Neillsville City Council Continues Discussion on Holding Meetings Online

Thursday, January 14th, 2021 -- 12:01 PM

The Neillsville City Council continued the discussion on holding council meetings online.

Council Member Dave Harnisch reported on listening to a League of Wisconsin Municipalities  Webinar on going virtual with meetings and presented a listing of webinar highlights. The League urged updating of the law to reflect technology changes and actual practices.

Harnisch stated everyone can go to the League’s website and watch the webinar and think about this further for the next meeting.  Council Member Julie Counsell stated she would like to see how much the cost is and how do we make sure access is available.

She stated the City does not have an IT Department and who is going to help with problems.  Mayor Diane Murphy stated that a lot of people watch the council meetings on television.  This item will be discussed further.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski presented a request from Police Department employees to carryover 2020 unused holiday and vacation time, since personnel shortages and COVID-19 matters have not allowed for time to be taken off.

City Clerk Rex Roehl stated that James Mankowski (24 hours), Brett Chwala (20.5 hours), Isaac Guyer (18.5 hours) and Ben Zawislan (40 hours) have a total of 103 unused hours.

In the past, the carryover had to be used within thirty days; however, due to the continuing staff shortage 90 days may be more appropriate.  The council approved the carryover.  Chief Mankowski also presented a request for hiring a full-time police officer.

Council Member Counsell stated that the Council approved the 2021 budget which included the funding for the position and if they need to approve a position every time.

City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated usually the Common Council approves hiring for a  position and the Personnel Committee handles it, in this case the Common Council has to  authorize the hiring and the Police and Fire Commission has to handle it.

The council approved the hiring of another full-time officer.  The council also approved extending a resolution regarding public health leave for city employees, extending a pay raise to poll workers during the coronavirus pandemic and extending an additional $2 an hour raise for the clerk’s office. 

The council also approved a resolution brought forth by the mayor stating that January of 2021 as City Employee Appreciation Month.  Also, Chief Mankowski reported on December 2020 complaints, citations, warnings and business checks.

Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the Fourth Quarter of 2020. The department served 953 people at their steak feed, held fire prevention week activities, burnt the city’s brush pile, did community service fall clean up for retired firemen and widows, provide firemen as crossing guards for Halloween, Trunk-or-Treat at the Fairgrounds, taking Santa Claus to the tree lighting,  attending the Community Fire Hall Board and Rural Fire Board meetings, and fire inspections.

He also stated COVID-19 had reduced the number of meetings and trainings.  Also, the Fire Hall building has a wall crack developing. The department also responded to 10 calls, none in the city.

They had two two-vehicle accidents, a tree fire, mutual aid to the Sheriff’s Department for a person search, debris fire, shed fire, a down power line, a chimney fire, a car accident, and a garage fire.

Finally, he stated the city’s trucks are in good condition; however, the 1978 International is 43 years old and cannot pass the pump test, the 1995 Freightliner is 25 years old.  The council also heard the Police and Fire Commission Report from January 7th.

During the appearances portion of the meeting, a resident stated that in the unofficial Police and Fire Commission meeting minutes,  there were two pages of public appearances not read tonight.

She also said they keep talking about TV and zoom, people can’t or don’t want to be here and people have eyes and can observe things.  She also said she heard the city is looking at buying the BMO Bank building for a new city hall and they have streets in need of repair.

She also believed the Chief of Police should be reimbursed for his legal fees for fighting these unfounded complaints, which has divided the community and dragged his name through the mud and that some people say things at their place of business.

Finally, she said CVTC taxes went up and they hold no classes here.

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