Neillsville City Council Approves Sale of Industrial Park Land and More

Friday, April 25th, 2025 -- 3:01 PM

-The Neillsville City Council approved the purchase of a parcel of Industrial Park land at their meeting on Tuesday.

The Council approved to accept the recommendation to accept the Offer to Purchase Industrial Park land from M2 Real Estate, Mark and Julie Begert, of 4.66 acres for $37,000 with the stipulation that they have five (5) years to build or the City can buy back the land for the original purchase price.

The Council also approved to proceed with a Public Service Commission (PSC) Simplified Water Rate Case and to accept the recommendation to accept the proposal from Struck & Irwin Paving, Inc. for two coats of micro-surfacing to preserve the existing pavement in Sniteman Town Square Park/ Gazebo parking lot at a cost of $11,000.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel presented the Professional Services Agreement with Innovative Public Advisors for the Innovative Planning Grant at a cost of $23,500, which the Council approved.

The Council also heard another request to keep three chickens at 11 State Street. This lot is 0.25 acres. The Council approved chickens at 11 State Street, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or an excess number of animals occur.

Neillsville Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the First Quarter of 2025 including:

• Attending the Clark County Emergency Services meeting in Spencer,
• Attending the ribbon cutting for the new Chili Fire Station,
• Ordered the 4th of July fireworks,
• Attending the Chili Fire Department Fire Chief Fischer memorial service,
• Provided a tank and water for the Winter Carnival Polar Plunge,
• Changing the Smokey Bear sign,
• Attended the Community Fire Hall and Rural Fire Association meetings,
• Met with the CVTC building manager for a pre-plan,
• Met with the sprinkler contact on the new Gross Ford building,
• Held the annual Wildland fire training with the DNR,
• Did ice rescue training on Jerry Pfieffer’s pond (thanks for the use of his pond and shop),
• And all the ladders have passed testing.

Fire Chief Meyer also reported on:

• 17 calls:
• 5-City:
  • Gasoline spill at gas station,
  • Commercial alarm-nothing found,
  • Garage fire,
  • Cancelled enroute,
  • And a 20lb L.P. tank being drug by the hose behind a truck.
• 12-Rural:
  • Smoke odor in home,
  • Intentional alarm activation at the hospital,
  • 2 down power lines with grass fires,
  • Wood pile fire,
  • Three two-vehicle accidents,
  • Two one-vehicle accidents,
  • And 2 mutual aid calls to Granton for structure fires.

Fire Chief Meyer also reported that the Firefighters have purchased an air compressor to fill breathing air bottles for the SCBA’s. This project was completed with Steak Feed proceeds and private donations at a cost of $52,209.18 plus electrical upgrades at no cost to the City or Townships. This eliminates the need to rent cascade bottles and purchase air.

Fire Chief Meyer reported one firefighter has left the department and three new firefighters have completed the 96 hour Firefighter I class, have gone through the live burn and are ready to enter buildings. They have a couple more nights of Hazmat training. This is a huge commitment of their personal time, thank you, Isaac Balderas, Logan Erickson and Kevin Mikos.

City Clerk Rex Roehl reported that:

• Open Book will be Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. by telephone;
• Board of Review will be Monday, May 19, 2025 from 8:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.;
• The Highground Welcome Center Grand Opening and ribbon cutting will be May 2, 2025;
• Spring Cleanup week is April 21 to 24, 2025;
• County Highway K and H intersection will be closed from May 5th to July 3rd for construction.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 15, 2025 meeting of the Board of Health regarding:

• Health Officer Doris Bakker’s City annual health report and activities for 2024-2025,
• Discussion on measles, cleaning up properties and property owners’ lack of pride in their properties,
• And discussion on and approval that each Council Member do an individual tour with the Director of Public Works.

Council Member Dan Clough presented on the April 16, 2025 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on the 1897 Clark County Jail,
• Discussion on the National Park Service Paul Bruhn grant application,
• Reviewed the status of the new Historic Preservation Commission website, local contractor’s list, tax credit links and HPC forms and self-guided Cemetery tour,
• Reviewed account balances,
• And approved an expense report reimbursement request for website and QR Code costs.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 21, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Economic Development regarding:

• Discussion on and recommendation to accept the Offer to Purchase Industrial Park land, Parcel No. 261.1376.010, from M2 Real Estate, Mark and Julie Begert, of 4.66 acres for $37,000 with the stipulation that they have five (5) years to build or the City can buy back the land for the original purchase price.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the April 22, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Election of Council Member Clough as Commission Chair,
• Current activities,
• Discussion on and recommendation to proceed with the Public Service Commission (PSC) Simplified Water Rate Case,
• Discussion on and recommendation to accept the proposal from Struck & Irwin Paving, Inc. for two coats of micro-surfacing to preserve the existing pavement in the C.C. Sniteman Town Square Park/Gazebo parking lot at a cost of $11,000,
• And payment of bills.

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