Snow Plowing Hard On Peshtigo Budget

“It’s been a busy year out there,” Peshtigo Public Works Director George Cowell told the city council’s Finance Committee as they reviewed disbursements at their regular monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25. They were discussing costs of street maintenance this year, the first for which the city has been handling its own snow plowing and anti-ice treatments. In the past, the work was done through a contract with Marinette County Highway Department.

Cowell said because of all the rain, sleet and ice conditions this year they have used a lot of salt sand. Sand is purchased from the Highway Department for about $20 a ton, and the city crew mixes in the salt, which costs about $900 for a truck load. Cowell said the last load of sand seemed to have a higher than usual percentage of small stones, which may cause a few problems.

Committee members Tim Colburn, Tom Gryzwa and Chair Mike Behnke were present, along with Mayor Al Krizenesky, Cowell and City Clerk/Treasurer Mary Ann Wills.

Colburn asked about complaints regarding street conditions after snow storms.

Cowell felt things are getting better. “It’s been a long winter. I think people are getting used to it,” he commented.

Gryzwa said he had calls asking that the mountains of snow be removed from intersections because they hamper visibility. Cowell said he has plans to do that as soon as it stops snowing long enough. He noted the men can work no more than 16 hours at a stretch, so when it snows he had them come in at midnight and work until 3 p.m. the following afternoon.

(On Monday and Tuesday crews were busy removing the snow piles from intersections, driveway entrances and other strategic locations.)

A request from Marinette County Crime Stoppers for a donation to help fund their program which offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of criminals in the county was discussed at some length. The decision finally was to not make a donation at this time, but suggest it could be included in next year’s budget.

Crime Stoppers gave $1,500 in rewards last year. Formerly they were largely funded through fines and grants generated through the court system, but a recent Supreme Court decision ended that.

“I know they generate a lot of leads, and their work is worth supporting,” Behnke commented, “but this is something we should consider at budget time.” He also felt that for requests of this sort someone from the organization should be on hand to answer questions. He wondered what other sources of income they have, and what other communities are doing.

“This is a tool that law enforcement uses,” Behnke said, then added, “but is it necessary for public protection?...No.”

Krizenesky suggested giving a token donation at this time, along with a letter explaining the city will do better at budget time.

Gryzwa agreed they should consider the request at budget time, and meanwhile suggested just send a letter saying the city is interested in their program and will consider it in the future.

“It irritates me that the courts get all the money from the fines and now they won’t support it,” Colburn declared. He said his business contributes to Crime Stoppers, and he is sure other businesses also contribute, so he felt they should be able to make up the $1,500.

Behnke felt they should also hear from the police chief as to how much Crime Stoppers benefits their department, and Gryzwa suggested perhaps the chief could put a contribution in his budget next year under police protection.

“I know it’s a good program, but it’s not in the budget,” Behnke said. “I’m all for it, but we have to draw the line on things we will do without budgeting for them....Unless it’s for something that benefits our revenue, I don’t think we should take any more money out of our general fund. I wish we’d received this request at budget time.”

There was no vote taken, but committee agreed Wills should send a letter to Crime Stoppers advising them of the decision and suggesting that they ask again at budget time.

Discussing finances later in the meeting, Cowell explained there had been only $7,500 left over from last year in the snow plowing account, and the streets budget included nothing extra for overtime for plowing or other work. However, there currently is a balance in the streets budget because last summer his crew had done more work than usual with the Water and Sewer utilities, and had helped water Riverside Cemetery, which was dry because the river was drawn down for the bridge reconstruction. He noted the county also charged extra for overtime, and at state rates besides. Most of the county plowing for the city was done on overtime, he added. He said by the end of winter.

Transfers totaling $124,627.25 between various accounts within the 2012 budget were approved. Wills explained the final budget balances will not be known until all the bills are in, paid and audited, which will not happen until April. Meanwhile, funds remain from grants and loans for the wastewater treatment plant, Riverfront Park, street and sewer improvements and more, and some of that work will not be completed until the end of June . Krizenesky said he has asked the auditors to be sure he and the Council get copies of the audit report a week before the April meeting so they can study it before being asked to approve it.

Behnke noted that a few months ago there had been discussion on the need for a new computer system for the city offices, and he suggested the Finance Committee should at least get information on what kind of problems there are with the current system, what the departments need, and what new hardware and software will cost. He felt they should ask department heads what they need their system to do, and keep in mind that systems used by the city in general and the Water/Sewer department need to be compatible.

Wills said the last time the city upgraded its computers they worked with the suppliers, and found they needed specific software programs for municipalities and for utilities. “This isn’t something you can just go to a computer place and pick up off the shelf,” Wills commented. She said last time CMS was the software supplier and served as consultant for the system purchase, and Halron Technologies provided hardware and hardware support.

