More Information on Closing of Neillsville's Merchant Hotel

Thursday, January 14th, 2021 -- 1:00 PM

Neillsville Fire Chief, Matt Meyer, provided more information on the closure of the Merchant Hotel at the Neillsville City Council meeting.

Fire Chief Meyer stated that the Fire Department does semi-annual fire inspections of commercial buildings. Inspector Robert Schultz inspected the Merchants Hotel and they had a city building permit to redo some apartments, which they had torn apart.

Schultz had concerns so Meyer revisited with him. In the second round of inspections in December, not a lot had been done and the city building permit was going to expire. The property was re-inspected on January 7th and the situation has not changed.

Fire Chief Meyer stated on January 11th the building was re-inspected by City Fire Inspector Schultz, Fire Chief Meyer, Director of Public Works Luke Friemoth, Wisconsin Fire Prevention Coordinator Rick Sommerfeld and Wisconsin State Building Inspector Lucas Dederich.

Fire Chief Meyer stated due to the condition of the building an evacuation order was issued and posted at 5:00 P.M. on January 11th and everyone was out by 7:00 P.M.

No one is allowed to sleep in the building, no entry is allowed into the building, except to get out personal property during arranged times.  Mayor Diane Murphy stated that the important thing is that the people are safe and secure.

Fire Chief Meyer stated the Salvation Army and Red Cross were contacted, four people were put up in a motel, the others went to family or friends.  City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth stated that the city has to check, so no one is going back in and they can’t stay there.

Chief Mankowski questioned the liability, we don’t have building access, it is the landlord’s responsibility to see that no one is going in.  Council Member Julie Counsell questioned the next step.

Director or Public Works Friemoth stated they have to have an engineer draw up plans, submit them to the state for approval.  They can do nothing without that approval and it will not happen overnight.  City Attorney Wachsmuth states that the city placarded the property.

The city said it is not safe and the city could be liable if someone gets in and gets hurt.  Chief Mankowski stated it is not city property.  The landlord has been told to set hours for the people to get in and get their stuff and it is not our responsibility.

Fire Chief Meyer stated people are going in with their keys, but they have been told to make arrangements with the landlord.  Council Member Counsell asked if the city can tell the landlord to put locks on the doors. Discussion on state law, liability issues, allowing people to access, etc.

City Attorney Wachsmuth stated the building is placarded, the landlord cannot give someone permission to stay in there overnight, they can get in to get their stuff by appointment, but that is all. Other communities often put on the door locks.

Chief Mankowski stated emotions are high with the tenants and property owners, the property owner has a caretaker involved, let's come back in two weeks with a plan. It gives the tenant two weeks to get their stuff out, the landlord can set hours for pickup and the property owner is responsible.

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