Neillsville City Council Approves Changes to Flood Plain Ordinance

Thursday, June 12th, 2025 -- 11:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council held a public hearing on the Flood Plain and Shoreline-Wetland Zoning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning Ordinance changes.

Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth stated that the public notice of this public hearing was in the Clark County Press of May 21, 2025 and one person came into view the material and one phone call was received.

irector of Public Works Friemoth summarized the proposed ordinance changes as follows:

FLOODPLAN and SHORELINE-WETLAND ZONING:

• Changing “Planning agency” to “Planning Commission”;
• Changing “Zoning agency” to “Planning Commission”;
• All property annexed will be in “Temporary zoning district”;
• DNR-approved emergency evacuation plan;
• Nonconforming structure damaged or destroyed, reconstruction;
• Statutory authorization of the Zoning Board of Appeals under § 10-6-94;
• Conditional Use permits, repealed;
• Definitions-boat house, conditional use, planning agency

SUBDIVISION OF LAND

• Changing “40 days” to “90 days”;
• Changing “six months” to “36 months”;
• Changing “40 days” to 90 days”;
• Deeds within 12 months after the date of the last approval of the map;
• Change “Zoning Officer” to “Zoning Administrator”

ZONING

• Changing “Special Use(s)” to “Conditional Use(s)”;
• Definition of “Variance”;
• Maybe required by the Common Council or Zoning Board of Appeals;
• Changing “Zoning Officer” to “Zoning Administrator”;
• Changing “at least 8 ½ feet in width and at least 19 feet in length” to “at least 10 feet in width and at least 20 feet in length”;
• Amended to indicate its fair market value;
• Change “presentation” to “preservation”;
• Change “administration officer” to “Zoning Administrator”;
• Filing fee shall accompany application fee set by Common Council and filed in Zoning Office;
• Failure to comply provisions;
• Change “Building Officer” to “Building Inspector”

The Council approved to adopt the changes. City Clerk Rex Roehl stated that notice of the new code of ordinances adoption was in the Clark County Press of May 21, 2025 and only one person came in to review the new code; it has also been on the City’s website. The Council approved to adopt the new code of ordinances.

The Council also approved to adopt the City of Neillsville Ordinance Fee Schedule as presented. There was a discussion on the need to update and/or remove some of the fees.

The Council also approved to extend the closing hours of Schuster Park during Heritage Days so that bands can play. The Council also approved the request from the Heritage Days Committee allowing the City crew to set up the tent in the lower parking lot across from Unity Bank for Heritage Days events.

The Council accepted the recommendation to approve the firefighter job description. The Council also accepted the recommendation to appropriate $8,884.18 of the City Parks and Recreation Room Tax funds for roof replacement on the Schuster Park South Shelter.

The Council accepted the recommendation to expand the Frisbee golf course. One alderman stated he would like to see the frisbee golf course plan first, before it is voted on. At the Parks and Recreation Board, they didn’t know where the expansion would be. Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated this would be approving the expansion and the details would have to be worked out.

Mayor Poeschel also presented a request from the Neillsville Police Department to close W. Eighth Street from Hewett Street to West Street for Public Safety Day, Monday, August 4th 4:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. This is jointly sponsored by the Neillsville Police Department, Fire Department and EMS Service. This was approved by the Council.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $1,000 donation from the American Legion Post 73 for banner brackets, which was accepted. City Clerk Roehl presented the 2025 Recycling Grant funds received from the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $9,935.17 (2024 - $9,943.54), which the Council accepted.

Finally, Mayor Poeschel stated the next item is a request from a citizen to keep four (4) chickens at 305 Court Street. This lot is 0.24 acres. The Council approved the resident to have up to four (4) chickens, no roosters, subject to review if complaints are received or an excess number of animals occurs.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski reported on:

• Training;
• Patrolman Mertzig will be leaving the Department;
• A new taser was purchased;
• May parking enforcements, citations, warnings, office activities, officer activities, business patrols and Town of Mentor contract policing.

Council Member Dan Clough stated the City-wide Garage Sale Days will be June 12, 13, 14. Chief of Police Mankowski presented the May 28, 2025 meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding Election of Officers: Margaret Gelhaus, President; Robert Johnson, Vice-President; and Brad Lindner, Secretary.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the June 2, 2025 meeting of the joint Planning Commission and Economic Development Commission regarding:

• Discussion on and acceptance by both Commissions of the draft developer’s agreement as presented and move forward with presentation to David Lawson;
• Discussion on and approval by the Economic Development Commission to advance up to $50,000 for the creation and startup of TID #5 to be repaid within three years by the TID #5 increment.

Council Member Rolly Gelhaus stated that right now there is no development group involved. Discussion on the draft developer’s agreement which could be given to anyone and that David Lawson is working to form a new developer organization.

Council Member Clarissa Rochester reported on the June 4, 2025 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Discussion on, recommendation and request to extend Schuster Park hours;
• Discussion on, recommendation and request to close streets;
• Discussion on and request to have the City crew help with tent setup in the lower parking lot;
• Discussion on parade letters and sponsorships;
• Discussion on and approval of posters;
• Discussion on job assignments;
• Discussion on sponsorship banners and posters;
• Discussion on and approval to keep beer prices the same as last year;
• Discussion on and directing Chair Jose Neville to contact distributors;
• And discussion on setup.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the June 5, 2025 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• A closed session reviewing workers compensation claim by a firefighter;
• Reconvening into open session;
• Discussion on and recommendation to approve the firefighter job description;
• Discussion on other job descriptions;
• And discussion on possible wage schedule.

Council Member Bill Neville reported on the June 5, 2025 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding:

• Current activities of the Recreation Department;
• Current activities of the Parks Department;
• Discussion on the Schuster Park Shelter and recommendation to approve the appropriation of $8,884.18 from City Parks and Recreation Room Tax funds for roof repairs on the Schuster Park South Shelter;
• Discussion on and recommendation to expand the frisbee golf course;
• Received an update on the new ballfield at Listeman Park;
• And discussion on the responsibilities of the Recreation Director pertaining to events held/sponsored by the Booster Club and development of an agreement that outlines the purpose of the shared funding and the expectation of the School District.

Council Member Gelhaus stated at the Parks and Recreation Board meeting Jake Ormond talked about a concession stand and shelter. This has not been approved by the Council.

The Council only approved Phase I, the ballfield and playground equipment moving. Director of Public Works Friemoth stated the area along the road is more narrow than originally thought so some of the toys will be moved to the pickleball court area, right now we are waiting on dirt work to be done.

Council Member Gelhaus stated finish up the ballfield and equipment before moving on. Who is putting the equipment back in? That should be a part of the project cost. Mayor Poeschel stated the Parks crew would be working with them.

Council Member Clough reported on the June 10, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.

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