Neillsville City Council Discusses Loan for Creation of a New TIF District

Thursday, February 24th, 2022 -- 2:00 PM

The Neillsville City Council discussed a loan for the creation of a new TIF District.

The loan would be for $1,200,000. Phase One would include public improvements and project costs including $659,000 for street construction, $12,500 for trail improvements, $500,000 for developer’s incentive and $28,500 for administrative costs.

The proposals received included Citizens State Bank for 3.39% with a ten-year repayment with a balloon payment in year ten based on a fourteen-year amortization period.

Associated Bank for 3.23% with a term option 1 of fourteen-year repayment or term option 2 of a ten-year repayment with a balloon payment in year ten, based on a fourteen-year amortization period.

Finally, Unity Bank for 3.43% with a fourteen-year repayment. In the end, the council approved the proposal for Associated Bank. City Clerk Rex Roehl requested permission to open the necessary TIF No. 4 bank accounts, which the Council approved.

Mayor Diane Murphy stated that she talked to Fire Chief Matt Meyer about using the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a new fire truck. Fire Chief Meyer stated a ballpark figure for a new truck would range from $350,000 to $400,000. It would be custom built for what they need.

There is a 16-month time frame for the build, the main hold up would be the availability of a chassis. Prices have been increasing about 3% per quarter so the sooner you lock it in the better. It will take about four months to spec out the custom build.

Rosenbauer, South Dakota, doesn’t need a down payment, but if you buy the chassis at Mid-State Truck, Marshfield, they would need payment once it leaves their lot. Meyer will also be checking with Darley Company in Chippewa Falls.

City Clerk Roehl reported that they currently have about $149,000 in non-lapsing funds set-aside for a fire truck. They received $126,264.24 in ARPA funds in June, 2021 with a second round of ARPA funds coming in June, 2022 of about the same amount. The Council approved authorizing Fire Chief Meyer to proceed with collecting information on a new fire truck.

The Council also heard the various reports. Chief of Police Jim Mankowski reported on:

• Officer Imm completing certified rifle training;
• The hiring of Ethan Anhalt and Erik Backlund as full-time officers and Nick Spanske as a part-time officer;
• The purchase of a key access control system;
• Department members received a standard of conduct directive;
• Squad car maintenance;
• January citations, complaints, business checks and activities.

Mayor Murphy stated that she visited OEM Fabricators on January 19th to talk about their needs. They can not expand because workers are not available, they need housing and a close working relationship with Chippewa Valley Technical College.

Mayor Murphy stated on July 12, 2004 CVTC broke ground for a 3,720 square foot campus building. Walter Wetzel was Neillsville Board of Education President and CVTC Board Member at that time, when CVTC was looking to expand into the eastern region of the district.

With Wetzel’s push, the City of Neillsville giving five acres of land and the Marguerite Listeman Foundation donating $200,000 towards the building costs it became a reality.

Ben Urlaub, Listeman Foundation Secretary, stated that the need for education of our kids and the importance of a campus to our community is why the Listeman Foundation decided to give.

William Ihlefeldt, CVTC President, stated the Listeman Foundation’s financial support was a key factor in convincing the CVTC Board to build in Neillsville and the location in the Neillsville Industrial Park is near industries that can take advantage of expanded employee training services.

Mayor Murphy reported on attending a meeting with CVTC President Sunem Beaton-Garcia on February 10th where many ideas were presented regarding the Neillsville Campus.

Neillsville Superintendent John Gaier gave an excellent presentation on career planning for high schoolers in grades 11 and 12, going to Madison to address issues, forming a relationship with CVTC to educate our students on various opportunities here in Neillsville at our industrial park and other professions to help keep our workforce in Neillsville.

Mayor Murphy stated that Beaton-Garcia was very open to the discussion and impressed on how the Neillsville Campus started. She and her staff will work to bring more opportunities to our campus, looking into mobile lab, etc.

Council Member Harnisch reported on the February 16, 2022 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on registry signage for the Merchant’s Hotel Property, 105 W. Seventh Street - no action taken;
• Report that the Historic Preservation Commission files have been moved to the new City Hall;
• Reviewed fund balances;
• Discussion on the 2021 Annual Report of Certified Local Governments;
• And discussion on the 2022 Historic Preservation Commission Action Plan and possible involvement with Heritage Days or Autumn Fest.

Council Member Neville reported on the February 17, 2022 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Discussion on and updates on bands;
• Discussion on children’s events and approval to hire a face painter;
• Discussion on advertising and marketing;
• Discussion on donation letters;
• Discussion on beverages;
• Discussion on port-a-potties, Grand Marshall, parade, coolers tents, food vendors and Library movie night;
• And discussion on the 2022 theme and approved the theme, “Neillsville A Cut Above the Rest”.

City Attorney Wachsmuth presented the February 22, 2022 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding a discussion on ways to entice potential police officers to accept Neillsville’s offers of employment.

Council Member Clough reported on the February 22, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities and payment of bills.

Council Member Dan Clough reminded everyone that this is Winter Carnival Weekend. Mayor Murphy also swore in Ethan K. Anhalt as a City of Neillsville Police Officer (pictured) and a resident thanked Chief of Police Mankowski and Fire Chief Meyer for all they do in their respective departments.

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