Neillsville City Council Discusses Selling Land Near City Hall, Renting Industrial Park Land for Farming, and More

Friday, September 13th, 2024 -- 11:01 AM

The Neillsville City Council discussed selling a portion of a parcel south of City Hall.

Alder Julie Counsell made a motion to contact a local realtor to sell a portion of a City lot south of City Hall. Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated the Planning Commission would like to work with a developer. Mayor Poeschel called for a second. There being none, the motion failed.

Council Member Dan Clough asked if it was the entire parcel? Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth stated about four acres. The Council then accepted the recommendation to look for a local developer when advertising for sale portions of the lot south of City Hall.

The Council then discussed leasing out undeveloped land in the Industrial Park for farming. Council Member Counsell stated a local farmer has been haying the Industrial Park land; it is not the intent to plant corn. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated it is about twenty acres; if development occurs, they would lose the crop in that area.

Council Member Bill Neville stated manure spreading would be a concern. The Council approved accepting the recommendation to work with legal counsel to develop a lease agreement for leasing out undeveloped land in the Industrial Park for farming.

The Council also discussed leasing out city landfill property for hunting. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated that the old City Landfill is about 48 acres. The City mows it, uses it for the brush burn pile, and landfill monitoring is required.

The City’s insurance company stated that there are no issues with leasing it for hunting purposes. The City attorney would have to draw up an agreement. Council Member Barb Petkovsek asked how many individuals could hunt on 48 acres. Council Member Clough stated it should be leased to only one party. The Council did approved leasing out City landfill property for hunting activities.

Council Member Clarissa Rochester asked if the Council would consider parking on the one side of the road for E. Seventh Street. Council Member Clough stated he drove the street; it looks narrow, but it is graveled out three feet on each side.

Council Member Counsell stated she lives in the area. The road is used a lot. It is very narrow. How wide is that street? Director of Public Works Friemoth stated 21 feet wide, most streets are 32 to 36 feet wide typically.

Council Member Petkovsek asked if it is the only narrow street we have? Director of Public Works Friemoth stated the north end of Prospect Street is also narrow. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that he doesn’t think it is a good idea to have any parking there. There are a couple of houses.

A problem was identified, reinstall the stop sign, and driving down on a nice September day is not the same as a winter day. When the house fire happened in that area, a pickup truck could not get through. It is extremely tight, a single path. The Council did approve no parking on one side of E. Seventh Street East of Willow Street.

The Council also approved to keep the parking on E. Fifth Street from Center Street West 600 feet as is and to accept the recommendation to deny No Parking. The Council also accepted the recommendation to restrict parking 230 feet North of Division Street on the West side and 10 feet North of the first driveway from Division Street on the East side of Court Street.

The Council also discussed the 1980 City International Fire Truck. Fire Chief Matt Meyer stated the new City Fire truck is here and he is requesting permission to sell the old 1980 City International Fire truck.

Last time they advertised one for sale and parked it in the parking lot with the right to refuse any offer. Discussion was held on putting it up for sale online, using the Wisconsin Surplus site, trying to sell it local first, etc. In the end, the Council approved to authorize Fire Chief Meyer to sell the 1980 City International Fire truck.

The Council also approved two resolutions, one discontinuing the alley continuing north on Ayers Street, North of W. 7th Street in the City of Neillsville. The Council also approved discontinuing the alley continuing west on W. 7th Street, West of Ayers Street in the City of Neillsville.

In other reports, Council Member Petkovsek presented Chief of Police Mankowski’s report as printed regarding:

• Training,
• Squad car maintenance,
• August parking enforcement,
• Citations, warning, incidents, office activity, officer activity, business patrols,
• And Town of Mentor contract policing.

A resident stated that he is saddened to see we have to pass an ordinance (for no parking on E. Seventh Street). It is quite narrow for parking, just use common sense, and vehicles parking are a hindrance for fire trucks, garbage trucks and other large vehicles. It is a safety concern.

Another resident stated parking on E. Seventh Street is very rare, occasionally they use it to unload the camper, as they don’t have parking on their property. The garbage truck has no problems and ambulances can get through just fine.

They have lived there 20 years and it has never been an issue until now. What is needed is a stop sign as people come speeding through. There are only three residences on this street. Another resident discussed other parking issues. Dollar General on Court Street has had close calls with being hit; have there been accidents?

On E. Seventh Street, they wish common sense would prevail. Whether you park sometimes only; the width of the road, narrowness of it or just parking in the wrong location, it is hard to get through. People come through quite fast and with cars parked there they have to weave around as they can’t see well. East Street is narrow too, should it have no parking?

It’s a safety issue, it’s a through street, it is a concern. Another resident stated when you come up to the stop sign by the Post Office it is hard to see when cars are parked, maybe no parking within a certain amount of feet would help.

The Council also heard a couple committee reports. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the August 27th meeting of the Grants Committee regarding:

• Reviewed and updating the list of grants in progress,
• Received notice of Safe Routes to School grant award-City matching share $1,200 with work done in 2025,
• Discussion on City departments needs,
• Discussion on Cemetery Columbarium options,
• Discussion on and referral of 2025 Grants Committee budget request to the Finance Committee,
• And discussion on the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the September 5th meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:

• Discussion on and recommendation to vacate and discontinue 200 feet of the undeveloped plotted W. Seventh Street right-of-way located West of the intersection of Ayers Street and W. Seventh Street,
• Discussion on and recommendation to vacate and discontinue 104 feet of the undeveloped plotted Ayers Street right-of-way located North of the intersection of Ayers Street and W. Seventh Street,
• Discussion on and recommendation on the development and advertising for sale portions of City lot 261.1447.001 South of City Hall,
• Discussion on and recommendation on leasing out undeveloped land in the Industrial Park for farming,
• Discussion on and recommendation on leasing out City Landfill property Parcel Nos. 042.0311.000 and 042.0325.000 for hunting activities,
• Discussion on and recommendation of No Parking on E. Seventh Street East of Willow Street,
• Discussion on and recommendation to deny No Parking on E. Fifth Street from Center Street West 600 feet,
• Discussion on and recommendation to restrict parking 230 feet North of Division Street on the West side and 10 feet North of the first driveway from Division Street on the East side of Court Street.

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