Neillsville Common Council Approves Donation

Thursday, August 12th, 2021 -- 12:00 PM

The Neillsville Common Council approved a donation at their meeting.

City Clerk Rex Roehl presented Kolin Schmitz Eagle Scout Project donations in the amount of $750 for the Cemetery landscaping project, which the council approved and put in the appropriate account.

The Council also heard the various Committee Reports.  Mayor Diane Murphy reported on the August 3rd and 5th meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session on reviewing and interviewing candidates for the City Custodian position and interviewing candidates for the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position.  The meeting adjourned in closed session.

They also had a closed session on reviewing and interviewing candidates for the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position.  That meeting also adjourned in closed session.

Mayor Murphy also reported on the August 5th meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding discussion on the 2021 event and activities both in Schuster Park and downtown.

Council Member Dave Harnisch reported on the August 9, 2021 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding discussion on and setting the Prock Park dedication for September 2nd at 2:00 P.M., discussion on Fall and Winter decorations, and discussion on landscaping the City of Neillsville’s new City Hall.

Finally, Council Member Dan Clough reported on the August 10th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.  Chief of Police Jim Mankowski reported on Taser training, personnel openings, purchase of a light bar, July-citations, warnings, complaints, business checks and activity hours.

During the appearances portion of the meeting, a resident stated that a dog park can have a lot of advantages, but there are also disadvantages.  You can’t tell if the dogs have been vaccinated, licensed or have behavioral issues.

You can control a dog on a leash, but not when it is running loose. Dogs, like people, have different personalities and playing styles. Aggression is up to interpretation once a dog is hyped up it is hard to calm them down.

Will the owners be paying attention or just drop their dogs off?  She was also amazed at how close the site was to the playground.  All the running around will turn it into dirt, with smell and drainage concerns. What about the long-term sustainability?

Who is going to assume clean up and liability?  Her answer, the City. She doesn’t see the advantages of a dog park in Listeman Park.  The resident also requested that Mayor Murphy send “Letters of Appreciation” on behalf of the Police and Fire Commission to Cummins and Mayville Engineering Corporation, or MEC, for letting their employees go when the fire siren blows and “Letters of Appreciation” on behalf of the Beautification Committee for Kathy Turner’s long-time service on the Committee and Russell’s contributions to Prock Park.

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