Common Council — Minutes

Common Council Minutes The Common Council met at the City of Nekoosa Office Location: Council Chambers, 951 Market St. Nekoosa, WI 54457 Time: Tuesday, August 12th, 2025, at 7:00 P .M. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Mayor Daniel J. Carlson. The roll call was conducted by Kallee Ferk, City Clerk. Roll Call Aldermen Present: Alan Marcoux, Larry Krubsack, Brian Lytner, Mike Kumm, Daniel Downing, Anthony Carlson, Brad Hamilton, and Garett Kuhn Also in attendance was, Mike Hartje – Fire Chief, Rick Schmidt – Director of Public Works, Darla Allen – Library Director, Dennis Fenske, and Steve Shepro – Appraiser with Forward Appraisal Attendance via Zoom: Nick Abts – City Attorney and Joe Haas – Auditor with Hawkins Ash CPAs Citizen Comment – No citizens commented. Approval of Previous Common Council Minutes – July 8th, 2025 A motion was made to approve the minutes of the previous Common Council meetings as written. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Treasurer’s Report A motion was made to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Motion carried unanimously. Committee Reports Property Recreation and Human Affairs A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Property Recreation and Human Affairs Committee report of August 5th, 2025 to be accepted as written. Motion by: Mike Kumm Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Motion carried unanimously. 1. Recommend $9,553.25 to install security cameras at Kautzer Park. 2. Recommend issuing a raze order for 613 N. Section Street. 3. Recommend amending Ordinance 9.10 Keeping Livestock and Fowl (No. 637) 4. Recommend amending Ordinance 15.01 Park Management (No. 638) 5. Recommend amending Ordinance 15.03 Park Hours of Operation (No. 639) 6. Recommend hiring ECON Electric to replace electric lines in Riverside Park for $4,691.00 Motion that Item 1 of the Property Recreation and Human Affairs Committee Meeting be sent back to committee for reconsideration. Motion by: Alan Marcoux Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Roll call vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Motion that Items 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Property Recreation and Human Affairs Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Mike Kumm Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Roll call vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Public Safety A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Public Safety report of August 5th, 2025 to be accepted as written. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Motion carried unanimously. 1. Recommend amending Ordinance 7.07 Parking Regulations (No. 635) 2. Recommend amending Ordinance 12.11 Alarm Systems (No. 636) 3. Recommend Fire Department to hold celebration for its 125th year anniversary on September 6th, 2025 from 11am – 5pm. 4. Recommend allowing up to 6 firefighters to attend the Central Wisconsin Fall Fire Conference, Monday, September 29th, 2025 at Mid-State Technical College, Wisconsin Rapids Campus per handbook. Motion that Item 1 of the Public Safety Committee Meeting be held for separate vote. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Roll Call Vote: Alan Marcoux – NO, Larry Krubsack – YES, Brian Lytner – YES, Mike Kumm – YES, Anthony Carlson – YES, Dan Downing – YES, Brad Hamilton – YES, and Garrett Kuhn – NO Motion, carried 6-2 Motion that Items 2, 3, and 4 of the Public Safety Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Roll call vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Public Works A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Public Works Committee report of August 5th, 2025 to be accepted as written. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. 1. Recommend approval of a second driveway at 501 N. Section Street. 2. Recommend approval of the purchase of a new utility van for the water department, at a cost not to exceed $50,960.00 from V&H Ford in Marshfield 3. Discussion on having the Public Service Commission provide the council with a potential simplified rate increase for the Water Utility. 4. Recommend awarding the bid for the fishing pier project to Precision Grading & Utilities Inc. with a winning bid of $185,164.00. 5. Recommend allowing Domtar to repair the two 1st Street railroad crossings and supplying associated traffic detours. 6. Recommend mailing the F.O.G. (grease) letter with the next water bill to inform residents on the adverse effects of flushing foreign objects and grease down the drain. Motion that Items 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 of the Public Works Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Larry Krubsack Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Roll call vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Ways & Means A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Ways & Means Committee report of August 12th, 2025 be accepted as written. Motion by: Daniel Downing Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Motion carried unanimously. 1.) Audited the bill lists. 2.) Recommend beverage operator license for: see attached list a. The Edge: Kaylie Ann Lessig b. GPM Bread and Butter Shop #4530: Debra A. Davis c. Nekoosa Piggly Wiggly: Melissa R. Kadrmas d. Goodfella’s Pizza: Alyssa Marie Erdman e. The Party Connection: Yogesh C. Patel, Niyati M. Patel, and Cindy Lynn Bell f. The Spot: Julie Lynn Sass, Janel Eve Tepp, Alec Lee Stephan, JoAnn F. Zagrzebski, and David Daniel Engwall 3.) Recommend donation of $3,000.00 to Pumpkin Fest. 4.) Recommend allowing the Nekoosa School District to use the Kautzer Park building and waiving the fees. 5.) Recommend sending 2 to Workhorse training in Wausau September 26th, 2025. 6.) Recommend sending 5 to League of Wisconsin Municipalities Conference September 17th – 19th, 2025 as per handbook. Motion that Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Ways and Means Committee Meeting be adopted for action. Motion by: Daniel Downing Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Roll call vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Committee of the Whole A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Committee of the Whole report of August 5th, 2025 be accepted as written. Motion by: Anthony Carlson Seconded by: Brad Hamilton Motion carried unanimously. 1.) Discussion with Jon Trautman from CLA on preparing for 2026 budget and using a budget report template for each council meeting. No motion as there was nothing recommended for action. Old Business - No old business items were brought forward for discussion. New Business Discussion and possible action on reevaluation from Steve Shepro at Forward Appraisal. Steve came to the council meeting to follow up on any questions the council has or has heard from the community regarding the reevaluation. He stated he has got 3-4 calls but no pushback so far, as they have explained they are trying to get equalized values so all houses are assessed fairly. Discussion and possible action on 2024 Audit presentation from Hawkins Ash CPAs. Joe Haas, Auditor representing Hawkins Ash, talked through the 2024 summary financial statements that were in the agenda packet, stating that the general fund was up and things were on a good trend other than the sewer rates as that is not operating at a positive. He mentioned considering raising sewer rates for users to allow the sewer fund to be self- sustaining again and operating in the positive. Discussion and possible action on approval of the CDBG grant award for Fairview Lane. A motion was made to approve the CDBG grant being presented to the City of Nekoosa for Fairview Lane. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Motion carried unanimously. Discussion and possible action on approving the current fee schedule. A motion was made to approve the fee schedule. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Mike Kumm Motion carried unanimously. Approval of all Department Reports A motion was made to approve the various monthly reports from the Police Chief, Public Works Director, Fire Department, Community Center, Airport Commission, and Charles & JoAnn Lester Library. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Garett Kuhn Motion carried unanimously. Audit Bill List / Approval of Bills Pooled Cash: Check #63773-63911 and other voucher payments from 07/09/2025-08/12/2025 Total Expenditure from all Funds = $593,235.10 Payroll: Check #56245-56252 Voucher #V13583- V13687 payments from 07/08/2025– 08/12/2025 Total: $155,540.75 A motion was made to approve the bills for the month. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Roll call vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Nays. Motion carried unanimously. Adjournment A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Motion by: Brad Hamilton Seconded by: Anthony Carlson Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:49pm