Common Council — Minutes

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL JULY 28, 2026 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 other members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on five cremations and no full burials at the Cemetery, weed trimming and mowing in the Parks and Cemetery, dragging and setting up ball fields, installing drain tile in a low spot in Listeman Park, poured concrete at Cliff’s Park for new shelter, picked up rubber mulch for Listeman Park, hauling brush and compost, working on curb and gutter repairs and back filling, digging out patches, curb removal, line painting throughout the City including parking stalls, center stripes, etc. is complete, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter change outs, fixing random leaks at the treatment plant, touching up dirt work around past repairs, Sewer Department- daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections are completed, new mixer installed in mixing basin #3, Black River Road lift station was rehabbed with concrete being sealed, sewer plant equipment maintenance, met with Martell Water Treatment Inc. to run trials to try and reduce our phosphorus levels. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that work is starting on Ferguson and W. Second Streets. We are starting to remove curb and gutter at Ferguson and W. Fifth Streets to avoid any interruptions with the Municipal ambulance. The pulverizer will be in town on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 to start grinding the road. Motion Neville, second Poeschel, that Water Bills Nos. 182 to 219 in the amount of $27,584.32 and Sewer Bills Nos. 120 to 144 in the amount of $46,242.51 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JULY 28, 2026 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: Council Member Gelhaus 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 July 14, 2026 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) Librarian’s reports, 2) discussion on and approved hiring Molly Dolle pending successful background check, 3) welcomed new member Debra Perkl, 4) elected officers and set committees the same as previously with Perkl replacing Grap and 5) payment of bills. Council Member Clough reported on the July 15, 2026 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) correction of the June 17, 2026 meeting minutes with Kluckhohn’s abstention on the vote for the Historic Property Markers to be included, 2) approval of Historic Preservation grant # 2025-1 in the amount of $500 to James and Dawn Voss, 3) updates on the STQRY application and the Cemetery and Historic walking tours and 4) discussed potential properties for Historic Property Markers. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the July 27, 2026 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) a closed session on interviewing candidates for the City Custodian II position and 2) a closed session regarding discussion on contract negotiations with the Neillsville Police Association. Council Member Clough reported on the July 14, 2026 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities and 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 Personnel Committee item (1). Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to hire Gregory Dingee for the City Custodian II position pending a successful background check. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that during the recent repairs made to the Northside wall at the Police Department, the contractor was doing a check of their work and discovered that the current windows were leaking and faulty. Chief Mankowski reached out to two contractors for quote to replace the windows, one from Spiegel Construction for a total of $15,650 to remove old windows and install new windows and trim and the other quote was from Trunkel’s Home Improvements for $5,598 and includes window removal and replacement but no trim work. Chief Mankowski stated that the biggest difference between the two was the replacement of window trim which could be done in house. Chief of Police Mankowski recommended the Common Council to approve the quote from Trunkel’s Home Improvements for $5,598 which includes window removal and replacement on the Northside wall of the Police Department. Motion Clough, second Neville, to approve the recommendation that Chief of Police Mankowski hire Trunkel’s Home Improvements for $5,598 for window removal and replacement on the Northside wall of the Police Department. All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented Morgan Drangsveit’s request under Sec. 450-16 to keep up to four (4 hens) chickens at 102 Hewett Street. This property is .42 acres. Morgan Drangsveit is applicant and owner. Motion Clough, second Pavlac, to grant Morgan Drangsveit, applicant and owner, permission for 102 Hewett Street, to have up to four (4 hens) chickens, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or excess numbers of animals occur. All Aye. City Clerk Winder presented the Second Quarter 2026 City, Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Nataly J. Harris, Jessica C. Kuhn, Morgan M. Winslow, Dallas A. Zickert Motion Neville, second Pavlac, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Neville, that City Bills Nos. 688 to 730 in the amount of $133,473.64 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk