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Neillsville City Council Discusses Police Department Vehicle

Thursday, December 15th, 2022 -- 12:00 PM

The Neillsville Common Council discussed the Police Department’s Chevy Tahoe.

Neillsville Police Chief Jim Mankowski reported the Chevy Tahoe broke down during an out-of-county mental health transport. The estimated repair cost of $7,000 to $8,500 exceeds the vehicle’s value. The vehicle has been taken out of service.

City Clerk Rex Roehl stated that Chief of Police Mankowski has found a 2017 Ford Explorer with a police package at a cost of $24,755. He is requesting permission to replace the Chevy Tahoe.

City Clerk Roehl presented a 2022 Budget Amendment Transfer Request to Transfer from Health Insurance, savings because of Police Officer vacancy, to Police Auto. This is a one-time opportunity to adjust these funds without impacting either the 2022 or 2023 budget negatively.

The Council did approve the purchase. The Council also approved to authorize a 2022 Budget Amendment Transfer from Health Insurance Expense ($-27,000) to Police Auto ($+27,000).

The Council also accepted the recommendation to authorize the Clark County Planning, Zoning and Land Information Department to do complete CSM reviews for the City of Neillsville. City Clerk Roehl also presented the 2023 dental insurance contract renewal from Delta Dental.

The Single Plan remains the same at $38.50 per month. The Employee + Spouse Plan remains the same at $77.00 per month. The Employee + Children Plan remains the same at $78.50 per month. The Family Plan remains the same at $128.52 per month. The Council approved the renewal.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth read the Final resolution for curb and gutter assessment on Hewett Street (Eighteenth Street to Nineteenth Street). There is only one owner affected, the rest of the project is replacement at the City’s cost. The Council approved the resolution.

Chief of Police Mankowski also requested a moment of silence in memory of Retired Police Chief Lawrence “Larry” Hadzima who passed away on November 23, 2022. Hadzima served a Chief of Police from 1981 to 1983.

He then reported on trainings, interviewed two individual for Other Part-Time positions with background investigations to begin, the Chevy Tahoe broke down, November parking enforcement, citations, warnings, compliments, complaints, office activities, business checks and activities, and a meeting with the Town of Mentor Board and citizens to explain police services provided.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported that the Winter 2022 edition of BenchMarks, a publication of Marshfield Clinic Health Systems, highlights two local families (The Joann and Wayne Voss family and Wayne and Peggy Gross family) and highlights the importance of the Neillsville facility. A resident in attendance also had a question about property taxes during the appearances portion of the meeting.

The Council also heard the various Committee Reports. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the November 22nd meeting of the Tourism Commission regarding:

  • Discussion on and approved changes to the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce reminder letters to room tax grant recipients;
  • Discussion on the City Attorney’s review of room tax grant eligibility requirements per state statutes;
  • Discussion on and approved changes to the 2023 room tax grant application;
  • Discussion on and set publication date for the 2023 room tax grant announcement as January 11, 2023;
  • And discussion on and set meeting date to award room tax grants as March 14, 2023.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel reported on the November 29, 2022 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding:

  • A closed session for interviewing candidates for Other Part-Time Police Officer positions;
  • Reconvening into open session;
  • Offered a candidate an Other Part-Time position with a one-year probationary period based on successful background checks;
  • And offered a candidate an Other Part-Time position with a one-year probationary period based on successful completion of the Law Enforcement Academy and successful background checks.

Council Member Joe Neville reported on the December 5, 2022 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding:

  • Discussion on the Community’s use of the Hockey Rink;
  • Formation of an Ad Hoc Committee to further discuss the details of the Hockey Rink-Committee members: Jon Counsell, Allie Dickinson, Luke Friemoth, Sue Voigt and Jerilyn St. Amand;
  • Update regarding Listeman Foundation funding for the park;
  • Updated on Listeman Park ballfield;
  • Update on pickleball court at Listeman Park and available funding;
  • And update on a splash pad at Cliff’s Park, grants and fundraising (estimated cost- $300,000 to $400,000).

Council Member Clough reported on the December 13, 2022 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

  • Current activities;
  • And recommendation to authorize the Clark County Planning, Zoning and Land Information Department to do complete CSM reviews for the City of Neillsville.

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