[0:00] This may the old clerk, city council, come to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance.

[0:22] City clerk, please call the roll.

[0:23] Councilmember Anderson.

[0:29] Here.

[0:30] Druister.

[0:31] Here.

[0:32] Johnson.

[0:34] Moga.

[0:35] Prison.

[0:36] Miller.

[0:37] Here.

[0:38] Otto.

[0:38] Here.

[0:39] Reid.

[0:40] Here.

[0:41] Sean.

[0:42] Here.

[0:43] Sorona.

[0:44] Here.

[0:45] Worthen in here.

[0:47] Great.

[0:48] Thank you.

[0:49] All right.

[0:50] Welcome everyone to the Tuesday, June 24th.

[0:53] You know, the O'Claire City Council first up tonight is our consent agenda, and if you

[0:58] are here for the consent agenda, just so you know that we vote on this with one vote.

[1:03] So if you're waiting for your item and it passes, you're good to go, and you don't have

[1:06] to stay for the whole meeting unless you really want to.

[1:10] With that, do council members have any questions regarding the consent agenda or wish to remove

[1:15] any items for separate consideration?

[1:19] Okay.

[1:20] I'm not seeing any, so then I'm motion by council member Otto, say goodbye council member Toronto consent agenda is moved any discussion.

[1:30] Seeing none, so you clerk, please call the roll.

[1:44] Aye.

[1:48] Aye.

[1:49] Toronto.

[1:49] Aye.

[1:50] Worthment.

[1:51] Aye.

[1:53] Thank you and that passes unanimously.

[1:57] Next we have two, we have one proclamation and one in recognition and we'll start with the proclamation for parks and rec month.

[2:05] So a staff want to join me at the podium

[2:24] yeah read it out loud. I'll hand it over to you

[2:30] so

[2:31] Where as parks and recreation is an integral integral part of communities throughout this country including here in Eau Claire

[2:38] And where as parks and recreation promote health and wellness and encourage spending time and nature

[2:45] improving the physical and mental health of those who visit parks and participate in recreation activities

[2:51] and where as parks and recreation encourages physical activities by providing space for

[2:56] popular hikes, hiking trails, swimming pools, and many other activities designed to promote

[3:02] active lifestyles, and where as park and recreation education activities such as out-of-school

[3:08] time programming, youth sports, and environmental education are critical to childhood development,

[3:14] and whereas the National Recreation and Park Association theme for 2025 is built together,

[3:21] clay together, and as a chance to celebrate the contributions of more than 26 full-time

[3:27] park and recreation professionals over 200 part-time and seasonal workers and more than

[3:34] 2,000 volunteers who maintain our city's parks and trails.

[3:37] Now, therefore, I, Emily Bergey, President of the O'Claire City Council, on behalf of the

[3:43] entire City Council, do proclaim the month of July as Parks and Recreation Month and encourage

[3:49] everyone to recognize that Parks and Recreation Services are essential to a quality of life

[3:55] not only in July but throughout the year.

[3:58] There you go.

[3:59] Thanks, Patrick.

[4:10] Okay.

[4:12] Well, thank you, Council President Bergey and Council members for this proclamation.

[4:16] each year we recognize the month of July as Parks and Recreation month and in doing so we

[4:22] acknowledge the importance of Parks and Recreation in the community and also the many staff and

[4:27] volunteers behind the scenes that make it all happen. This year is the 40th anniversary of July as

[4:33] Parks and Recreation month and the theme as decided by the National Recreation and Park Association is

[4:38] build together, play together. So this theme reminds us that together we are building and maintaining

[4:43] sustainable parks and green spaces for current and future generations. Together, we are

[4:48] building thriving communities focused on health and well-being. Together, we are building

[4:53] high-quality programs and spaces available and inclusive for all. And lastly, this year's

[4:59] and show cases.

[5:00] How everyone involved in parks and recreation works together to help people play and connect through the many different activities, events, and green spaces that we provide for the community. All of this building cannot be accomplished without the help of many staff and volunteers, as I said. Within Oakler Parks Recreation and Forestry, we have over 26 full-time employees. We have 20 seasonal staff working with our activities and events and in our parks, in our cemeteries and in our urban forest. And additionally, we have many, many

[5:29] part-time recreation staff working as lifeguards activities and excuse me activity leaders and in other similar positions.

[5:37] All of these talented people work together throughout the year to contribute to the theme of building together and

[5:43] playing together here in Eau Claire. We also rely on the dedication of many more volunteers as well.

[5:49] Our dedicated volunteers support us through many different avenues including by serving on the Waterways and Parks Commission,

[5:54] the Community Parks Association and also the Sustainability Advisory Commission.

[5:59] We are blessed in Eau Claire to have a very active group of neighborhood associations who

[6:03] all contribute their time and input into shaping parks and recreation in Eau Claire as well.

[6:08] Lastly, each year we have over 350 adopted park volunteers, roughly 1,250 annual amazing

[6:14] Eau Claire cleanup volunteers, and another 450 plus activity and event volunteers who all contribute

[6:20] to the wonderful parks and recreation experience that we have here in Eau Claire.

[6:24] None of what we do for the community would be possible without everyone working together

[6:28] and we cannot thank our staff and volunteers enough for their ongoing efforts and dedication

[6:33] toward that building and playing together here in Eau Claire.

[6:36] To get a glimpse of that togetherness, we would like to invite you to take some time in July

[6:40] to see a view of a few of the ways that our community enjoys our services.

[6:45] The flyer in front of you is an invitation to a variety of events and activities going on

[6:50] in the busy month of July.

[6:52] There's a little bit of everything

[6:53] for everyone on that list,

[6:55] and we hope to see you out there.

[6:56] We greatly appreciate your continued support,

[6:59] and we look forward to continuing

[7:01] to provide exceptional park, recreation,

[7:03] and forestry services to our citizens and visitors.

[7:06] So now I would like to turn it over to some of our staff,

[7:09] and they'll introduce themselves

[7:10] and tell you a little bit about what they do.

[7:12] Thank you.

[7:20] I'll go first, I guess.

[7:22] Christine Moore Facility and Program Supervisor,

[7:25] Fairfax Pools, my facility,

[7:26] and then I run Aquatics, Lake Football League, outdoor ranks, and much more little programs.

[7:33] So, that's me.

[7:37] I'm Hayley Harder.

[7:39] I'm an Administrative Associate for the Recreation Division.

[7:42] I lead a team of admins who do all of the administrative work to run our programs, and I also create

[7:47] our Biannual Activity Guide, manage our registration software, and do all of the marketing for our

[7:53] programs.

[7:53] I

[7:57] am Lindsay Jerry. I am the only administrative associate for the parks, forestry, cemeteries

[8:04] and buildings and grounds and parks and rec. I pay all of the bills for most of the bills

[8:10] for those four divisions and let's the answer thousands of constituent questions about

[8:16] our parks and trees and cemeteries and I map out all of the planting and tree stump grinding

[8:23] for the city.

[8:30] Good afternoon, I'm Jeremy Hardy.

[8:32] I am one of this seasonal program supervisors.

[8:36] I oversee a lot of the instructional programs.

[8:38] New this year we have archery and bouldering

[8:40] in partnership at the university.

[8:43] We also have our outdoor adventures programs

[8:45] so things like camping skills and fishing.

[8:48] We have tennis and golf

[8:50] and a multitude of other things

[8:51] that we can teach the young youth coming up.

[9:00] At Stauden, Meyer, you guys know me

[9:03] as the city forester but I'm also a junior assistant helper to the park supervisors so a lot

[9:10] of times I will help them with whatever they may need to so I'm kind of a junior assistant

[9:19] park's person. Now

[9:36] we're going to do a record recognition for Catherine Schauch.

[9:47] Thanks for being

[9:48] here. Thank you for the invitation. Yeah so I'll read out loud and I'll give it to you to say a few

[9:52] words. Thank you. So, yeah. So, whereas Catherine Trelth has served as

[9:57] O'Claire County Administrator with Dedication

[10:00] Professionalism and a strong commitment to public service. And whereas, she made history in 2015 as the first woman to hold the role of County Administrator for OSAW County, and as we're closely with the City of Acclair and regional partners to support the County's growth and well-being. And whereas, during her tenure, she helped launch the Chippewa Valley Future Regions Project, supporting the Creative Economy and Regional Collaboration among a wide variety of stakeholders.

[10:29] members, and whereas under her leadership access to high speed internet was expanded

[10:34] across most of the county, peer mental health support was strengthened, and outdoor

[10:40] recreation opportunities were improved for residents and visitors alike, and whereas

[10:45] she worked to serve the most vulnerable among us and support efforts to spearhead coordination

[10:51] around housing and homelessness, coordinated county programs like Meals on Wheels was delivered

[10:57] over 100,000 meals in 2023 and expanded aging and disability resource center services.

[11:06] And whereas Catherine was steady during a period of change in challenges, including COVID-19,

[11:13] increasing political division and fiscal constraints from municipal government,

[11:18] and whereas her leadership has strengthened the foundation of county government and powered public servants

[11:24] and helped guide O'Claire County through times of opportunity and challenge.

[11:30] Now therefore, with gratitude and my admiration, we present the Certificate of Recognition to

[11:36] O'Claire County Administrator, Katherine Schauf, to thank her for her years of leadership and service

[11:42] and recognize the lasting impact of her work on O'Claire County and the people who call it home.

[11:48] Thank you.

[11:56] Thank you for this. It is very much appreciated. And thank you for the opportunity

[12:02] to even say a few words. I really love it that you have your mission right behind you on

[12:08] the wall, where everyone can see it. And I think that that mission and the values that are

[12:15] part of that mission are what make Eau Claire the special place that it is, and what make

[12:20] the work that the county does and our other communities so valuable because the city

[12:28] really does work for the common good. It's finding those places of common purpose and

[12:34] then aligning them and working together and it's demonstrated in the areas of public health,

[12:39] the 9-1-1 services and I think there are even more to come as we continue to look into the

[12:45] future as a community.

[12:47] And so thank you for your work and for your willingness to serve in this capacity.

[12:52] It is not easy work, but it is good work.

[12:56] Thank you.

[13:03] I just wanted to echo the appreciation for one thing about the County

[13:10] Ministry was as soon as I was hired, she called me and sat down with me and offered to help

[13:15] in any way possible and was a real study source of guidance over the time that I've been here

[13:21] and it was really just delightful to work with her,

[13:23] and she, Catherine, is just very resilient, very honest,

[13:28] and principled, and very steady,

[13:30] and an extremely difficult job,

[13:31] and it's been awesome having you here as a partner.

[13:34] Just a few blocks away across the river, so we, yeah.

[13:48] Thank you, Ed.

[13:49] Administrator Shoffe is my former co-worker.

[13:51] Being on the county board, I've got to say,

[13:53] it was a pleasure working with you.

[13:54] You were particularly patient,

[13:56] and you have an excellent communication style

[13:58] that we appreciate it, so thank you very much and it's great having you are working with you.

[14:20] On to our business agenda.

[14:26] So first up is item 18, this is CDBG and Home Investment Partnership Program.

[14:31] This is a resolution approving the city of Eau Claire's 5 Year Consolidated Plan, 25-29

[14:37] for the Community Development Black Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program.

[14:42] We have Director Olson Buu here.

[14:45] It's hard to follow that.

[14:47] Thanks for having me.

[14:48] Good afternoon.

[14:49] Okay, so what you have before you is a resolution approving the five-year consolidated plan

[14:54] for 2025 to 2029, which is a requirement in order to re-

[15:00] We received CDBG and home funding, so as part of the process, we did hire a consultant who helped with community engagement. We conducted that in a variety of ways. We had a community-wide survey, individual stakeholder engagement meetings, as well as the stakeholder two stakeholder workshops. We also had a 30-day public comment period. The plan has been on our website during that time. And we held two public hearings.

[15:29] hearings on May 12th and May 28th.

[15:33] We did have attendance at the May 28th meeting and just a few comments.

[15:40] One person was wondering where the information from individual stakeholders was included

[15:44] in the plan and we were able to locate it and let her know.

[15:49] Also, someone noted they were pleased to see intentional outreach to diverse groups within

[15:53] the city, finding that that builds trust within our community.

[15:58] And one other comment was just some disappointment that some of the data used in the development

[16:05] of the plan is from 2020, however HUD does require that we use the 2020 census data.

[16:11] And so you'll notice in each of the five year plans it is a bit of lagging data.

[16:17] So those were, that's a summary of the comments received and then what you have before you

[16:21] There's a resolution to approve the plan,

[16:25] and then it can be submitted to HUD

[16:28] ahead of the July 12 deadline.

[16:31] Great, thank you.

[16:32] Any questions?

[16:36] I'm not seeing any, so.

[16:37] Thank you.

[16:38] Thanks for all your work to put that together.

[16:43] Okay, then an motion made by Charlie's not here.

[16:46] A council member Brewster.

[16:47] I think my council member Amboga,

[16:48] this item is moved, any discussion?

[16:54] Senen, city clerk, please call the roll.

[16:57] Councilmember Bruce.

[16:58] Aye.

[16:59] Inboga.

[17:00] Aye.

[17:01] Miller.

[17:02] Aye.

[17:03] Otto.

[17:03] Aye.

[17:05] Reed.

[17:05] Aye.

[17:06] Shown.

[17:07] Aye.

[17:08] Sorano.

[17:08] Aye.

[17:10] Worthment.

[17:10] Aye.

[17:13] Aye.

[17:14] And that passes unanimously.

[17:17] Next we have appointments of board's commissions and committees.

[17:21] As the resolution approving appointments and reappointments of various board's commissions

[17:25] and committees.

[17:25] I will take this one as chair of the committee to find the people who we appointed.

[17:38] That's helpful.

[17:39] Thank you.

[17:41] All right, so we met a couple weeks ago, and before I go into the appointments, I do have

[17:48] an update.

[17:49] We were talking about it, and Council Member Bruster could maybe help me remember to what

[17:54] we talked about.

[17:55] What we're looking at some changes for just some various things.

[17:59] and we're wondering if council was interested in having a work session, is that what,

[18:05] like a, like a, before in the past we've, you know, last year it was council member Josh,

[18:11] our council member Miller and Vice President Worthman, we would work on things in our

[18:15] appointments committee and then we bring it to the full council and then was voted down.

[18:19] So we're wondering if like council wants like a work session instead rather than the

[18:25] appointments, committee doing the work, then bringing it forth, to make some changes.

[18:31] And then, yeah, and then getting boy-down.

[18:35] So, well, yeah, so we're wondering if the people will be interested in a work session, and

[18:39] we can maybe, you can get back to me later too on that, or the city manager, if you're

[18:45] interested in kind of talking more about things, vice-president Worthman?

[18:48] Could I ask what kinds of things would we potentially focus on at a work session?

[18:55] I also want to booster do you have you have a lot of the ideas so sure I guess one of

[19:01] the things that we're looking at doing is standardizing some processes across all

[19:05] boards and commissions like this is how if you're on a board committee or

[19:09] commission this is how you get something on the agenda this is how we prioritize

[19:13] agenda items this is how maybe you get something added to a work plan and if

[19:18] And it would just be the same across everything, as well as potentially city

[19:30] manager

[19:30] hers.

[19:30] If you have any recollections on what the final thing is that we were looking at.

[19:35] So similar to what council member Miller and the advisory committee of appointments talked

[19:40] about in the last round of thinking about revisions is trying to make sure that they're a significant

[19:47] investment of staff time and then volunteer time and council time and we're trying to figure

[19:53] How do we make sure that the investment really pays off in terms of

[20:01] Council or city policies and procedures? And do we want to, like, basically, how can we make sure that this is a really great engagement tool?

[20:15] Does that's when we're showing you comments? I do. I don't know. I just want to ask procedurally also, like, can I respond to your question? Or do we need to, we need to move to discussion? We can probably move it. Well, because I know what's noticed also is

[20:32] the appointments actually, which we haven't talked about.

[20:35] I have feedback, but I don't know if I can win the most appropriate time, would be for me to share that with you.

[20:40] Maybe just, if anyone has feedback can send an email to City Manager Hershey and I, okay, thanks.

[20:47] Just get a more of an update, so.

[20:49] All right, so moving on to the appointments.

[20:53] So for the housing authority, we have one new appointment to Angela Stokes,

[20:57] and then the North Barstow Business Improvement District.

[21:00] We have one new appointments to Nick Meyer, so we need to move it, I guess, so motion made by, I'll put, I guess my name's on there's, well, local by me.

[21:13] Motion made by Vice President Worthman, second by Council Member Miller, this item is moved, any discussion?

[21:22] Seeing none, so you could please call the roll.

[21:24] Council member in the vote.

[21:28] Aye.

[21:29] Miller.

[21:30] Aye.

[21:31] Otto.

[21:31] Aye.

[21:32] Reed.

[21:33] Aye.

[21:34] Shone.

[21:34] Aye.

[21:35] Sorano.

[21:36] Aye.

[21:37] Worthment.

[21:37] Aye.

[21:38] Bergen.

[21:39] Aye.

[21:40] Bruce Bergen.

[21:40] Aye.

[21:43] And those appointments passed unanimously.

[21:46] Okay.

[21:46] Next up we have our capital improvement plan.

[21:49] So, 2026.

[21:50] Thanks.

[21:53] 2030.

[21:53] Resolution approving the 26-30 capital improvement plan

[21:57] for the City of Eau Claire and we have Director Winters here.

[22:00] Good evening, President Verdi-Council.

[22:05] I have one new item just to speak of this evening that would be a change in the amendments

[22:11] from last night to the this afternoon.

[22:16] I don't know if we want to use the projector to show the public the amendments if that would

[22:22] be something you want to do.

[22:24] Yeah,

[22:28] it's even working. I promised usage before I knew it would work. So we

[22:45] have four amendments this evening that have been typed out.

[22:59] The first one is again the ban shell being moved up at Owen Park, treated into 2025 funding.

[23:06] funding and the playground being pushed into 26 and 27, so we'd be amending just the 26 and 27 here, and so we're just changing language in Owen Park.

[23:22] The second amendment that we spoke of last night was RDA affordable housing projects.

[23:28] So we did change a description of that from just land acquisition onto affordable housing to encompass both.

[23:35] So, that is a $1 million item in the CIP that would differ from what's published.

[23:44] The third and fourth amendment we spoke of was the end-of-thall treatment.

[23:50] We'd be entirely removing the end-of-thall treatment with still a $25,000 investment in the

[23:57] Bio-Diversity Program.

[24:01] Oh, I'm sorry.

[24:08] So we'll be fully removing the $100,000 from Underthal with an investment of $25,000 into

[24:17] Bio-Diversity Program and then $75,000 would go into the operating budget.

[24:26] That Underthal Program was funded for four years, 26 through 29 so there's only four years

[24:34] of funding for that $75,000 to go into the operating budget. There's a lot of discussions

[24:39] today between Council and a few Council members and then the staff and Director Berg to kind

[24:47] of talk about the priorities and what the goals were of the program. So we think we've

[24:53] came to the best outcome with having staff in best time, that staff person.

[25:00] Motion would be responsible for cutting the curly leaf pond weed and also an investment in planting more trees. And then the last amendment. This is the new one for the public. So the last one I was just speaking of changed. The newest one is just an increase into the boulevard tree program. So that was published at 75,000. That would be an increase up to 100.

[25:29] $100,000 and that's funded by the storm water operating program within the boulevard.

[25:35] So those are the amendments that are in front of you this evening that were taped up.

[25:41] So there's a couple changes, but with that, I'm available for any questions and any of those

[25:47] and the directors are here as well.

[25:49] Great, thank you.

[25:51] Any questions for director councilmember booster?

[25:53] Thank you, Director Winchers. I was just wondering more specifically for the folks at home that maybe confused about the movement of money with the whole and park ban shell. I know we've gotten a lot of concern about that.

[26:07] I was wondering if you could just spell out where that money is moving around but we're not we're not canceling.

[26:13] Sure.

[26:14] You know updates to the ban shell or anything like that.

[26:17] And if you could just talk about why that's not something that people can see in there.

[26:22] Yeah, it's actually between two books that were published.

[26:27] So in 2025 right now, that is not in the book that we're talking about this evening or

[26:33] approving.

[26:34] But we already have money set aside for the playground.

[26:38] We're going to amend that budget and start immediate use on the ban shell and

[26:43] I'm working with those stakeholders, but the book that's published from 26 to 2030 has funding in it for the ban shells, so we're going to switch that to the playground.

[26:54] So there's no a de-investment in either program, just the ban shell will be happening in 25.

[27:00] It's not in the printed book we're approving this weekend, or excuse me, tonight.

[27:07] tonight will be approving the, if moved, approving the amendment to fund the playground.

[27:18] Thank you so much.

[27:19] Okay.

[27:22] Councillor Osir, I know I had a question, I'll come to you.

[27:25] So thank you, Council President Bergey and thank you, Director Winters.

[27:29] My question is on the final amendment, this boulevard tree program, this is different from

[27:36] from what we looked at last night, correct?

[27:39] And I'm wanting to understand that transfer of 25,000

[27:44] from the storm water operating budget.

[27:47] And what happened there, that budget could be reduced by $25,000.

[27:55] That the bottom might be a little bit confusing.

[27:58] We're actually increasing the tree budget,

[28:01] and we charge the Boulevard tree program

[28:03] to the storm water operating budget, so that ends up getting funded by the storm water rate payers.

[28:11] So this one's kind of one of those enterprise funds that the rate payers pay for it.

[28:15] So water, sewer, storm, so we just increased this budget.

[28:18] Historically, I want to say before 2022, it was at a $200,000 threshold.

[28:25] We did reduce it down because it was being funded by the general fund.

[28:28] We did follow some other municipalities and some other good fiscal ideas were able

[28:34] to attribute trees as a asset or mechanism in assisting with storm water.

[28:43] So there's been a way that we can charge planting of trees to the storm water uses or users.

[28:50] Excuse me.

[28:51] So we're doing that slowly.

[28:53] We haven't put that back up to 200,000, because our forestry department's been working on removal of the ash trees,

[29:01] so we haven't been able to get back to the level of planting that they were at before.

[29:06] That makes sense.

[29:08] One quick follow up, so I'm wanting to understand different from kind of what we originally saw.

[29:15] Was there a change?

[29:16] I mean, from what we saw yesterday to now adding this $25,000 from that.

[29:22] This is an addition, so the $100,000 took $25,000 to biodiversity, $75,000 to the operating budget.