Gryzwa felt they need all departments to get involved, including Wills’ office, water and sewer, police department, parks and rec, maintenance, and public works.

Decision was to invite all department heads for a discussion at the next committee meeting, and then for a subsequent meeting invite the computer representatives. They also will need to decide if bids are or are not required before they ask for price quotes.

There was discussion on two outstanding loans from the Wisconsin Board of Commissioners of Public Lands on which the city is paying more than the current average interest rate. There is a $282,618 balance at 5% interest on a 20-year loan taken in 2002 to finance work on the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a $229,489 balance at 4.5% on a loan taken for storm water improvements, which is scheduled to be paid up in 2014.

Wills explained both can be pre-paid without penalty, but as a refinancing to get the lower interest rate of 2.5% or 2.75% depending on the term, they would need to borrow at least an additional $128,000.

The current wastewater treatment plant reconstruction is financed with a loan at 2% interest through another state program. Gryzwa pointed out that is a construction loan that will need to be paid off shortly after the project is complete. There also is the storm water project being paid for with TIF funds. There will be further discussion on this issue.

The meeting was to have included a discussion on insurance coverage with a representative of AJG, the city’s carrier for vehicle and equipment insurance, but he was unable to attend. He will be invited for the next meeting, which was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 22. Committee members felt they might want to go with a higher deductible, and perhaps just have liability coverage on some of their lower value vehicles, since the city crew includes a mechanic who can do much of whatever repair work might be needed.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
04-24-2014	Sports	Winter Team Tournament Sportsmanship Winners
04-24-2014	Sports	Crivitz Boys, Suring Gals Top Triangular
04-24-2014	Sports	M-O Standouts Selected To Football Foundation Team
04-24-2014	Sports	Peshtigo Scholarship Golf Outing Slated
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Gene L. Weed
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Richard E. Strzyzewski
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Mark and Phyllis Schaefer
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Norma J. Rafkind
04-24-2014	Obituaries	William Pfeiffer
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Larry J. Pansch
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Adelaide H. Karbon
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Tadeusz Hycki
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Rudolph E. Gross
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Edward C. Caylor
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Barbara A. Baumgartner
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Betty Arnovitz
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Randall C. Vieth
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Mary E. Schuchart
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Roberta Schneider
04-24-2014	Obituaries	David L. Reed
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Rudolph A. Messar
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Sharon F. McPherson
04-24-2014	Obituaries	John H. Kriegl
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Colin J. Kinziger
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Susan M. Homa
04-24-2014	Obituaries	June E. Hoerres
04-24-2014	Obituaries	John W. Gustafson
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Shirley A. Giese
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Joyce M. Ertl
04-24-2014	Obituaries	Mary C. Conklin
04-24-2014	Perspectives	Country Cousin
04-24-2014	Perspectives	From our readers
04-24-2014	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
04-24-2014	News	Lions to Clean Hwy. 180 Apr. 26
04-24-2014	News	Beecher Blood Drive April 28
04-24-2014	News	Golf Tournament Helps Honor Flight
04-24-2014	News	Loomis Historical Meet at Crivitz
04-24-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Plan Workshop At Goodman Library
04-24-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Beecher Voters Approve Contracts, Equipment Fund
04-24-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Pembine Annual Meet Acts On Spring Clean-Up Donations
04-24-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Town Wausaukee Okays Variances, Weight Limits
04-24-2014	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Legion Auxiliary Discuss Poppies, Elections
04-24-2014	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Village Board Trustee Seat Open
04-24-2014	Community - Crivitz	Grace Lutheran Church Hosts Celtic Service
04-24-2014	Community - Crivitz	Stephenson Electors Act On Wages, VFW Memorial
04-24-2014	Community - Coleman	School Board Elects, End School Year June 6
04-24-2014	Community - Coleman	Squad Gets Donation
04-24-2014	Community - Coleman	Village Pound Is Tree City USA
04-24-2014	Community - Coleman	Oconto School $5 Million Fire
04-24-2014	Front Page	Coleman School Board OKs New Sound System For Gym
04-24-2014	Front Page	Town of Lake Not to Erect New Building
04-24-2014	Front Page	Grant For Menekaunee Harbor Clean Up Project
04-24-2014	Front Page	TAD, Drug Court May Be Realities By Aug. 1
04-24-2014	Front Page	2 Injured In Crash Near Middle Inlet
04-17-2014	Sports	Suring Struggles In Dual Meet With L-C, Collect 6 Total Wins
04-17-2014	Sports	Bulldogs Bounced By Marinette 7-6
04-17-2014	Sports	Marines Play To A 6-6 Tie Against Oconto
04-17-2014	Sports	Crivitz Ends Coleman's Winning Streak
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Gloria R. Young
