver of notice thereof was received; and a public hearing was held before the City Council of the City of Neillsville on November 26, 2024, at 7:15 P.M.; and WHEREAS, no sufficient written objection to the said discontinuance and vacation has been filed with the Clerk; 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. ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Director of Public Works Friemoth presented the application, public notice of the public hearing was in the Clark County Press and posted, area landowners were notified. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Planning Commission at its September 5, 2024 meeting discussed and recommended the vacating and discontinuing. Mayor Poeschel called three times for appearances – there being none. 7:23 P.M. – Mayor Poeschel declared the Discontinuing Alley Public Hearing closed. Mayor Poeschel asked if the Council Members had any further discussion or questions Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to approve the Discontinuing the Alley continuing North on Ayers Street, North of W. Seventh Street in the City of Neillsville, Clark County, and adopt Resolution No. 634. All Aye. 7:24 P.M. – Mayor Poeschel declared the Public Hearing on Discontinuing the Alley continuing West on W. Seventh Street, West of Ayers Street in the City of Neillsville, Clark County, now open. Mayor Poeschel read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 635 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, this Resolution was introduced before the City Council of the City of Neillsville on September 10, 2024, Notice of Pendency of Application to Vacate the above- described property was filed with the Register of Deeds for Clark County on October 29, 2024; Notice of Hearing was duly published in the Clark County Press, a copy of said Notice was served more than 30 days prior to the hearing in the manner prescribed by law on the owners of all of the frontage of the lots and lands abutting upon the portion of said street to be discontinued or a waiver of notice thereof was received; and a public hearing was held before the City Council of the City of Neillsville on November 26, 2024, at 7:15 P.M.; and WHEREAS, no sufficient written objection to the said discontinuance and vacation has been filed with the Clerk; 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. ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _____________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Director of Public Works Friemoth presented the application, public notice of the public hearing was in the Clark County Press and posted, area land owners were notified. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Planning Commission at its September 5, 2024 meeting discussed and recommended the vacating and discontinuing. Mayor Poeschel called three times for appearances – there being none. 7:26 P.M. – Mayor Poeschel declared the Discontinuing Alley Public Hearing closed. Mayor Poeschel asked if the Council Members had any further discussion or questions. Motion Petkovsek, second Counsell, to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to approve Discontinuing the Alley continuing West on W. Seventh Street, West of Ayers Street in the City of Neillsville, Clark County and adopt Resolution No. 635. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented Brandon Lippert’s request for wavier of Sec. 3-6-3 Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders from 500 feet to approximately 425 feet from the Library. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that he met with Lippert and talked with Probation and Parole and has no problem with the Council approving an ordinance wavier at this time. Motion Counsell, second Neville, to grant Brandon Lippert’s request for wavier of City Ordinance Sec. 3-6-3 Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders. Council Member Rochester asked if we do this for one, will it set precedence for others and can it be revoked. Mayor Poeschel stated requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that the Council could revoke the wavier. Mayor Poeschel called the vote. All Aye. Council Member Clough stated the Tree Lighting is Saturday, December 7 and Small Business Saturday is November 30. “Class B” Retail Fermented Malt Beverages and Intoxicating Liquor License Application: The Buck, PDC, LLC, The Green Lantern Bar & Grill, Staci R. Beckmeyer, Agent, 231 W. Seventh Street Staci Beckmeyer introduced herself. Motion Neville, second Rochester, to grant subject to the surrender of the JTACO, LLC, Green Lantern, Jay T. Hengtgen, Agent, license. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: The Buck, PDC, LLC, The Green Lantern Bar & Grill, Staci R. Beckmeyer, Agent, 231 W. Seventh Street Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Robyn D. Beranek and Megan L. Wasson Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Counsell, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 1045 to 1089 in the amount of $585,618.77 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************