Neillsville City Council Approves Zoning Amendment and More

Friday, February 16th, 2024 -- 11:01 AM

The Neillsville Common Council held a public hearing for a zoning amendment at 510 W. Fifth Street.

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 January 25th, meeting discussed and recommended approval of the Zoning Amendment.

There were no appearances at the hearing. The Council then approved changing the zoning at 510 W. Fifth Street from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-3 Multi-Family Residential.

The Council also approved a resolution extending TID 2. State law requires termination of a TID after all project costs have been paid, which it has in this case, but it does allow extension of a TID up to one year, using the last year of tax increment to improve the City’s housing stock.

Also, at least 75 percent of the final increment must benefit affordable housing with the remaining portion used to improve housing stock. The Council approved extending TID 2 for 10 months from the date of this resolution to use the final year’s increment collected in 2024 from the 2023 tax roll to benefit affordable housing.

Also, the City of Neillsville shall use the final increment to improve housing quality and affordability putting the monies in the City CDBG Housing program for granting no interest loans to low-to-moderate income families/individuals to maintain and repair their houses.

The Council also approved a resolution petitioning the State Secretary of Transportation for Airport Improvement Aid. The Council also approved to accept the recommendation to hire Debbie Winder for the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer/Deputy IT position at $17.50 per hour for 30 hours per week and $18.00 per hour after the probation period.

The City Clerk reported on receiving a $1,000 grant from the Clark County Community Foundation, Inc. for Beautification Committee seasonal decorations, which was approved by the Council.

The Council also denied a request from a resident to keep chickens at 10 Clay Street as she doesn’t own the property. However, they did give that resident permission to have up to five hens at the location, but only if she gets permission from the owner of the property to have chickens.

The Council also discussed the Addendum to Property Use Agreement dated November 16th of 2006 between the City of Neillsville and Neillsville Hockey Association n/k/a Clark County Youth Hockey, Inc. and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Addendum.

Council Member Bill Neville asked about upkeep on the facility. An outside window is broken and pieces of glass and plastic are lying around. Who is responsible? Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the original agreement states the Hockey Association is to maintain, but they have been unable to get funding. Some of the panels need repairs.

The Hockey Association is Winter use activity dependent on weather conditions. Spring, Summer and Fall the City has use. The primary hockey program is in Black River Falls and the Neillsville facility is used for ice skating. Council Member Dan Clough stated this Addendum is for shared use of the facility. In the end, the Council approved the Addendum.

The Council also heard the various reports from the past couple weeks. Chief of Police Jim Mankowski reported on:

• Trainings,
• January parking enforcements,
• Citations,
• Warnings,
• Incidents,
• Office activity,
• Calls,
• Officer activity,
• Business patrols,
• Citizen interaction,
• And Town of Mentor contract policing.

During the appearances portion of the meeting, a resident stated that she is here regarding the proposed baseball diamond addition to Listeman Park. She understands that the fundraising is going well, her grandsons use the playground.

Her concerns are will the playground equipment remain safe and accessible? Will there be a public hearing on this? Has there been an analysis? Do we really need another ballfield? Is it feasible?

Has an environmental study been done as that area drains down to the trout pond? There are concerns about the need for more parking, noise and light pollution (the older folks at home go to bed early). Has a sports complex been looked at?

There were a couple items on the agenda that Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated needed no action. The items in question were regarding sidewalk encroachment and obstructions, like benches and flower pots, and portable signs in the downtown district.

These items were on the agenda because of two letters received anonymously complaining about the portable signs downtown and sidewalk encroachments. During the appearances portion of the meeting several residents spoke on the topic.

Mayor Poeschel presented a petition from downtown business owners signed by 300+ customers who support them. The signs, benches and flower pots enhance the downtown and let them know our businesses are open for business.

Another resident stated that the small signs next to the curbs are not an obstruction. It lets people know they are trying to revitalize the business district. The benches are a nice addition and welcoming.

Another resident stated she doesn’t understand someone worrying about these benches, while she is trying to avoid the potholes. She said this person has too much time, it is pathetic, and these unique signs and things are good. They give us uniqueness, a hometown feel. People should worry more about drugs, crimes and our underpaid police department.

Finally, another resident questioned the obstruction complaint. She said our sidewalks are not being blocked. We have ordinances and statutes to regulate them. Does the complaint have merit? It is in the City’s best interest to support our businesses.

It is the business owner’s responsibility to repair their sidewalk, remove snow and ice. She said we need to stand up against this nonsense. The people present at this meeting show support for our businesses.

The Council heard the various Committee Reports. Council Member Bill Neville reported on the January 23rd meeting of the Library Board regarding:

• Librarians’ reports;
• The LED interior lighting project is complete;
• Discussion on and accepted the exterior building painting quote from Steve Travis;
• Discussion on and filed the Director’s performance review;
• Discussion on K-9 therapy dog testing and Paws to Read program;
• Discussion on WVLS annual report;
• Payment of bills;
• Updates on donation and carryover funds;
• And community events.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the January 23rd meeting of the Grants Committee regarding:

• Review and updating the list of grants in progress;
• Discussion on TIF District No. 2 balance and closing;
• And discussion on and recommendation to approve the TIF District Affordable Housing Extension Resolution for TID No. 2.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the January 24th meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding:

• Discussion on ways to attract and retain good police officers;
• And discussion on Police and Fire Commission procedures and bylaws.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the January 24th meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:

• Discussion and accepted the 2024 flower estimates from Reit’s Garden Center in the amount of $2,936;
• Discussion on Military banners;
• Discussion on Winter decorations;
• And discussion on receiving a Clark County Community Foundation grant of a $1,000 for seasonal decorations.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the January 25th meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:

• Discussion on and recommendation to approve a Resolution Petitioning the Secretary of Transportation for Airport Improvement Aid be approved;
• Discussion on and recommendation to approve a Zoning Amendment on Parcel No. 261.1073.000 (510 W. Fifth Street) to change the zoning from R-1 Single Family Residential to R-1 Multi-Family Residential;
• And discussion on the S.C. Swiderski Development project in the Boon Subdivision.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the January 31st meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• A closed session regarding reviewing Workers Compensation claim by a firefighter;
• Reconvening into open session;
• Turning over items discussed in closed session to Weld Riley;
• Discussion on combining the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer position and Deputy IT positions;
• The recommendation to hire Debbie Winder for the Assistant Clerk-Treasurer/Deputy IT position at $17.50 per hour at 30 hours per week and $18.00 per hour after the probation period;
• Discussion on and updating the employee letter to communicate employee compensation information;
• And discussion on and sending the Employee Handbook to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance for review.

Council Member Clough reported on the February 13th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.

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