[29:32] And then this is completely new, just happens to be the same number.

[29:36] Okay.

[29:37] So this is completely new from anything you saw last night.

[29:41] But we feel like we have enough now in that storm water.

[29:46] utility to be able to fund this now is that is that the idea yeah that is it's

[29:50] funded by the reap here's what I'm conscious about is what rate we're

[29:53] charging out and at what we don't want to just increase that tree program

[29:59] I'm a substand.

[30:00] And then have our rates go up that there's so far out of touch. So I've been staging that adjustment. So it's just 25,000 for next year. Yes, and then we'll look at it. Yes, yes, because it's tied directly into operations. And then also we need to look at staffing. We need to look at what other charges are going in there as well. Thank you.

[30:30] So for the switching the current 2025 for the part two, the ban shell, played into the

[30:38] ban shell, will that come around later in a budget adjustment or is that just administratively?

[30:44] No, that will take two steps.

[30:47] So tonight the action item will be to amend the CIP and then your second quarter adjustments will be coming to you in July, I believe so that

[30:56] That will require an amendment of the 2025

[30:59] Okay, so that will create a budget. Yes. Okay. Yep. So by approving that amendment tonight to the CIP

[31:06] We definitely should take a look at approving that that second one for 2025 to

[31:12] We'll have a lot of money for one item and not both

[31:17] Thank you.

[31:17] You're good?

[31:18] Did you have a question?

[31:19] Does my room go up?

[31:20] Yeah, thank you.

[31:21] I would like to ask you about the handy talk, because we talk about this one yesterday.

[31:29] Yes.

[31:30] I'm three strong.

[31:31] I'm not that much student.

[31:34] My mom is not my name.

[31:36] My name.

[31:38] So, I think the length is a length.

[31:43] Mr. Lane?

[31:44] Yeah, he did say about the $50,000.

[31:46] dollars.

[31:48] Yeah, so I'm starting to connect to that. Up to now, my mind is not connecting.

[31:55] Sure. So, and another thing is, the four years, we're going to use the money. What would

[32:00] happen after four years? Great question. Are we going to complete this program?

[32:05] Sure. So, President Berge, members of the council, I'll take this one since I made the $50,000

[32:12] So what was that was in reference to is, you know, we're basically short staffed in parks right now.

[32:18] So in order to do more labor, you know, such as harvesting weeds as proposing that we would do the work on overtime as opposed to doing it on straight time, just so we could keep our high level of service up, you know, to all the other facilities and whatnot without affecting it.

[32:34] That's where the $50,000 number came from. That was approximately what it would cost us to do the work on overtime.

[32:40] So that's where it came from.

[32:42] We do have some new solutions that are looking much more favorable here.

[32:47] So I think we can kind of forget about that number for now and pretend I never said it.

[32:52] I know what you're talking about, yeah.

[32:57] As far as funding that in the future, this is one time funding.

[33:01] So we'll have to take a look.

[33:03] I think we'll put in a service modification for the operating budget to increase one FTE.

[33:07] You see, you'll probably see that we're going to look for funding solutions on the back end.

[33:12] It just kind of depends on a lot of different items need to fall into place so we can definitely expand permanently.

[33:21] Thank you.

[33:23] I'll see.

[33:23] It's also over with me.

[33:25] Thank you.

[33:25] Our Vice President with me.

[33:27] Thank you.

[33:27] Council President.

[33:29] I wanted to ask about finance director of the stormwater fund.

[33:36] And you and I had discussed that it's primarily to go to Boulevard tree planting program.

[33:42] Is that a state statute limit or how are we thinking about why trees can't be doing all

[33:50] of the stormwater mitigation in other parts of the community outside of the Boulevard?

[33:56] Sure.

[33:56] It's something Director Bergen, I can talk a little bit.

[33:59] We did some investigation and modeled some other communities.

[34:01] So I think that's been our focus now is just paying on the paying for the boulevard trees, so it's not it wouldn't be a state

[34:08] Statute so we'll we'll take a look into that

[34:12] We just had to have a lot of research to support charging charging storm. So I

[34:19] Assume some of that because they're directly over hard scape

[34:22] Both sidewalk and streets so you probably get more out of the tree than if it's say in a park or something

[34:28] but maybe that's part of the consideration.

[34:31] I think that's how we started there.

[34:32] There was a lot of the discussions.

[34:35] Thanks.

[34:36] Great.

[34:37] Councilor Miller, do you have another question?

[34:39] Yeah.

[34:39] Actually on what you got up here.

[34:41] So last, yesterday when you talked about the end of all all being

[34:45] transitioned to the biodiversity and the using the mechanical system

[34:49] for removing the weeds, but there's three other items here.

[34:55] I don't recall them being discussed yesterday

[34:56] or if they were, I didn't quite catch them.

[34:58] So, the main story of play.

[35:00] The public address system and the third I am there. I don't recall that you discussed last night. Can you just go through those particular items there and discuss those a little bit? Sure, with the proposal, I'm sorry to interrupt. When the original amendment came in, this originally had a payment source to end a fall of community enhancement dollars. So I just shift the community enhancement dollars around to a couple different items within the CIP.

[35:29] So it was kind of, it was noted, it's more background information really because I can

[35:34] apply community enhancement to all sorts of different tourism related draws.

[35:39] So I shifted them away from Carson Park and put them on to the Fairfax pool area again.

[35:47] And then I applied general fund monies to the new programs that were coming out.

[35:53] So it kind of just made things work out easier for me.

[35:56] Community enhancement funds would be applicable to both, so I don't know if that kind of answers

[36:02] the question, but I sometimes move money for amendments if that may.

[36:07] Okay, so if I'm understanding these would be funded by these sources from community

[36:11] enhancement from here to community.

[36:14] I took community enhancement funds away from treating end-of-all and then put them towards

[36:20] the Fairfax pool and the staining projects in relation to parks.

[36:30] I have a question about a parking ramp, and I think maybe Director Ness.

[36:36] So, we heard from Julia Johnson last night, I received a call right before the meeting

[36:41] tonight too, just the worry about, because they have that lift, do their work on their hotel,

[36:49] and they're worried about the prolonged timeline of the Gibson ramp, Gibson, right, yeah.

[36:57] So if you could just, I would think that staff is willing to work with, and that's what I've been hearing, but if you want to reiterate that, that staff's willing to work with the Lizmore Management as we go forward and solving all the parking problems.

[37:11] Yes.

[37:13] We started meeting with them. Well, Ms. Johnson has been part of the downtown parking

[37:22] committee for years, so we've been meeting I'm parking for many years, but did meet

[37:26] with her and her team at the hotel and visit Eau Claire in May of this year to discuss the

[37:34] different project timelines related to dewey street bridge, firewall street construction,

[37:40] the demolition of the Gibson ramp and how that all impacts the users of the hotel and

[37:47] the businesses in the downtown and related timelines and my understanding is the project

[37:55] for their remodeled to maintain their branding is really kind of a six to nine month process

[38:02] where we're anticipating the demolition at this time could be about a year-long project.

[38:09] So, I'll continue to work with the hotel on their timelines related to their projects.

[38:16] We'll look at different alternatives with our consultant that is doing the demo design

[38:23] to see if there's ways that we can start earlier, are there faster ways of completing this process?

[38:32] looking at different alternatives, moving forward to try to align our projects to work better together

[38:41] and looking not just to us but to them as well to for timelines related to their projects. We had

[38:50] discussed their holiday party season and does it make sense to start construction after that? They wrap

[38:58] up of the holiday parties in January and February

[39:01] and then maybe start demo and march.

[39:04] Does that work with the design process

[39:06] and things along those lines?

[39:08] So a lot of discussion moving forward

[39:10] but I think we started with a good basis in me.

[39:14] Okay, great.

[39:15] That's like Vice President Northman has a question.

[39:17] Thank you, Council President.

[39:18] That's my question is along the same lines

[39:20] which is the design costs can those be maybe it doesn't,

[39:27] I just wonder why the design costs come after the demolition.

[39:31] Could that not be done sooner?

[39:35] So the demo design is actually scheduled for 2026,

[39:39] and then the demolition is scheduled for 2027.

[39:44] So the cost related to the demo design is in 2026.

[39:49] So what about the design of the replacement ramp?

[39:53] Or maybe it doesn't matter when that happens, I suppose,

[39:55] but that has to come after the demolition has occurred.

[40:00] No, we can we can move that up, but I think we want to correspond that with discussions related to the parking study and potential public private partnerships moving forward and usage of existing parking surface lots that are in the downtown area, relocation of parking stalls and really having a good plan on that to determine what we want to reconstruct there, if anything in the future.

[40:30] That makes sense.

[40:31] Thanks.

[40:33] Just a clarification.

[40:35] So, my question is that they want to start maybe in 26 what they need to do to keep up with their hotel

[40:42] requirements with the brand.

[40:45] And then we can be, if we have to, how it is set up now allows us to be flexible and nimble

[40:50] because if they're, let's see if you will allow us to meet their needs if needed, if we need to move something up.

[40:56] or are we, so everything, how it is now allow us to, or we can come back before Council

[41:01] I guess to make changes.

[41:03] I think, at this time, I think we have funding that we could work with to start a demo

[41:10] design just in general for the parking downtown structures related for the parking study kind

[41:21] of items and that could assist us. So really just looking at their timelines and required

[41:27] timelines and what we can bid out and have a consultant do with the given timelines.

[41:36] You have to realistically. Okay. Thank you, Director Ness.

[41:38] Appreciate that. Any other questions from Council on the CIP amendments or the whole thing?

[41:46] Seeing none, so by a motion made by Council Member Shone, seconded by Council Member Reed.

[41:53] The CIP is moved.

[41:55] Any discussion?

[41:57] Council Member Shone.

[41:59] Thank you.

[41:59] Council President Bergey.

[42:00] I just wanted to take a moment to speak to the amendment that Council based President

[42:05] Bergey and I brought forth in some of the changes that have been, which we talked about

[42:10] already, but just briefly based on discussion that's been ongoing between Council

[42:17] members and staff and then also some of the information we heard last night just wanted

[42:21] to explain kind of the most major change that happened and so I still feel very strongly

[42:28] and it's reflected in the amendment that endothal is not the most cost effective or physically

[42:32] responsible method for managing curly leaf fondweed on half moon lake but through conversation

[42:39] With staff, we understood that the need, we wanted to work on compromising to address the need for staff time.

[42:50] And so what this new revised amendment reflects is rather than allocating $75,000 towards creating a new forestry program.

[42:59] It allocates that $75,000 or to furs it to the operating budget to fund a position to work on that.

[43:06] and also work on, or sounds like some of the dollars might go towards overtime for other staff members to actually do the mechanical harvesting of the curlyly pondweed.

[43:17] And so I just wanted to take a moment to express that, and then also, as you saw in the new amendment that was introduced as well,

[43:25] there was a recognition that there's still capital need as my understanding for purchasing trees and soil and other supplies

[43:36] to actually do those forestry projects across the city

[43:40] in these low canopy areas.

[43:42] And so, just wanted to give a little bit of background

[43:45] about why I feel really good about this.

[43:47] This reflects a lot of collaboration between council

[43:49] and staff and it is responsive to some of what we heard

[43:52] from staff last night and I'm really excited for it

[43:55] and also wanted to note, like I still am very interested

[43:59] in maybe like at some point in the future in a future,

[44:02] CIP budget, looking at upgrading

[44:04] and improving the mechanical harvester that we have.

[44:07] So I'll be working with staff and intend to correspond with them

[44:10] about finding out how much that might cost

[44:12] and also looking into grant funding solutions for that.

[44:15] So I'm really excited to support this particular amendment

[44:18] or set of amendments and I hope you all support it as well.

[44:22] Thank you.

[44:24] Thank you.

[44:25] You like to, yes.

[44:26] So Vice President Worthman will speak to them amendment

[44:28] and then it comes from Rado.

[44:30] Thank you, Council President.

[44:31] And I just want to add a little bit of additional context, which is that when we were considering

[44:40] the referendum a number of years ago, I think it was three years ago, you know, forestry

[44:45] had a request, was one of the requests for a position and our city forestry, a mastodomyre

[44:51] had kind of shared this number, but that is community our size, which generally have close

[44:57] to a dozen forestry staff.

[45:00] I would like to support that effort, which is, as I understand, roughly four or five staff members currently working on forestry. So this is a huge need we've had for a long time. And in communication, you know, when I asked earlier today, I said, what would get us the most mileage toward planting more trees in our low canopy tree can areas. His response was really that the staffing piece is super important.

[45:30] because all the work that they do, highest priority is still around ash trees, removal of ash trees, and replanting those gaps where ash trees come down.

[45:40] So in order to make a more of a priority, staffing is necessary.

[45:44] And on top of it is this tie-in with the physical cutting of the curly leaf pondweed.

[45:50] So the fact that we can share a position there, or some arrangement, made a lot of sense.

[45:55] In terms of the planting of trees, it does take a budget and 75,000 is currently not filling

[46:01] the entire need that we currently have.

[46:04] And so this additional 25,000 on our storm water fund doesn't still get us all the way

[46:12] to where we want to be.

[46:13] And so in my thinking, well, first and foremost, I think we could even potentially look at grants

[46:19] and other community partners that would love to support a tree program potentially and help

[46:24] upon that, but I think beyond that is thinking about our capital budget as we come out of removal

[46:31] of ash trees and head into the new phase of planting trees, maybe we need to take a look at that

[46:38] in 2027 as an increased budget item when we can figure out how to get there. So, this feels like

[46:45] a compromise as Councilmember Schoen said. I want to thank my council colleague, Councilmember Schoen,

[46:51] as well as the city staff, or being on the phone up until the last 15 minutes of the,

[46:56] before our meeting, and thinking about ways where we can kind of help do the things that

[47:01] we all want to do, but do it in a way that, you know, is maybe a little bit of a compromise

[47:06] across the entire thing, so that's the context.

[47:09] Thank you.

[47:11] Vice President, or I'm sorry, Councilmember Otto.

[47:14] Thank you, President Bernie.

[47:17] Is this an appropriate time to talk about any of the amendments, or are we going to-

[47:20] Yes, I was just thinking about that.

[47:21] Would you like to move your amendment?

[47:28] Okay, so motion made by Council Member Schoen,

[47:30] second by Vice President Worthman.

[47:32] This is an amendment to amend the 26th, 2030 capital

[47:36] improvement plan for fund for 50 parks and recreation

[47:40] by adding 25,000 annually for 2026, 2029

[47:44] for a biodiversity projects fund.

[47:47] This will be accomplished by a reduction of a 25,000 annually,

[47:51] including years 2026 through 2029 in Project 450-001, Parks and Rec, the half-moon lake and the

[48:01] doll treatment and the doll. Additionally, this amendment directs an increase to the operating

[48:08] budget in the remaining amount of 75,000 for staff time related tree plantings and boulevards

[48:14] and harvesting of weeds in half-moon lake. So emotional second for that. You guys talked

[48:20] on it so you're good there okay okay and then so now it's moved so yeah you can

[48:28] have a discussion councilmember Ado oh no thanks I was going to talk about one

[48:33] park oh yeah okay we'll get there yeah councilmember Brewster in addition to

[48:39] all like the primary aspects that this this achieves a reduction in chemical

[48:45] use and you know increase in capacity for tree planting and all that stuff. One

[48:51] thing that I like it when we can do is from like an economic standpoint is take

[48:56] money that would be going someplace else and keep it here you know paying a

[49:01] staff person to do things in a Claire and so that's just just another positive

[49:07] that I see in this and I thank you both and as well as the staff for working on

[49:12] All right. Thanks. Any other discussion on this amendment?

[49:19] No, as we will vote. Okay, so do you click? Please call the roll.

[49:26] Hi.

[49:27] Auto.

[49:28] Aye.

[49:29] Read.

[49:29] Aye.

[49:30] Show.

[49:31] Aye.

[49:32] Toronto.

[49:32] Aye.

[49:33] Worthment.

[49:34] Aye.

[49:35] Fergie.

[49:35] Aye.

[49:36] Rooster.

[49:37] Aye.

[49:42] Met passes ten.

[49:43] Zero.

[49:44] unanimously all right so that amendment passes so now you can put your light

[49:54] on councilmember Otto and I'll okay unless we're doing these in a ticket

[49:59] You can know if you...

[50:01] So on part, I just want to reiterate that the intent all along was to put the ban shell at a higher priority. And I see where the public was unclear. And it's a reminder for us, for myself, to be more direct in our communication with the public. But I do think this is going to be a really necessary amendment. I have walked by the ban shell just today. And especially looking at the back of it, it's clearly needed.

[50:28] It is something that we can do, and I encourage people to support this.

[50:36] Also, I appreciate the public for being so vigilant about this.

[50:40] I mean, it's encouraging that people care.

[50:42] And I'm glad that we got a lot of messages.

