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Neillsville City Council Approves Changes to Ordinances Regarding Cemeteries

Thursday, August 18th, 2022 -- 12:00 PM

The Neillsville City Council approved some changes to ordinances regarding the cemeteries.

The Council accepted the recommendation that Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS AND MAUSOLEUMS, be repealed and recreated as Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS, MAUSOLEUMS AND COLUMBARIUMS.

Vaults:

  • Are required for traditional full in ground burials.
  • Are required for decomposable material ash urn/containers in ground burials.
  • Are not required for non-decomposable permanent ash urn/containers in ground burial.

Mausoleums:

  • Are not allowed.

Columbariums:

  • Municipal and private columbariums are allowed with permission from the City.

The City Attorney was directed to draft an ordinance amendment. The Council also accepted the recommendation that SEC. 4-5-4 OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF INTERMENT (d)(1) be amended to remove “of Five ($5.00) Dollars” and the City Attorney was directed to draft an ordinance amendment.

The Council approved the increase of fees for the City Cemetery. For a single, gravel lot purchase:

  • It will cost $500 for regular weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays and holidays; that’s a $150 increase.

For a traditional grave opening:

  • It will cost $450 regular weekdays,
  • $675 for Saturdays,
  • And $900 for Sundays and holidays; that’s a $120 increase.

For a child’s opening:

  • It’s $225 for weekdays,
  • $337.50 for Saturdays,
  • And $450 for Sundays and holidays; that’s an increase of $75.

For stillborn openings:

  • It’s $125 for weekdays,
  • $187.50 for Saturdays,
  • And $250 for Sundays and holidays, which is no increase.

For the burial of ashes:

  • It’s $300 for regular weekdays,
  • $450 for Saturdays,
  • And $600 for Sundays and holidays; that’s an increase of $50.

For disinterment:

  • It’s $525 for regular weekdays,
  • $787.50 for Saturdays,
  • And $1,050 for Sundays and holidays; that’s a $125 increase.

The filing fee for deed transfer is $50, a $30 increase. The staking fee-stone company is $50, a $50 increase. The change will occur on January 1st.

The Council also approved the increase in fees for the Catholic cemetery. For the use of the backhoe:

  • The cost is $125 for regular weekdays,
  • $187.50 for Saturdays,
  • And $250 for Sundays and Holidays; that’s a $35 increase.

If they use the air hammer and/or water pump:

  • It’s $100 for regular weekdays,
  • $150 for Saturdays,
  • And $200 for Sundays and Holidays; that’s a $20 increase.

For snow removal the cost remains the same:

  • $25 for regular weekdays,
  • $37.50 for Saturdays,
  • And $50 for Sundays and Holidays.
  • The change will occur on January 1st.

The Council also accepted the recommendation to grant the High School Football Team parents request to put up a banner on the Fifth Street and Hewett Street intersection with the dates of the home football games on it.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski requested permission to fill the Police Officer vacancy. The Council authorized the Police and Fire Commission to fill the Police Officer vacancy.

Police Officer Hunter Imm presented a request for the Police Department to update its records management system to Core Technology’s TAC.10 RMS Software-TAC 10 RMS Full User. It provides a secure electronic data exchange system between Criminal Justice partners (law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts).

It provides incident and supplement submission, case status and disposition receipt, receipt and delivery notifications and command center exchange log view. Their current system dates to the late 1990’s, relies heavily on paper and going back to the office to use the computer.

Imm has used the program previously in Cadott. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that he has a quote for the software of $7,600 with annual maintenance cost of $3,500. The Clark County Sheriff’s Department is switching January 1, 2023. Colby/Abbotsford and Thorp have already switched.

A bigger concern is the Department’s outdated computer equipment; to make it happen will cost about $20,000. Council Member Barb Petkovsek asked if leasing the hardware was considered instead of an outright purchase.

Chief of Police Mankowski stated he would look into leasing, but they need to write technology and equipment into the budget. Other communities Neillsville’s size have a much larger budget. It is going to be expensive to switch, but it will be more expensive to wait and do it later. The Council approved the system update.

Fire Chief Matt Meyer stated that two proposals were received for a new fire truck. Rosenbauer, South Dakota-$585,862 and Pierce, Appleton-$613,702. Darley, Chippewa Falls did not submit a proposal. This truck will serve them for the next 30 to 40 years.

