City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL MAY 27, 2025 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Members Petkovsek and Rochester 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, Spring clean- up is ongoing, mowing, preparing flower beds, weed trimming in the Cemetery, cleaning park restrooms, street sweeping, installing flags and banners, patching potholes, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter change outs and radio installs, pigging the transmission line, starting hydrant flushing, attending training on performing residential cross connections surveys required by the DNR, Sewer Department- daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, leak detectors installed on the new chemical storage tanks, cleaned and installed UV lights into the effluent channel, heavy rains continue to cause high flows at the plant, we will be receiving a $9,935.17 recycling grant from the DNR. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Water Simplified Rate Case notice will be in the Clark County Press in June, the City is qualified for a 3% rate increase, the Commission and Council will make a final decision at the June 24, 2025 meeting. The last water rate increase was in December of 2013, we will likely need to look into a standard rate increase study next year. Tyler Argall, USG Water Solutions, introduced himself and his company, and gave a presentation, a High Zone Water tank service agreement for water tank maintenance and water tank mixer installation and maintenance. Argall stated their asset management program maintains thorough structural integrity, they restore the tower to like new then maintain it through annual checks and maintenance which helps smooth out budget costs. Both exterior and interior coatings, structural, security, sanitary and safety points. Paint samples were taken to check for lead and chromium. The exterior is a blank canvas and can be painted whatever you want (name, logo, scene, etc). The traditional approach is bidding out the tower painting/maintenance every so often. USG’s approach is an asset management program which warranties it as long as you’re on our program. Painting is typically done every 12 to 15 years, this spreads the cost for you. Our proposal is for a full renovation in the third year (2027). Installation of the mixer helps to improve water quality by keeping it moving, it does not freeze up in winter or have heat buildup in the summer. Motion Neville, second Poeschel, that Water Bills Nos. 130 to 168 in the amount of $119,266.77 and Sewer Bills Nos. 80 to 102 in the amount of $44,629.29 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Gelhaus, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************  COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MAY 27, 2025 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: Council Members Petkovsek and Rochester absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Neville reported on the May 13, 2025 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) librarians’ reports, 2) discussion on Library policy revision, 3) discussion on and approval of library parking lot resurfacing with Struck & Irwin Paving, Inc. applying two coats of micro-surfacing to the asphalt at a cost of $5,267.50, 4) payment of bills and 5) updates on donation and carryover funds. Mayor Poeschel reported on the May 19, 2025 meeting of the Board of Review regarding: 1) examination of the City’s 2025 Assessment Roll for errors and omissions and to hear any assessment objections, 2) no property owners appeared in objection to their assessment and 3) discussion on assessment options. Council Member Rochester reported on the May 20, 2025 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on parade letters and sponsorships, 2) reviewed the 2025 poster, 3) discussion on the Brickyard Bar hosting the Blindman’s volleyball and 4) discussion and action on event setups. Council Member Rochester reported on the May 21, 2025 meeting of the Airport Commission regarding discussion on and recommendation to approve the 2021 Entitlement Funding to the Merrill Airport. Council Member Clough reported on the May 27, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) presentation by USG Water Solutions on High Zone Water tank service agreement for water tank maintenance and water tank mixer installation and maintenance and 3) 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 Airport Commission item. Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve the 2021 Entitlement Funding transfer to the Merrill Airport. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $1,000 donation from MMC Partners-Neillsville for banner brackets. Motion Neville, second Gelhaus, to accept and appropriate $1,000 to Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations and thank the MMC Partners-Neillsville for their donation. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the Beautification Committee’s Mural Work group’s request on mural painting on the retaining wall on the West Street parking lot. This would be funded with the Tourism grant received. The plan is to have some high school art students do some of the painting. Murals have been proven to be part of tourism and economic development. Motion Neville, second Clough, to approve the Beautification Committee request to move forward with mural painting on the retaining wall on the West Street parking lot. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a letter from the Clark County Executive, Judicial and Legislative Committee regarding Clark County 2026 Budget considerations and potential impacts to funding appropriations to municipal libraries; the Neillsville Dairy Breakfast will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025 at Four Star Ag, LLC & Four Star Dairy, LLC, W4198 Pine Creek Road, Neillsville. Council Member Clough stated the City-wide Garage Sale Days will be June 12, 13, 14, 2025. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer & Wine) Application Correction: The dates on the American Legion Post 73, Vicki A. Dux, Agent, for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street – Mudbog were incorrectly listed as June 7 and 8, 2025, it should have been August 23, 2025. Motion Neville, second Clough, to approve the date correction. All Aye. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer Only) Application: Neillsville Lions Club, Robert R. Petkovsek, Agent, for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street, for July 19, 2025 – Car show. Motion Gelhaus, second Clough, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Neillsville Lions Club, Robert R. Petkovsek, Agent, for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street, for July 19, 2025 – Car show. Motion Neville, second Gelhaus, to grant. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Gelhaus, that City Bills Nos. 462 to 501 in the amount of $103,126.59 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************