Common Council — Minutes

COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 21, 2026 4:00 P.M. The Common Council meeting in annual session was called to order by Mayor Poeschel. On roll call: all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The City Clerk swore in Duane G. Poeschel, Barbara A. Petkovsek and Donna M. Pavlac for their terms in their respective offices. The Council welcomed Duane G. Poeschel (Mayor), Barbara A. Petkovsek (Third Ward Council Member) and Donna M. Pavlac (Fourth Ward Council Member) as newly elected and re-elected members. Mayor Poeschel called for appearances – there being none. Mayor Poeschel announced that the purpose of this meeting is to reorganize the Council and make appointments of the various officials, boards, committees and commissions. Mayor Poeschel presented nominees for Council consideration. President of the Council: Mayor Poeschel called for nominations. Council Member Petkovsek nominated Council Member Neville as President of the Council. Mayor Poeschel called three times for further nominations. There being none. Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Council Member Neville as President of the Council (2027). All Aye. Health Officer: Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, that Doris Bakker (2028) be re-appointed as Health Officer. All Aye. Weed Commissioner: Motion Clough, second Neville, that the Director of Public Works (2027) be re-appointed as Weed Commissioner. All Aye. Building Inspector: Motion Neville, second Clough, that the Director of Public Works (2027) be re-appointed as Building Inspector. All Aye. Zoning Administrator: Motion Neville, second Pavlac, that the Director of Public Works (2027) be re-appointed as Zoning Administrator. All Aye. Emergency Government Director: Motion Clough, second Pavlac, that the Chief of Police (2027) be re-appointed as Emergency Government Director. All Aye. City Forester: Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, that the Cemetery Sexton/Parks Director (2027) be re-appointed as City Forester. All Aye. Official Newspaper: Motion Neville, second Clough, that the Clark County Press (2027) be re-appointed as the City’s official newspaper. All Aye. City Hall Custodian: Motion Neville, second Clough, that the City Clerk-Treasurer (2027) be re-appointed as City Hall Custodian. All Aye. Representative to the Municipal Ambulance Board: Motion Petkovsek, second Neville, that Council Member Pavlac (2027) be appointed as the City’s Representative to the Municipal Ambulance Board. All Aye. Representative to the Community Fire Hall Board: Motion Neville, second Clough, that Council Member Pavlac (2027) be appointed as the City’s Representative to the Community Fire Hall Board. All Aye. Board of Review: Motion Clough, second Neville, that the Mayor and entire Council, with the City Clerk-Treasurer as Secretary, shall constitute the Board of Review (2027), with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Library Board: Motion Petkovsek, second Pavlac, that Council Member Neville (2027), Peggy Buchda (2029) and Logan Grap (2029) be re-appointed as members of the Library Board. All Aye. Other members are: Corey Peterson-School District Superintendent (2027), Margaret Gelhaus (2027) and Graeme Williams (2027) and Mary Sladich (2028). The Library Board elects its own Chair. Board of Health: Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Board of Health (2027), with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Commission on Public Works/Utilities: Motion Clough, second Neville, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Commission on Public Works/Utilities (2027). All Aye. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities elects its own Chair. Zoning Board of Appeals: Motion Neville, second Clough, that Council Member Clough (2027), Duane Poeschel (2029) and Kory Poeschel (2029) be appointed as members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, with Council Member Gelhaus as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Rolly Gelhaus (2028) and Mandy Krejci (2028). Planning Commission: Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, that Mayor Poeschel (2027), Council Member Pavlac (2027), Parks and Recreation Board Chair (2027), Justin Poeschel (2027) and Mike Winder (2029) be appointed as members of the Planning Commission, with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Natalie Erpenbach (2027) and Greg Glisczinski (2028). Parks and Recreation Board: Motion Petkovsek, second Pavlac, that Council Member Neville (2027), Mandy Krejci (2029) and Jacob Ormond (2029) be re-appointed as members of the Parks and Recreation Board, with Council Member Neville as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Julie Simek (2027), Ryan Tews (2027), Robin Harder (2028) and Sue Voigt- Representative of the School District (2028), Police and Fire Commission: Motion Clough, second Pavlac, that Mike Winder (2031) be appointed as member of the Police and Fire Commission, with Margaret Gelhaus as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Brad Lindner (2027), Robert Johnson (2028) and Tim A. Voigt (2029) and Maggie Gelhaus (2030). Airport Commission: Motion Neville, second Clough, that Council Member Pavlac (2027), Director of Public Works (2027) be appointed as members of the Airport Commission, with Council Member Pavlac as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: DeWayne Seelow (2027), Bob Petkovsek (2028) and Mandy Krejci (2029). Board of Cemetery Commissioners: Motion Neville, second Pavlac, that Council Members Clough and Gelhaus, City Clerk-Treasurer, Mandy Krejci and Lori Pekol be re-appointed as members of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners (2027), with Council Member Clough as Chair. All Aye. Commission on Economic Development: Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, that Mayor Poeschel (2027), John Gaier (2029) and Justin Poeschel (2029) be re-appointed as members of the Commission on Economic Development, with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Daniel Clough (2027) and Carrie Morrell (2027), William Neville (2028) and Julie Simek (2028). Grants Committee: Motion Clough, second Pavlac, that Council Member Petkovsek (2027) and Jill Neville (2029) be appointed as members of the Grants Committee, with Natalie Erpenbach as Chair. All Aye. Other members are: Natalie Erpenbach (2027), Deanna Heiman (2027) and Brent Shoup (2028). Tourism Committee: Motion Clough, second Pavlac, that Council Member Neville, Margaret Grap, Amber Vine, Susan Voigt and James Voss be re-appointed as members of the Tourism Commission (2027) with Council Member Neville as Chair. All Aye. Personnel Committee: Motion Neville, second Pavlac, that Mayor Poeschel, Council Members Gelhaus, Neville and Petkovsek be re-appointed as members of the Personnel Committee (2027), with Council Member Petkovsek as Chair. All Aye. Illegal Tax Committee: Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, that Council Members Gelhaus, Neville and Pavlac be appointed as members of the Illegal Tax Committee (2027), with Council Member Gelhaus as Chair. All Aye. Solid Waste and Recycling Committee: Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, that Council Members Gelhaus, Neville and Pavlac and the Director of Public Works be appointed as members of the Solid Waste and Recycling Committee (2027), with Council Member Gelhaus as Chair. All Aye. Committee on Finance: Motion Neville, second Pavlac, that the Mayor and entire Council shall constitute the Committee on Finance (2027), with Mayor Poeschel as Chair. All Aye. Historic Preservation Commission: Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, that Council Member Clough, Natalie Erpenbach, Nicole Keller, Dawn Voss, Ashley Bryan, Jeff Kluckhohn and Barb Miller, be re-appointed as members of the Historic Preservation Commission (2027), with Natalie Erpenbach as Chair. All Aye. Property Committee: Motion Neville, second Clough, that Council Members Clough, Gelhaus and Pavlac, Mandy Krejci and Kory Poeschel be appointed as members of the Property Committee (2027), with Council Member Clough as Chair. All Aye. Heritage Days Committee: Motion Clough, second Petkovsek, that Council Member Pavlac, Dale Erickson, Logan Grap, Daryn Horn, Barb Miller, Jose Neville, Katie Mohr, Tom Opelt, Jerry Pfeiffer, Michelle Pickett and Mike Winder be appointed as members of the Heritage Days Committee (2027), with Jose Neville as Chair. All Aye. Beautification Committee: Motion Neville, second Clough, that Council Member Petkovsek, Doris Bakker, Margaret Gelhaus, Linda Hemp, Mandy Krejci, Barb Miller, Janice Miller and Donna Pavlac be appointed as members of the Beautification Committee (2027), with Council Member Petkovsek as Chair. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel read the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 646 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING PUBLIC DEPOSITORIES IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Neillsville that the City Clerk-Treasurer cause all public monies received by him/her in that capacity to be deposited into one of the following public depositories, all of which qualify as a public depository under Chapter 34 of the Wisconsin Statutes: Citizens State Bank of Loyal, Neillsville, Wisconsin Co-op Credit Union, Neillsville, Wisconsin Simplicity Credit Union, Neillsville, Wisconsin Unity Bank, Neillsville, Wisconsin BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor, President of the Council, City Administrator/Director of Public Works, City Clerk-Treasurer and the Deputy Clerk- Treasurer be authorized to sign checks on behalf of the City of Neillsville. Passed this 21st day of April, 2026 Effective the 1st day of May, 2026 ___________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ___________________________ Rex R. Roehl, City Clerk Motion Neville, second Petkovsek that Resolution No. 646 be adopted. All Aye. The City Clerk-Treasurer swore in Luke Friemoth as City Administrator/Director of Public Works effective May 1, 2026. The City Clerk-Treasurer swore in Debbie Winder as City Clerk-Treasurer effective May 1, 2026. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Open Book will be two days this year. Thursday, April 30, 2026 from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. will be in-person with a representative of the Assessor and Friday, May 1, 2026 from 8:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M will be by telephone with a representative of the Assessor, Board of Review will be Monday, May 18, 2025 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Motion Clough, second Pavlac, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * BOARD OF HEALTH COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 21, 2026 4:30 P.M. The Board of Health met in annual session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: all members present. Also present: City Health Officer Doris Bakker, Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth and City Clerk-Treasurer Rex R. Roehl. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Health Officer Bakker presented the City’s annual health report and activities for 2025-2026 regarding: liquor, beer and wine license inspections; it has been a relatively easy year with no major problems and few complaints; the new garbage and recycling cart system has greatly improved the looks of the City as there is less loose garbage floating around; it would be helpful if the City’s ordinance were stronger for dealing with out of town landlords. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated the Police Department has sent out clean up letters; we would get a large item drop off dumpster again in the Spring; he is looking into the abatement process with the City Attorney, it is costly, how much do we want to spend, ultimately it will end up on the tax roll for collection. Discussion followed on the annual inspection tour. The City ordinance does not require a tour. Discussion followed on a joint Board of Health tour versus individual tours by Council Members. Motion Neville, second Gelhaus, that each Council Member does an individual tour with the Director of Public Works by June 1, 2026. All Aye. Motion Pavlac, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * *