City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL DECEMBER 23, 2024 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Member Counsell absent, all other members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on four burials at the Cemetery, trimming trees, snow removal and hauling, equipment maintenance, hauling brush and compost, salting and sanding roads, burned brush pile, hauled out sweepings, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, winterizing hydrants, meter reading, water main break on O’Neill Street repaired, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, draining and cleaning mixing basin. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported that Sand County Environmental has completed our old landfill ground water and surface monitoring report. Several Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were above NR140 Prevention Action Limits (PALs) and one concentration was above it’s Enforcement Standard (ES). Sand County has filed reports with the DNR. We have had this in the past, usually nothing additional is needed. Director of Public Works Friemoth reminded everyone the new garbage and recycling cart collection with GFL starts January 1, 2025. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, that Water Bills Nos. 338 to 359 in the amount of $31,783.75 and Sewer Bills Nos. 218 to 238 in the amount of $48,587.98 be paid. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM DECEMBER 23, 2024 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: Council Member Counsell absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the December 10, 2024 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) reviewed a video of the City and the historic properties prepared by Jason Gunderman, 2) reviewed and updated the list of grants in process and 3) working on the FEMA 2024 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant application with Fire Chief Matt Meyer and Second Assistant Fire Chief William Poeschel. Council Member Rochester reported on the December 12, 2024 meeting of the Community Fire Board regarding the meeting be called to order, no quorum present, meeting adjourned with no actions taken. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the December 18, 2024 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) closed sessions on reviewing the Director of Public Works position, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer position, Recreation Director position and Chief of Police position, 2) reconvening into open session, 3) recommendation to award the Recreation Director one week vacation per new revised policy and 4) recommendation to award one time compensation for extra projects and special assignments during the 2024 calendar year to – the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer for $1,000.00 and the Director of Public Works for $2,500.00. Council Member Clough reported on the December 18, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the National Park Service Paul Bruhn grant application, updating forms and website, local contractors list and self-guided Cemetery Tour and 2) discussion on the 1897 Clark County Jail, Clark County Public Property Committee discussion on the buildings future including demolition, State Statues, State Historic Preservation Office involvement, etc. Council Member Clough reported on the December 23, 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. Jerilyn St. Amand thanked Natalie Erpenbach and the Grants Committee for all they do for the City and Director of Public Works Friemoth and the work he and his crew do. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee items (3 and 4). Council Member Clough stated that he is not a member of the Personnel Committee and not a part of the closed sessions. He would like the Council to table action on these items, until the whole Council can meet in closed session, to get the background information. He does not feel that he has enough information from reading the minutes. Motion Clough to table the Personnel Committee items until the whole Council can discuss them. Mayor Poeschel called three times for a second – there being none – motion dies for lack of a second. Motion Rochester, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to award one time compensation for extra projects and special assignments during the 2024 calendar year to Director of Public Works Friemoth for $2,500.00. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to accept the recommendation to award one time compensation for extra projects and special assignments during the 2024 calendar year to Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Grap for $1,000.00. All Aye. Motion Rochester, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to award Recreation Director Matson one week vacation per revised policy. All Aye. Natalie Erpenbach, Grants Committee Chair, reported on the 1897 Clark County Jail building situation. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission has discussed the building at it’s December 18, 2024 meeting. The Clark County Public Property Committee has discussed the building at it’s December 19, 2024 meeting. The 1897 Clark County Jail building is owned by Clark County, through their Committee they have discussed the future of the building, including the demolition of the building, the listing on the Historic Register, its history, use and current condition. Erpenbach stated that it is the City’s Historic Preservation Commission’s responsibility to enforce and make known the historic preservation information and responsible statutory requirements. Erpenbach presented a letter from Jason Tish, State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government/Preservation Education Coordinator; a copy of the Wisconsin Statues (§66.1111 Historic Properties; §44.30 to 44.45 Historic Preservation Program; etc.); and the Form HP-09-19 Request for SHPO Review and Comment on Local Unit of Government Action. Discussion followed on the building being in tough shape, it is going to take time and money. What is the best use of the building, that discussion is in the County’s realm, the County has to answer to the State. Viable options are needed, with solid plans, you can’t just say you want to save it. The roof is the main issue, but there are a number of issues to address – electrical, plumbing, handicapped accessibility, etc. Can the façade be saved and the interior repurposed for another use – County offices, a hotel, a Bed and Breakfast, private offices, etc. The cost will be at least $1.5 million. We have about a six-month window to act. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $10,000 donation from Wayne Gross for Cliff’s Park. Motin Clough, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $10,000 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay and to thank Wayne Gross and family for its donation. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that CliftonLarsonAllen has completed the City’s TIF District No. 2 close out audit, the TID Final Accounting Report has been filed and accepted by the Wisconsin DOR Tax Incremental Financing Division and the remaining funds have been dispersed to the City’s CDBG Housing Program for affordable housing use. Motion Neville, second Rochester, that City Bills Nos. 1129 to 1182 in the amount of $221,779.39 and TIF District No. 4 Account Bill No. 7 in the amount of $60,000.00 be paid. All Aye. Motion Rochester, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************