A Night of Reports at Neillsville City Council Meeting

Thursday, April 25th, 2024 -- 10:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council had no new or old business at their meeting on Tuesday, but they did hear different reports.

Neillsville Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on the First Quarter 2024 activities including:

• Attending the Clark County Emergency Services Association meeting in Loyal;
• Going to Pierce to finalize the City’s new truck plans;
• Ordered the 4th of July fireworks;
• Attended three Personnel Committee meetings;
• Attended an electric bus training in Granton;
• Set up the port-a-tank for the Winter Carnival Polar Plunge event;
• Working with Natalie Erpenbach on submitting an Assistance to Firefighters Grant application for $250,000 for SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and a compressor for filling the air bottles;
• Conducted a home inspection for a foster home;
• Attending a Lion’s Club meeting with a presentation on the new firetruck (the Lion’s Club has donated $3,000);
• Changing the Smokey Bear sign;
• And attending the State Firefighters Convention in Stevens Point.

Fire Chief Meyer reported on responding to 14 calls this quarter (4-City and 10-Rural):

• The City had a deer on ice, but it was gone by the time we arrived to practice an ice rescue;
• Two faulty alarms and a house structure fire;
• The Rural had one one-car accident;
• Two two-car accidents;
• Two vehicle fires;
• One brush fire;
• One motorcycle accident on the trail;
• One grass fire;
• One mutual aid canceled enroute to Granton;
• And setting up a landing zone at the airport.

Fire Chief Meyer reported on:

• Servicing leaking valves on Engine #1;
• The new fire truck starting build date is June 24, 2024 with completion by mid/late August;
• The Firemen’s Club, with a donation and steak feed money, has purchased new rescue leveling struts for about $10,000 for vehicle rescue operations;
• Two Firefighters, Bob and Jeff Schultz, have left the Department, each with 30+ years of service, they thank them for their service;
• The Department currently has 27 firefighters and are looking for three more if anyone is interested.

Council Member Julie Counsell asked what the likelihood of getting the grant is? Fire Chief Meyer stated SCBA’s are a high priority item. Last time they got the grant on the second-round application.

City Clerk Rex Roehl presented:

• The First Quarter 2024 City Financial Statements;
• Open Book will be Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and Board of Review will be Monday, May 20, 2024 from 8:00 A.M. to 10 A.M.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel reported:

• Attending The Highground annual recognition dinner and presented the plaque the City of Neillsville received for it’s 15 years of continuous support;
• And after review by the City Attorney, based on the State Statues, the City will not be able to file a claim against the attorney malpractice insurance policy.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the April 16th meeting of the Board of Health regarding:

• Health Officer Bakker’s City annual health report and activities for 2023-2024;
• Discussion on cleaning up properties, feral cats and dog bites;
• And discussion on and approval that each Council Member do an individual tour with the Director of Public Works.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the April 17th meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on and approval of a Certificate of Appropriation for 411 State Street front porch repair;
• Discussion on and approval of a grant of 50% of the front porch repair at 411 State Street up to $1,000 (maximum grant amount $500);
• And discussion on the 2024 Historic Preservation Commission action plan-grants, letters, self-guided Cemetery tour, contractors and website.

Council Member Clarrissa Rochester reported on the April 18th meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Financial report;
• Discussion on children’s entertainment and activities in Schuster Park on Saturday of the event;
• Discussion on beverage options;
• Discussion on and approval of “Celebrating 30 Years” as the 2024 parade theme;
• And discussion on and approval of the 2024 logo.

Council Member Clough reported on the April 23rd meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Election of Council Member Clough as Commission Chair;
• Current activities;
• Reviewed the First Quarter 2024 Water and Sewer Financial Statements;
• And payment of bills.

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