Neillsville City Council Discusses New Coffee Shop, Dog Park and More

Thursday, July 15th, 2021 -- 10:01 AM

The Neillsville City Council held a Public Hearing on a Conditional Use Permit for a Public Coffee Shop.

The coffee shop will be at 216 Sunset Place. 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 June 29th meeting, discussed and recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit. Mayor Diane Murphy called for appearances.

Lynda Lisenby, Business Manager for Lisenby Properties, stated that they are converting the former hospital into apartments with tenant amenities on the property. They have been approved for a “Just Love Coffee Café” franchise. This would be located in the former clinic area with a drive through.

They would be hiring 12 to 16 employees with open to the public hours tentatively being 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. This franchise is based out of Nashville. There will not be a full kitchen, all food offerings will be cooked using a waffle iron (breakfast, lunch and desserts), along with coffee, tea, expresso, etc., as well as a kid’s menu.

They will be open for special events and fundraising opportunities. One resident asked if Sunset Place would be redone as there is a gap in the road and it’s bad at W. Second Street and Sunset Place.

She said she is all for the development, but why was the drive through not seen on any of the plans and it will create way more traffic than the hospital did.  Once the hearing was closed, the Council approved the Conditional Use Permit for the Coffee Shop.

Next, Alderman Joe Neville stated that the Dog Park Committee needs closure, either an up or down vote. Do they have it at Listeman Park, do they look elsewhere, or do they disband? They need something so they can move on.

A member of the committee, Brianna Roehl, stated that she has been with the Dog Park Committee for the last two years and Mandy Krejci has been working on it for five years. There was not much for fundraising last year due to COVID, but they are looking for resolution.

Roehl stated the previous location at the end of W. Eighth Street was hidden and unknown by many. They had concerns with wild animals and closed for lack of fencing, it lacked parking, accessibility, restrooms and water.

The Committee looked at 13 different locations before settling on Listeman Park. It’s not the best place, but it is the best they have. Listeman Park is accessible, has restrooms, parking and access to water.

The area is approximately 52,262 square feet or 1.2 acres, it would be divided for big and little dogs.  The goals for the Listeman Park location is to fundraise $1,500 for fencing, install a culvert and bring awareness. Also, a list of dog park rules were presented and a five year plan.

Community support includes Neillsville Retirement Community Picnic in the Park and a Facebook page. Community concerns include a DNR letter and recommendation, contacting the Eau Claire Dog Park regarding their incidents, and proximity to the playground.

There are also tourism possibilities with the park. Council Member Dan Clough asked how many of the Facebook comments were from Neillsville? He also stated the dump site was designated as the dog park with fencing to be added later, which did not happen.

Council Member Neville stated the City had to get rid of the dog park as their ordinances do not allow dogs to run at large. Resident Natalie Erpenbach complimented Roehl and Krejci for doing a very good job.

By statue any park has to come through the Planning Commission, in this case it would start with the Parks and Recreation Board. Action tonight would be preemptive. Council Member Neville stated that the Planning Committee took action by tabling it.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated it has to come to the Planning Commission, but Planning doesn’t have to act for it to move forward. Council Member Neville stated that the Listeman Park Dog Park was the first and only option.

The flood plan properties did not come before any committee, because of the FEMA regulations. Natalie Erpenbach reported working with Robyn Fennig, of Wisconsin Emergency Management, the former Gustavson lot at 810 Grand Avenue, on the southwest side, is not quite a half-acre, and is an option.

She doesn’t know the urgency, but other options should come before the Parks and Recreation Board. On the northwest property, in the 100-year flood plan, an open air shelter could be put in if they want to make a park there.

Council Member Neville stated, again, that they need a decision so they can move on. Resident Ross Roehl stated he never found so many blank areas in the City before looking for a dog park site.

The Gustavson property is by no means handicapped accessible, it has a tremendous drop off with a 45% slope, so the area would have to be built up to make it accessible for everyone. Mayor Murphy stated you just don’t look at location.

Following the Seif girl attack in 1997 by pit bulls she worked on the pit bull ordinance and the Madison off leash dog park requires a permit. She said we need to keep both people and canines safe.

She said they also need to think of dogs contacting other dogs with ticks or diseases and aggression and behavior problems have to be addressed. She also said Nate McDonald, as a member of the Parks and Recreation Board, surveyed the neighborhood and no one was for it.

Council Member Neville stated you can’t say no one, because the Neillsville Retirement Home was for it. Council Member Julie Counsell stated you have to give the right information. It will be fenced and some measures will be taken to keep children safe.

Mayor Murphy stated she had a letter from Chief of Police Mankowski. The Chief was present, but let Mayor Murphy read the letter. The letter stated the concept is well intended, but it is a bad idea for dogs to run off a leash.

Chief of Police Mankowski stated when he started here parking downtown was an issue and he has concerns about maintenance and dogs they can’t control. He also questioned how to enforce the rules and can volunteers come up with a plan.

The Police Department doesn’t have the manpower or knowledge. Krejci stated the dog park has to have rules, if dog poop doesn’t get picked up, they have volunteers, and they’ll look into starting an animal control of some kind.

She stated the Chief has valid concerns, but nothing can be done until after a decision is made. Brianna Roehl stated we can’t educate the public, if we don’t have a project. Council Member Neville asked do they continue or not?

City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the agenda is not specific; does Neillsville want to have a dog park or a dog park in Listeman Park? Krejci stated at one time Neillsville had a dog park. Mayor Murphy read from Ordinance Sec. 2-4-6(2) Matters Referred to the Commission.

Council Member Neville reiterated that it did go to the Planning Commission. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated it has gone to the Planning Commission, the Planning Commission tabled it, now it’s back to the Common Council.

Council Member Neville stated if not Listeman Park, where do we want it? At that point, Alderman Neville motioned to make a Dog Park in Listeman Park. Mayor Murphy stated all the locations should be looked at. Council Member Neville stated the Committee has.

Alderman Counsell then seconded the motion. Mayor Murphy stated why put a dog park in a children’s park? Council Member Clough stated the old dump was designated as a dog park, but it did not function as one.

Council Member Counsell stated the dump site was a fast, easy location, but not developed. The City has no liability, the dog owners have the responsibility and take the risk, it has access to water, it’s the best the city has.

Krejci stated that the Listeman Foundation donated $2,500 for a dog park. Council Member Clough stated the motion is to make a dog park in Listeman Park. Mayor Murphy called the vote and the motion carried with three voting yes and two voting no.

The Council then approved that the uncollectible Personal Property Taxes of Shopko Hometown for the year 2019 in the amount of $980.92, the city’s share only, be written off.

They also approved that the former Sierra Knight property, at 319 E. Sixth Street, delinquent special charges and delinquent utilities in the amount of $1,204.84 be written off.

The Council also approved to eliminate Sec. 3-4 Residency requirements for Emergency Personnel from the City of Neillsville Employment Policy. They also approved a second driveway for OEM Fabricators, at 1701 Industrial Park Drive and approved the marking of a loading zone on E. Sixth Street for the Clark County Courthouse. They also approved the marking of two crosswalks on E. Sixth Street for the Clark County Courthouse.

Mayor Murphy also presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for use of CC Sniteman Town Square Park, Parking Lot and Gazebo and the East Library parking lot for the Autumn Harvest Fest Celebration, to hang a banner on the Gazebo announcing the event, and to close Armory Avenue from Hewett Street to Court Street on October 9th and 10th, which the council approved.

The Council then heard the various updates and reports. Chief of Police Mankowski reported a successful Heritage Days event, the Neighborhood Officer Program introduced, reviewed the new state laws (2021 Wis Acts-Bills 99, 121, 122 and 123), training, June-citations, warnings, complaints, business checks, activity hours and budget.

Council Member Neville thanked the Police Department for their help during the Heritage Days events. Mayor Murphy stated they had a wonderful Heritage Days event.

Mayor Murphy also stated that she is going to respond to a citizen’s statement at the June 22nd Council meeting about spending a half million dollars on a new building, but doesn’t want to compensate its workers.

The City has received $126,000 of COVID Relief money which can be spent on public safety and health issues like a public drive thru, more distant working conditions, and safe voting conditions.

The City spent $325,000 on the former BMO Bank building, and has budgeted $210,000 for improvements for a total of $535,000.  With the $126,000 COVID Relief money, that leaves a net cost of $409,000. Council Member Counsell stated the first full check is going to the building and the second check can be used for water and sewer.

Mayor Murphy stated the building is an investment in the future, technology in all City departments need upgrading, the City will be more visible to the public on the intersection of Highways 10 and 73, the drive-up window will help everyone in paying utility bills and taxes, improve working conditions at both City Hall and Police Department, and have better parking condition.

They are doing the best they can to compensate employees at the present time. The Police Union Contract was negotiated in October of 2020 and Neillsville is not the only community searching for police officers.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, on behalf of the US Treasury Department, distributed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to non-entitlement units.

Their 2021 payment of $126,073.27 was received on June 25th and placed in a separate bank account. He also presented the Second Quarter 2021 City Financial Statements.

Council Member Dave Harnisch reported on the June 23rd meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:

-Discussion on mounting plaques on the rock at Prock Park;

-Discussion on a date to dedicate Prock Park;

-Discussion on and approval to present Chris Keller with a $100 gift certificate for her graphic design work on the Prock Park plaques;

-Discussion on the planting and weeding schedule;

-Discussion on hanging basket and decorations donations and Russell’s donation of soil and manure;

-And discussion on getting a post and plaque to recognize the Piece family for their tree donation in the Town Square.

Mayor Murphy reported on the June 24th meeting of the Property Committee-City Hall and Police Department regarding:

-Work beginning next week on insulation and HVAC;

-The plumbing fixes and election lights have been completed;

-Electrical fixes, interior fixes and reworking of the teller station area and cabinets will begin next week;

-Discussion on coordinating the cabinet installation with the electrical and IT cabling;

-The Neillsville City Hall sign contract has been signed and down payment made;

-Discussion on and approval of tiling in the IT/Server room;

-Discussion on ordering Council Room/Election tables and chairs;

-Audio Architects will be installing cabling the end of July-still looking into equipment for cable TV broadcasting;

-Discussion on Charter back peddling on the cost to connect the Cemetery to internet services;

-The copy machine has been delivered;

-The TDS telephone agreement has been signed and equipment ordered;

-Discussion on Fortinet security appliances for five locations and monthly maintenance fee for protection service;

-The flagpoles have been ordered;

-Discussion on ordering delays and product substitutions;

-Discussion on advertising for an Other Part-time Custodian;

-And listing the safety deposit boxes with Wisconsin Surplus Auctions.

Council Member Neville reported on the June 24th and July 6th meetings of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

-Financial report;

-Updates on security, trailers and golf outing;

-Discussion on games and prizes;

-Discussion on the poster;

-Update on the downtown setup, parade, poker run and artifact competition;

-Discussion on vendors;

-And discussion on setup and activities.

City Attorney Wachsmuth presented the June 29th meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding:

-Director of Public Work Friemoth’s presentation of the Conditional Use Permit application for the public coffee shop;

-Planning Commission discussion on and recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a public coffee shop;

-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:

Population and Housing element; Transportation element, Land Use element, Parks and Outdoor Recreation element, Historic and Cultural Resources element, Economic Development element (Economic Conditions, Strengths and Weaknesses; Current Economic Development Plans and Designated sites; Desired Business and Industries; Downtown Neillsville; Community Marketing and Branding; Economic Development Goals, Objectives and Policies); Land Use element (Projected Land Use Supply and Demand; Preferred Future Land Use Plan; Community, Character and Designs; Land Use Goals, Objectives and Policies) and Implementation element.

City Clerk Roehl reported on the July 13th meeting of the Illegal Tax Committee regarding:

-Discussion on and recommendation that the uncollectible Personnel Property Taxes of Shopko Hometown be written off;

-And discussion on and recommendation that the former Sierra Knight property delinquent special charges and delinquent utilities be written off.

City Clerk Roehl reported on the July 13th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

-Discussion on the City of Neillsville Employment Policy, Chapter 3 Employment Practices, Sec. 3-4 Residency requirements for Emergency Personnel;

-And recommendation to eliminate Sec. 3-4 Residency requirements for Emergency Personnel.

Finally, Council Member Clough reported on the July 13th meeting of Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

-Current activities;

-Discussion on a draft of “An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10-8 Fences and Amending §10-1-18 Yard Obstructions;

-Discussion on and recommendation to approve a second driveway for OEM Fabricators at 1701 Industrial Park Drive;

-Discussion on and recommendation to approve the marking of a loading zone on E. Sixth Street for the Clark County Courthouse;

-Discussion on and recommendation to approve the marking of two crosswalks on E. Sixth Street for the Clark County Courthouse;

-And reviewed the Second Quarter 2021 Water and Sewer Financial Statements.

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