The Fire Department recommends going with the Pierce truck as it provides more bang for the buck. There will be some additional cost for equipment (hoses, nozzle, radios, etc.) when they switch to the new truck from the 1979 truck. Pierce firetrucks are built in Appleton, WI.

Three payment options are available for the #883 Pierce Enforcer Top Mount Pumper:

  • Advance Payment Discount Purchase – Full payment is made at the time of contract entry less the advance payment discount. ($613,702 - $30,663=$583,039).
  • Chassis Payment Discount Purchase – The chassis is paid for when completed and the balance is paid when the truck is completed. The chassis payment would be $287,734 about 120 days before the truck payment of $317,732 giving a $8,236 discount. ($613,702 - $8,236=$605,466).
  • No Advance Payment Discounts, Payment in Full upon completion. ($613,702).

Another price increase for labor and inflation cost will go in effect on November 1st (about 6.5%). Over the last 3 to 4 years prices have increased 33.9% on the same truck.

City Clerk-Treasurer Rex Roehl stated that the City has $252,146.54 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $162,131.95 in City budget non-lapsing fund for a total cash on hand available of $414,278.49 plus a pledge from the Listeman Foundation of $150,000 over three years bringing the projected funds available to $564,278.49.

The truck will take 27 months to be completed (about November/December 2024). The City will have two budget years (2023 and 2024) to come up with the $41,187.51 balance if Option #2 is selected. The ARPA funds have to be used by December 31, 2024.

The ARPA funds and City budget non-lapsing funds could be used for the chassis down payment. The discount would be more the bigger the down payment made. Council Member Petkovsek asked if there are other grants out there and if the City owns its own firetrucks.

Meyer replied grants are difficult to get and both the City and Rural own their own firetrucks with some vehicles and equipment shared. The Council approved the purchase. Discussion followed on using ARPA funds and City budget non-lapsing funds for the Payment Option #2 Chassis Payment Discount Purchase, which the Council approved.

City Clerk Roehl stated that the Beautification Committee has collected $2,325 in donations for hanging flower baskets/decorations from area businesses and individuals. The Council accepted the donations and thanked the businesses that donated.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $350 donation from the Neillsville Kiwanis Club for flowers in the Sniteman Town Square flower garden. The Council accepted the donation and thanked the Neillsville Kiwanis Club for help in beautifying the City.

Council Member Neville presented a draft of “An Ordinance Amending Portion of Title 7, Chapter 1 Licensing of Dogs and Regulation on Animals” and asked Council Members to look it over and get back to him with any questions, suggestions as changes.

The Dog Ordinance Committee will be meeting to review the draft and make a recommendation. Discussion followed on various sections, holding owners accountable, enforcement, a residents questions on nuisance dog noise and reporting (calls go through the County Dispatch, emails to the Police Department are not read until the office opens, etc.).

Chief of Police Mankowski reported on trainings, one full-time officer vacancy, squad car maintenance, July parking enforcement, citations, compliments, business checks and activities.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the July 25 and August 8, meetings of the Personnel Committee regarding:

  • Discussion on moving forward with human resources policies and manual;
  • A closed session on Police Union contract negotiation proposal and reviewing and interviewing candidates for the City Custodian position;
  • Reconvening into open session to offer position to candidate for the City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour after a successful pre-employment background check;
  • A closed session on Police Union contract negotiations and candidates for the City Custodian position-adjourned in closed session.

Council Member Clough reported on the July 26, 2022 meeting of the Nuisance Ordinance Committee regarding:

  • Review of and discussion on current nuisance ordinances;
  • And identifying and discussion on which ordinances require changes or modifications.

Council Member Clough reported on the July 28, 2022 meeting of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners regarding:

  • Discussion on and recommendation that Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS AND MAUSOLEUMS, be repealed and recreated as Ordinance SECTION 4-5-10 VAULTS, MAUSOLEUMS AND COLUMBARIUMS;
  • Discussion on and recommendation that SEC. 4-5-4 OWNERSHIP RIGHTS OF INTERMENT (d)(1) be amended to remove “of Five ($5.00) Dollars”;
  • Discussion on and recommendation to increase Cemetery fees effective January 1, 2023;
  • And discussion on and recommendation to increase St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery service fees effective January 1, 2023.

Council Member Clough reported on the August 15, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

  • Current activities;
  • And discussion on and recommendation to grant the High School Football Team parents request to put up a banner on the Fifth Street and Hewett Street intersection with the dates of the home football games on it.

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