Neillsville City Council Approves Conditional Use Permit

Friday, June 17th, 2022 -- 11:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council held a couple public hearings on conditional use permits.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel declared the Public Hearing on the Conditional Use Permit to operate an acupuncture clinic at 901 E. Division Street open. Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth presented the application, public notice of this public hearing was in the Clark County Press and area landowners were notified.

Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Planning Commission at its June 2nd meeting discussed and recommended approval of the Conditional Use Permit, since the majority of other properties in the area are commercial businesses. After the hearing was closed, the council approved the Conditional Use Permit.

Mayor Poeschel then declared the Public Hearing on the Conditional Use Permit to operate a tree nursery at 11 Hewett Street. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented the application, public notice of this public hearing was in the Clark County Press and area landowners were notified.

Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the Planning Commission at its June 2nd meeting discussed and recommended to deny the permit to operate a tree nursery at 11 Hewett Street, due to concerns about traffic, truck traffic and opening a residential area to commercial. Director of Public Works Friemoth presented a letter from a resident opposing the granting of a Conditional Use Permit.

Another individual stated that he is against granting a Conditional Use Permit, it really involves two properties both 11 and 15 Hewett Street. He said he is concerned about the drug records found on CCAP and that this is a residential area. After the hearing was closed, the Council approved to deny the Conditional Use Permit for the tree nursery.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated she was asked to look at the City’s Combustible Storage ordinances. She could find nothing technically wrong; the City can be more restrictive than the State.

She asked if they want to follow the State statutes exactly? For example, the State allows more for the maximum number of gallons to be stored. The State covers both rural farm areas as well as urban areas. Do you want a higher amount?

Council Member Dan Clough asked what the higher amount is? City Attorney Wachsmuth stated 60 gallons, while the City is 15 gallons, there are also differences with tanks and underground storage. The State doesn’t differentiate between rural and urban.

Council Member Julie Counsell stated that she was more concerned about containers when she brought it up. Council Member Clough stated Russell’s might have more than 15 gallons. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the ordinance doesn’t break down residential or commercial.

Council Member Counsell asked for written recommendations. City Attorney Wachsmuth stated that she cannot tell the Council what residential gallons should be. Council Member Counsell asked for a comparison. What are the differences between State statutes and City ordinances? We may need to split the number of gallons allowed in residential and commercial. Could we get the comparison a few days before the meeting to have time to review?

City Clerk Rex Roehl presented the 2022 Recycling Grant funds received from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $9,938.49, compared to $9,977.16 in 2021. The Council approved the funds.

Mayor Poeschel presented a request from the Heritage Days Committee to extend the hours at Schuster Park under ordinance Section 7-8-4(a) and (c) to 1:00 A.M. and the noise hours to 12:30 A.M. to allow the bands to play on Friday, July 8th and Saturday, July 9th in Schuster Park for the Heritage Days events. The Council approved the request.

Council Member Neville presented a request on behalf of the Heritage Days Committee to close several streets throughout the Heritage Days weekend for events. On Thursday, July 7th, they would close West Street-from W. Fifth Street to W. Sixth Street.

On Friday, July 8th, they would close Boon Boulevard-from the North Legion Hall driveway to Lucille Lane, Willow Street-from Elm Street to Country Club Stairway. On Saturday, July 9th, they would close Willow Street-from Elm Street to County Club Stairway.

On Sunday, July 10th, they would close West Street-from W. Fourth Street to W. Sixth Street W. Fifth Street-from Hewett Street to the Dollar Tree parking Lot entrance, W. Sixth Street-from Hewett Street to Grand Avenue, Hewett Street-from Division Street to W. Eighth Street. The Council approved the closures.

Mayor Poeschel also presented David Harnisch’s letter of resignation from the Beautification Committee and the Council accepted the resignation. The Council also approved an ordinance that reads “all person in the City, when called upon by any police officer or peace officer, shall promptly aid and assist as required pursuant to the terms of §946.40, Wis. Stats., subject to the general penalty provisions of this Code of Ordinances.”

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski reported on trainings, receiving a donated radar unit from the Belleville Police Department, squad car maintenance, May citations, complaints, business checks and activities, assisting the Lake Delton Police Department on May 21st with festival activities-payment for services was received, attending Memorial Day City events.

