Neillsville City Council Approves Conditional Use Permit for Dog Training at Johnson Street Property
Friday, June 27th, 2025 -- 8:01 AM
The Neillsville City Council discussed a Conditional Use Permit for dog training at 1508 Johnson Street in the City of Neillsville.
During the Public Hearing, a couple people spoke out against the approval of the permit. One resident stated 25 people have signed the petition against the dog training and they all live within a block and half of Mandy Krejci’s home.
He said that Krejci stated the dogs bark for only about three minutes, but they bark for well over fifteen minutes. He said there are 22 dogs in the neighborhood already.
There have been twelve dogs over there at one time. When those dogs bark, the neighborhood dogs also begin barking because they get excited. He sated if Krejci is training one-on-one she can go to their place.
Why put this in a residential setting? There are a number of children in the area. Dogs can get let loose. Who is responsible if a dog bites someone? This will degrade the property value of our house and we didn’t coerce anyone to sign the petition.
Another resident thanked the Council for listening to their concerns. They are concerned about noise. Too many dogs in the neighborhood will cause more barking and they don’t need a training facility bringing in more disruptions.
She stated a neighbor’s dog in his house started barking because of the dogs over there. Who checks if they are vaccinated and registered if someone gets bitten? A police report was made because of barking.
She said that Krejci stated that training will go on with or without permits. Dogs can sense when something is different. She asked to please stop this dog training. Find another place outside of the neighborhood.
The owner's daughter spoke in favor stating that the neighborhood is full of dogs, which shows it is a living breathing community. You can’t be upset with the dogs.
It’s a small training area and every dog is leashed or in a secured fenced area. It’s her mom’s hobby. People should be more concerned about unleashed dogs in the City parks and neighborhoods.
Council Member Bill Neville asked about hours of operation. Mandy Krejci, the owner, stated that there were no set hours; right now it is one night per week. Council Member Barb Petkovsek asked if she does obedience and agility training and how high the fence is? Krejci stated she can do both and the fence is five feet tall.
Council Member Petkovsek motioned to approve a Conditional Use Permit for dog training at 1508 Johnson Street for Ron and Mandy Krejci with the following conditions: no more than three (3) dogs at a time; one day per week for two (2) hours; no earlier than 8:00 A.M. and no later than 7:00 P.M., parking in driveway or front of house; all dogs training must be licensed and have rabies vaccination; must have liability insurance; dogs must be on leash until inside the fenced area and on leash prior to leaving the fenced area; the Police Department shall give a status report in 90 days, 6 months, 12 months and as requested by the City Council.
Krejci stated that there is not enough parking in the driveway, could it be in front of the fenced area so the dogs would not have to go down the lot to the fenced area?
Council Member Clarrissa Rochester seconded the motion, but stated it should be at least five (5) dogs and the time should go to 7:30 P.M., because if people work, they can not get there by 5:00 P.M. for the two hours.
Mayor Dewey Poeschel asked if Council Member Petkovsek would amend her motion. Council Member Petkovsek stated “no,” but Council Member Rochester could offer an amendment to be discussed and voted upon first.
Council Member Rochester motioned to amend the original motion by changing the number of dogs to five (5) at a time and no later than 7:30 P.M. Council Member Rolly Gelhaus asked if Krejci had a specific day for training? Krejci replied no.
Council Member Dan Clough stated, under the zoning code, a Conditional Use Permit is for a business in a residential area and consideration should be given if it will create a disturbance. There is already a documented disturbance.
Krejci stated nothing was found on the documented police report. Council Member Gelhaus asked Chief of Police Jim Mankowski how many dog complaints are received in a month?
Chief of Police Mankowski stated no more than five, but less than ten per month. Council Member Rochester asked about dog bites? Chief of Police Mankowski stated none in the past year.
Council Member Petkovsek stated there have been dog bites within town in the past including herself. Chief of Police Mankowski stated that there are a couple of irresponsible dog owners.
Council Member Petkovsek stated that the City did approve the ice skating rink for dog training; what happened there? Krejci stated she has used that, but had to pay a rental fee. There is no cost at her own place. She can have people over, she just won’t take any money.
Mayor Poeschel stated Krejci can do the training without taking my money. She can invite as many friends as she wishes and not need a permit. Council Member Clough asked do we make an exception to zoning for training? Friends dogs are another thing. Mayor Poeschel called a voice vote on the Amendment; it passed 3-2.
Mayor Poeschel called for a roll call vote on the original motion as amended: “to approve a Conditional Use Permit for dog training at 1508 Johnson Street for Ron and Mandy Krejci with the following conditions: no more then five (5) dogs at a time; one day per week for two (2) hours; no earlier than 8:00 A.M. an no later than 7:30 P.M.; parking in the driveway or front of house; all dogs training must be licensed and have rabies vaccination; must have liability insurance; dogs must be on leash until inside the fenced area and on leash prior to leaving the fenced area; the Police Department shall give a status report in 90 days, 6 months, 12 months and as requested by the City Council.” It passed 3-2.
The Council also approved to accept the recommendation to file the Water Rate Increase Application with the Public Service Commission. The Council also approved, and adopted, the Compliance Maintenance Annual report.
Finally, the Council approved the resignation of Eileen Hediger from the Historic Preservation Commission and thanked her for her service to the City of Neillsville.
The Council heard the various committee reports from the past couple weeks. Council Member Petkovsek reported on the June 17, 2025 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:
- Update on flowers;
- Update on Military Banners;
- Discussion on and approval to send out donation letters;
- And discussion on remaining grant funds for Prock Park and authorizing Parks Director Regan Barth to work with Kranzations to make a decorative cover for the electrical box at Prock Park.
Council Member Rochester reported on the June 18, 2025 Heritage Days Committee regarding:
- Discussion on a scavenger hunt;
- Finalizing the poster;
- Setting the food vendors;
- Discussion on locations of bounce house, tiger and vendors;
- And walked off tent location.
Council Member Clough reported on the June 18, 2025 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:
- Receiving Eileen Hediger’s letter of resignation as commission member;
- Discussion on the 1897 Clark County Jail building;
- Reviewed the status of the new Historic Preservation Commission website and codes to link walking tours to the website;
- Discussion the Murals project and the first two murals to be created;
- Discussion on fund balances and Tourism Commission grant;
- And discussion on possible people for the vacant Commission position.
Mayor Poeschel presented the June 19, 2025 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:
- Chris Straight, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) Senior Planner, presented the Initial Working Draft Project Plan for Creation of Neillsville TID No. 5 (a mixed use TID):
- Introduction;
- Qualification Statement and Findings;
- Providing Orderly Development;
- Description and Development Assumptions;
- Proposed Public Improvement and Project Costs;
- Relocation of Displaced Persons;
- Non-Project and Ineligible Costs;
- Methods of Scheduling of Financing Projects;
- Share of Tax Increment for Overlying Jurisdictions;
- Discussion on the draft plan;
- Discussion on and approval to go with the Initial Project Plan Creation of Tax Incremental District No. 5 (a mixed use TID);
- Discussion on and approval to set Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 6:15 P.M. for the Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed TID No. 5 project plan;
- Discussion on proposed change to preformed future land use from Commercial to Residential, 6) discussion on and approval to set Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 6:15 P.M. for the Planning Commission public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment;
- And discussion on and split vote recommendation to approve Conditional Use Permit for dog training at 1508 Johnson Street with a review in six months.
Council Member Rochester reported on the June 19, 2025 meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding:
- Election of officers:
- Harold Eddy, Chair,
- Ronald Vine, Vice-President,
- Clarissa Rochester, Secretary
- And Rex R. Roehl, Treasurer;
- Payment of bills;
- Current activities-lawnmowing and needing to replace exterior lights;
- Left check signers, building and insurance committees the same as last year;
- Reviewed and approved the insurance renewal without terrorism amendment;
- And discussion on and approval to move the meeting date from the every third Thursday to the every first Thursday of the month, every three months.
Council Member Clough reported on the June 24, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:
- Current activities;
- Discussion on, approval of and recommendation to file the Water Rate Increase Application with the Public Service Commission;
- Reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommendation that Resolution No. 638 be adopted;
- And payment of bills.
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