Neillsville City Council Approves Hiring of Full-Time Police Officer

Friday, May 28th, 2021 -- 10:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council approved the hiring of a full-time police officer.

The Council accepted the recommendations to allow the Police and Fire Commission to hire a Full-time Police Officer. They also approved hiring an Other Part-time Custodian and advertise the position.

The Council also accepted the recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amount of $81.90 per ton for full width road paving and $132.80 per ton for patch paving.

The Council also accepted the recommendation to accept the Drescher Oil Company proposal for $.8 per gallon discount off the pump price for unleaded motor vehicle fuel, accepted the Drescher Oil Company proposal for $.8 per gallon discount off the pump price for off-road diesel motor vehicle fuel, and accepted Hansen’s IGA proposal for $.8 per gallon off the pump price for on-road diesel motor vehicle fuel.

The Council also approved the Compliance Maintenance Resolution, which is required by the DNR.  The Council also accepted the recommendation to donate $250 to the Neillsville Trout Pond Members for stocking the Neillsville Trout Pond in Listeman Park and that the Parks and Recreation Board budget for it in the future.

The Council also approved a $3,500 donation from the Listeman/Naedler Foundation for the 4th of July Fireworks and approved the 2021 Recycling Grant Funds received from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $9,977.16, which is slightly more than 2020’s $9,942.70.

After a closed session, the council approved to reimburse Chief of Police James Mankowski, $20,000 for legal fees, out of the Police Department Administration-Supplies and Expenses budget line, acknowledging that the Police Department will be over budget by $20,000 in 2021, doing this as a one-time instance, in showing support of the Chief of Police working through unusual circumstances in his first year, in this case the City will reimburse him.

The Council heard the various Committee Reports.  Council Member Dave Harnisch presented the May 13th meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding discussion on Prock Park rocks, and discussion on and approval of ordering Prock Family plaques.

They also had a discussion on the flowers/shrubs/brick flower beds, discussion on planting, weeding and dead heading, discussion on and approval of reimbursement to Over The Garden Gate for 2021 flowers for the Library flower bed, for $128.23, and up to $150.00 in future years.

Council Member Joe Neville reported on the May 13th and 20th meetings of the Heritage Days Committee regarding discussion on movie night, discussion and approval of a beer vendor and beverages, and discussion on tent setups in Schuster Park and the City parking lot on West Street.

They also had a discussion on games, Fun Time Funktions, food trucks and food vendors, update on Miss Neillsville, update on the parade, discussion on the poster, security, t-shirts, pub crawl, pottery and golf outing, and approved a movie night for Thursday evening at the Library parking lot.

They also had a discussion on golf sponsors, discussion on tent setups in Schuster Park and the City parking lot on West Street, discussion on and hiring of Steve a/k/a Mr. Fun – Funtime Funktions for Sunday, and reviewed the poster.

Mayor Diane Murphy reported on the May 18th joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding discussion on and recommendation to donate $250 to the Neillsville Trout Pond Members for stocking the Neillsville Trout Pond in Listeman Park and that the Parks and Recreation Board budget for it in the future.

They also had a discussion on a City Banner for Farm Technology Days and Daniel Clough and Natalie Erpenbach will work with Clark County Economic Development Corporation on this, presentation by Chris Straight the Senior Planner of West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission regarding a draft of the “City of Neillsville Year 2033 Comprehensive Plan.”

The plan includes elements for discussion and review including the City of Neillsville 2041 Vision Statement, Transportation element, Utilities and Community Facilities element, Agricultural and Natural Resources element, Historical and Cultural Resources element, Implementation element and land use maps, and discussion on needed repairs at the Clark County Jail Museum.

Council Member Harnisch reported on the May 19th meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding discussion on the preliminary nomination of the “Merchants Hotel” property, 105 W. Seventh Street, to the Local Historic Register, and discussion on the 2021 Action Plan.

They also reviewed the City Comprehensive Plan-Historic Preservation updates draft version, discussion on funds and discussion on needed repairs at the Clark County Jail Museum and an upcoming June meeting with the Clark County Property Committee to discuss options.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth present the May 20th meeting of the Property Committee - City Hall and Police Department regarding a presentation by and discussion with Spectrum/Charter on telephone systems, broadcasting, streaming, alarms, YouTube, etc., and discussion on directional signage-City Hall and the Police Department.

They also discussed insulation quotes and hiring Quality Foam to do the insulation work, discussion on HVAC quotes and hiring RC Heating to do the HVAC work, and discussion on plumbing fixes quote and hiring Ewing Plumbing to do the plumbing fixes.

They also had a discussion on electrical fixes quotes and hiring Next Generation Electrical to do the electrical fixes, discussion on reworking the teller station area, discussion on carpet, carpet tile and porcelain tile, discussion on interior fixes (carpenters), discussion on safety deposit boxes-removal and possible sale, discussion on IT equipment, and discussion on the part-time janitorial position.

Council Member Julie Counsell reported on the May 20th meeting of the Library Board regarding the Librarians’ reports, 1st and 2nd graders visiting the Library, summer programs and story hours, discussion on and approval of steps to Re-opening to normal operations.

They also had a discussion on and approval of accepting hygiene kits for the public from the Cummins Women Employees Resource Group, and discussion on Board Members and open records law compliance.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported on the May 25th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding discussion on and recommendation to allow the Police and Fire Commission to hire a Full-time Police Officer and discussion on and recommendation to approve hiring an Other Part-time Custodian and advertising the position.

City Clerk Roehl reported on the May 25th meeting of the Board of Review regarding calling the Board of Review to order to meet the statutory requirements and adjourning the Board of Review until such date as the Assessment Roll is completed.

Finally, Council Member Dan Clough reported on the May 25, 2021 meeting of Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities, discussion on fences, opening, and discussion and recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amount of $81.90 per ton for full width road paving and $132.80 per ton for patch paving.

Also, they discussed the recommendation to accept the Drescher Oil Company proposal for $.8 per gallon discount off the pump price for unleaded motor vehicle fuel, the recommendation to accept the Drescher Oil Company proposal for $.8 per gallon off the pump price for off-road diesel motor vehicle fuel, and the Hansen’s IGA proposal for $.8 per gallon discount off the pump price for on-road diesel motor vehicle fuel.

Alos, they reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report, recommendation that Resolution No. 611 be adopted, and payment of bills.

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