Neillsville City Council Approves Conditional Use Permit

Thursday, February 11th, 2021 -- 1:01 PM

The Neillsville City Council held a public hearing for a Conditional Use Permit for a Rooming House at 401 W. Seventeenth Street.

The Director of Public Works, Luke Friemoth, presented the application and public notice of this public hearing was in the Clark County Press and area landowners were notified.

Friemoth stated the Planning Commission, at its February 2nd meeting, discussed and recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit. Mayor Diane Murphy called for appearances.

One resident stated he had concerns about the city or county putting sexual offenders in the property as he is a grandfather of six young children.  City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated that the State Department of Corrections does the placement, not the city or county.

The owner of the property stated he is renting through Airbnb, which are short-term rentals of 29 days or less.  He stated he is going through the Conditional Use process because he needs the permit for rentals of 29 days or less.  He gets to look at profiles of each renter.  He is very cautious and diligent as he has put a lot into the property. The state would not pay what he charges for rent.

There were no other appearances and the hearing was closed.  The council then approved the Conditional Use Permit for a Rooming House at 401 W. Seventeenth Street.

The council also approved to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to move forward with the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan update.

Along with that, they accepted the Economic Development Commission recommendation to approve the WCWRPC Agreement to update the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan with the cost of $15,680 coming from the Economic Development budget.

The council also approved to accept the Economic Development Commission recommendation to proceed with the Boon Subdivision signs at a cost of approximately $3,500, which is the city’s share.

City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the land donation has changed a little from what the Planning Commission heard after a Certified Surveyors Map was done. The city has a shed on the west property and Francis Melvin Companies would retain two feet west of the fence line.

The council also accepted the modified Planning Commission recommendation to accept the land donation from two feet west of the fence line if there is no cost to the city.  The council then approved to accept the recommendation that Police Secretary Jill Kyle receive a $2.00 per hour hazard pay increase from January 12th to June 8th.

Mayor Murphy then presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for use of Sniteman Town Square Park and the Gazebo for Winter Carnival children activities on Saturday, February 27th, which the council approved.

Mayor Murphy presented a request from Central Wisconsin Broadcasting for the ability to broadcast City Council meetings on the radio (98.5 FM/1370 AM). They have all the equipment necessary to make it happen. Their IT/Engineer would need to talk with the City Clerk’s contact regarding networking and internet access at City Hall.  As long as there’s no cost, the council approved Central Wisconsin Broadcasting to broadcast the council meeting.

The council then discussed the public’s participation in the updating of the Comprehensive Plan with a resolution, which was approved.  City Clerk Rex Roehl presented a letter from Bliss Sengbusch, from Chippewa County Housing  Authority, with the 2020 summary of activity and financials for the Neillsville Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Revolving Loan account.

Residents have access to three  different CDBG accounts, they need applicants, as they have funds for home repairs.  City Clerk Roehl also presented a letter from Mark Brown, Associated Appraisal Consultants, Inc. stating after careful considerations they have decided that interior inspections will not be possible due to COVID related challenges for the 2021 assessment year.

They have proposed three Addendum for the Council’s consideration including Exterior Only Inspection, Optional Payment Agreement, and Property Record Questionnaire.

The council then heard the various Committee Reports.  Mayor Murphy reported on the January 28th meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding a closed session to interview other part time police officer applicants.

Mayor Murphy also reported on the February 2nd joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding a presentation by Chris Straight, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) Senior Planner, on updating  the “City of Neillsville Year 2033 Comprehensive Plan” process and timeline.

Also, discussion on and recommendation to move forward with the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan update; discussion on and recommendation to approve the WCWRPC Agreement to update the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan with a cost of $15,680 coming from the Economic Development budget; and presentation of signs and cost sharing with Boon Construction, discussion on and recommendation to proceed with the Boon Subdivision signs at a cost of approximately $3,500, the city’s share.

Also, discussion on and recommendation to accept the land donation to the north and west of the fence line if there is no cost to the city; and discussion on and recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a Rooming House at 401 W. Seventeenth Street.

City Attorney Wachsmuth reported on the February 4th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding discussion on and recommendation that Police Secretary Jill Kyle receive a $2.00 per hour hazard pay increase from January 12th to June 8.

Also, a closed session regarding reviewing applications and interviewing candidates for the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position and reviewing applications for Heavy Equipment  Operator/Water and Wastewater Maintenance position; reconvening into open session and; recommendation to hire Janet Schmidt for the Other Part-time Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position at $15.00 per hour effective on or after February 16th.

City Clerk Roehl reported on the February 9th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding that Janet Schmidt notified City Clerk Roehl that she was withdrawing her acceptance of the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position; and a closed session regarding Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position.

Finally, Council Member Dan Clough reported on the February 9th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.  Finally, a resident asked about the city’s plans for moving City Hall and what will happen to the old City Hall building.  People are wondering and want to know.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.