107.5FM WCCN The Rock - The Coolest Station in the Nation
ESPN 92.3FM WOSQ
92.7FM WPKG
Memories 1370AM 98.5FM
98.7FM / 1450AM WDLB - Timeless Classics
Listen Live: 107.5 THE ROCK • 92.7 FM
Family owned radio stations serving all of Central Wisconsin

Neillsville City Council Discusses Part-Time Employee Applications

Thursday, April 28th, 2022 -- 12:00 PM

The Neillsville City Council discussed the City’s part-time employee applications.

The Council accept the recommendation to place all the other part-time employee applications in a pool for Cemetery, Parks, City Hall, Public Works and Recreation Department to draw from as needed.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated the City of Neillsville Health and Sanitation and Nuisance ordinances need updating and asked where do we go from here? Discussion followed on it being a fairly complicated process. Their current ordinances have some good points, but need updating. Keep it simple and not over complicated.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski stated they should get the people who use the ordinances as an ad hoc committee to discuss changes. They want a good product with some teeth in it.

Council Member Julie Counsell stated the abatement language is very vague on what is going to happen to someone if they violate. What is it going to cost them? What charges and fees do we have? When have they been updated last? Do the State statutes allow some flexibility? How does the court look at these?

Council Member Dan Clough stated that if he gets one bug from the neighbor, it costs him $700 to do upstairs and another $700 to do the downstairs. Chief of Police Mankowski agreed that there is a problem. What is the expectations? Where does the community stand? They send multiple letters, issue citations, they default and nothing gets done. They will have to work with the City Attorney to find out what they can and cannot do.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated there is not a lot more you can do, other than write citations. The City does not have the power to send them to jail. Understand their inside authority is very limited. The City cannot get a warrant to enter, a State Officer is needed, and it is very difficult unless there is a zoning violation.

Council Member Clough asked if a noxious odor from garbage is enough. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated what is causing the odor; can you see something? Council Member Clough asked about putting a lien on their property. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the Court collects the forfeiture.

Council Member Counsell stated the City can fix the problem and put the cost on the tax bill. During this update, they need to be sure that option is available. If they get the property back by the tax deed, it is better that they have cleaned it up.

Mayor Poeschel proposed a committee of the Chief of Police Mankowski, the City Health Officer, the Director of Public Works, and Council Members Clough and Counsell. Council Member Counsell proposed adding Fire Chief Matt Meyer to the Committee.

The Council then opened a public hearing regarding a Condition Use Permit for a rooming house at 401 W. Seventeenth Street, Forward GRP, LLC. The Director of Public Works presented the application, public notice of this public hearing was in the Clark County Press and area land owners were notified.

The Director of Public Works stated that the Planning Commission at its April 19th meeting discussed and recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit. There were no appearances and the hearing was closed. The Council then approved the permit.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 19th meeting of the Board of Health regarding:

  • Health Officer Doris Bakker’s City annual health report and activities for 2021-2022;
  • Discussion on updated the City’s Health and Sanitation and Public Nuisance ordinances;
  • And discussion on and approval that each Council Member do an individual tour of their ward with the Director of Public Works.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 19th meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:

  • Discussion on and recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a rooming house at 401 W. Seventeenth Street, Parcel No. 261.0227.000 – Logan Grap, Forward GRP, LLC;
  • Discussion on and recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit to use and install a driveway on the undevelopment W. Seventh Street right-of-way – Robert and Donna Pavlac;
  • And discussion on and recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit for a rooming house at 319 State Street, Parcel No. 261.0378.000 – Pray’s Golden Gaits, LLC.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported on the April 26th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding a discussion on and recommendation to place all the other part-time employee applications as presented in a pool for Cemetery, Parks, City Hall, Public Works and Recreation Departments to draw from as needed. The applicants are: Braylon Boyer, Bryce Erickson, Sam Hayes, Gavyn McFarlane, Skylar Melvin, Jace Pekol and Carter Urban.

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