City Council

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL JUNE 24, 2025 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Member Gelhaus absent, all members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on two burials at the Cemetery, cleaning park bathrooms, mowing, weed trimming, ballfield maintenance, cleaning up brush around the bridges, street sweeping, cutting out asphalt for large patching, pothole patching, assisting with and rough grading on E. Second Street road construction, hauling brush and compost, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter change outs and radio installs, meter reading, added filter media to both filters, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, working on Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR), repaired broken forced main pipe on the lift station by the old Sunburst facility, pulverizing is finished on E. Second Street, fine grading and paving are taking place with asphalt being laid today. Jerilyn St. Amand asked about the water leak by the City Hall driveway next to Cenex. 6:50 P.M. Council Member Gelhaus now present. Director of Public Works Friemoth read the Proposal for Water Rate Increase as follows: WATER RATE INCREASE The City of Neillsville Municipal Water Utility will file an application on June 25, 2025, with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), for authority to increase water rates. Rates for general service will increase 3.0 percent. The increase is necessary to reduce the existing deficiency in present rates. The request is being made under Wis. Stats. 196.193. Rate increases granted under this statute do not require a public hearing. The effect of the increase for some selected customers is shown below. Public Fire Protection and Wholesale rates (if applicable) will also increase 3.0 percent. The last time the Water Utility raised rates was in December of 2013. Existing Revised Customer Meter Cubic Quarterly Quarterly Classification Size Feet Rate Rate Average Residential 5/8 1,600 $94.40 $97.20 Multifamily 2 12,200 $652.40 $671.86 Commercial 5/8 7,800 $367.20 $378.06 Industrial 3 115,000 $4,625.00 $4,766.40 Public Authority 1 20,700 $931.40 $959.57 City of Neillsville Municipal Water Utility anticipates that this rate increase will go into effect on September 2, 2025. City Clerk Roehl reported that public notice was in the Clark County Press on June 4, 2025- no public comments have been received. Discussion followed. Motion Poeschel, second Rochester, to approve and recommend to the Common Council to file the Water Rate Increase Application with the Public Service Commission. All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth reviewed the Sewer Department 2024 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Resolution. There were no major changes. Overall grade point average is 3.76, which puts us in the voluntary range. Our rate structure was reviewed in 2020, which puts us out of the three-year review period range and caused us to fail that section, however a review was done in November 2024 but was not effective until March 1, 2025. The review was done by AECOM. Future projects include sewer lining, integrating more SCADA at the treatment plant and lift stations, sewer main and manhole lining on US Hwy 10, RAS/WAS panel update, two new mixers for mixing basins and new latches for the Eighteemth Street lift station. Chair Clough read Resolution No. 638 Motion Petkovsek, second Neville, to accept the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommend to the Common Council that Resolution No. 638 be adopted. (See Common Council minutes of June 24, 2025, for the printed Resolution). All Aye. Motion Neville, second Rochester, that Water Bills Nos. 169 to 196 in the amount of $32,739.78 and Sewer Bills Nos. 103 to 122 in the amount of $72,562.89 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************ COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 24, 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 June 17, 2025 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) update on flowers, 2) update on Military Banners, 3) discussion on and approval to send out donation letters and 4) discussion on remaining grant funds for Prock Park and authorizing Parks Director Regan Barth to work with Kranzations to make a decorative cover for the electrical box at Prock Park. Council Member Rochester reported on the June 18, 2025 Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) discussion on a scavenger hunt, 2) finalizing the poster, 3) setting the food vendors, 4) discussion on locations of bounce house, tiger and vendors and 5) walked off tent location. Council Member Clough reported on the June 18, 2025 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) receiving Eileen Hediger’s letter of resignation as commission member, 2) discussion on the 1897 Clark County Jail building, 3) reviewed the status of the new Historic Preservation Commission website and codes to link walking tours to the website, 4) discussion the Murals project and the first two murals to be created, 5) discussion on fund balances and Tourism