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Maribeth Wunderlich
04-17-2014	Obituaries	David W. Walker
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Larry V. Pravechek
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Gerald W. Polasky
04-17-2014		Dr. Randall W. Lewis
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Alice A. Lentz
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Hazel A. Krueger
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Robert N. Kregel
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Darrell N. Frisque
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Claude E. Finnell
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Eva A. Danz
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Charolett Burton
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Louis Bergles
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Hazel A. Becker
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Frank E. Partl
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Ronald L. Nicklaus
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Dean C. Krueger
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Hans D. Krause
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Wally E. Klatt
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Colin John Kinziger
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Ellsworth J. Johnson
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Roy J. Jacques
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Ruth M. Henschel
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Harold A. Grandaw
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Roxanne Geyer
04-17-2014	Obituaries	Raymond A. Fechter
04-17-2014	Perspectives	Country Cousin
04-17-2014	Perspectives	From our readers
04-17-2014	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
04-17-2014	News	SHS ‘56 Class Gathering Apr. 25
04-17-2014	News	Gillett/Suring Clergy Cross Walk April 18
04-17-2014	News	Grover School Takes Old Shoes
04-17-2014	News	Lena KC To Hold Card Parties
04-17-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Hymn Sing at Wausaukee
04-17-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Lions to Clean Hwy. 180 April 26
04-17-2014	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Discuss Picnic
04-17-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Seeks Planning Members
04-17-2014	Community - Crivitz	Easter Egg Hunt April 19
04-17-2014	Community - Crivitz	Easter Recess at Crivitz School
04-17-2014	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Church To Host Marian Day
04-17-2014	Community - Crivitz	T/Stephenson Acts On DNR Lease, Road Bids
04-17-2014	Community - Coleman	Coleman High School Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance
04-17-2014	Community - Coleman	Coleman School Board April 21
04-17-2014	Community - Coleman	Lioness Raffle at Jiz’s Apr. 27
04-17-2014	Community - Coleman	Pound Woman’s Club Announce Coming Events
04-17-2014	Front Page	Marinette’s Main Street to Get More Beautification
04-17-2014	Front Page	Malke is Peshtigo’s First Woman Mayor
04-17-2014	Front Page	Schroeder, Just Again To Lead County Board
04-17-2014	Front Page	BB Residents Keep Yards, Get 2-Foot Bike/Hike Paths
04-17-2014	Front Page	SAVE 10
04-09-2014	Front Page	Gov. Walker Signs Drug HOPE Bills In Marinette
04-09-2014	Front Page	County Board to Reconsider County BB Project April 15
04-09-2014	Front Page	Flood Alert For Porterfield Area
04-09-2014	Front Page	Peshtigo Persons of Year Banquet April 13
04-09-2014	Front Page	Marinette County Dispatch Gets 6,232 Calls in March
04-09-2014	Sports	Peshtigo, Wausaukee Look To Rule M-O Softball
04-09-2014	Sports	Second Place Finish In Shot For Huberty
04-09-2014	Sports	Tough Opener For Marines, Fall Twice
04-09-2014	Sports	Bulldogs Looking To Display Track Skills
04-09-2014	Perspectives	From our readers
04-09-2014	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
04-09-2014	Perspectives	Country Cousin
04-09-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Winners in Final Benefit Card Party
04-09-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Lions to Clean Hwy. 180 Apr. 26
04-09-2014	Community - Wausaukee	“Let Me Be Frank” in Wausaukee Apr. 23
04-09-2014	Community - Wausaukee	Hymn Sing at Wausaukee
04-09-2014	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Library Culver’s Contest
04-09-2014	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Teacher Receives Award
04-09-2014	Community - Crivitz	National Library Week at Crivitz
04-09-2014	Community - Crivitz	Rebel Grace Competes Again at Launchpad
04-09-2014	Community - Coleman	Brazeau Fire Dept. Fundraiser April 12
04-09-2014	Community - Coleman	Coleman Utility Board to Meet
04-09-2014	Community - Coleman	Lioness Raffle at Jiz’s Apr. 27
04-09-2014	Community - Coleman	North East Riders Host ATV Course
04-09-2014	News	Animal Shelter Raffle May 3
04-09-2014	News	Town Lake Sets Special Meeting
04-09-2014	News	Legion Commander’s Dinner is April 12th
04-09-2014	News	Lena FFA, Alumni Host Rabies Vaccination Clinic
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Betty J. Walters
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Lydia Squier
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Mavis Rogge
04-09-2014	Obituaries	John B. Orlando
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Ronald J. Noack
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Dorothy J. Lindner
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Virginia M. Lange
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Fred Jaeger, Jr.
04-09-2014	Obituaries	F.H. Jabas
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Janie Marie Hanner
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Thomas Nelson Haag
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Donna M. Fournier
04-09-2014	Obituaries	Roger Erickson