City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL APRIL 8, 2025 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 no burials at the Cemetery, Cemetery Spring clean-up has started, tree removal, shop maintenance, equipment maintenance, fixing sinkhole on E. Twelfth Street (Listeman Pond overflow culvert under the road is bad), patching potholes, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter change outs and radio installs, turned on seasonal water meters at the School and Clark County Fairgrounds, equipment maintenance, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, washed down and cleaning mixing basin, clarifier and harvester, cleaning and sucking out manholes. Director of Public Works Friemoth opened and read the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid: E. Second Street (1,000 feet east of Willow Street) – pulverizing $6,649.60 and paving $39,880.00; fine grade and paving $164.10 per ton; paving only $140.60 per ton; when the plant is in the Neillsville area mid-June-August; total price $137,947.60 Motion Poeschel, second Rochester, to recommend to the Common Council to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amounts of: for E. Second Street (1,000 feet east of Willow Street) – pulverizing $6,649.60 and paving $39,880.00; fine grade and paving $164.10 per ton; paving only $140.60 per ton; when the plant is in the Neillsville area mid-June-August; total price $137,947.60. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the First Quarter 2025 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. As we heard from the Auditor’s report, the Water Utility’s rate of return continues to drop and needs to be monitored and reviewed. Last rate change was in 2013. We are looking into a Simplified Rate Case Study. The Green Bay Post Office Distribution Center has lost the City’s April 1st water bills. They are trying to locate them. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 8, 2025 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 March 25, 2025 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) reviewing and updating the list of grants in progress, 2) discussion on and recommendation to accept the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Innovation Planning Grant and entering into an agreement with Innovative Public Advisors, LLC to conduct an efficiency study of the City’s Police, Public Works and Municipal Departments and 3) approved the reimbursement for the purchase of cybersecurity publications. Council Member Clough reported on the April 8, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) opening, discussion on and recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amounts of: for E. Second Street (1,000 feet east of Willow Street) – pulverizing $6,649.60 and paving $39,880.00; fine grade and paving $164.10 per ton; paving only $140.60 per ton; when the plant is in the Neillsville area mid-June-August; total price $137,947.60, 3) reviewed the First Quarter 2025 Water and Sewer Financial Statement and 4) the Green Bay Post Office Distribution Center has lost the City’s April 1st water bills – they are trying to locate them. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that she was having a hard time hearing tonight and could the City carry insurance to cover the reprinting and postage costs for having to redo lost water bills. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (2). Motion Clough, second Rochester, to accept the recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amounts of: for E. Second Street (1,000 feet east of Willow Street) – pulverizing $6,649.60 and paving $39,880.00; fine grade and paving $164.10 per ton; paving only $140.60 per ton; when the plant is in the Neillsville area mid-June-August; total price $137,947.60. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Innovation Planning Grant in the amount of $23,500 for “Seeking Partnerships and Efficiencies: A Study of the City of Neillsville Police Department, Public Works and Municipal Staff.” Motion Neville, second Rochester, to accept and appropriate $23,500 to Account No. 56700 Economic Development Administration. All Aye. Sergeant Hunter Imm read the following ordinance. ORDINANCE NO. 1080 AN ORDINANCE CREATING SECTION §9-2-20 – HEMP-DERIVED CANNABINOID AND SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID PRODUCTS THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEILLSVILLE DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Section 9-2-20 Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid and Synthetic Cannabinoid Products is hereby created to read as follows: SEC. 9-2-20 HEMP-DERIVED CANNABINOID AND SYNTHETIC CANNABINOID PRODUCTS (a) In this subsection, hemp-derived cannabinoid products are defined as one of the many intoxicating cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa L. plant or a synthetic version thereof. (1) Hemp-derived cannabinoid products include, but are not limited to: a. Any hemp-derived product containing delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a concentration of 0.3 percent or less; or, b. Any cannabinoid other than delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), synthetic cannabinoids or an isomer derived from such cannabinoids (including but not limited to delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, hexahydro cannabinol (HHC), HHC-O, THCA, THC-O, THCP, THCV.  (2) Hemp-derived cannabinoids do not include non-intoxicating cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), which is an active ingredient in cannabis, but does not possess psychoactive properties that produce an intoxicating effect as defined in Wis. Stat. § 961.01(3r), and does not contain other isomers as listed above. (b) No person under the age of twenty-one (21) shall use or possess any amount of any hemp-derived cannabinoid, including delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, HHC, HHC-O, THCA, THC-O, THCP, or THCV, except as specifically allowed by Wisconsin law. (c) No person shall sell, distribute, deliver, or provide any hemp, derived cannabinoid product containing delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, HHC, HHC-O, THCA, THC-O, THCP, or THCV to a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years, except as specifically allowed by Wisconsin law. (d) No person shall sell, distribute, deliver, or provide any hemp-derived cannabinoid product containing delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, HHC, HHC-O, THCA, THC-O, THCP, or THCV to a person without having first verified their age by having the person present a valid photo identification. (e) Hemp-derived cannabinoids shall not be sold within 750 feet of a hospital, church, or youth-serving organization such as, but not limited to: childcare centers, preschools, public or parochial schools, tribal schools, playgrounds, city or county parks, sporting arenas, or any organization primarily intended to serve children. The distance shall be measured by the shortest route along a designated roadway or walking path from the main entrance of the youth-serving organization to the premises selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The prohibition in this section does not apply to businesses selling hemp-derived cannabinoids from a location used for said sales on or before April 30, 2025. (f) The penalty for violation of this Section shall be as set forth in Section 1-1-7. State Law Reference: Section 66.0107(1)(bn) & 59.54(25g)(b), Wis. Stats. Section 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. Section 3. Should any portion of this ordinance be declared invalid, or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of said ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provisions. Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon the date of publication as provided in Section 62.11(4)(a), Wis. Stats. ______________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Clough, second Rochester, to adopt Ordinance No. 1080. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel stated that the next item is a request from Ciera Wilson, to keep four (4) chickens at 205 E. Twelfth Street. The lot is 0.29 acres. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to grant Ciera Wilson permission for 205 E. Twelfth Street to have up to four (4) chickens, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or an excess number of animals occur. All Aye. Sergeant Imm reported on training, Patrol Officer Salvador Marquez has started field training, squad car maintenance, March parking enforcements, citations, warnings, officer activity, reportable incidents, calls for service, office activities, assists to Sheriff/Fire/EMS, business patrols and Town of Mentor contract policing. Imm noted that calls for service are up 10% with reportable incidents up 30%. City Clerk Roehl reported that Open Book will be Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. by telephone; Board of Review will be Monday, May 19, 2025 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M., City Hall will be closed Friday, April 18, 2025 for Good Friday; the First Quarter 2025 City Financial Statements; The Highground Welcome Center Grand Opening and ribbon cutting will be May 2, 2025; the annual Common Council Reorganizational meeting will be Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4:00 P.M. followed by the annual Board of Health meeting at 4:30 P.M. Motion Clough, second Rochester, that City Bills Nos. 293 to 343 in the amount of $188,186.69 be paid. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel showed a plaque which will be given to Julie A. Counsell for dedicated service to the City of Neillsville as Fifth Ward Council Member for ten years (2015-2025). Motion Rochester, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************