City Council

COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 18, 2023 4:00 P.M. The Common Council meeting in annual session was called to order by Mayor Poeschel. On roll call: all members present. The City Clerk swore in William E. Neville III, Daniel Clough and Julie A. Counsell for their terms in their respective offices. The Council welcomed William E. Neville III (First Ward Council Member), Daniel M. Clough (Second Ward Council Member) and Julie A. Counsell (Fifth Ward Council Member) as newly elected and re-elected members. Mayor Poeschel announced that the purpose of the meeting is to reorganize the Council and make appointments of the various officials, boards, committees and commissions. Mayor Poeschel presented nominees for Council consideration. Weed Commissioner: Motion Counsell, second Clough, that the Director of Public Works (2024) be re-appointed as Weed Commissioner. All Aye. Building Inspector: Motion J. Neville, second Petkovsek, that the Director of Public Works (2024) be re-appointed as Building Inspector. All Aye. Zoning Administrator: Motion Clough, second W. Neville, that the Director of Public Works (2024) be re-appointed as Zoning Administrator. All Aye. Emergency Government Director: Motion Petkovsek, second J. Neville, that the Chief of Police (2024) be re-appointed as Emergency Government Director. All Aye. City Forester: Motion Petkovsek, second J. Neville, that the Cemetery Sexton/Parks Director (2024) be re-appointed as City Forester. All Aye. Official Newspaper: Motion W. Neville, second J. Neville, that the Clark County Press (2024) be re-appointed as the City’s official newspaper. All Aye. City Hall Custodian: Motion Clough, second W. Neville, that the City Clerk-Treasurer (2024) be re-appointed as City Hall Custodian. All Aye. Representative to the Municipal Ambulance Board: Motion J. Neville, second Petkovsek, that Council Member Counsell (2024) be appointed as the City’s Representative to the Municipal Ambulance Board. All Aye. Representative to the Community Fire Hall Board: Motion Clough, second W. Neville, that Council Member J. Neville (2024) be re-appointed as the City’s Representative to the Community Fire Hall Board. All Aye. Historic Preservation Commission: Motion Counsell, second W. Neville, that Council Member Clough, Natalie Erpenbach, David Harnisch, Nicole Keller, Jeff Kluckhohn, Barb Miller and Julie Simek be re-appointed as members of the Historic Preservation Commission (2024), with Natalie Erpenbach as Chair. All Aye. Illegal Tax Committee: Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, that Council Members Counsell, J. Neville and W. Neville be appointed as members of the Illegal Tax Committee (2024), with Council Member Counsell as Chair. All Aye. Solid Waste and Recycling Committee: Motion Clough, second J. Neville, that Council Members Counsell, J. Neville and W. Neville and the Director of Public Works be appointed as members of the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee (2024), with Council Member Counsell as Chair. All Aye. Committee on Finance: Motion Counsell, second J. Neville, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Committee on Finance (2024), with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Board of Review: Motion Clough, second W. Neville, that the Mayor and entire Council, with the City Clerk-Treasurer as Secretary, shall constitute the Board of Review (2024), with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Library Board: Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, that Council Member W. Neville (2024) Peggy Buchda (2026), and Logan Grap (2026), be appointed as members of the Library Board. All Aye. Other members are: John Gaier-School District Superintendent (2024), Margaret Gelhaus (2024), Graeme Williams (2024) and Mary Sladich (2025). The Library Board elects its own Chair. Board of Health: Motion J. Neville, second Counsell, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Board of Health (2024), with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Commission on Public Works/Utilities: Motion W. Neville, second Counsell, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Commission on Public Works/Utilities (2024). All Aye. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities elects its own Chair. Zoning Board of Appeals: Motion J. Neville, second W. Neville, that Council Member Clough (2024), Duane Poeschel (2026) and Lynn Schoengarth (2026) be appointed as members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, with Julie Counsell as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Julie Counsell (2025) and Mandy Krejci (2025). Planning Commission: Motion Clough, second J. Neville, that Mayor Poeschel (2024), Council Member W. Neville (2024), Parks and Recreation Board Chair (2024) and Amber Vine (2026) be appointed as members of the Planning Commission, with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Natalie Erpenbach (2024), Alan Hoesly (2024) and Greg Glisczinski (2025). Parks and Recreation Board: Motion Counsell, second Clough, that Council Member J. Neville (2024), Jacob Ormond (2026) and Mandy Krejci (2026) be appointed as members of the Parks and Recreation Board, with Council Member J. Neville as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Wendell Attoe (2024) and Nate McDonald (2024), Robin Harder (2025) and Sue Voigt-Representative of the School District (2025). Police and Fire Commission: Motion Clough, second W. Neville, that Robert Johnson (2028) be re-appointed as member of the Police and Fire Commission, with Margaret Gelhaus as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Tim A. Voigt (2024), Margaret Gelhaus (2025) and Allan Hoesly (2026) and Brad Lindner (2027). Airport Commission: Motion W. Neville, second Clough, that Council Member J. Neville (2024), Director of Public Works (2024) and Mark Olson (2029) be appointed to the Airport Commission, with Council Member J. Neville as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: DeWayne Seelow (2027) and Bob Petkovsek (2028). Board of Cemetery Commissioners: Motion J. Neville, second W. Neville, that Council Members Clough and Counsell, City Clerk-Treasurer, Mandy Krejci and Lori Pekol be appointed as members of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners (2024), with Council Member Clough as Chair. All Aye. Commission on Economic Development: Mayor Poeschel read Barb Petkovsek’s Letter of Resignation from the Commission on Economic Development. Motion Clough, second J. Neville, that Mayor Poeschel (2024), William Neville (2025), John Gaier (2026) and Justin Poeschel (2026) be appointed as members of the Commission on Economic Development, with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Daniel Clough (2024) and Carrie Morrell (2024) and Julie Simek (2025). Grants Committee: Motion W. Neville, second Clough, that Council Member Petkovsek (2024), Natalie Erpenbach (2024), Deanna Heiman (2024), Brent Shoup (2025) and Jody Conner (2026) be appointed as members of the Grants Committee, with Natalie Erpenbach as Chair. All Aye. Tourism Committee: Council Member Counsell stated go back and read the ordinance. It doesn’t have categories for Neillsville Improvement Corporation Member, Chamber of Commerce Member, Food Industry Member. Both our ordinance and State Statute require a hotel member and citizen members. These categories go back to 2008 which is prior to the recent State law change. It would be better to find four other members that don’t have the appearance of a conflict of interest when making decisions. Even though the members abstained, their groups have put in requests for funding projects. Motion Counsell, second J. Neville, to table the Tourism Commission appointments until the Mayor can follow up on this. Council Members Counsell, J. Neville and W. Neville-Aye. Council Members Clough and Petkovsek-Nay, 3-2. Motion carried. Mayor Poeschel asked who would be good members. Council Member Counsell stated that she had been on the Tourism Commission before and she would volunteer and get him some other suggested individuals. Personnel Committee: Motion J. Neville, second Counsell, that Mayor Poeschel, Council Members Counsell, W. Neville and Petkovsek be appointed as members of the Personnel Committee (2024), with Council Member Petkovsek as Chair. All Aye. Property Committee: Motion W. Neville, second Counsell, that Council Members Clough, Counsell and J. Neville, Mandy Krejci and Julie Simek be appointed as members of the Property Committee (2024), with Council Member Clough as Chair. All Aye. Heritage Days Committee: Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, that Council Member J. Neville, Dale Erickson, Michelle Friemoth, Logan Grap, Barb Miller, Mark Olson, Tom Opelt, Jerry Pfeiffer, Justin Poeschel, Krista Rueth and Michael Winder be appointed as members of the Heritage Days Committee (2024), with Council Member J. Neville as Chair. All Aye. Beautification Committee: Motion Clough, second W. Neville, that Council Member Petkovsek, Doris Bakker, Kathy Brugger, Margaret Gelhaus, Linda Hemp, Barb Miller, Janice Miller and Lori Pekol be appointed as members of the Beautification Committee (2024), with Council Member Petkovsek as Chair. All Aye. Transit Committee: Motion Counsell, second J. Neville, that Council Members Clough and W. Neville, Kory Poeschel and Amber Vine be appointed as members of the Transit Committee (2024), with Council Member W. Neville as Chair. All Aye. President of the Council: Motion Counsell, second Clough, to elect Council Member J. Neville as President of the Council (2024). All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that Open Book will be Monday, May 1, 2023 from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M. and Board of Review will be Monday, May 15, 2023 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Motion W. Neville, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************  BOARD OF HEALTH COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 18, 2023 4:30 P.M. The Board of Health met in annual session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: all members present. Also present: City Health Officer Doris Bakker, Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth and City Clerk-Treasurer Rex R. Roehl. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Health Officer Bakker presented the City’s annual health report and activities for 2022-2023 regarding: liquor, beer and wine license inspections; cockroaches; mice/rats; garbage being put out days ahead of collection; unoccupied buildings; and lack of cooperation from landlords. Bakker stated that she has been talking with Clark County Treasurer Renee Schoen about properties that need to be cleaned up and delinquent taxes. After three years the County tax liens the properties for delinquent taxes, but the State has a program for prior to tax lien (under three years) where the State will step in and take care of the property. Council Member Counsell stated that they will collect the taxes, but what about the health concerns. Bakker stated that the Chief of Police and Director of Public Works do a good job, but our ordinances are difficult to deal with. A major problem is mold, the renters complain, but the landlords do nothing. Bakker presented a list of City properties in arrears for 2020 property taxes she got from the County Treasurer. Council Member Counsell asked about the cockroaches and bed bug problems, and if a lot of these buildings are empty. Bakker replied that she has good cooperation with the exterminators, and infestation requires two or three follow up service calls, the properties are not necessarily empty buildings. What happens is the renters move out, leave lots of stuff, the landlords haul the stuff out on the street, which compounds the spread and problem. Council Member W. Neville asked if lack of housing the reason tenants don’t go somewhere better, why do landlords continue to hold on to these properties. Council Member Clough stated some of these properties have not been rented for years. Bakker stated some of these properties are under orders to be repaired or cleaned up. The City should contact the County Treasurer for a list of delinquent property taxpayers and see about the State program where the City turns the property over to the County. Council Member Clough asked for the program to be put on a Council agenda in the future. Council Member J. Neville asked how the public nuisance and lack of maintenance ordinance update was doing. Bakker replied as soon as the Chief of Police can get through training an officer, he would be putting an officer on it. The City needs to work on prevention, instead of trying to solve problems. Bakker stated a concern is when properties are transferred person to person, we have no regulation to require a property inspection. Council Member W. Neville stated that there is a realtor’s condition report, where the seller has to disclose things to the buyer. Bakker stated there were problems last year when the mobile home court was sold. Discussion followed on the annual inspection tour. The City ordinance does not require a tour. Discussion followed on a joint Board of Health tour versus individual tours by Council Members. Motion J. Neville, second Counsell, that each Council Member do an individual tour of their Ward with the Director of Public Works by June 1, 2023 and that a report of properties be made. All Aye. Motion W. Neville, second Counsell, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk ************