Common Council — Minutes

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL JUNE 23, 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 parks, cemetery and various spots in town, mowing ten delinquent lawns due to height of grass, brush mowing various fields and road shoulders, hauling brush and compost, street sweeping, pothole patching, trimming brush from road edges and signs, assisted Water Department with service line repair, Water Department- daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter change outs, meter reading, service line repair at 3 Grand Avenue, Sewer Department-daily testing and lift station rounds, lift station maintenance and inspections, working on Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR), lawn mowing at sewer plant and facilities. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated Struck & Irwin are planning to be in Neillsville this week to complete the micro-surfacing work on the various street projects scheduled for this year. We are working with contractors to finalize scheduling for the TIF #4 roadway improvement projects. This project will include 3,200 feet of curb and gutter repairs, pulverizing and paving of Ferguson Street and W. Second Street as well as necessary sanitary sewer main and manhole repairs. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the City continues to receive a significant amount of brush at the composting site and he is evaluating option to better manage the site including establishing designated operating hours and reviewing security footage to identify unauthorized dumping which is resulting in increased labor, equipment use and disposal costs for the City. Director of Public Works Friemoth reviewed the Sewer Department 2025 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and Resolution. There were no major changes. Overall grade point average is 3.81, which puts us in the compliance range. The Facility remained in compliance across all areas. Two primary concerns continue to be inflow and infiltration causing high flows due to excessive groundwater and stormwater and a single phosphorus exceedance during maintenance of a mixing basin. Future projects include sewer lining, SCADA and remote monitoring upgrades, sewer main and manhole rehabilitation on Ferguson and W. Second Streets, RAS/WAS panel upgrades, Black River Lift Station improvements and Twelfth Street Lift Station generator upgrade. Clerk Winder read Resolution No. 648 Motion Neville, second Gelhaus, to accept the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommend to the Common Council that Resolution No. 648 be adopted. (See Common Council minutes of June 23, 2026, for the printed Resolution). All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, that Water Bills Nos. 152 to 181 in the amount of $155,939.15 and Sewer Bills Nos. 99 to 119 in the amount of $83,011.65 be paid. All Aye. Motion Poeschel, second Pavlac, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM JUNE 23, 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 June 15, 2026 meeting of the Economic Development Commission regarding: 1) discussion on the Hotel Study 2) discussion on, approval and recommendation to the Common Council to approve the Setzke Custom Homes at 1027 Lucille Lane NRI application, 3) discussion on, approval and recommendation to the Common Council to approve the David and Yong Ambelang at 16 Rock Road NRI application and 4) discussion on, approval and recommendation to the Common Council to approve the Bonita Fisher at 605 Willow Street NRI application. Council Member Pavlac reported on the June 17, 2026 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) approving financial report as presented, 2) discussion on and approval of quote for ice as presented, 3) discussion on workers for events, 4) discussion on set-up, 5) discussion on and approval of beer vendor options as presented and 6) discussion on signs. Council Member Clough reported on the June 17, 2026 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on 1964 WI Pavillion building condition and possible remedies, 2) discussion on murals being placed on or considered for historic buildings, 3) discussion on STQRY application and walking tours being created, 4) reviewed current fund balances and 5) discussion on and approved payment of 2 historic markers (Gates house and A. Schoengarth house) to Kluckhohn in the amount of $131. Council Member Clough reported on the June 23, 2026 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) reviewed, accepted the Sewer Department’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommendation that Resolution No. 648 be adopted and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Janay Ziebell, Neillsville Public Library Director, reported on the Library’s 250th Anniversary and Carnegie award celebration events, summer reading programs and upcoming events. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities item (2). RESOLUTION NO. 648 COMPLIANCE MAINTENANCE RESOLUTION RESOLVED that the City of Neillsville informs the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that the following actions were taken by the Common Council. 1. Reviewed the Compliance Maintenance Annual report, which is attached to this resolution. Passed this 23rd day of June, 2026. ______________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk Motion Clough, second Gelhaus, to accept the recommendation that Resolution No. 648 be adopted. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Economic Development Commission items (2,3,4). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve the Setzke Custom Homes at 1027 Lucille Lane NRI application. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve the David and Yong Ambelang at 16 Rock Road NRI application. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to approve the Bonita Fisher at 605 Willow Street NRI application. All Aye. City Clerk Winder reported that the Unity Bank loan for the TIF #4 Phase 2 borrowing has been closed in the amount of $550,000 on June 15, 2026 and recommends appropriating it to Account No. 49100 Proceeds from Long Term Debt (revenue account) and to (expense account) Account No. 57710 Industrial Park. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to accept and appropriate $550,000 to Account No. 49100 Proceeds from Long Term Debt (revenue account) and to (expense account) Account No. 57710 Industrial Park. All Aye. City Clerk Winder reported on receiving a $1,500.00 Neillsville Tourism Committee Room Tax Grant for Historic Preservation and recommends appropriating it to Account No. 56300 Planning for Historic Preservation. Motion Clough, second Gelhaus, to accept a $1,500.00 Neillsville Tourism Committee Room Tax Grant for Historic Preservation and appropriate it to Account No. 56300 Planning. All Aye. Police Chief Mankowski reported on the building repairs that are currently underway. There have been repairs to the exterior of the building due to its age and interior repairs from water damage as a result. The windows will also need replacing. City Clerk Winder reported that The Highground has their Freedom Celebration fireworks on June 27th at 9:30 P.M., City Hall will be closed on July 3rd for the Fourth of July holiday, the City’s fireworks are on the Fourth of July at the Clark County Fairgrounds starting at dusk and the Neillsville Heritage Days are July 9 to July 12 at Schuster Park and the Downtown parking lot. Tavern Operator’s License Applications: Kristine K. Bieneck-Gurney, Jerome A. Carson, Jenny R. Halverson, Emily M. Shepler, James L. Vradenburg Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Pavlac, that City Bills Nos. 578 to 623 in the amount of $229,350.27 be paid. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Gelhaus, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * *