Common Council — Minutes

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL AUGUST 10, 2026 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: all members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on one cremation and no full burials at the Cemetery, weed trimming at the Cemetery, replaced/tied in a culvert and drain tile by the Listeman Restroom, cleaned brush out of the frisbee golf course, poured concrete approach at Cliff’s Park for the new shelter along with dressing and seeding the dirt around it, power washed the Schuster Park tennis courts, hauling out and stock piling pulverized material on the Ferguson and W. Second Streets project, removing curb and gutter and prepped a few patches throughout town, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, prepped and poured concrete at various sidewalk and curb locations due to past breaks, attended a line locating class, well sampling, assisted with manhole installation, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, working on paperwork for land application of sludge, installed a manhole for the Ferguson and W. Second Streets project, cleaned the clarifier and effluent channel. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that work is going well on the Ferguson and W. Second Streets. American Asphalt is paving some of our patches and the final course on E. Second Street. Jerilyn St. Amand stated that the traffic and road condition on Sunset Place is worse than on Ferguson Street. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM AUGUST 10, 2026 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. Mayor Poeschel reported on the July 27, 2026 meeting of the Finance Committee regarding: 1) discussion on 2027 budget process, 2) placing health and dental insurance, Wisconsin Retirement System benefits, Federal withholding and other fringe benefits costs to each department and 3) discussed having each Department head build a 3 to 5-year capital plan. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the July 28, 2026 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) updates on the Ad Hoc Technology Committee policies and procedures, 2) discussion on housing loan program samples for developing a program once TID #3 ends next year, 3) reviewed letter sent to the Listeman Foundation for various projects, 5) updates on current grant applications and 6) discussed possible opportunities for future grants. Council Member Pavlac reported on the August 4, 2026 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) accepted a donation from Ashley & Adam Davel from the Grand 5K proceeds, 2) discussed the Miss Neillsville program and 3) discussion on 2027 entertainment and dates. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the August 6, 2026 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session regarding union contract negotiations with the Neillsville Police Association. Council Member Clough reported on the August 10, 2026 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Jerilyn St. Amand stated the TID #4 funds should be use for the area around Sunset Place apartments. Mike Winder, Neillsville Heritage Days Committee member, stated he wanted to thank the Common Council, the City crews and the Neillsville Police Department for all their help with their event. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Security Health Insurance Contract renewal. City Administrator Friemoth presented the Security Health Insurance contract renewal for 2026-2027. Friemoth stated that there is no increase for this renewal period. This will be the City’s eighth annual renewal with a zero percent premium increase. Motion Neville, second Clough, to accept the health insurance contract renewal with Security Health for 2026-2027. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on July, 2026 trainings, squad car maintenance, parking enforcement, citations, warnings, office activities, officer activities, officer assists, business patrols and contract policing. Council Member Gelhaus asked about the Department’s overtime for the previous month. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that it was higher than normal due to helping with the Heritage Days event. Council Member Gelhaus asked about the Department’s required training hours per month. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that the State only requires 24 hours, but he requires 40 hours. Motion Neville, second Clough, that City Bills Nos. 731 to 768 in the amount of $196,597.56 be paid. All Aye. Motion Gelhaus, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * *