Neillsville City Council Discusses Homeless Situation

Monday, July 29th, 2024 -- 8:01 AM

The Neillsville City Council discussed the homeless situation in the City at their recent meeting.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski stated that there are two types of homeless: 1) those that are unsheltered (we have about six people) and 2) people who go from place to place.

There was discussion on it being a County Seat problem, having them in public places with children walking past, and lacking restroom facilities. The City can’t set up a City Shelter due to lack of funding and legal concerns.

The root cause of the problem is people being released from probation or incarceration with no place to go. They're trying to figure out a way to work with the Department of Corrections (DOC) and Department of Justice (DOJ).

The City doesn't have squatters, panhandling going on. If these people had a place, you would know where they are. Homeless are moving around with no fixed place. Out by the hockey rink is to far for them to walk to Kwik Trip or fairground showers.

Someone stole a homeless person’s tent (that is not right and if caught will be charged). Discussion continued on Winter time. They bundle up, hang out at the Library or in the laundromat. If you set something up are you enabling them.

What is happening with the Senior Center building? The City is seeing it more often, people get out of jail. Your free to go, but you have no place to go. Mayor Dewey Poeschel asked everyone to give it some thought and research. They need to come up with a solution.

Mayor Poeschel presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce for use of the Heritage Days tent, tables and chairs for a “Business After 5” event on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 in the Industrial Park to showcase our Industrial Park businesses.

Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth stated the tent has been used by a handful of people. Now it is becoming more. It takes a lot of time for set up and take down involving two days, which takes workers away from other work. Holes will have to be drilled to set up the tent.

Discussion followed on six or seven people to set up the tent, taking 3 to 4 hours, drilling holes. Does Mayville Engineering Company (MEC) know this? The industrial park businesses give a lot back to the community. They discussed possibly setting the tent up on the lawn instead of the blacktop.

Could they rent a tent instead? It was stated the need to support our industrial park businesses and promote them. The Council tabled the request for more information. Mayor Poeschel and Director of Public Works Friemoth will meet with those involved.

The Council approved to accept the recommendation to approve the Employee Handbook update with changes made. Council Member Petkovsek offered a friendly amendment effective January 1, 2025 and both Council Members Bill Neville and Dan Clough agreed to the amendment.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported receiving a $1,092.72 donation from the Friends of the Black River, Inc. for improvements to the Neillsville Trout Pond, which the Council approved and thanked the organization for the donation.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $5,000 donation from Unity Bank for the Listeman Park expansion project, which the Council approved and thanked Unity Bank for the donation.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $12,000 donation from the Tews Family for Gazebo restoration, which the Council approved and thanked the Tews Family for their donation.

City Clerk Roehl stated the Beautification Committee has collected $1,900 in donations for hanging baskets/decorations from area businesses and individuals, which the Council approved and thanked the businesses and individuals for helping beautify the City.

City Clerk Roehl presented the Security Health Insurance contract renewal for 2024-2025. The Family active plan premium is remaining the same at $1,961.17 per month-0.0% increase, Single active plan premium is remaining the same at $905.06 per month-0.0% increase. The current deductibles are $6,000 family and $3,000 single. Minor changes to hearing aid batteries and some digital therapies. The Council approved the contract.

Neillsville Fire Chief Matt Myer reported Second Quarter 2024 activities including:

• Attending a Police and Fire Commission meeting,
• Assisting the Clark County Sheriff's Department in cutting apart a vehicle,
• Conducted the semi-annual hose test,
• Attending a Clark County Emergency Services meeting in Curtiss,
• Changing the Smokey Bear sign for fire conditions,
• Conducted a 38 acre controlled burn in the Town of Hewett,
• Attending the groundbreaking for the new Chili Fire Station/Community Center,
• Provided a truck and crew for the Rock Crawlers event at the Fairgrounds,
• Burnt three brush fires,
• Escort and traffic control for the Highground Motorcycle ride,
• Fire inspections,
• Two trucks and equipment for June Dairy breakfast display,
• Filled four pools,
• Attended Community Fire Hall and Rural Fire Board meetings,
• Attended a Personnel Committee meeting,
• Conducted a home inspection for a foster home,
• And lit the 4th of July fireworks at the Fairgrounds and Highground freedom event.

Fire Chief Meyer also reported on responding to 30 calls this quarter (16-Rural and 14-City). The Rural had:

• Four brush/wildland/grass fires,
• One vehicle fire,
• Three motorcycle accidents,
• One ATV accident,
• One two-car accident,
• One one-car accident,
• Three down power lines,
• One cancel enroute to a down power line,
• And one canceled enroute to a Greenwood mutual aid call.

The City had:

• One electrical receptacle fire,
• One car fire,
• One lawnmower fire,
• One smoke odor,
• One truck fallen off jack stand onto a person,
• Three down power lines,
• One carbon monoxide alarm,
• One faulty heat/fire alarm,
• Three lift assists to the Ambulance service and one Coroner assist.

Fire Chief Meyer reported:

• All equipment is in working order,
• The City Engine is needing service,
• The new Engine build was started on June 28th , they will be going over for an inspection in August with completion around the end of September.
• Firefighter interviews were held and four new firefighters will be starting on August 5th.

Library Director Janay Ziebell gave an update on:

• The Summer reading program with 137 children signed up for reading goals,
• A sneak peak on new materials,
• Book club,
• And an author coming in October.

City Clerk Roehl presented:

• The Clark County Clean Sweep on September 6, 2024 at the Neillsville Fairgrounds flyer;
• And a reminder that the August 13, 2024 Council meeting has been moved to August 6, 2024 because of the Partisan Primary Election.

Karen Hurd, State Representative introduced herself-she is running for the 69 th Assembly District. Hurd stated that with the new legislative districts the 69 th Assembly District became open as Representative Rozar was drawn out of district. Hurd moved from Fall Creek into the district to run here. Hurd talked about:

• Homelessness;
• The Maintenance of Effort (MOE) paperwork all municipalities have to file for maintaining the service levels for police, fire and EMS personnel;
• The State bailing Milwaukee out of bankruptcy;
• The Milwaukee pension fund going broke because of borrowing funds and risky investments, ll their new employees have to become part of the Wisconsin Retirement System and the old Milwaukee Retirement System will fade away;
• Milwaukee was allowed to have a sales tax which is now 9% total.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek asked Hurd about the municipal levy limits we have been living under for many years. The limits should be removed-let the City Councils and County Boards handle their own.

Finally, a resident stated that it is good that the Council Members are checking their wards, she has a concern about the homeless population, overflowing dumpsters creating a health concern and someone complaining about her Crime Stopper sign.

The Council also heard the various committee reports from the last couple weeks including Mayor Poeschel presented the July 10th meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding:

• A closed session to interview candidates for firefighter positions;
• Reconvening into open session to hire Kevin Mikos, Bryce Backaus, Brandon Wampole and Logan Erickson as firefighters subject to completion of successful background checks;
• Discussion on and adoption of by-laws;
• And discussion on and adoption of Policies and Procedures.

Council Member Neville presented the July 16th meeting of the Library Board regarding:

• Librarians’ reports;
• Exterior painting project completed,;
• Discussion on concrete repairs;
• Update on Town Square Farmer’s Market Manager duties;
• Discussion on tree stump removal near the East parking lot;
• Discussion on Clark County Library Aid;
• Election of Officers-Graeme Williams-President, Logan Grap-Vice President and Maggie Gelhaus-Secretary;
• All committee assignments remain the same;
• Discussion on donation policy;
• Discussion on memorial flower planter;
• Payment of bills;
• And updates on donations and carryover funds.

Council Member Clough reported on the July 17th meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on the 2024 Historic Preservation Commission action plan-current list of properties, brochures, forms, website, steps for submission of the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant in the Spring of 2025, finalizing the self-guided (QR Code) Cemetery tour and contractor list;
• WI Historic Preservation Conference in Appleton;
• And discussion on historic preservation property roof repairs.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the July 23rd Personnel Committee regarding:

• Discussion on and recommendation to approve the Employee Handbook update with changes made;
• And a closed session regarding discussion on contract negotiations with the Neillsville Police Association.

Council Member Clough reported on the July 23rd meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Current activities;
• And payment of bills.

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