Commission grant and 6) discussion on possible people for the vacant Commission position. Mayor Poeschel presented the June 19, 2025 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding: 1) Chris Straight, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) Senior Planner, presented the Initial Working Draft Project Plan for Creation of Neillsville TID No. 5 (a mixed use TID)-Introduction; Qualification Statement and Findings; Providing Orderly Development; Description and Development Assumptions; Proposed Public Improvement and Project Costs; Relocation of Displaced Persons; Non- Project and Ineligible Costs; Methods of Scheduling of Financing Projects; Share of Tax Increment for Overlying Jurisdictions, 2) discussion on the draft plan, 3) discussion on and approval to go with the Initial Project Plan Creation of Tax Incremental District No. 5 (a mixed use TID), 4) discussion on and approval to set Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 6:15 P.M. for the Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed TID No. 5 project plan, 5) discussion on proposed change to preformed future land use from Commercial to Residential, 6) discussion on and approval to set Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 6:15 P.M. for the Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment and 7) discussion on and split vote recommendation to approve Conditional Use Permit for dog training at 1508 Johnson Street with a review in six months. Council Member Rochester reported on the June 19, 2025 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding: 1) Election of officers-Harold Eddy, Chair, Ronald Vine, Vice-President, Clarissa Rochester, Secretary and Rex R. Roehl, Treasurer, 2) payment of bills, 3) current activities-lawnmowing and needing to replace exterior lights, 4) left check signers, building and insurance committees the same as last year, 5) reviewed and approved the insurance renewal without terrorism amendment and 6) discussion on and approval to move the meeting date from the every third Thursday to the every first Thursday of the month, every three months. Council Member Clough reported on the June 24, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) discussion on, approval of and recommendation to file the Water Rate Increase Application with the Public Service Commission, 3) reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommendation that Resolution No. 638 be adopted and 4) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. 7:17 P.M. – Mayor Poeschel declared the Public Hearing on the Conditional Use Permit for dog training-1508 Johnson Street, Parcel Nos. 261.0195.000 and 261.0194.000-Ron and Mandy Krejci, owners and applicants now open. John Stalsberg stated 25 people have signed the petition against the dog training and they all live within a block and half of Mandy Krejci’s home; Krejci stated the dogs bark for only about three minutes-they bark for well over fifteen minutes; there are 22 dogs in the neighborhood already; there have been twelve dogs over there at one time; when those dogs bark-the neighborhood dogs also begin barking, because they get excited; if Krejci is training one on one she can go to their place; why put this in a residential setting; there are a number of children in the area; dogs can get let loose; who is responsible if a dog bites someone; this will degrade the property value of our house; and we didn’t coerce anyone to sign the petition. Linda Stalsberg thanked the Council for listening to their concerns. The concern about noise, to many dogs in the neighborhood will cause more barking; we don’t need a training facility bringing in more disruptions; a neighbor’s dog in his house started barking because of the dogs over there; who checks if they are vaccinated and registered if someone gets bitten; a police report was made because of barking; Krejci stated that training will go on with or without permits; dogs can sense when something is different; please stop this dog training; find another place outside of the neighborhood. Sabrina Krejci stated that the neighborhood is full of dogs; which shows it is a living breathing community; you can’t be upset with the dogs; it’s a small training area, every dog is leashed or in a secured fenced area; it’s her mom’s hobby’ people should be more concerned about unleashed dogs in the City parks and neighborhoods. Mayor Poeschel called three times for further appearances-there being none. 7:26 P.M. – Mayor Poeschel declared the public hearing closed. Mayor Poeschel asked for Council Member questions. Council Member Neville asked about hours of operation. Mandy Krejci stated that there were no set hours, right now it is one night per week. Council Member Petkovsek asked if she does obedience and agility training and how high the fence is. Krejci stated she can do both and the fence is five feet tall. Motion Petkovsek, to approve a Conditional Use Permit for dog training at 1508 Johnson Street for Ron and Mandy Krejci with the following conditions: no more than three (3) dogs at a time; one day per week for two (2) hours; no earlier than 8:00 A.M. and no later than 7:00 P.M., parking in driveway or front of house; all dogs training must be licensed and have rabies vaccination; must have liability insurance; dogs must be on leash until inside the fenced area and on leash prior to leaving the fenced area; the Police Department shall give a status report in 90 days, 6 months, 12 months and as requested by the City Council. Krejci stated that there is not enough parking in the driveway, could it be in front of the fenced area so the dogs would not have to go down the lot to the fenced area. Second Rochester, Mayor Poeschel called for further discussion. Council Member Rochester stated it should be at least five (5) dogs, and the time should go to 7:30 P.M., because if people work, they can not get there by 5:00 P.M. for the two hours. Mayor Poeschel asked if Council Member Petkovsek would amend her motion. Council Member Petkovsek stated “no,” but Council Member Rochester could offer an amendment to be discussed and voted upon first. Motion Rochester, to amend the motion changing the number of dogs to five (5) at a time and no later than 7:30 P.M. Second by Neville, to the amendment. Mayor Poeschel called for further discussion. Council Member Gelhaus asked if Krejci had a specific day for training. Krejci replied no. Council Member Clough stated under the zoning code a Conditional Use Permit is for a business in a residential area and consideration should be given if it will create a disturbance-there is already a documented disturbance. Krejci stated nothing was found on the documented police report. Council Member Gelhaus asked Chief of Police Mankowski how many dog complaints are received in a month. Chief of Police Mankowski stated no more than five, but less than ten per month. Council Member Rochester asked about dog bites. Chief of Police Mankowski stated none in the past year. Council Member Petkovsek stated there have been dog bites within town in the past, including herself. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that there are a couple of unresponsible dog owners. Council Member Petkovsek stated that the City did approve the ice skating rink for dog training what happened there. Krejci stated she has used that, but had to pay a rental fee, there is no cost at her own place, she can have people over, she just won’t take any money. Mayor Poeschel stated Krejci can do the training without taking my money, she can invite as many friends as she wishes and not need a permit. Council Member Clough stated do we make an exception to zoning for training, friends dogs are another thing. Mayor Poeschel called a voice vote on the Amendment – Council Member Petkovsek-Nay, Council Member Clough-Abstained, but asked for a reason changed to Nay, all of other members-Aye. 3-Aye, 2-Nay. Motion carried. Mayor Poeschel called for a roll call vote on the original motion as amended: “to approve a Conditional Use Permit for dog training at 1508 Johnson Street for Ron and Mandy Krejci with the following conditions: no more then five (5) dogs at a time; one day per week for two (2) hours; no earlier than 8:00 A.M. an no later than 7:30 P.M.; parking in the driveway or front of house; all dogs training must be licensed and have rabies vaccination; must have liability insurance; dogs must be on leash until inside the fenced area and on leash prior to leaving the fenced area; the Police Department shall give a status report in 90 days, 6 months, 12 months and as requested by the City Council.” Council Member Petkovsek-Nay, Council Member Rochester-Aye, Council Member Gelhaus-Aye, Council Member Neville-Aye, Council Member Clough-Nay. 3-Aye, 2-Nay. Motion carried. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities items (2 and 3). Motion Rochester, second Gelhaus, to accept the recommendation to file the Water Rate Increase Application with the Public Service Commission. All Aye. RESOLUTION NO. 638 COMPLIANCE MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION RESOLVED that the City of Neillsville informs the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that the following actions were taken by the Common Council. 1. Reviewed the Compliance Maintenance Annual report, which is attached to this resolution. Passed this 24th day of June, 2025. ______________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Motion Rochester, second Neville, to accept the recommendation that Resolution No. 638 be adopted. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel read Eileen Hediger’s Letter of Resignation as member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Motion Clough, second Rochester, to accept Eileen Hediger’s Letter of Resignation as member of the Historic Preservation Commission and to thank her for her service to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Amanda J. Bogdonovich, Alan L. Buchholz, Melanie M. Galen, Leah A. Johnson, Kendra L. Nelson, Eliana I. Subke. Motion Rochester, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 544 to 590 in the amount of $206,816.59 be paid. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Rochester, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************