Neillsville City Council Continues Discussion on Combustible Material Ordinance

Friday, July 1st, 2022 -- 12:00 PM

The Neillsville City Council discussed the combustible material ordinance.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth presented the combustible material ordinance State Statute (Chapter168) and Wisconsin Administrative Code (ATCP 93) comparison as requested.

Wachsmuth stated they don’t break down their codes by zoning types (residential, commercial, etc.), they regulate more by type (use, business use, storage size).

It is extremely difficult to find something to match. Wachsmuth suggested adopting the State Code, since it has changed multiple times over the years. The City could be more restrictive than the State.

Council Member Dan Clough stated that the comparison was excellent, overall adopting that State Statutes is the way to go. Sec. 3-4-6 Storage of Combustible Materials could include a pile of wood.

Council Member John Perrine stated that you can’t even buy a metal gas can anymore. Council Member Julie Counsell stated she likes going with the State Statute, but could we put in number of gallons so people would know.

Wachsmuth stated that the State is always changing and they don’t break it down by residential use. Wachsmuth stated the ordinance would have the State Statutes references. She will prepare the proposed ordinance for the next meeting.

The Council approved the recommendation to allow the transfer and reconveyance from Vickie Grap of Grave 5, Lot 24, Division Z, W ½, Map of 1969 to the City of Neillsville at the original purchase price of $350.

The Council also accepted the recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt street paving bid for the Local Road Improvement Program project (Hewett Street from W. Eighteenth Street through W. Nineteenth Street) in the amount of $112.90 per ton.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel presented Erik Backlund’s Letter of Resignation as a City Police Officer, which the Council accepted and thanked him for his service. Mayor Poeschel swore in Derek R. Wheatley as a City Police Officer.

Fire Chief Matt Meyer stated the City is in the market for a new fire truck. They have contacted three vendors-Rosenbauer, South Dakota; Darley, Chippewa Falls; and Pierce, Appleton. We are currently waiting on prices.

There are two types of fire trucks: a Commercial truck (a dump truck or box truck)-they currently are having a hard time getting the chassis and are reluctant to give a price, they have a two year plus wait time; a custom cab truck has a 24 to 26 month wait, it is higher priced, but looking at a 40-year life.

The Department has been doing a lot of planning and thinking about the future growth of the City, possible merger of departments (City/Rural or other municipalities). Prices are going up about 11 ½% per year. Greenwood and Colby have purchased Pierce trucks within the last year.

They continue to shop and hope to get prices back by mid to late July. City Clerk Rex Roehl reported that the Wisconsin Department of Revenue on behalf of the U.S. Treasury Department distributed the American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to non-entitlement units, the 2022 payment of $126,073.27 was received on June 21st and placed in a separate bank account.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a certified letter from the Wisconsin Profession Police Association opening contract negotiations for the City of Neillsville Professional Police Association.

City Clerk Roehl stated that the trailer park is in the process of being sold. Council Member Counsell asked about the new owner and if everything was in compliance. City Clerk Roehl stated the application lists a telephone number and Milwaukee address.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski stated that it was a battle last time the trailer park changed hands to get them into compliance, as of today they are in compliance; the new owner should come before the Council and let us know his plans and intentions.

City Attorney Wachsmuth stated to make sure he understands the City will hold his license. City Clerk Roehl stated the current license expires June 30th. What happens next; are they evicted? Discussion on a temporary license period and having Chief of Police Mankowski contact the new owner, which the Council approved.

The Council also heard the various committee reports. Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the June 13th and 27th meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• Review and discussion on the City Attorney’s comments on codifying the Personnel Committee in the City’s Ordinances;
• Discussed Police Union contract and benefit review;
• Discussion on and changes to the City Custodian vacancy advertisement;
• Discussion on codifying the Personnel Committee in the City’s Ordinances;
• Discussion on human resources/personnel policies and procedures currently in place;
• And received a letter opening Police Union contract negotiations from the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

Mayor Poeschel presented the June 15th meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding:

• A closed session on the vacant Full-time officer position;
• Reconvening into open session;
• And the hiring of Derek Wheatley as a Full-time Police Officer with a one- year probation period.

Council Member Joe Neville reported on the June 16th and 23rd meetings of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Discussion on food trucks, shirts, parade letter, parade giveaways and bike giveaways;
• Discussion on banners and signs;
• And discussion on golf outing, food vendors, parade, mini rodders and Miss Neillsville.

Council Member Neville reported on the June 16th meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding:

• Payment of bills;
• Current activities-the Smokey the Bear sign is up, changing out light bulbs to LED as needed, fixed a leaky toilet and the Girl Scouts held a brat feed fundraiser;
• And discussion on and approval of insurance renewal without terrorism amendment.

Council Member Clough reported on the June 22nd 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 cooperation with the Beautification Committee on City projects;
• Discussion on creating a flyer of possible grant and loan assistance sources;
• Approaching the City to make the annual Historic Preservation a non-lapsing fund;
• Discussion on workshops and seminars;
• And reviewed fund balances.

Council Member Neville reported on the June 23rd meeting of the Dog Ordinance Committee regarding:

• Discussion on definitions of dangerous dog and nuisance dog;
• Discussion on findings and recommendations;
• Discussion on a fee for a nuisance dog;
• And sending recommended ordinance changes to the City Attorney and Chair Neville for review.

Council Member Clough reported on the June 23, 2022 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding:

• Discussion on and recommendation to allow the transfer and reconveyance from Vickie Grap of Grave 5, Lot 24, Division Z, W ½, Map of 1969 to the City of Neillsville at the original purchase price of $350;
• Discussion on Sec. 4-5-10 of the Cemetery Ordinance which prohibits construction of vaults and mausoleums;
• Discussion on Columbariums, contacting Marshfield Monument for information-no action taken;
• Discussion on the Cemetery Fee Schedule, increasing costs, checking with other communities-no action taken;
• And current activities.

Council Member Clough reported on the June 28th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Current activities;
• Reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) and recommendation that Resolution No. 617 be adopted;
• Discussion on and recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt street paving bid for the Local Road Improvement Program project (Hewett Street from W. Eighteenth Street through W. Nineteenth Street) in the amount of $112.90 per ton;
• And payment of bills.

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