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Neillsville Common Council Discusses Rezoning, Park Bench Plaques, and More

Friday, April 28th, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

The Neillsville Common Council held a Public Hearing on the Zoning Amendment from R1 Single Family Residential to a mixture of R3 Multi-Family Residential and GC General Commercial.

The Zoning Amendment is for several parcels in the Boon Subdivision for the Swiderski buildings. Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth presented the application and public notice of this public hearing was in the Clark County Press and area landowners were notified.

Director of Public Works Friemoth stated the Planning Commission at its April 20th meeting discussed and recommended approval of the zoning amendment. A representative from Swiderski gave a presentation on SCS-Neillsville-presenting their team and goals.

The locations include Boon Boulevard, Lucille Lane and Rock Road, for six single family homes, 114 storage units, and 52 multi-family units. They have a property manager on site and their own maintenance and leasing staff.

The multi-family units will be either 1, 2, or 3 bedroom (heavier on the two bedroom units). The units will have private entrances and laundry facilities, Swiderski pays for the heat, the tenant has an electric bill, and the rent rate is market rate ranging from $1,100 to $1,775.

The Council approved the Zoning Amendment. The Council then discussed park bench dedication plaques. Council Member Barb Petkovsek stated the benches have a ten-year warranty and, as part of the fundraiser for the $500 donation per bench, you get a dedication plaque.

The Council approved the recommendation to allow park bench dedication plaques to be put on the park benches. The Council also discussed the sale of a section of Schuster Park land to the Neillsville Country Club.

Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the portion of land the Neillsville Country Club is interested in is not useable by the Parks Department. The City would keep enough area around the park entrance to maintain it.

Currently, the Country Club’s ramp and ventilation ductwork is right on the property line. The Council approved the sale of a section of Schuster Park land, adjacent to the Country Club near the South park entrance, at market price to the Neillsville Country Club pending a survey.

The Council also approved the asphalt bid from American Asphalt of Wisconsin, out of Mosinee, in the amount of $109.90 per ton for full width road paving and $165 per ton for patch paving.

The Council also discussed filling the Recreation Director position as it will be left vacant with the retirement of Judy Lindner. The Council approved filling the position by using the paper, social media, etc.

During the communications portion of the meeting, Council Member Dan Clough reported that the Emerald Ash Borer has been confirmed found in the City. Neillsville Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the First Quarter 2023:

  • Attending the Clark County Emergency Services meeting at the Courthouse;
  • Providing a tanker for the polar plunge;
  • Ordering the 4th of July fireworks;
  • Providing a truck for the State wrestlers;
  • Attending the Community Fire Hall Board and Rural Fire Association quarterly meetings;
  • Hiring five new firefighters: Taylor Hill, Isaac Balderas, Logan Oldham, Quentin Fausett and Trevor Taubenheim;
  • Four have completed the training to enter buildings;
  • The Department responded to 9 calls: 6-Rural: 2 one-car accidents, a debris fire, a gas stove fire and 2 lift assists; and 3-City: a canceled en-route, a lift assist and removal of a dead dog which drowned in the Listeman pond;
  • The equipment is in good shape and the new truck will be here in 18 months.

Council Member Julie Counsell stated that the Tourism Commission was discussed and postponed at the annual meeting. She had provided names for consideration. Reviewing the State Statutes and City ordinances, the individuals have to be citizens of the City of Neillsville, meaning they live within the City or elected officials. The process needs to be finished.

The Council also heard the Committee Reports from the past couple weeks. Mayor Dewey Poeschel reported on the April 18th, 2023 meeting of the Board of Health regarding:

  • Health Officer Bakker’s City annual health report and activities for 2022 and 2023;
  • Discussion on cleaning up properties;
  • And discussion on and approval that each Council Member do an individual tour of their Ward with the Director of Public Works.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the April 11th, 2023 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

  • Discussion on and recommended the acceptance of Judy Lindner’s Letter of Resignation for Retirement effective July 1, 2023;
  • Discussion on the process to fill the Recreation Director’s position and drafting a job description;
  • Update on the Employee Handbook updates;
  • Presentation by Matt Becker, CEO of the League of Mutual Insurance Company, as to the no cost services available to the City, the League has retained Stafford Rosenbaum as attorneys to assist policyholders and how to contact them on various matters for advice;
  • And discussion on sample job descriptions.

Council Member Clough reported on the April 19th, 2023 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

  • Discussion on starting the survey of needs in both Downtown Historic Districts;
  • Discussion on finalizing the new Self-Guided Cemetery Tour in coordination with the 1897 Clark County Jail Museum;
  • Discussion on shared materials/brochures from the WI Historic Preservation Commission;
  • Discussion on communication with real estate agents, bankers and insurance agents on historic property owners options and responsibilities;
  • And reviewed fund balances.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 20th, 2023 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:

  • Discussion on and recommendation to approve an Amendment to zoning from R1 Single Family Residential to a mixture of R3 Multi-Family Residential and GC General Commercial;
  • Discussion on Prock Park updates;
  • Discussion on raising funds for park bench replacements in the Gazebo and Town Square Park and the recommendation to approve allowing park bench dedication plaques to be put on the park benches;
  • And iscussion on and recommendation to approve the sale of a section of Schuster Park land (adjacent to the Country Club near the South park entrance) at market price to the Neillsville Country Club pending a survey.

Council Member Joe Neville reported on the April 20th, 2023 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

  • Discussion on the bands line up, kids games and advertising;
  • Discussion on and approval of Judy Lindner as the Grand Marshal;
  • Discussion on and approval of the 2023 theme-Recreation, the Heart of the Community;
  • Discussion on vendors, shirts, sponsorships, beer vendors and brands; And discussion with the Friends of the Black River regarding a kids’ fishing event during Neillsville Heritage Days.

Council Member Clough reported on the April 25th, 2023 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

Election of Council Member Clough as Commission Chair;

  • Current activities;
  • Opening, discussion on and recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amount of $109.90 per ton for full width road paving and $165.00 per ton for patch paving;
  • And payment of bills.

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