Common Council

Common Council Minutes The Common Council met at the City of Nekoosa Office Location: Council Chambers, 951 Market St. Nekoosa, WI 54457 Time: Tuesday, March 11th, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Mayor Daniel J. Carlson. The roll call was conducted by City Clerk Kallee Dhein. Roll Call Aldermen Present: Anthony Carlson, Garrett Kuhn, Daniel Downing, Michael Kumm, Brad Hamilton, Larry Krubsack, and Adam Buehring. Brian Krubsack was noted as absent. Also in attendance was Rick Schmidt - Public Works Director, Mike Hartje – Fire Chief, Shawn Woods – Police Chief, Darla Allen – Library Director, Scott Jennings, Cody Przybylski, Nathan Black, Dennis Fenske, Lynn Knight, Steve Shepro, and Brian Machon. Attendance via Zoom: Alayna Black Citizen Comment No comments were brought to the attention of the council. Approval of Previous Common Council Minutes – February 11th, 2025 A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous Common Council meeting on February 11th, 2025, as written. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Committee Reports Public Works A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Public Works Committee report of March 4th, 2025 to be accepted as written. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Recommend Safe Step for sidewalk inspections and repair. 2. Recommend mailing a newsletter to all residents on best practices on disposal of fats, oils, and grease, also with a separate letter sent to business owners, schools, and churches about  requirements of maintenance inspections of all grease traps to reduce grease entering the Wastewater Treatment Plant. 3. Recommend Vierbicher to proceed with obtaining bids for reconstruction of 2nd Street from Patton Avenue this summer. 4. Recommend Precision Grading and Utilities to proceed with the replacement of 3 eight-inch water valves and one hydrant. 5. Recommend hiring Precision Grading and Utilities to grade the City’s compost area in the industrial park, at a cost not to exceed $10,000.00. 6. Recommend buying a new 72” Bobcat mower, $9,985.00 plus trade, and a new 48” Bobcat mower $6,989.00 plus trade with the funds coming from the various Park Outlay accounts. 7. Discussion on the grant approval process on the construction of the fishing pier and shoreline stabilization. 8. Recommend purchase of 20 trees to be planted along the street boulevards this spring at a cost not to exceed $5,085.00. 9. Recommend a change order for the Water and Wastewater SCADA project at a cost of $13,106.00. 10. Recommend attendance of 2 water department employees at the Wisconsin Rural Water Conference per handbook. 11. Recommend purchase of a rolling cart, vise, and various tools at a cost of $1,000.00. Respectfully submitted, Anthony Carlson, Secretary Motion that Items 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10, and 11 of the Public Works Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Property Recreation and Human Affairs A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Property Recreation and Human Affairs Committee report of March 11th, 2025 to be accepted as written. Motion by: Mike Kumm Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Recommend updating B2 zoning district ordinance. 2. Recommend lease extensions for Riverside Park, Point Basse Park, and the City of Nekoosa Recreational Trail for 10 years. 3. Recommend Nekoosa Walleye Days use the public works garage for the weekend of April 12 th and 13th for Jim Freeman Memorial and Kids Fishing Tournament. Respectfully submitted, Brad Hamilton, Secretary Motion that Item 1, 2, and 3 of the Property Recreation and Human Affairs Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Mike Kumm Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Public Safety A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Public Safety Committee report of March 11th, 2025 to be accepted as written. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Discussed Fire Department monthly report. 2. Recommend updated Fire Department by-laws. 3. Discussed Police Department monthly report. 4. Discussed police equipment. 5. Discussed Police Department goal setting workshop. 6. Discussed county-wide special response team invitation. 7. Recommend sending 1 police officer to armorer certification in Madison on March 24th and 25th, 2025. Respectfully submitted, Brad Hamilton, Secretary Motion that Item 2 and 7 of the Public Safety Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Personnel A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Personnel Committee report of March 11th, 2025 to be accepted as written. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Larry Krubsack Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1. Recommend budget distribution of $10,000.00 to EMS portion of the Fire Department. 2. Discussed communication of time off for full-time employees. 3. Motion by Kumm, seconded by Carlson to go into closed session pursuant to WI Stats. 19.85(1) © to discuss WRS payment category for Assistant Fire Chief. All members voted yes. 4. Motion by Carlson, seconded by Kumm to go into open session pursuant to WI Stats. 19.85(2) © to make possible recommendations from closed session. All members voted yes. 5. Recommend changing Assistant Fire Chief’s WRS category from 30-General to 33-Protective with Social Security dating back to April 14th, 2009. Further discussion on looking into the WRS hours of Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief. 6. Motion by Carlson, seconded by Kumm to go into closed session pursuant to WI Stats. 19.85 (1) © to discuss Mayor and Council wages. All members voted yes. 7. Motion by Kumm, seconded by Carlson to go into open session pursuant to WI Stats. 19.85 (2) to make possible recommendations on closed session items. All members voted yes. 8. Recommend raising Mayor’s salary to $1,200.00 a month to take effect on May 1st, 2026. 9. Recommend raising Council wages to $150.00 for chairman of committee and $100.00 for committee member/council meeting effective May 1st, 2027. Respectfully submitted, Larry Krubsack, Secretary Motion that Item 1,5,8, and 9 of the Personnel Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Ways & Means A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Ways & Means Committee report of March 11th, 2025 be accepted as written. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Motion carried unanimously. Meeting Minutes: 1.) Recommend key fobs for city office for all aldermen. 2.) Audited all the bills. 3.) Recommend beverage operator licenses for Kaylie Lessig and Naomi Newberry for the Edge and Janel Tepp for the Spot. 4.) Recommend City Clerk attend WMCA meeting April 17th, 2025, Clerks and Treasurers Institute and virtual seminar through UW – Green Bay, and Spring Conference April 28th and 29th, 2025 at Wis. Dells per handbook. Respectfully submitted, Larry Krubsack, Secretary Motion that Item 1 has a roll call vote to be passed. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll Call Vote: Garrett Kuhn – Yes, Adam Buehring – Yes, Anthony Carlson – No, Brad Hamilton – Yes, Dan Downing – Yes, Mike Kumm – No, and Larry Krubsack – Yes. Motion carried 5-2, item was adopted. Motion that Items 2,3, and 4 of the Ways and Means Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Old Business No old business items were brought forward for discussion. New Business Discussion on presentation of Nekoosa School District Referendum from District representatives. Lynn Knight, Director of Business Services for the School District of Nekoosa, and Dr. Nathan Black presented information about the upcoming school referendum. They explained that the current operating referendum is sunsetting, and they are seeking to renew the $2 million annual operating referendum. They highlighted the improvements made with the previous referendum funds, including enhanced tech ed programs, addition of a school social worker, and competitive teacher wages. A community meeting was announced for March 26th at 5:30 PM at Nekoosa High School Commons to answer questions from the public. Discussion and possible action on the presentation of a potential reevaluation of properties in 2026 by Forward Appraisal. Steve Shepro, owner of Forward Appraisal and the city's assessor, presented information on the need for a property revaluation in 2026. He explained that the city has gone out of compliance due to rising property values and inequities between properties. The reevaluation would cost approximately $54,000, with $30,000 allocated for the actual revaluation process. The council discussed budgeting concerns and the timing of the contract renewal. Discussion and possible action on Resolution to Adopt a Citizen Participation Plan. Scott Jennings from Vierbicher presented information on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application process for the Fairview Lane project. He explained that several resolutions needed to be passed by the council to proceed with the grant application. The council voted on each resolution separately: Motion that the Resolution to Adopt a Citizens Participation Plan be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that the Authorizing Resolution to Commit Match Funds & Certification of Match Funds Secured be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that the Authorizing Resolution to Submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application to be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that a policy to prohibit the use of excessive force regarding the CDBG resolutions be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that Resolution NO. 2025-03-11-2 -Resolution to Adopt a Fair Housing Ordinance be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that Resolution NO. 2025-03-11-6 – City of Nekoosa Wisconsin Residential Anti-Displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan for CDBG Program be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that the City of Nekoosa Fair Housing Ordinance be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that the Citizen Participation Plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program be adopted for action. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion and possible action on Brad Hamilton attending the 2025 Wisconsin Airports Seminar. Brad Hamilton requested approval to attend the 2025 Wisconsin Airport seminar in Stevens Point as the Airport Commissioner representative for Nekoosa. The cost of attendance would be $80 plus mileage. Motion that Brad Hamilton can attend the 2025 Wisconsin Airports Seminar. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion on representative attending meeting for discontinuation of CDBG Revolving Fund Loan April 24th, 2025 in Wausau, WI. A motion was made to allow Kallee Dhein, City Clerk to attend this meeting, but since there is no cost and no possible action mentioned in the agenda item, she is approved to attend to gather more information on the program closing and the council moved on to the next item. Approval of all Department Reports A motion was made to approve the various monthly reports from the Police Chief, Public Works Director, Fire Department, Community Center, Airport Commission, and Charles & JoAnn Lester Library. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Audit Bill List / Approval of Bills General Disbursements: Check #63168 - #63332 payments from 02/12/2025 – 03/11/2025 Total Expenditure from all Funds = $1,063,060.64 Water and Sewer Disbursements: Check #11765-11827 payments from 02/12/2025 – 03/11/2025 Total Expenditure from all Funds = $314,618.40 Payroll: Check #56184-56196 Voucher #V13205- V13292 payments from 02/12/2025 – 03/11/2025 Total: $112,210.19 A motion was made to approve the bills for the month. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Roll call vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Adjournment A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garrett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:44pm