Neillsville City Council Approves Letter of Agreement Regarding Vacation Blackout for City Police Officers

Sunday, December 19th, 2021 -- 10:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council discussed a Letter of Agreement regarding vacation blackout for Neillsville’s Police Officers.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski stated the Letter of Agreement addresses vacation blackout dates for officers, with the reason being for scheduling, so that the lower man on the totem pole doesn’t have to work all the holidays. The Council approved the Police Union Letter of Agreement modifying Article 13-Vacations, Section B-Scheduling and Section C-Carry Over.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported on receiving a League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance 2021 Parks and Recreation Grant in the amount of $3,189, which the Council approved to accept.

Mayor Diane Murphy presented the following nomination list of polling place officials and voting registration deputies including:

Jana Marden, Janice Mayer, and Gayle Vatne for Ward I;

Denise Clough, Dorothy Counsell, and Corrine Witte for Ward II;

Carol Harnisch, Mary Hartung, and Brent Shoup for Ward III;

Sharon Bjerke, Natalie Erpenbach, and Mary Nauertz for Ward IV;

And Lynda Hilliard, Joan Hubing, and Karen Venne for Ward V.

This represents eight Republicans and seven Democratic representatives in the polling place. Their terms of office will be two years, from January 1st, 2022 to December 31st, 2023.

Voter Registration Deputies will be Kathy Brugger and Debbie Tlusty. This represents one Republican and one Democratic voter registration deputy. Their terms of office will be two years, from January 1st, 2022 to December 31st, 2023. The Council approved the nominations with two members absent and one abstaining.

Chief of Police Mankowski reported on attending Leading Police Organization and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement trainings; personnel openings, recent equipment and vehicle purchases; November citations, complaints, business checks; and activity news.

Council Member Dan Clough reported that a lawsuit referred to at the October 26th, 2021 Common Council meeting regarding the recreation trail has been dismissed by the Court for a second time, this time with prejudice.

Mayor Murphy reported that the Tree Lighting on December 2nd, 2021 was very successful with 135 children’s treat bags handed out and families enjoying the horse drawn wagon rides.

City Clerk Roehl presented a thank you letter from the Clark County Livestock Committee on behalf of the Clark County 4-H and FFA livestock youth for the City’s contribution to the new livestock barn/show arena.

The Council then heard the Committee Reports. Mayor Murphy reported on the December 6th meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding the review of and discussion on the 2022 flowers and plants proposals; accepted the Reif’s Garden Center proposal in the amount of $2,814; and discussion on the 2021 Holiday decorations.

Mayor Murphy also reported on the December 9th meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding financial report; discussion on and approval of Rock Tailgater event and Wisconsin Pineries event; discussion on entertainment for 2022; approved the Country Line Band for Sunday afternoon downtown tent; approved the Dueling Pianos for Thursday night downtown tent; discussion on children’s games and activities; discussion on banners and yard signs; discussion on security; discussion on and approval of adding Michelle Friemoth as a signer on The Heritage Days checking account and debit card.

City Clerk Roehl reported on the December 14th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a closed session on contract negotiations with the Neillsville Police Association; reconvening into open session with the recommendation to approve the Police Union letter of Agreement modifying Article 13-Vacations, Section B-Scheduling and Section C-Carry Over.

Council Member Clough reported on the December 14th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.

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