Neillsville City Council Approves Another Request to Keep Chickens in the City

Thursday, February 13th, 2025 -- 11:01 AM

The Neillsville City Council heard another resident request to keep chickens.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated the City had a request from a resident to keep ten (10) chickens at 1010 Emery Street. The combined parcels total 0.56 acres. His closing date on the property is the end of February.

Council Member Dan Clough stated this request varies from the other requests they have granted in the past, as it is an interior lot not on the edge of the City. According to a letter from the resident, he has extensive experience with poultry.

The Council did approve the request at 1010 Emery Street to have up to ten (10) chickens, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or an excess number of animals occur.

Mayor Poeschel then stated that Clark County has passed a Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Ordinance which focuses on preventing the sale, use and distribution of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to those under the age of 21.

The County is asking the City to mirror or adopt the County ordinance. Council Member Clough asked if the City needed to adopt an ordinance as they are already covered by the Clark County ordinance.

The consensus of the Council was to wait until the March 11th meeting when both the Clark County Health Department and Chief of Police Jim Mankowski can be present to decide on the Council’s interest in such an ordinance.

Mayor Poeschel stated the next item is revisiting the old Landfill Hunting Lease Agreement and Advertising. City Clerk Rex Roehl read from the minutes of the Common Council meeting of January 28, 2025 as follows: a motion passed,

“approving the old Landfill Hunting Lease Agreement with the above changes [adding grandparents and grandchildren to the list of immediate family members under Lease Covenants; under Termination removing reimbursement language – leaving giving sixty days prior written notice; the lease term being only one year until we see how it goes; restricting the lease to only City residents and City taxpayers] and authorizing the advertising of the lease by sealed bid.”

Mayor Poeschel stated the City Attorney Nathan Miller, Weld Riley, had originally stated he did not see any issue with requiring Neillsville residency. Having done further review, he now states the City cannot outright ban non-residents.

The City could establish a rental price for a resident and a separate higher rental price for a non-resident. Council Member Clough stated you cannot enforce a rental fee difference if you go out for bids.

The council approved to follow the City Attorney’s legal recommendation and remove the lease restriction of only City residents and City taxpayers from the old Landfill Hunting Lease Agreement.

City Clerk Roehl stated next Tuesday, February 18, 2025 is the Spring Primary Election Day and the City Auditors will also be here next week. Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the January 29, 2025 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:

• Discussion on and approved flowers and plants for 2025;
• Discussion on plants for Fran Barlow Memorial Planter at the Library;
• Discussion on Military Banners;
• Discussion on a grant for murals and an update from the Mural Work Group;
• And discussion on ideas from Kranzations for Prock Park.

Council Member Clough reported on the February 11, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.

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