Neillsville City Council Discusses Merchants Hotel and New Ward Boundary Lines

Friday, October 1st, 2021 -- 9:05 AM

The Neillsville City Council discussed placing the old Merchant’s Hotel on the Local Registry of Historic Places.

Natalie Erpenbach, Historic Preservation Commission Chair, presented the Historic Preservation Property Evaluation of Significance Form and nomination of property to the City of Neillsville Local Registry of Historic Places for the Merchants Hotel property, 105 W. Seventh Street.

Erpenbach stated the process was started by a former owner and then withdrawn. The historical significance has not changed, it has a deep history, including the move across O’Neill Creek from the northside.

An addition to the West was added, it does need work, the listing gives the City options. The goal and charge of the Historic Preservation Commission is to protect and preserve historical properties. The building could be sold and demolished without the City’s input.

Listing opens the possibility of State and National funding, if pursued. They have to use common sense, look at and review options. Council Member Julie Counsell stated by law you cannot stop a demolition, it still can be torn down.

Why not proceed with State/National listing? That’s where the money is. Erpenbach stated that the owners could continue. Council Member Dan Clough stated the listing is another tool in the toolbox and another designation to help save the building.

Mayor Diane Murphy asked if someone buys the building, how long do they have to do something? City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated if the building is unsafe, the City has to push the issue. It is not within the Historic Preservation Commission realm to do so.

The owners have to preserve the outside façade, it has nothing to do with the inside. Council Member Counsell stated that there are tax credits and money for the inside too. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked if the owners are behind this designation?

Erpenbach stated they were for it in the past and are not opposed. Mayor Murphy asked if the City’s hands are tied if someone buys it and it sits for two years, then the City makes the hard decision to tear it down. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated not tied, but more difficult.

Erpenback stated the Historic Preservation Commission could issue a “Demolition Certificate”. The City Council has the final say. Council Member Dave Harnisch stated that the Historic Preservation Commission has talked on this detail for several meetings, and a plaque on the building may help the sale or find an investor.

Finally, the Council approved to accept the recommendation to place the Merchants Hotel property, 105 W. Seventh Street, on the City of Neillsville Local Registry of Historic Properties.

The Mayor then asked if there were any questions on the Board of Cemetery Commissioners items. Sierra Strangfeld and Caitlyn Genteman, Smiling for Samuel, Inc., presented a project proposal for an Infant Loss Memorial to be built in the Neillsville Cemetery.

After talking with Cemetery Sexton Regan Barth, a 20’ x 57’ space on the northwest side across the road from the round flower bed, in an unplattable, unusable space, was chosen.

The space would consist of a 20’ x 20’ circular paved concrete area, with a 50”h x 34”w x 66”d Infant Loss Memorial Statue, one to three memorial benches and a brick walkway 37’ long by 4’ wide composed of paver bricks.

The paver bricks would be available in three sizes, engraved with epoxy filled font, sold as a fundraiser. The project would be done in a phased approach including fundraising for the Memorial Monument, fundraising for the location work, and construction.

The Cemetery Board has approved and they asked for the City Council’s approval. Council Member Counsell asked what the time frame is. Strangfeld stated the sculpture will take eight to twelve months, so Spring of 2023. Genteman stated an 18 to 24 month turn around.

Council Member Clough asked if they were asking the City to donate the plots or if they were going to buy them. Strangfeld stated they are open to either option, but prefer the City to donate them, since they are not usable anyway.

City Attorney Wachsmuth stated since the lots are not platted, they can’t be sold, it would be more of a donation of location. Council Member Harnisch asked if there was any other monument around. Strangfeld stated Marshfield has a little arch.

Council Member Clough stated the City can donate the land so they can move forward. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated you can make it available to them. Council Member Clough motioned to make available the equivalent to 10 plots and approve the Infant Loss Memorial project to move forward.

Council Member Harnisch stated that he does not know this organization and would abstain. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked the reason for abstaining. Council Member Harnisch stated he doesn’t want to vote, as he is unfamiliar with the group. Council Member Counsell asked about the time period. Council Member Clough amended his motion.

Finally, the Council approved to make available the equivalent of 10 plots and approved the Infant Loss Memorial project to move forward with project completion to be within up to five years. It was approved with 3 aye, 1 present, and 1 abstention.

The Council then approved to accept the recommendation to hire Cheryl Meihak for the Other Part-time City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour effective on or after October 1st with a one-year probation period.

Also, Mayor Murphy read Erik Backlund’s Letter of Resignation as an Other Part-time Police Officer effective September 30th and the Council approved the resignation and thanked him for his service to the City of Neillsville.

The Council also approved a resolution changing the boundaries of the City’s wards. Since the 2020 census changes the population of certain wards in the City of Neillsville, it is necessary to redistrict the wards to create new boundaries of the wards of the City of Neillsville to meet the new census.

Ward 1 shall consist of that part of the City of Neillsville lying North and East of the following described lines including:

Commencing where the East boundary line of the City of Neillsville intersects with East 15th Street,

West along the center of East 15th Street to the center of Bruley Street,

South along the center of Bruley Street to the center of 12th Street,

West along the center of 12th Street to the center of Hewett Street,

South along the center of Hewett Street to the center of West 10th Street,

West along the center of West 10th Street to the center of Prospect Street,

North along the center of Prospect Street to the center of West 14th Street,

West along the center of West 14th Street to the center of Grand Avenue,

North along the center of Grand Avenue to the center of the Black River,

Along the center of the Black River to the North city limits.

