Neillsville City Council Approves Allowing COVID Hazard Pay for City Employees to Lapse

Friday, June 11th, 2021 -- 8:03 AM

The Neillsville City Council decided to allow various COVID hazard pay for city employees to lapse.

When the COVID health crisis began, the city approved various hazard pays and raises to different city employees to compensate them. The council decided to let the Public Health Leave to City employees expire on June 8th, to let the Extending Raise to Poll Workers during COVID-19 expire on June 8th, to let the Clerk-Treasurer personnel hazard pay expire on June 8th, and to let the Police Secretary hazard pay expire on June 8th.

Also, Mayor Diane Murphy presented a request from the Heritage Days Committee to extend the hours at Schuster Park to 1:00 A.M. on Friday, July 9th and Saturday, July 10th for the Heritage Days event, which was approved.

The Council also heard the various committee reports. Council Member Dave Harnisch presented the May 26th meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding discussion on, and thanking the Parks Department workers for design and work around the Prock Park sign and the additional rocks and border around the larger rock, discussion on planting annuals around the sign, discussion on plaques, discussion on and approval to purchase two metal cranes from Posy Patch for around the Prock Park sign at a cost not exceed $100, discussion on the weeding schedule, discussion on the Girl Scouts or 4-H clubs possibly volunteering to assist with weeding, and the planting of flowers.

Mayor Murphy reported on the joint meeting of the Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission and Finance Committee regarding Mark and Lynda Lisenby presenting their proposal for the former Memorial Medical Center properties, which include plans for 80 to 100 units of 1-bed, 2-bed and 3-bed apartments and a fitness center for residents, a “Just Love Coffee” franchise, a two-year construction process, units will be rented at market rates, not subsidized, discussion on how the City can help with the development, discussion on possibly forming a TIF district, and discussion on the Memorial Hospital, Inc. loan with the City being paid off.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth presented the joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding presentation by Chris Straight, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC ), Senior Planner, of draft “City of Neillsville Year 2033 Comprehensive Plan” elements for discussion and review including Utilities and Community Facilities element, Transportation element, Population and Housing element, Intergovernmental Cooperation element, Economic Development element (Community Marketing and Branding; Economic Conditions, Strengths and Weaknesses; current Economic Plans and Designated Sites; Desired Businesses and Industries; Downtown Neillsville; Economic Development Needs and Initiatives; Economic Development Goals, Objectives and Policies) and land use maps.

Mayor Murphy reported on the June 3rd meeting of the Property Committee-City Hall and Police Department regarding discussion on interior fixes and reworking the teller station area quotes and hiring Erickson Construction to do the interior fixes and reworking the teller station area, discussion on signage quotes for City Hall, directional, etc. from Stratford Sign Company and hiring Stratford Sign Company to build and install the large Neillsville City Hall sign, discussion on carpeting versus carpet tile, discussion on getting shelving and file cabinets from the old Memorial Hospital, discussion on and approval to proceed with YouTube setup, discussion on and approval to add the Police Station as the fifth site for IT upgrade by Bauernfeind, presentation and discussion on the TDS Telecom proposal for a hosted telephone system with a one-time set up cost and re-occurring monthly charges and approval to proceed with the TDS Telecom hosted telephone system for the departments where it makes sense, and discussion on technology security.

Council Member Joe Neville reported on the June 3rd meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding discussion on event security, discussion on and request for extending park hours at Schuster Park on July 9th and 10th until 1:00 A.M., discussion on games, prizes, t-shirts and poster, discussion on and approval to hire Boon Creek Bank, for Saturday, July 10th, discussion on parade theme and prizes and discussion on and acceptance of the Plinko Board from the Pay It Forward Pig Roast.

Finally, Council Member Dan Clough reported on the June 8th meeting of Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities and discussion on fences.

Also, Chief of Police Jim Mankowski reported on the Police Department core values, training, equipment purchase, upgrading their email (this was an unforeseen expense, but there was no choice), squad car repairs, working on Open Police Reports for 2019, May-citations, warnings, complaints, business checks and activity hours.

City Attorney Wachsmuth reported that the Memorial Hospital, Inc. paid off its City Economic Development loan on May 28th and she will be doing the mortgage satisfaction.

Council Member Clough reported on the Library’s bike safety event. They had 40 children participate. Clough thanked the Library, Police Department, Recreation Department, Public Works Department and Jerilyn St. Amand for their help with the event.

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