City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL FEBRUARY 11, 2025 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. Chair Clough read Director of Public Works Friemoth’s reported on three burials at the Cemetery, snow removal and salting sidewalks, tree removal, hauling brush, compost and wood chips, salting and sanding roads, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter change outs and radio installs, working on inventory, repaired water main break on U.S. Highway 10 and Fairground Avenue, assisted with a service leak at Atmus, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, completed and submitted DNR reports, meeting with contractors to get quotes for upcoming sewer mail lining projects, and reminders – sidewalks need to be shoveled off within 24 hours of the last snowfall and garbage/recycling carts have to be placed out by 5:00 A.M. the day of pickup. Motion Poeschel, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM FEBRUARY 11, 2025 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 Petkovsek reported on the January 29, 2025 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and approved flowers and plants for 2025, 2) discussion on plants for Fran Barlow Memorial Planter at the Library, 3) discussion on Military Banners, 4) discussion on a grant for murals and an update from the Mural Work Group and 5) discussion on ideas from Kranzations for Prock Park. Council Member Clough reported on the February 11, 2025 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 stated the next item is a request from Hunter Hurst to keep ten (10) chickens at 1010 Emery Street, the combined parcels total 0.56 acres, his closing date on the property is the end of February. Council Member Clough stated this request varies from the other requests we have granted in the past, as it is an interior lot not on the edge of the City. According to his letter he has extensive experience with poultry. Motion Clough, second Counsell, to grant Hunter Hurst permission for 1010 Emery Street to have up to ten (10) chickens, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or excess number of animals occur. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel stated that Clark County has passed a Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Ordinance which focuses on preventing the sale, use and distribution of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to those under the age of 21. The County is asking the City to mirror or adopt the County ordinance. Council Member Clough asked if we need to adopt a City ordinance as we are already covered by the Clark County ordinance. The consensus of the Council was to wait until the March 11, 2025 meeting when both the Clark County Health Department and Chief of Police Mankowski can be present, to decide on the Council’s interest is such an ordinance. Mayor Poeschel stated the next item is revisiting the old Landfill Hunting Lease Agreement and Advertising. City Clerk Roehl read from the minutes of the Common Council meeting of January 28, 2025 as follows: a motion passed “approving the old Landfill Hunting Lease Agreement with the above changes [adding grandparents and grandchildren to the list of immediate family members under Lease Covenants; under Termination removing reimbursement language – leaving giving sixty days prior written notice; the lease term being only one year until we see how it goes; restricting the lease to only City residents and City taxpayers] and authorizing the advertising of the lease by sealed bid. Mayor Poeschel stated the City Attorney Nathan Miller, Weld Riley, had originally stated he did not see any issue with requiring Neillsville residency. Having done further review – he now states the City cannot out right ban non-residents. The City could establish a rental price for a resident and a separate higher rental price for a non-resident. Council Member Clough stated you cannot enforce a rental fee difference if you go out for bids. Motion Counsell, second Rochester, to follow the City Attorney’s legal recommendation and remove the lease restriction of only City residents and City taxpayers from the old Landfill Hunting Lease Agreement. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Mikaela M. Brugger, April M. Murphy, Penelope K. Wesbrook Motion Neville, second Rochester, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, that City Bills Nos. 107 to 146 in the amount of $355,945.91 be paid. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl stated next Tuesday, February 18, 2025 is the Spring Primary Election Day and the City Auditors will also be here next week. Motion Rochester, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************