Council Member Clough reminded everyone about the City-wide garage sale days on June 16th, 17th, 18th and Farm Technology Days on July 12th, 13th, 14th by Loyal. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that the Department will be helping out during the three-day Farm Technology event.

During appearances, a resident stated the City is overrun with cats; she sees cats in her yard; there are trap/neuter or spay/release programs, but there is a cost. Cats are a problem and something has got to be done. She suggested Chris Straight from Regional Planning help with writing grants.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the May 23, 2022 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• Discussion on codifying the Personnel Committee in the City’s Ordinances;
• Discussion on wages, benefits and personnel items;
• And a closed session on Police Union contract negotiations.

Council Member Clough reported on the May 25, 2022 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on Local Historic Preservation Commission Registry signage for the Merchants Hotel property, 105 W. Seventh Street;
• Discussion on the Historic Preservation Action Plan;
• Discussion on putting together a list source of possible grants or loan assistance;
• Discussion on contacting the State of Wisconsin for grants for currently listed properties in need of repair or improvement;
• Discussion on involvement in City projects;
• Report on conferences, webinars and seminars available;
• Reviewed fund balances;
• And approaching the City to make the annual Historic Preservation budget a non-lapsing fund.

Council Member Neville reported on the June 2, 2022 meeting of the Dog Ordinance Committee regarding:

• Discussion on the current dog ordinance definitions-harboring or keeping, adding state statutes reference for cruel, redefining vicious dog;
• Discussion on rabies vaccination and kennel licenses;
• Discussion on keeping of exotic or dangerous animals, removing the pitbull portion, dogs running at large, nuisance dogs;
• Discussion on rewording of the restriction on keeping of animals;
• Discussion on impoundment of animals and a pound fee;
• And discussion on cats, parks, surrendering animals, rewording determination of when an animal should be put down and property damage wording.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the June 2, 2022 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:

• Appearances on the Swiderski project and dog park;
• Discussion on and recommendation to approve a Conditional Use Permit to operate an acupuncture clinic at 901 E. Division Street, Parcel No. 261.1409.000, since the majority of other properties in the area are commercial businesses-Judy Schmidt, owner and applicant;
• Discussion on and recommendation to deny a Conditional Use Permit to operate a tree nursery at 11 Hewett Street, Parcel No. 261.1308.000 due to concerns about traffic, truck traffic and opening a residential area to commercial-Christopher Mazola, applicant and Vickie Grap, owner;
• Discussion on a dog park-costs, possible locations, determining wants/needs and referral to the Parks and Recreation Board to look into it further;
• Discussion on the S.C. Swiderski addition, Highway 10 redevelopment in 2026 and type of housing construction citizens want;
• And discussion on a Columbarium (a structure for urns) and referral to the Board of Cemetery Commissioners.

Council Member Neville reported on the June 2 and 9, 2022 meetings of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Financial report;
• Discussion on and request for extended park hours at Schuster Park on July 8 and 9, 2022 until 1:00 A.M.;
• Discussion on tent setup, lighting, advertising, banner, donation letter and sponsors;
• Update on security;
• Discussion on partnership with Strike Time Lanes with their Veterans Fest fundraiser for Every Third Saturday (a non-profit organization)-no action taken;
• Financial report;
• And discussion on tent setup, advertising, yard signs ordered, golf outing, pottery, mini rodders, posters and food vendors.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the June 8, 2022 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:

• Met at the Gazebo to discuss the Main Street area and first impression when some one drives through the community;
• Looking to consider a theme (music history, logging/lumber industry);
• Discussion on maintenance of the Gazebo and Town Square benches;
• Discussion on banners;
• Discussion on flowers;
• Discussion on donation letters and mailing;
• Proceeding to Prock Park to meet with Joe and Michelle Kranz, Kranzation Metal Design, to discuss an arch over the rock with Prock Park on both sides;
• Authorized Kranzation Metal Design to draw up plans for an arch as discussed;
• And discussion on taller shrubs and flowers.

Council Member Clough reported on the June 14, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.

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