Common Council — Minutes

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL JULY 14, 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 one full burial at the Cemetery, weed trimming and mowing in the Parks and Cemetery, dragging and setting up ball fields, Heritage Days set up, clearing and hauling brush and compost, street sweeping, pothole patching, line painting throughout the City including parking stalls, center stripes, etc., Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter change outs, mapping facilities, working on DNR required water testing, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, replacing float switches at various lift stations, assisting with manhole rehabs, lawn mowing at sewer plant and facilities. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that all City department crews have assisted with Heritage Days set up; it is a big undertaking, but it does bring the crews together in a positive way. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that we have an estimated $10,000.00 in repairs to the boom truck, this does not include repairs we will do in-house. This is all from the structural inspection that was completed. As this is an aerial lift, it must remain in good repair and it does see a lot of use. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that City Hall will be the location for a learning session collaboration between UW-Stout, Center for Innovation & Development, Clark County Economic Development Corporation and the UW Extension on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. “Business Pitch” is a hands-on session that will cover business essentials, pitch & marketing among other topics related to starting a business. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JULY 14, 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. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the June 23, 2026 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) updates on Ad Hoc Technology Committee contract renewal with The Dirks Group with terms and meet with another network management service provider, 2) discussion on next steps for 2027 Housing Program and 3) updates on active grant applications and possible new grant opportunities Mayor Poeschel reported on the July 10, 2026 Joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding: 1) purchase of Parcel No. 261.1376.011 and 2) TID #5 Development Agreement between the City and Neillsville Developement LLC. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the July 14, 2026 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) discussion on open Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position and recommended to advertise the vacant position and 2) discussion on open City Hall Custodian II position, receiving three applications and setting up interviews on Monday, July 27, 2026. Council Member Clough reported on the July 14, 2026 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission item (1). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to sell a portion of property in the City Industrial Park – approximately 3 acres of Parcel No. 261.1376.011 [8.31 Acres] to Tim Shaw for $7,500 per acre with offer to purchase being contingent on CVTC agreeing to sell the adjacent acreage to him. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission item (2). Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to accept the recommendation that the Tax Incremental Financing District #5 Development Agreement between the City of Neillsville and Neillsville Developement, LLC as presented. Council Member Gelhaus had reservations about the payment amount to the Developer and stated that in 20 years, there have only been six houses built. Mayor Poeschel called for a vote. Council Members Neville, Clough, Petkovsek and Pavlac – Aye. Council Member Gelhaus – Nay. 4 – Aye, 1 – Nay. Motion carried. City Clerk Winder reported on receiving a League of Wisconsin Municipalities Safety Grant in the amount of $1,351.00 and recommends appropriating $943.46 to Account No. 52100-345 Investigations and $407.54 to Account No. 52100-347 Uniforms and Equipment for reimbursement of safety equipment purchased. Motion Neville, second Pavlac, to accept a $1,351.00 League of Wisconsin Municipalities Safety Grant for reimbursement of safety equipment purchased and appropriate $943.46 to Account No. 52100-345 Investigations and $407.54 to Account No. 52100-347 Uniforms and Equipment. All Aye. Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on a Girl Scout Troop touring the Fire Station, changing the Smokey Bear sign, Assistant Chief Poeschel and I attended CCESA in Loyal, provided trucks and crew for the Rock Crawlers event at the Fairgrounds, provided an escort and traffic control for the Highground Motorcycle Ride, Firefighter J. Poeschel attended Community Hall and Rural Fire Board meetings in my place, provided truck and firefighters for June Dairy Breakfast, EMS Bike tour use our Fire Station for a lunch break area for their ride across the state, provided an escort out of town for the High School track team going to State meet, lit the Highground’s fireworks and filled three swimming pools. Fire Chief Meyer stated they conducted extrication training on a school bus, conducted in- house driver training, Firefighters J. Schultz, C. Northup and L. Schlies attended Thermal Imaging Camera training in Eau Claire, Firefighters C. Northup and L. Schlies attended Rapid Intervention Team/Down Firefighter training in Green Bay, conducted live Wildland Burn training of a 36-acre field, Firefighters M. Vine and J. Poeschel completed Fire Officer II class, conducted the annual hose testing with one hose failing due to normal wear and tear, the new City Engine had a water leak on a discharge line that was never tightened from the factory but is now fixed, purchased four cascade bottles for the rescue truck so we can fill bottles of air on scene, we always had this capability but we were leasing the bottle but it got costly so we purchased these with money from our past steak feed proceeds with the price coming in just under $10,000. Fire Chief Meyer reported on responding to 15 calls: 10-Rural: 2 1-vehicle accidents, 3 2-vehicle accidents, 2 structure fires, a shorting out water heater, a cancelled enroute to 1-car accident and a cancelled before leaving the station alarm. 5-City: a sump pump motor seized up and smoking, a 2-vehicle accident, an alarm at a transitional home where the BBQ grill was found near doorway that set off alarm, were told to move grill and 2 alarms cancelled before leaving station. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on June, 2026 trainings, equipment purchases, squad car maintenance, parking enforcement, citations, warnings, office activities, officer activities, officer assists, business patrols and contract policing. Soda Water License Applications: Neillsville Breakfast Club, Inc., Neillsville Breakfast Club, Urim Alijoski, Agent, 150 E. Division Street Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant the listed license. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Melissa J. Boon-Strangfeld, Morgan N. Bethea, Thomas A. Dahlen, Julie L. Simek and Rhiannon L. Shubert. Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Council Member Clough stated that there has been additional vandalism at Opelt Park and is considering offering a reward for information regarding the incidents. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, that City Bills Nos. 602 to 687 in the amount of $792,416.90 be paid. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * *