Common Council — Minutes

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC WORKS/UTILITIES COUNCIL ROOM, CITY HALL MARCH 24, 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 one burial at the Cemetery, snow and ice removal-plowing, hauling, clearing sidewalks and sanding, removing ash trees, equipment maintenance, Water Department-daily testing and well rounds, utility locates, meter reading completed, handling abnormal meter reading and complaints, Sewer Department-daily testing and treatment plant rounds, lift station inspections and maintenance, working with Crane Engineering to troubleshoot raw pump VFD, general treatment plant maintenance, keeping up with high flows from the snow melt, a huge thank you to the crews for a job well done during the monumental snowfall/winter storm and a thank you to citizens and businesses for their patience during the storm and Jeremy Boon, Sewer Department Foreman, has given notice of his resignation effective April 3, 2026. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented Dale Zank with a plaque in appreciation and recognition on his 50 years of dedicated service, hard work and leadership to the City of Neillsville. Zank started with the Street Department doing garbage pickup and is now Street Foreman. It is a story of hard work, growth and commitment, a mentor, teacher and role model. That’s not just a milestone, it’s a legacy. Congratulations and thank you on 50 years of service. Dale Zank stated it does not seem like 50 years, he remembers both Fifth Street and Eighteenth Street being gravel roads, they put in a lot of curb and gutter, he enjoyed working here and still does. Thank you. Motion Neville, second Gelhaus, that Water Bills Nos. 62 to 90 in the amount of $80,934.74 and Sewer Bills Nos. 38 to 52 in the amount of $24,421.73 be paid. All Aye. Council Member Petkovsek thanked the public works crew for a job well done during the monumental snowfall. Motion Poeschel, second Petkovsek, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Daniel M. Clough, Chair ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * * COMMON COUNCIL COUNCIL ROOM MARCH 24, 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 10, 2026 meeting of the Library Board regarding: 1) Librarian’s reports, 2) discussion on Carnegie Foundation donation projects, 3) discussion on, accepting and filing updated Policies, 4) discussion on and approving moving the Substitute Librarian to Assistant Librarian, 5) discussion on and approval to hire a new Substitute Librarian, 6) discussion on and accepting the Public Library Annual Report, 7) discussion on and accepting the Statement Concerning Public Library System Effectiveness, 8) discussion on WVLS Librarian Spring Conference in Mosinee, 9) reviewed the bills, 10) updates on donation and carryover funds and 11) upcoming community events. Council Member Clough presented the March 18, 2026 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding: 1) discussion on QR codes, website, self-guided Cemetery tours and STQRY.com demo and Room Tax Grant Application, 2) discussion on the annual report for the National Parks Service, 3) reviewed our Certified Local Government (CLG) information and responsibilities, 4) discussion on the current list of Federal/State known historic properties and 5) discussion on the WI Association of Historic Preservation Commissions newsletter and Spring Conference. Mayor Poeschel presented the March 19, 2026 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding: 1) financial report, 2) discussion on Glow Run, 3) discussion on American Legion events, 4) discussion on kids events, 5) discussion on volleyball tournament, 6) discussion on, recommendation and request to extend the hours at Schuster Park under Ordinance Section 321-4(a) and (c) to 12:00 A.M to allow the bands to play on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026 for Heritage Days events and 7) discussion on event weather insurance. Council Member Clough reported on the March 24, 2026 meeting of the Commission of Public Works/Utilities regarding: 1) current activities, 2) presentation to Dale Zank, Street Foreman, a plaque in appreciation and recognition on his 50 years of dedicated service, hard work and leadership to the City of Neillsville and 3) payment of bills. Mayor Poeschel declared all reports filed as presented with the City Clerk. Joy Palmer, CliftonLarsonAllen, presented the City, Water, Sewer, TIF District #3, TIF District #4, TIF District #5, Special Revenue Funds, Debt Service and Other Governmental Funds 2025 Annual Audit Reports regarding: 1) auditor’s report and opinion, 2) the City has $2.5 million in the General Fund with $1.5 million in the Unassigned Fund Balance, which is a very good financial condition and very stable, 3) the Water Utility shows a negative change in net position (<$102,109>) and the Sewer shows a positive change in net position ($158,385) with Rates of Returns (Water <8.61>% and Sewer 3.27%) these are very close – oversight is needed to make sure the fluctuations are monitored and utilities rates are updated and sufficient to cover increasing expenses and revenue changes. Water rates were updated with a simplified rate case of 3% in September of 2025 (the last full rate approved by the PSC was in 2013, this would require a rate study). Sewer rates were updated in March of 2025, 4) TIF Districts #3, #4 and #5 were reviewed – TIF Districts are a large up-front investment ($1.9 million, $1.3 million and $13 thousand) recovered in future tax increments from the individual TIF Districts. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has approved an affordable housing extension for TIF District #3. TIF District #3 has 1 year of remaining life with a deficit of $87,820 which will break even. TIF District #4 has a deficit of $1,109,747 with 16 years of remaining life. TIF District #5 has a deficit of $13,134 with 20 years of remaining life, 5) risk disclosure of the City’s cash and investments were reviewed at year end – the majority (97.3%) was FDIC or NCUSIF insured or collateralized, the remaining 2.7% was under the State Deposit Guarantee Fund, which is not considered to be insured or collateralized, 6) reviewed the City’s long term debt – City’s Statutory limit is $9.6 million with current borrowing of $2 million - $7.6 million is available – the City is in good financial shape, 7) reviewed the GASB 68 and 73 statements regarding the City’s share of the Wisconsin Retirement Pension Plan, 8) the General Fund budget comparison was reviewed, 9) reviewed the Complied Schedule Report of long-term debt, non-lapsing funds, insurance and water and sewer rates of returns – regulatory basis, 10) reviewed the City’s internal control structure – lack of separation of duties, preparation of financial statements and audit adjustments and 11) in conclusion the records are in very good working order, the staff was open and cooperative, the City had an overall good year with good financial planning in place. Jon Trautman, CliftonLarsonAllen, presented upcoming Governmental Accounting Standards Board changes that will affect the City’s audit in the future: 1) GASB Statement No. 103 - Changes to the reporting model and financial statements regarding budget to actual dollar changes (2026) 2) GASB Statement No. 104 – Disclosure of certain Capital Assets regarding assets held for resale and public/private partnership assets (2026) 3) GASB Statement No. 105 – Subsequent events regarding to changes in timing and items require to be disclosed like disaster events and debt service issuance after year end. Mayor Poeschel thanked Palmer and Trautman for their presentation. Palmer thanked the Clerk’s office for their work, Roehl for his many years she worked with him and wished him well in his retirement. Motion Neville, second Petkovsek, to accept and file the 2025 Annual Audit report and TIF District #4 Phase One Completion Audit report as presented. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl presented a report on the City’s continuing appropriation accounts and their respective balances as of December 31, 2025. The following is a list of said accounts: Account No. 52100 Police Department Administration (K-9 and Police Training), Account No. 53450 Parking Lots and Meters, Account No. 55110 Library, Account No. 55250 Parks and Recreation Room Tax 30%, Account No. 55340 Celebrations (July 4th, etc. and Murals), Account No. 55360 Christmas Decorations, Account No. 56300 Planning (Historic Preservation), Account No. 56600 Urban Development, Account No. 56700 Economic Development, Account No. 56750 Tourism Promotion – Room Tax 70%, Account No. 57140 Public Buildings, Account No. 57220 Public Safety – Fire Department Vehicles, Account No. 57320 Machinery and Equipment, Account No. 57330 Street Construction, Account No. 57332 Bridges and Culverts, Account No. 57350 Airport and Account No. 57620 Parks. Motion Neville, second Clough, to carry forward to 2026 the continuing appropriations as presented. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel asked if there were any questions on the Heritage Days Committee item (6). Motion Clough, second Gelhaus, to approve the request from the Heritage Days Committee to extend the hours at Schuster Park under Ordinance Section 321-4(a) and (c) to 12:00A.M to allow the bands to play on Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026 for Heritage Days events. All Aye. City Clerk Roehl reported that the Citizens State Bank loan for the Police Squad car has been closed in the amount of $62,000 on March 20, 2026. Motion Gelhaus, second Neville, to accept and appropriate $62,000 to Account No. 49100 Proceeds from Long Term Debt (revenue account) and to (expense account) Account No. 52100 Police Auto. All Aye. Mayor Poeschel presented Lacey John’s request under Sec. 450-16 to keep up to ten (10 hens) chickens at 117 Hewett Street. This property is .26 acres. Lacey John is applicant and owner. Council Member Clough questioned the need for 10 chickens for personal use and lot size. Motion Gelhaus, second Neville, to grant Lacey John, applicant and owner, permission for 117 Hewett 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. Mayor Poeschel presented Hunter Hurst and Riley Ross’ request to transfer the keeping of chickens under Sec. 450-16 from 1010 Emery Street to 113 State Street, with an increase in the number of chickens from ten (10 hens) to fifteen (15 hens). This property is .39 acres. Hunter Hurst and Riley Ross, applicants and Julie Simek, owner. Simek provided a letter consenting to the chickens. Council Member Clough stated they have a good background in raising chickens, but 15 hens is a lot to be considered personal use. Motion Clough, second Neville, to grant Hunter Hurst and Riley Ross, applicants, permission for 113 State Street, Julie Simek, owner, 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. Motion Neville, second Clough, to approve the Police and Fire Departments’ job descriptions as presented. All Aye. Motion Neville, second Gelhaus, that City Bills Nos. 251 to 294 in the amount of $122,822.50 be paid. All Aye. Motion Gelhaus, second Clough, to adjourn. All Aye. __________________________________ Duane G. Poeschel, Mayor ________________________________ Rex R. Roehl, Clerk * * * * * * * * * * * *