Ward 2 shall be that area lying South and East of the following lines including:

Commencing at a point where East 5th Street intersects the East boundary line for the City of Neillsville,

West along the center of East 5th Street to the center of Grand Avenue,

South along the center of Grand Avenue to the South city limits.

Ward 3 shall be that area lying South and West of the following lines including:

Commencing at a point where Grand Avenue intersects the South boundary line for the City of Neillsville,

North along the center of Grand Avenue to the center of West 4th Street,

West along the center of West 4th Street to the center of Sunset Place,

North along the center of Sunset Place to the center of West 5th Street,

West along the center of West 5th Street to the center of the Black River,

Southeast along the center of the Black River to the South boundary line of the city limits.

Ward 4 shall be that area encompassed within the following described area including:

Commencing where the West boundary line of the City of Neillsville intersects with West 5th Street,

East along the center of West 5th Street to the center of Sunset Place,

South along the center of Sunset Place to the center of West 4th Street,

East on the center of West 4th Street to the center of Grand Avenue,

North along the centerline of Grand Avenue to the center line of 5th Street,

East along the centerline of West 5th Street to the center line of Hewett Street,

North along the centerline of Hewett Street to the centerline of West 10th Street,

West along the center of West 10th Street to the center of Prospect Street,

North along the center of Prospect Street to the center of West 14th Street,

West along the center of West 14th Street to the center of Grand Avenue,

North along the center of Grand Avenue to the center of the Black River,

Southwest along the center of the Black River to the center of West 5th Street.

Finally, Ward 5 shall be that area encompassed within the following described area:

Commencing at a point where the center of East 15th Street intersects the East City limits,

West along the center of East 15th Street to the center of Bruley Street,

South along the center of Bruley Street to the center of East 12th Street,

Northwest along the center of East 12th Street to the center of Hewett Street,

South along the center of Hewett to the center of East 5th Street,

East along the center of East 5th Street to the East boundary line of the City limits,

Following the East boundary line of the City limits North to the center of 15th Street.

As always, the polling place for each ward, 1 through 5, shall be the City Hall building. The new boundary lines were approved by the Council.

During the communications and reports section of the meeting, Council Member Clough reported that the DNR grant application was filed for two programs.

The Recreation Trails Program grant was not received, however they were notified that they were tentatively selected to receive the Stewardship Aids for Acquisition and Development of Local Parks grant in the amount of $50,000. Council Member Counsell asked what the grant covers. Council Member Clough stated the park area and seven-tenths of a mile of trail.

The next step is the formal paperwork to accept the grant, work stipulations, doing the work and submitting for reimbursement. Clough requested a picture with the Common Council Members and Neillsville Improvement Corporation Board Members attending the meeting.

Mayor Murphy reported on the September 14th meeting of the Finance Committee regarding discussion on the budget process and directions to the department heads and Committees, and discussion on the Personnel Committee recommendations for non-union employee wages and benefits for 2022 and setting the budget meeting schedule.

Council Member Harnisch reported on the September 15th meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding discussion on the Historic Property Evaluation of Significance Form and nomination of property to the City of Neillsville Local Registry of Historic Places for the Merchants Hotel property, 105 W. Seventh Street.

Also, the recommendation to place the Merchants Hotel property, 105 W. Seventh Street, on the City of Neillsville Local Registry of Historic Properties, discussion on the Clark County Jail Museum options for evaluating scope of work and funding, work on and referral of the proposed 2022 Historic Preservation budget to the Finance Committee, and discussion on funds.

Mayor Murphy reported on the September 16th meeting of the Commission on Economic Development regarding work on and referral of the proposed 2022 Economic Development budget to the Finance Committee, discussion on future residential development, and discussion on the City’s housing grant program for new residential construction.

City Attorney Wachsmuth presented the September 16th meeting of Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding payment of bills, discussion and approval for the Firemen’s Club to use the Fire Hall for their annual steak feed fundraiser, and work on and approval of 2022 operating and capital budgets.

City Attorney Wachsmuth presented the September 17th meeting of the Adjourned Board of Review regarding examination of the City’s 2021 Assessment Roll for errors and omissions and to hear assessment objections and no property owners appeared in objection to their assessments.

Council Member Counsell reported on the September 21st meeting of the Library Board regarding librarians’ reports, discussion on pandemic protocols, work on and referral of the 2022 Library budget to the Finance Committee, and discussion on and authorization to exceed the Equipment budget line in order to purchase a replacement printer for up to $1,200.

Also, discussion on and approval for the Library Director and Children’s Librarian to attend the Wisconsin Library Association conference in Green Bay on November 16th to 19th, reviewed the bills, and provided updates on donation and carryover funds.

Council Member John Perrine reported on the September 22nd meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding a presentation by Sierra Strangfeld, Smiling for Samuel, Inc., of a project proposal for an Infant Loss Memorial to be built in the Neillsville Cemetery.

Also, discussion on and recommendation to approve the Infant Loss Memorial project as presented, current activities, and work on and referral of the 2022 Cemetery budget to the Finance Committee.

Council Member Perrine reported on the September 22nd meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding current activities of the Parks Department, current activities of the Recreation Department, work on and referral of the proposed 2022 Recreation Department budget to the Finance Committee, and work on and referral of the proposed 2022 Parks Department budget to the Finance Committee.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported on the September 28th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session on reviewing applications and interviewing candidates for the City Custodian position and reconvening into open session with the recommendation to hire Cheryl Meihak for the Other Part-time City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour effective on or after October 1st with a one-year probation period.

Council Member Clough reported on the September 28th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities and payment of bills.

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