Common Council — Minutes

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL MAY 12, 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, Spring clean-up of the Cemetery and Parks is ongoing, spot mowing the Parks and Cemetery, cutting down a dead tree on Clay and W. First Street, planting trees donated to us by Atmus in various locations throughout town, hauling brush and compost, street sweeping, pothole patching, Water Department - daily testing, system rounds, and utility locates, water meter changeouts, mapping facilities on Diamond Maps, Poly pigged transmission line, crew attended a Residential Cross Connection survey class at Wisconsin Rural Water, mixer installed at the High Zone Tower, Sewer Department - daily testing and treatment plant rounds, lift station inspections and maintenance, installed UV lights for sewer plant, entering DNR paper work. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported that Struck & Irwin plan on doing their prep work later this week or early next week with their first course of micro surfacing going on in June. We will be doing parts of N. Grand Ave and Clay St. We will also be having the taxi ways at the airport done. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MAY 12, 2026 7:00 P.M. The Common Council meeting 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 April 27, 2026 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding: 1) discussion on Christmas/Winter decorations, 2) discussion on Veteran’s flags, 3) reviewed weeding schedule, 4) reviewed 2026 donation letters and 5) discussion on placing an ad for Spring flower donations. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the April 28, 2026 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding: 1) update on Technology Committee, 2) discussion on Housing Loan program and the TID #3 extension and 3) review and updating the list of grants in progress. Council Member Pavlac reported on the April 30, 2026 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) update on Glow Run, Legion events and booked kids events, 2) discussion on and approval of working on mural pending times scheduled, 3) update on volleyball tournament, 4) updated on posters and shirts and 5) discussion on beer vendors. Council Member Neville reported on the May 12, 2026 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) librarians’ reports, 2) discussion on setting a date with the Personnel Committee for interviewing for the Substitute/Assistant position, 3) discussion on Library Board members joining the celebration for America’s 250th anniversary during Heritage Days, 4) payment of bills, 5) updates on donations and carryover funds and 6) upcoming community events. Council Member Clough reported on the May 12, 2026 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Director of Public Works Friemoth read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 647 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A COMPREHENSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING SOLUTION WHEREAS, local units of government in Wisconsin own and maintain approximately 90% of the public road miles in the state, including city and village streets, county highways, and town roads; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin’s economy—rooted in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism—relies on a safe, reliable, and well-maintained transportation network; and WHEREAS, local governments greatly appreciate the one-time infusions of General Purpose Revenue, primarily sales and income taxes, and other revenue provided in recent state budgets, which have enabled the initiation and continuation of the successful and popular Local Roads Improvement Program Supplemental (LRIP-S); and WHEREAS, despite modest increases from the state over the years, transportation aids to local governments remain insufficient to keep pace with inflation and rising construction costs, leaving many communities funded below 2000 levels in real dollars; and WHEREAS, local governments throughout Wisconsin continue to struggle to perform even routine maintenance, pavement preservation, and safety improvements, resulting in deteriorating roads and bridges; and WHEREAS, the inaugural inventory and assessment of small bridges between 6 to 20 feet found about 10% of the nearly 17,000 structures to be in poor or severe condition; and WHEREAS, levy limits and other fiscal constraints prevent local governments from independently filling the funding gap created by inadequate state transportation aids; and WHEREAS, absent sustainable state funding, many communities have been forced to address their shortfalls by significantly increasing borrowing, deferring essential projects, or imposing local vehicle registration (“wheel”) taxes; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin motorists currently pay among the lowest transportation user fees in the Midwest, while neighboring states and dozens of others nationwide have enacted long-term revenue measures to keep their transportation systems competitive; and WHEREAS, Wisconsin is increasingly relying on General Purpose Revenues to make needed investments, potentially pitting transportation against other vital services, such as education; and WHEREAS, continued lack of growing, dedicated, and predictable revenue places Wisconsin at a growing economic disadvantage by threatening the efficiency of freight movement, the safety of travelers, and the attractiveness of our state to businesses and residents; and WHEREAS, both Wisconsin’s aging Interstate highway system—largely constructed in the 1950s and 1960s—and our extensive network of state and local roads require predictable, adequate, and sustainable funding to meet current and future needs; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Neillsville Common Council strongly urges the Governor of Wisconsin and the State Legislature to enact a comprehensive, sustainable transportation funding solution that: 1. Provides adequate and reliable revenue growth for the efficient long-term planning and execution of state and local transportation programs; 2. Includes responsible and prudent use of General Purpose Revenue and bonding; 3. Adjusts any new and existing transportation user fees and other revenue mechanisms to sustain purchasing power in order to maintain and improve Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure; and 4. Ensures transportation continues to deliver for Wisconsin by adequately funding reconstruction, preservation, and safety investments on the state and local systems. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Governor’s office, all members of the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly representing districts within City, and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _____________________ Debbie Winder, City Clerk Motion Clough, second Gelhaus, that Resolution No. 647 be adopted. All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented Sydney Hand’s request under Sec. 450-16 to keep up to ten (10 hens) chickens at 1010 Emery Street. This property is .56 acres over five lots. Sydney Hand is applicant and owner. Motion Gelhaus, second Pavlac, to grant Sydney Hand, applicant and owner, permission for 1010 Emery Street, to have up to ten (10 hens) chickens, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or excess numbers of animals occur. All Aye. City Clerk Winder reporting on receiving the following donations from the Listeman Foundation: $6,250 for the C.C. Sniteman Park Town Square clock tower repair, $3,000 for the steam engine in Schuster Park restoration, $1,000 for the Beautification Committee for America’s 250th Birthday decorations, $10,000 for City Hall signage, $3,500 for 4th of July fireworks, and $5,000 for Heritage Days. Motion Gelhaus, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $6,250 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay, $3,000 to Account No. 57620 Parks Outlay, $1,000 to Account No. 55340 Celebrations-Beautification Committee, $10,000 to Account No. 51600 City Hall Building, $3,500 to Account No. 55340 Celebrations-4th of July and $5,000 to Account No. 55340 Celebrations-Heritage Days and to thank the Listeman Foundation for their donations. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel reported on receiving a resignation letter from Logan Grap from the Library Board effective June 30, 2026. Motion Petkovsek, second Pavlac, to accept the resignation of Logan Grap from the Library Board effective June 30, 2026, and to thank him for his service. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on training, squad car maintenance, parking enforcement, citations, warnings, office activity, officer activities, officer assists, business patrols and contract policing. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Jonathan Z. Hanson Motion Neville, second Clough, to approve the listed license. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, that City Bills Nos. 414 to 472 in the amount of $166,395.67 be paid. All Aye. Motion Pavlac, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Debbie Winder, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * *