Common Council — Minutes

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL APRIL 14, 2026 6:45 P.M. The Commission on Public Works/Utilities met in regular session, Chair Clough presiding. On roll call: Council Member Rochester absent, all other members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on three burials at the Cemetery, Spring cleanup of the Cemetery and Parks is underway, removing ash trees, equipment and shop maintenance, hauling brush and compost, street sweeping, patching potholes, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, water meter change outs, identified a leak at the E. Fourth Street apartments and working with contractors on repair, handling abnormal meter reading and complaints, Sewer Department-daily testing and treatment plant rounds, lift station inspections and maintenance, inspecting manholes and scheduling rehab, R & R is televising and cleaning sewer mains in the Industrial Park, Davy Engineering has completed the Water Supply and Treatment overview, working with two contractors to get a price to spec our low zone water tower (High School) painting, MSA toured the Sewer Treatment Plant and are working on a contract to be our “Operator in Charge” until we hire one or train one from within, Xcel Energy is replacing power poles through the City. Director of Public Works Friemoth opened and read the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid: E. Second Street (1,100 feet East of Willow Street) – paving $40,446; fine grade and paving - $173.95 per ton; paving only - $147.55 per total; total price – $136,896. Motion Gelhaus, second Poeschel, to recommend to the Common Council to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amounts of: E. Second Street paving $40,446; fine grade and paving - $173.95 per ton; paving only - $147.55 per ton; total - $136,896. All Aye. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that no bids were received for the Industrial Park farmland lease. Mayor Poeschel stated that the next item is placement of “The Highground” logo on the High Zone Water Tower in the Industrial Park during the repainting project. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a letter of support from The Highground Board of Directors, the details will have to be worked through, costs and funding figured out. Gary Weirauch, Highground Board of Directors Chairman, stated the Board thinks it is an excellent idea, with over 50,000 visitors a year, the added traffic is an economic development boost to the City. The Highground has a ¾ million-dollar annual operating budget and is willing to offer some help from their advertising budget to secure the placement of their logo on the City’s tower, boosting visibility for both of us. Motion Poeschel, second Gelhaus, to recommend to the Common Council the placement of “The Highground” logo on the Industrial Park Water Tower during the repainting project with the details to be worked out. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented the First Quarter 2026 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Motion Poeschel, second Neville, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM APRIL 14, 2026 7:00 P.M. The Common Council met in regular session, Mayor Poeschel presiding. On roll call: Council Member Rochester absent, all other members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The minutes of the previous meeting were declared approved. Council Member Neville presented the March 26, 2026 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding: 1) a closed session to interview and consider employment of firefighters, 2) reconvening into open session and 3) the hiring of Caleb Holger, Vincent Murphy, Spencer Lieburn, Noble Melvin and Derrick Dix as volunteer firefighters subject to successful completion of background checks. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the March 31 and April 8, 2026 meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding: 1) discussion on and recommendation to accept the resignation of Jeremy Boon, Head Wastewater Operator, discussion on and recommendation to allow Debbie Winder 40 hours of vacation effective May 1, 2026, 3) a closed session on reviewing applications and interviewing candidates for the Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance vacancy and the Head Wastewater Operator vacancy, 4) reconvening into open session, 5) offering Ronald Stankey the Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position; 6) a closed session in regards to the background check on candidate for Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position, 7) reconvening into open session and 8) accepting the background check and recommendation to hire Ronald Stankey for the Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position. Council Member Neville reported on the March 31, 2026 meeting of the Tourism Commission regarding: 1) discussion on and filing of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Annual 2025 Room Tax Report, 2) discussion on and moving the remaining 2024 Room Tax funds to the 2025 fund for disbursement, 3) discussion on 2025 Room Tax grant application and 4) approval of grants to Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce ($500 administration, $7,000 to support initiatives), Neillsville Heritage Days ($7,000 to support initiatives), Miss Neillsville ($1,000 to support initiatives), Miss Winter Carnival ($500 to support initiatives), Clark Cultural Art Center ($889.06 to support initiatives), City of Neillsville Beautification Committee ($1,500 to support initiatives), City of Neillsville Murals Work group – Beautification Committee ($500 to support initiatives), The History Room – 1897 Clark County Jail Museum, Inc. ($1,300 to support initiatives), City of Neillsville – Historic Preservation Commission ($1,500 to support initiatives) and the Neillsville Improvement Corporation ($200 to support initiatives). Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 1, 2026 meeting of the Airport Commission regarding discussion on and recommendation to have Struck and Irwin micro-surface the taxiways in front of the hangars using money from the Airport Capital Outlay fund. Mayor Poeschel presented the April 9, 2026 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) receiving a grant from the Tourism Commission, 2) discussion on the Glow Run, 3) discussion on American Legion events, 4) discussion on kid events, 5) discussion on adding vendors, 6) hiring the Discovery Education Center and Center Shot Archery, 7) hiring Mischief Magic and Face painter, 8) discussion on mural work and adding information to the poster, 9) discussion on volleyball tournament, 10) updating signers on the Neillsville Heritage Days bank account and authorizing Dale Erickson to have a debit card, 11) discussion on and approved to purchase event insurance coverage for Friday and Saturday, 12) discussion on the poster, 13) discussion on and request to have the City crew help with the tent setup in the lower parking lot across from Unity Bank and 14) discussion on beer vendors. Council Member Clough reported on the April 14, 2026 meeting of the Commission of Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) opening of, discussion on and recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, bid in the amounts of: for E. Second Street paving $40,446; fine grade and paving - $173.95 per ton; paving only - $147.55 per ton; total - $136,896, 3) no bids were received for the Industrial Park farmland lease, 4) discussion on and recommendation of the placement of “The Highground” logo on the Industrial Park Water Tower during the repainting project with the details to be worked out and 5) reviewed the First Quarter 2026 Water and Sewer Financial Statements. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Personnel Committee items (1, 2 and 8). Motion Neville, second Clough to accept the recommendation to accept the resignation of Jeremy Boon, Head Wastewater Operator. All Aye. Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to accept the recommendation to allow Debbie Winder 40 hours of vacation effective May 1, 2026. All Aye. Motion Clough, second Gelhaus, to accept the recommendation to hire Ronald Stankey for the Heavy Equipment Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Airport Commission item. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to accept the recommendation to have Struck and Irwin micro-surface the taxiways in front of the hangars using money from the Airport Capital Outlay fund. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Heritage Days Committee item (13). Motion Gelhaus, second Clough, to approve the request to have the City crew help with tent setup in the lower parking lot across from Unity Bank. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Commission on Public Works/Utilities items (2 and 4). Motion Clough, second Neville, to accept the recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, bid in the amounts of: for E. Second Street paving $40,446; fine grade and paving - $173.95 per ton; paving only - $147.55 per ton; total - $136,896. All Aye. Motion Gelhaus, second Clough, to accept the recommendation of the placement of “The Highground” logo on the Industrial Park Water Tower during the repainting project with the details to be worked out. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski on behalf of the Clark County Sheriff’s Department requested permission to place a Flock camera in the City of Neillsville. A Flock camera captures license plates and holds them for 30 days, only law enforcement can access them, and they are not public record information. It can also be accessed by law enforcement for green, amber and silver alerts. Motion Gelhaus, second Neville, to approve the placement of a Flock camera within the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented a request to keep animals at 1204 Moonlite Road under Sec. 450-16 and a wavier of Sec. 169-6E limitation on number of dogs – Michelle Zakrzewicz, applicant, Kevin Oldham, etal., owners. Council Member Clough asked the number of acres. Director of Public Works Friemoth replied 3 acres. Council Member Petkovsek stated last time we limited the number of chickens to ten, they are asking for twenty. Mayor Poeschel stated that each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Council Member Clough stated he reviewed the site, it is basically a farm. Council Member Gelhaus asked do you know how much noise peacocks make. Zakrzewicz stated as long as they see each other there is less noise. Motion Clough, second Gelhaus to grant Michelle Zakrzewicz, applicant, Kevin Oldham, etal., owners, permission for 1204 Moonlite Road to have up to three (3) horses, twenty (20) chickens, three (3) ducks, two (2) peacocks, subject to review if complaints are received or excess number of animals occur. All Aye. Discussion followed on the request for 3 to 4 dogs, City Ordinance Sec. 169-6E limits the number of dogs to three, unless a waiver is granted by the Common Council. Motion Gelhaus, second Clough, to grant Michelle Zakrzewicz, applicant, Kevin Oldham, etal, owners, a waiver to have four (4) dogs at 1204 Moonlite Road, with no replacement when the fourth dog dies. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel read Michelle Friemoth’s Letter of Resignation from the Heritage Days Committee. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to accept Michelle Friemoth’s resignation from the Heritage Days Committee and thank her for her service (8 years, 2018-2026) to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel read Allan Hoesly’s Letter of Resignation from the Planning Commission. Motion Clough, second Gelhaus, to accept Allan Hoesly’s resignation from the Planning Commission and thank him for his service (23 years, 2003-2026) to the City of Neillsville. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Citizens State Bank loan Draw Down #2 for Capital Projects was received on April 10, 2026. This covers the City Garage, Police Station and Cemetery Columbarium projects. Motion Petkovsek, second Clough, to accept and appropriate $120,000 to Account No. 49100 Proceeds from Long Term Debt (revenue account) and to Account No. 57140 Public Buildings Outlay. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented the following ordinance. ORDINANCE NO. 1086 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND RECREATING SECTIONS § 363-16 - RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS OR DESIGNATED AGENTS OF MULTIPLE- FAMILY DWELLINGS AND § 363-17 -RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS OR DESIGNATED AGENTS OF NON-RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEILLSVILLE DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: § 363-16. RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS OR DESIGNATED AGENTS OF MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS. A. Owners or designated agents of multiple-family dwellings shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 363-11 (E) through (O): (1) Provide adequate, separate containers for the recycling program established in compliance with the ordinance. The number of recycling containers shall equal or be greater than the number of trash containers and at least one of the following shall be met: (a) The minimum total volume of recycling container space is equal to 20 gallons per week per dwelling unit. (b) The ratio of trash container volume to recycling container volume is at most 2:1. (c) An alternative method that does not result in the overflow of a recycling container during the time period between collection of materials and delivery to a recycling facility. (2) Notify tenants in writing at the time of renting or leasing the dwelling and at least semi-annually thereafter about the established recycling program. (3) Provide for the collection of the materials separated from the solid waste by the tenants and the delivery of the materials to a recycling facility. (4) Notify tenants which materials are collected, how to prepare the materials in order to meet the processing requirements, collection methods or sites, and locations of drop-off collection sites to recycle materials not collected on-site. B. The requirements specified in (1) do not apply to the owners or designated agents of multiple-family dwellings if the postconsumer waste generated within the dwelling is treated at a processing facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers for recycling the materials specified in § 363-11 (E) through (O) from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible. § 363-17. RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS OR DESIGNATED AGENTS OF NON-RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES. A. Owners or designated agents of non-residential facilities and properties shall do all of the following to recycle the materials specified in § 363-11 (E) through (O): (1) Provide adequate, separate containers for the recycling program established under this section. The total volume of recycling containers shall be sufficient to avoid overflow during the time period between collection of materials and delivery to a recycling facility. (2) Notify in writing, at least semi-annually, all users, tenants and occupants of the properties about the established recycling program. (3) Provide for the collection of the materials separated from the solid waste by the users, tenants and occupants and the delivery of the materials to a recycling facility. (4) Notify users, tenants and occupants which materials are collected, how to prepare materials in order to meet the processing requirements, collection methods or sites, and locations of drop-off collection sites to recycle materials not collected on-site. B. The requirements specified in (1) do not apply to the owners or designated agents of non-residential facilities and properties if the postconsumer waste generated within the facility or property is treated at a processing facility licensed by the Department of Natural Resources that recovers for recycling the materials specified in § 363-11 (E) through (O) from solid waste in as pure a form as is technically feasible. ______________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor _________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Department of Natural Resources has requested these changes dealing with Multi-Family and Non-Residential facilities and properties regarding adequate recycling containers, sufficient to avoid overflow and notification to tenants, etc. Motion Petkovsek, second Gelhaus, that Ordinance No. 1086 be adopted. All Aye. Chief of Police Mankowski reported on February and March, 2026 training, personnel, equipment purchases, new squad car, squad car maintenance, parking enforcement, citations, warnings, office activities, officer activities, officer assists, business patrols and contract policing. City Clerk Roehl reported that the City has received its letter from the Wisconsin Department of Administration discontinuing its CDBG-RLF Housing Program; Open Book will be two days – 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; the First Quarter 2026 City Financial Statements; the annual Common Council Reorganizational meeting will be Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. followed by the annual Board of Health meeting at 4:30 P.M. City Clerk Roehl presented a thank you from the Senior Citizens group for allowing them to play cards here, the Neillsville Dairy Breakfast is Sunday, June 14, 2026 hosted by the Begert family, Echowood Holsteins, N6314 County Road G, Neillsville, and Clark County Emergency Management has begun monthly storm siren testing. Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License (Beer Only) Application: Neillsville Men’s Club, Inc., Daryn J. Horn, Agent for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street, for May 9, 2026 – Midwest Rockbouncers Shootout Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant. All Aye. Soda Water License Application: Neillsville Men’s Club, Inc., Daryn J. Horn, Agent, for the Clark County Fairgrounds, 1120 E. Division Street, for May 9, 2026 – Midwest Rockbouncers Shootout Motion Petkovsek, second Gelhaus, to grant. All Aye. Tavern Operator’s License Application: Staci R. Beckmeyer, Phoenix M. Hericks, Tammy M. Mendoza and Carrie L. Williamson Motion Neville, second Clough, to grant all the listed licenses. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, that City Bills Nos. 295 to 375 in the amount of $355,777.36 and CDBG Housing Escrow Account Nos. 1 to 3 in the amount of $124,797.71 be paid. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel will deliver a plaque to Clarissa M. Rochester for dedicated service to the City of Neillsville as Fourth Ward Council Member for two years and seven months (September, 2023 to April, 2026). Motion Gelhaus, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * *