Neillsville City Council Approves One time Compensation Amounts for City Employees

Tuesday, December 31st, 2024 -- 9:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council discussed some extra one time compensation amounts for city employees at their recent meeting.

The items in question included one time compensation for extra projects and special assignments for the Public Works Director and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer.

Council Member Dan Clough stated that he is not a member of the Personnel Committee and not a part of the closed sessions. He would like the Council to table action on these items, until the whole Council can meet in closed session, to get the background information.

He does not feel that he has enough information from reading the minutes. Clough made a motion to table the Personnel Committee items until the whole Council can discuss them. Mayor Dewey Poeschel called three times for a second, there being none, the motion died for lack of a second.

The Council then approved to accept the recommendation to award one time compensation for extra projects and special assignments during the 2024 calendar year to Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth for $2,500.

They also approved to accept the recommendation to award one time compensation for extra projects and special assignments during the 2024 calendar year to the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer for $1,000. The Council also approved to accept the recommendation to award the Recreation Director one week vacation per revised policy.

Natalie Erpenbach, Grants Committee Chair, reported on the 1897 Clark County Jail building situation. The City’s Historic Preservation Commission has discussed the building at its December 18th meeting.

The Clark County Public Property Committee has discussed the building at its December 19th meeting. The 1897 Clark County Jail building is owned by Clark County.

Through their Committee they have discussed the future of the building, including the demolition of the building, the listing on the Historic Register, its history, use and current condition.

Erpenbach stated that it is the City’s Historic Preservation Commission’s responsibility to enforce and make known the historic preservation information and responsible statutory requirements.

Erpenbach presented a letter from Jason Tish, State Historic Preservation Office Certified Local Government/Preservation Education Coordinator; a copy of the Wisconsin Statues (§66.1111 Historic Properties; §44.30 to 44.45 Historic Preservation Program; etc.); and the Form HP-09-19 Request for SHPO Review and Comment on Local Unit of Government Action.

Discussion followed on the building being in tough shape. It is going to take time and money. What is the best use of the building? That discussion is in the County’s realm.

The County has to answer to the State. Viable options are needed, with solid plans. You can’t just say you want to save it. The roof is the main issue, but there are a number of issues to address including electrical, plumbing, handicapped accessibility, etc.

Can the façade be saved and the interior repurposed for another use such as County offices, a hotel, a Bed and Breakfast, private offices, etc? The cost will be at least $1.5 million. They have about a six-month window to act.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported on receiving a $10,000 donation from Wayne Gross for Cliff’s Park, which the Council accepted. City Clerk Roehl reported that CliftonLarsonAllen has completed the City’s TIF District No. 2 close out audit.

The TID Final Accounting Report has been filed and accepted by the Wisconsin DOR Tax Incremental Financing Division and the remaining funds have been dispersed to the City’s CDBG Housing Program for affordable housing use.

One resident thanked Natalie Erpenbach and the Grants Committee for all they do for the City and Director of Public Works Friemoth and the work he and his crew do.

The Council then heard the various Committee Reports from the past couple weeks. Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the December 10, 2024 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding:

• Reviewed a video of the City and the historic properties prepared by Jason Gunderman;
• Reviewed and updated the list of grants in process;
• And working on the FEMA 2024 Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant application with Fire Chief Matt Meyer and Second Assistant Fire Chief William Poeschel.

Council Member Clarissa Rochester reported on the December 12, 2024 meeting of the Community Fire Board regarding the meeting be called to order, no quorum present, meeting adjourned with no actions taken.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the December 18, 2024 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• Closed sessions on reviewing the Director of Public Works position, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer position, Recreation Director position and Chief of Police position;
• Reconvening into open session;
• Recommendation to award the Recreation Director one week vacation per new revised policy;
• And recommendation to award one time compensation for extra projects and special assignments during the 2024 calendar year to, the Deputy Clerk-Treasurer for $1,000 and the Director of Public Works for $2,500.

Council Member Clough reported on the December 18, 2024 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on the National Park Service Paul Bruhn grant application, updating forms and website, local contractors list and self-guided Cemetery Tour;
• And discussion on the 1897 Clark County Jail, Clark County Public Property Committee discussion on the buildings future including demolition, State Statues, State Historic Preservation Office involvement, etc.

Council Member Clough reported on the December 23, 2024 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.