Neillsville City Council Discusses State and Federal Aid for the Neillsville Airport

Friday, March 15th, 2024 -- 3:01 PM

The Neillsville City Council held a public hearing regarding State and Federal Aid for Improvements at the Neillsville Airport.

Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth stated that public notice of this public hearing was in the Clark County Press and the first reading of this resolution was done at the February 13th Common Council meeting.

Jeff Gaier, Airport Management Services, stated that in order to get State and Federal funding the City has to go through a petitioning process listing a wish list of things being considered. This list includes five things they would really like to do. The 100% COVID funding would be about $300,000 which could be utilized. He supports the resolution adoption.

Wayne Short, airport user and plane owner for over 40 years, stated that it is encouraging to see the hangers filled up and airport usage picking up. The taxiway has a pothole, which the City has filled, but attention is needed. He supports this resolution.

Council Member Dan Clough asked if any correspondence or communication was received. Director of Public Works Friemoth replied none were received.

Council Member Bill Neville asked about the funding. Jeff Gaier stated that Federal projects are usually 90/5/5 (Federal 90%, State 5%, City 5%); and State projects are usually 80/20 (State 80%, City 20%).

However, the COVID BIL funding amount is 100%, about $150,000 over two years or $300,000. The Council approved the resolution. The Council also approved to close the Dog Park account and return the funds back to the original donors, if possible.

The Council also had a discussion on an additional baseball diamond at Listeman Park. Council Member Julie Counsell stated the plan does not give any funding. Where is the money coming from? What is the budget associated with it? How much is on hand? What about the toys?

Director of Public Works Friemoth stated there are 15 toys, 10 will be moved and 1 gotten rid of. They would be strung out in a line from the parking lot along E. Fifteenth Street. Jake Ormond stated that they currently have $140,000 on hand. The Phase 1 and 2 cost is estimated at $300,000.

They are still getting prices on fencing and excavation. Fundraising started mid-October, there has not been a big push yet. Phase 2 would not start until Phase 1 is done. Council Member Barb Petkovsek stated redoing of the existing ball diamond would be done without cost to the City.

Jake Ormond stated the infield mix would be replaced with the proper sand/silt/clay mixture and fence replaced as part of Phase 2. It would also make maintenance easier with fence underlay for weed whacking. Council Member Counsell asked about impact to the pond.

Jake Ormond stated that he is working with the DNR to get through the permitting process because they will be disturbing more than an acre. They are pushing two acres. Council Member Petkovsek stated she supports this project.

It is a small piece of economic development; Neillsville is known for its athletic facilities and this is an enhancement to children’s activities. Council Member Counsell asked how the two diamonds play into the School?

Jake Ormond stated that the School has three diamonds: a varsity baseball field, a varsity softball field and a junior varsity field. They are all in full use and there is a shortage of field space.

Council Member Clarrissa Rochester asked with the playground along the road, would a fence be put up? Director of Public Works Friemoth asked what the expectations are for the City crews involvement with trees removed?

There are a lot of nuisance trees and tree roots in the play area. There would be 18 trees to drop and brush to haul; it would take about a week. Council Member Counsell stated that the City doesn’t do stump removal.

Jake Ormond stated the excavator would remove the stumps. Council Member Rochester stated the playground belongs to the City; the City should help remove the trees. Council Member Counsell asked if the toys would be pulled out for a while? Director of Public Works Friemoth replied “yes”.

Council Member Petkovsek asked if there would be enough toilet stalls? Jake Ormond stated that the School only has two restrooms, the park has two restrooms and, if needed, port-a-potties can be rented.

Council Member Counsell stated with this done, will it belong to the City? Mayor Dewey Poeschel replied “yes”. The Council approved adding an additional baseball field-Phase 1 to Listeman Park. The Council also approved the termination of one of their Tax Incremental Districts as it has met its criteria.

Mayor Poeschel presented the School District of Neillsville request to use, and temporarily close, City streets for the annual Homecoming Parade scheduled for September 20th, 2024 from School on E. Fourth Street to Hewett Street to E. Sixth Street to Court Street to E. Fifth Street to East School Street. The Council approved the request.

Mayor Poeschel presented a request from Mark Jones, Abby Vans, Inc., requesting permission to add two additional driveways at 1115 W. Fourth Street. The driveways would be on the east side of the property, one on W. Fourth Street and one on W. Fifth Street, to accommodate delivery trucks.

Discussion followed on driveway on the Fifth Street hill, concerns about turning into traffic, this being a commercial property, culverts, etc. Council Member Clough made a motion to approve the request as long as the driveways conform to highway standards, but it didn’t receive a second, so the motion died. Council Member Clough then motioned to table the request until the next meeting, which did receive a second, and it was approved.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, a resident thanked Police Officer Issac Guyer for going above and beyond the call of duty on February 17th when he accompanied her father’s significant other to the hospital and his assurance to her and the family at the time of her father’s death. Chief of Police Jim Mankowski stated that Officer Guyer would be receiving a Citizens Award certificate and merit badge for his uniform.

Chief of Police Mankowski reported on:

• Trainings;
• Purchasing a two-way radio and desktop computer;
• February parking enforcements, citations, warnings, incidents, office activity, business patrols, citizen interactions;
• Town of Mentor contract policing.

Another resident talked about the baseball diamond at Listeman Park to ensure that all things are considered like moving the playground, removing trees, more parking. It’s been said there would be no cost to the taxpayer, but if the City helps remove the trees, there is a cost. Do projects over $50,000 have to be bid out? Do things the right way, look at the hidden costs.

The Council then heard the various Committee Reports. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the February 27th meeting of the Grants Committee regarding:

• Review and updating the list of grants in progress;
• And the WI Department of Revenue has accepted and approved the TIF District Affordable Housing Extension for TID No. 2.

Council Member Rochester reported on the February 29th meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Financial report;
• Discussion on ideas for new events and games;
• Update on donation letters;
• Discussion on posters;
• Discussion on Street closures;
• Discussion on Grand Marshall;
• Discussion on parade theme;
• And discussion on shirts and can coolers-color and design.

Council Member Neville reported on the March 1st joint Parks and Recreation Board and Planning Commission regarding:

• Discussion on an additional baseball field for Listeman Park;
• Parks and Recreation Board’s recommendation to the Planning Commission adding an additional baseball field to Listeman Park;
• Discussion on and recommendation to the Common Council to close the Dog Park account and return the funds back to the original donors, if possible;
• The Parks and Recreation Board adjourned;
• The Planning Commission left Listeman Park reconvening at the City Hall with all members present;
• Discussion on the proposed additional baseball field at Listeman Park-Phase 1, 2 and 3;
• The Planning Commission’s recommendation to the Common Council to approve adding an additional baseball field-Phase 1 to Listeman Park;
• Update and discussion on the S.C. Swiderski Development project and draft developer’s agreement.

Council Member Clough reported on the March 12th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities Commission regarding:

• Current activities;
• And opening, discussion on and recommendation to accept the American Asphalt of Wisconsin, Mosinee, asphalt bid in the amount of $120.10 per ton for 3-inch mill and overlay on W. Fifth Street, $156.60 per ton for full width road paving and $134.80 per ton for patch paving.

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