Neillsville City Council Hears Presentation Regarding Electronic Monitoring of Sex Offenders

Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 -- 11:00 AM

The Neillsville City Council heard a Department of Correction presentation regarding electronic monitoring of sex offenders.

Marie Peterson, Department of Corrections Program Specialist-Sex Offender Registry, went over some of the statistics. Wisconsin has 26,322 registrants, Clark County has 121 registrants. Their work is governed by WIS Statute Section 301.45.

Registrants usually fall into two categories: a 15-year period or lifetime. Communities have put residential restriction into place to protect their community and children, however studies show that 64% of all sexual abuse goes unreported and 93% of the victims know their attacker.

It comes down to prevention and education. When a community has residential restrictions, these people are pushed out of community contact and resources. Bree Lien stated when offenders are released on GPS tracking, they have no place in the City to go, because of the residency restrictions.

They end up living out in the countryside, sometimes in sketchy housing, there is poor cell service, and they can lose the GPS signal. There are transportation barriers where they cannot get to treatment or check in.

Clark County has recently started a Housing Coalition to look into the homeless situation. The City’s residency restriction ordinance does not have an appeal process of other circumstances, only if they lived here can they come back here. They would hope that you would look at other options.

Tina Schoengarth stated they are looking for residential options. Now, they have to look elsewhere, which does not help the registrants. Chief of Police Jim Mankowski stated that the Neillsville Police Department has an extremely good working relationship with the Neillsville office of the Department of Corrections.

They would like to see how they can work with them. Somethings are beyond their control, but they need to figure out how to help these people so they know where they live. Their problem is, because they are the County seat, services are here.

They don’t necessarily want to change the City ordinance, but options to work with the Department of Corrections to help these people. Some of the housing available out in the County, none of us would live in.

They cannot kick the can down the road, as human beings and leaders, they need to be helpful and find a solution. Council Member Barb Petkovsek stated an ordinance change would allow them to go to the new residential treatment facility that is coming in next year.

Tina Schoengarth replied that would be one option. Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated that he and Chief Mankowski will be looking at the City’s ordinance and coming back with a proposal.

The Council also discussed the Proposed 2023 Budget. The City Clerk reported that the proposed 2023 General Fund Budget of $3,595,717 is lower than the Consumer Price Index (7.7%) and lower than the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Expenditure Restraint Program (7.9%) guidelines.

The proposed 2022 tax levy of $1,211,302 without TID’s exceeds the State’s levy limit requirement of 0% plus net new construction (0.366% or $3,940), however the Finance Committee has recommended approving a levy limit adjustment increase: Section D, Line E ($139,943) for Debt Service Levy for general obligation debt authorized after July 1, 2005-this would bring the City into compliance with the allowable levy limit for the City.

The Council approved to accept the Personnel Committee recommendation to amend the Wage Schedule for 2023 and make the Budget Line and Category changes as presented; approve the Levy Limit Section D, Line E adjustment for Debt Service Levy for general obligation debt authorized after July 1, 2005 ($139,943); and to adopt the 2023 City Budget of $3,595,717 with $1,280,717 to be placed on the 2022 Tax Roll.

The Council approved to accept the recommendation to hire Terrance McCarville for the City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour with a 90-day probation period effective on or after November 16, 2022.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek stated the union contract has been ratified by the union members as presented. Changes include:

• Increased probationary period;
• Longevity payments;
• Increased floating holiday hours, additional pay, unused hours expire on December 31st each year;
• Employee retirement contribution set by the State;
• Travel per diem added;
• Outside work language added;
• Removed COVID hazard pay;
• No wage increase for 2023, but added differential pay for night shift, weekend shift and field training officer;
• 2% wage increase for 2024;
• And the contract is for two years (2023-2024).

The Council also approved to accept the Personnel Committee recommendation from October 20, 2022 to accept the Neillsville Professional Police Association WPPA-LEER Police Union Contract 2023-2024 as negotiated.

The Council also approved to grant the CART Center request to hang a banner on the Gazebo for the “Ugly Sweater Fun Walk” event on December 3, 2022. The Council also approved to grant the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce request for the use of the C.C. Sniteman Town Square Park and Gazebo for the “Official Tree Lighting/Santa’s Coming to Town” event on Friday, December 2, 2022.

Chief of Police Mankowski reported on:

• Trainings,
• Squad car maintenance,
• The Chevy Tahoe needs to be replaced after this winter season,
• October parking enforcement, citations, warnings, compliments, complaints, office activities, business checks and activities;
• This is the first month with the Town of Mentor limited police services, everything went well,
• And they will be attending training on the new Core Technology’s TAC.10 RMS Records Management System.

Mayor Poeschel read the minutes of the November 4th meeting of the Police and Fire Commission regarding attending a virtual League of Wisconsin Municipalities 6.5-hour webinar on various aspects of the roles and responsibilities of the Police and Fire Commission.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the November 4th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• A closed session on reviewing a candidate for the City Custodian position;
• And reconvening into open session with the recommendation to offer Terrance McCarville the City Custodian position at $12.00 per hour with a 90-day probation period.

Council Member Clough reported on the November 10th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding current activities.

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