Neillsville City Council Begins Updating Ordinances

Friday, May 27th, 2022 -- 1:01 PM

The Neillsville City Council discussed the City Hall Custodian position.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel presented Cheryl Meihak’s letter of resignation as City Hall Custodian effective June 15th, which the Council accepted. City Clerk Rex Roehl requested permission to advertise the City Hall Custodian vacancy, which the Council approved.

Mayor Poeschel also presented Benjamin Zawislan’s letter of resignation as a City Police Officer, which the Council approved and thanked him for his 8 ½ years of service to the City. Chief of Police Jim Mankowski requested permission to fill the Police Officer vacancy, which the Council approved.

Mayor Poeschel stated the next agenda item is Combustible Storage and directing the City Attorney to prepare and update for consideration by the Council of Ordinance Title 3, Sections 3-4-6, 3-4-7, 3-4-8, 3-4-9, 3-4-10, 3-4-11 and 3-4-12 related to the storage and sale of combustibles, such as gasoline, so as to bring such Sections into compliance with current State law.

Council Member Julie Counsell stated that she requested this be put on the agenda along with the next item, Duty to Assist Police, on directing the City Attorney to prepare an update for consideration by the Council of Ordinance Title 3, Section 3-1-9 bringing such Section into compliance with State Law Section 946.40 which includes an exception stating that the duty to assist police “does not apply if under the circumstances the officer was not authorized to command such assistance”.

Council Member Counsell stated they are going over ordinances and trying to get things updated. Some of the State Statue references are no longer valid. City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated that she would reference State Statue with any future State changes adopted by reference so that they don’t have to keep making changes every time the State does.

Council Member Counsell stated that it should not be a lot of work for the City Attorney. Under the current ordinance anyone using a plastic gas can is in violation since the ordinance states an “approved metal safety can.” Can we have them for the next meeting?

City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that the second one would be no problem, but she would have to research the first one. The Council approved having the City Attorney to prepare updates for these two ordinances, one to be completed by the next meeting and the other for the meeting after that.

Council Member Joe Neville stated that he asked for the next agenda item discussion on City Dog Ordinances be placed on the agenda. Council Member Neville stated that Mandy Krejci, Denise Czarnecki, Chief of Police Mankowski, and himself have been meeting to discuss the ordinances and get uniform language (dangerous vs vicious) and enforceability.

They would like another member to join them. Council Member Counsell volunteered, since she is a dog owner. Denise Czarnecki stated that she is a retired Humane Officer from Dane County with 24 years of experience. The City’s ordinance is over 20 years old and non-enforceable.

They have been looking over the City’s ordinance. The Pitbull ordinance doesn’t work. It’s not a breed, it’s a dog that can be vicious. They looked over the steps to declare a dog dangerous and, if the City gets a dog park, more teeth are needed in the ordinance.

Mandy Krejci stated they highlighted some areas of changes needed, but they’re not done. Denise Czarnecki stated they have not written a dangerous dog ordinance, but it is a start. Chief of Police Mankowski stated the State has made changes, the City’s ordinance needs to be cleaned up, outdated items changed, there is no due process, and they want to be compliant as well as enforceable.

Council Member Dan Clough stated that he thought the City had an appeal process and they went through it with the former Chief of Police and a dog in the City. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that Ordinance Section 7-1-6 has a kind of an appeal process. There was discussion on dog licensing, number of dogs in the City, etc.

City Clerk Roehl then read a letter from Carol Schaub, Post 73 and American Legion Family, inviting the Council Members to Memorial Day activities. There was also discussion on City of Neillsville name tags for members attending events and posting of City Hall hours on the front door.

The Council then heard the various Committee Reports. Council Member Counsell reported on the May 10th meeting of the Library Board regarding:

• Librarians’ reports,
• Discussion on landscaping around the building,
• Discussion on reviewing and updating Policy Manual,
• Discussion on the Trustee Essential Handbook,
• Reviewed and filed bills,
• Reviewed and filed donation and carryover reports;
• And discussion on coordinating a Lunch and Learn program with the Clark County Department of Aging.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the May 11th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• Discussion on codifying the Personnel Committee in the City’s Ordinances and items to be included,
• Discussion on Police Union negotiations,
• And work assignments.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the May 11th meeting of the Tourism Commission regarding:

• Election of Council Member Petkovsek as Chair,
• Election of James Voss as Vice-Chair,
• Election of Deanna Heiman as Secretary,
• Discussion on and filing of the Annual Room Tax Report for 2021,
• Reviewed Section 66.0615(1)(fm) Wis. Stats., 6) discussion on and approval to move the remaining 2020 room tax funds to 2021,
• Discussion on grant applications,
• Approved paying the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce an administration fee of $350,
• Awarded a grant to Clark Cultural Art Center - $3,905,
• Awarded a grant to Clark Cultural Art Center and Friends of the Black River - $3,300,
• Awarded a grant to the 1897 Jail Museum - $1,375,
• Awarded a grant to Farm Tech Days - $2,750,
• Awarded a grant to Neillsville Improvement Corporation - $5,500,
• Awarded a grant to The Highground - $7,250,
• Awarded a grant to Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce - $4,592,
• And discussion on setting grant application guidelines for disbursement of future years’ room tax revenues.

Council Member Counsell stated she spoke a number of times at the Tourism Commission, but she is not mentioned. Council Member Barb Petkovsek stated only the motions have to be recorded. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated sometimes extra is added for clarification, but that is not required, only the motions have to be recorded.

Council Member Neville reported on the May 15th meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Update on entertainment,
• Update on kids’ events,
• Discussion on and approval to purchase 50 - one color, generic date, yards signs for Neillsville Heritage Days,
• Update on donations,
• Update on security,
• Update on Miss Neillsville,
• Update on golf outing,
• Update on parade and mini rodders,
• And update on pottery piece order.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the May 16th meeting of the Board of Review regarding:

• Examination of the City’s 2022 Assessment Roll for errors and omissions and to hear any objections,
• One property owner appeared in objection to their assessments - the Board upheld the Assessor’s evaluation,
• And admitted property assessments were added to the Assessment Roll for two properties for the years 2020 and 2021.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the May 16th meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:

• Discussion on planting and beautifying the City,
• Reviewed account balances,
• Discussion on plants and flower pots for City Hall,
• Authorized ordering two flower pots for the front of City Hall,
• Authorized the purchase of plants for both City Hall and Prock Park,
• Updated the annual sponsorship letter requesting donations for flower baskets/decorations - reviewed mailing list,
• Discussion on improvements and updates to Prock Park,
• Discussion on Christmas Decorations,
• Discussion on other ideas for “beautification” of the City,
• Discussion regarding ways/ideas on beautification items - possible mural/painting, etc.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the May 18th meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding a closed session for Other Part-time officer positions - the meeting adjourned in closed session.

Council Member Neville reported on the May 18th meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding:

• Discussion on the Trout Pond overflow culvert at Listeman Park,
• Discussion on possible locations for a Dog Park,
• Discussion regarding continued exploration of a Splash Pad,
• And creating an adhoc committee to explore and research possible options and locations.

Council Member Clough reported on the May 24th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Current activities,
• And payment of bills.

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