Neillsville City Council Discusses New City Hall at Former BMO Harris Bank Building

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

The Neillsville City Council discussed the new city hall at the former BMO Harris Bank Building at their meeting.

Mayor Diane Murphy stated the City now owns the BMO Bank building at 106 W. Division Street and she would like to set up a six-member committee to work on the different aspects of getting the BMO Bank building up to par and the Police Department remaining downtown.

Council Member Julie Counsell questioned why six-member?  Why not an odd number of members for the tie breaker?  Mayor Murphy nominated herself as Chair, as well as Gary Ruzic, Jana Marden, Natalie Erpenbach, Barb Boyer and Steve Roberts.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth asked about Police Department representation.  Mayor Murphy stated Allen Hoesly was asked, but turned it down.  Council Member Counsell stated that she would like to be on it.  She has an IT, finance and building background and is interested.

She asked about Chief of Police Jim Mankowski being on the Committee. Mayor Murphy stated Roberts could be left off and asked Chief Mankowski if he wanted to be on the Committee.

Council Member Counsell states it would have been nice to get the names in advance instead of spur of the moment.  Council Member Dan Clough asked about input from Directors of Public Works Luke Friemoth and City Clerk Rex Roehl.

Mayor Murphy stated that they can provide input without being on the Committee.  Finally, the council approved the committee including the members of Mayor Murphy, Council Member Counsell, Chief of Police Mankowski, Barb Boyer, Natalie Erpenbach, Jana Marden and Gary Ruzic be appointed as members of City Hall and Police Department Properties Committee, with Mayor Murphy as Chair.

City Clerk Roehl presented the Kolin Schmitz, Eagle Scout Project donation from the Marguerite Listeman Foundation in the amount of $1,000 for re-doing the flag pole and walkway area landscaping in the cemetery.  The council approved the donation.

Mayor Murphy read Jeremiah Bogdonovich’s resignation as a member of the Police and Fire Commission, which the council approved.  Mayor Murphy then introduced Margaret Gelhaus as her nominee to fill the vacant position on the Police and Fire Commission.

Margaret Gelhaus introduced herself and gave her background, military and work history.  She stated she was retiring to Neillsville and previously attended a Citizens Police Academy and discussed her willingness to serve the people.

Council Member Counsell thanked her for being here, she is the first person who ever came ahead of appointment to introduce herself and it is appreciated.  The council approved her to the commission.

The council then heard the Committee Reports.  Mayor Murphy reported on the March 4th joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding reviewing what a Comprehensive Plan is, reviewing the Comprehensive Plan update process, Scope of Work and draft plan update, reviewed initial demographics, land use and economic data, discussed issues and opportunities, discussed overall goals and objectives, and discussed commission member assignments to complete-the community inventory and infrastructure assessment; drafting existing land use map; red-line goals, objectives and strategies from the 2013 Comprehensive Plan; and red-line the 2016 Outdoor Recreation Plan.

The council also heard the Public Works Report.  Chief of Police Mankowski reported on February, 2021 complaints, citations, warnings, business check, department goals, training, equipment purchases, squad cars, the 2020 Budget coming in under budget by $18,000 and working on Open Police Reports from 2019.

Council Member Counsell asked about the old Merchants Hotel and the trailer park.  Chief of Police Mankowski replied all of the tenants have removed their property and the unregistered vehicles will be moved out later this week. There have been no calls or complaints on the trailer park.

Mayor Murphy reported that the Winter Carnival was a success and a giant thank you should be given to Frank and Meredith Donahue for putting together the men’s and women’s pool tournaments, their hard work brought in 55 teams who spent money in the City.

Chief Mankowski stated that from a law enforcement standpoint, he was very impressed.  The participants were great and well behaved. The only arrest over the weekend had nothing to do with the Winter Carnival.

Finally, the council heard from a few residents during the appearances portion of the meeting.  Jon Counsell handed out information from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities and City of Neillsville Ordinance regarding mayoral appointments to the Police and Fire Commission subject to confirmation by the City Council. Council Members should understand what the confirmation process is-a balance of power, checks and balances in the constitution. The confirmation process is done a little too quickly.  They are not expecting a days long hearing process, but review background and qualifications.  They’re not just a rubber stamp. The Council needs to recognize the authority it has.  You have the ability to say “No”. With two appointment items on the agenda, there is nothing saying who they might be.  Why not have the names ahead of time? Others may have knowledge or interest to volunteer, or conflicts and bias issues reviewed. Nominees views, positions and independent judgement could be determined by interview for an informed vote, with checks and balances in place.

Also, resident Connie Kirchoff stated that they have severe problems with the police.  When called you get a smart mouth back and the same officer did nothing to protect her child a number of years ago. She was swindled and robbed and the police did not want to hear about it.

Chief Mankowski countered stating they talked about the dogs before and no one from their office was dispatched to her call.  He asked who the officer is and stated she has his telephone number, so call him or come down to the office.

Finally, a resident stated that Jon Counsell’s statements were well said, more transparency is needed. Her current Alderman doesn’t speak to her, she has been told she has a big mouth and shouldn’t speak at Council meetings. She has opinions and concerns. She is her own person, she has a voice, the right to speak and will not be bullied.

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