[50:44] It shows that people care.

[50:48] So you're making, do you want to make a motion?

[50:51] I motion to move this amendment.

[50:54] Okay.

[50:54] Okay, so motion a second and I was read out loud for everyone know what we're doing so I to move to amend the

[51:03] 2026 the 2030 capital improvement plan for fun for 50 parks and a recreation

[51:08] By adding 50,000 for 2026 and 250,000 for 2027 for O1 Park playground equipment

[51:15] This will be accomplished by a reduction of 50,000 in 2026 and a reduction of 250,000 in 2027 from the O1 Park ban

[51:24] Michelle project. This amendment has a neutral impact on the overall capital budget.

[51:30] We'll just reiterate that we are just we're still doing the ban shell project.

[51:34] So, okay, so you spoke on it. So, Council Member Bruce, would you like to speak on it a seconder?

[51:40] I don't have much to add.

[51:41] Okay. Council Member Serrano?

[51:43] Yes, thank you, Council President, and you said it doesn't mean we're not doing the ban shell project,

[51:48] but I just really want to make sure everybody's clear that we're going to do the ban shell project first.

[51:52] So the ban shall will happen potentially even start in 2025, so just want to make sure that everybody understands it's not even though it looks like we're removing funds from the ban shall is because those funds are coming sooner.

[52:07] So we're actually going to take care of the ban shall first.

[52:11] Thanks for clarification.

[52:18] Any other comments on Owen Park?

[52:23] Seeing none, so you click please call the roll.

[52:27] Councilmember Otto.

[52:28] Aye.

[52:29] Three.

[52:30] Aye.

[52:31] Show them.

[52:31] Aye.

[52:32] Toronto.

[52:33] Aye.

[52:34] Worth a minute.

[52:35] Aye.

[52:36] Berge.

[52:37] Aye.

[52:38] Rooster.

[52:38] Aye.

[52:39] Johnson.

[52:40] Aye.

[52:44] I'm going to pass this unanimously at a moment.

[52:48] Okay.

[52:49] Anyone else want to take something up?

[52:54] Councilor Arbouster?

[52:56] Yeah.

[52:57] Should we do the RDA affordable housing one now?

[53:00] Sure.

[53:01] Let's do it.

[53:01] All right.

[53:03] So we did hear about this.

[53:06] I thought very well described by Director White.

[53:11] last night. There's a strong appetite in our community for focusing on housing

[53:22] and I think this does that while leaving a substantial degree of flexibility for

[53:29] the RDA for acquisition as well. And so it's budget neutral. We work with staff

[53:40] on that, and here it is in front of us.

[53:44] Great, thank you.

[53:46] It was your seconder or who?

[53:48] Okay, Vice President Worthman, would you like to speak on it?

[53:50] Okay, so we'll move that.

[53:52] So motion made by councilmember Brewster

[53:54] and seconded by Vice President Worthman.

[53:56] This is an amendment to RDA forable housing project.

[53:59] So to move to amend the 2026 2030 capital improvement plan

[54:03] for fund 495 RDA by adding $1 million for 2026

[54:09] Thanks for RDA affordable housing project.

[54:11] This will be accomplished by a reduction of 1 million in 2026 from the RDA land acquisition project.

[54:18] This amendment has a neutral impact on the overall capital budget.

[54:22] Okay, so it's moved, so any discussion?

[54:26] Council Member Shone.

[54:27] Thank you, Council President Fergie.

[54:28] So I wanted to just comment briefly.

[54:31] I followed up after the public hearing yesterday to ask staff some clarifying questions.

[54:39] I'll be supporting the amendment,

[54:40] but I was a little concerned just based on the language.

[54:44] It was not very clear to me in the title of the resolution

[54:47] and the change from RDA land acquisition projects

[54:52] to RDA affordable housing projects.

[54:54] But I was able, I just want to clarify out loud

[54:57] in case there's any RDA members that might be listening.

[55:00] This afternoon, but RDA has had ongoing discussions recently about creating, as Director White described, a larger district in geography and has been working in that direction, which would lend itself towards doing more affordable housing type projects, which is a departure from some of the more traditional RDA projects that are smaller in geography and really transformative in a specific area in the community.

[55:29] So, I just was confused initially about whether this was a departure from or the same as

[55:36] what RDA's direction had been and I was able to confirm and have comforts and confidence

[55:41] now that this just reflects the same direction the RDA is moving in and so I'll be supporting

[55:45] the amendment.

[55:46] Great.

[55:47] Thank you.

[55:48] Comfort and confidence.

[55:49] That's good.

[55:50] Yeah.

[55:51] Vice President Worthman?

[55:52] Thank you, Council President.

[55:53] And I just want to say one of the things that excites me about this amendment is the fact that I think it opens up.

[56:02] It's different from, as council member Sean mentioned, different from what the focus of already has been.

[56:08] But I think what excites me is that it kind of looks at different opportunities that I would say pair with the strengths of what our community is interested in doing.

[56:19] and so you can imagine a lot of different partners and manufacturer home, folks, etc.

[56:26] I'm being a part of this affordable housing project that we're all a part of and so to

[56:32] me that kind of expands what's possible and I'm curious as this moves forward that our

[56:38] council is going to be a part of also hearing these ideas come forward and RDA is going

[56:45] to be the ones sort of initiating here's how we think this could go, but you know this

[56:50] is the beginning of the conversation not the end and so I'm excited to see where that

[56:53] goes.

[56:53] I also want to give a shout out to community members who have voice strong support for

[57:00] taking a more of our capital budget and focusing on affordable housing and this fits that request

[57:07] from our community that we continue that strong effort.

[57:10] So this is exciting to me and I hope my colleagues will support it.

[57:16] All right.

[57:17] Thank you.

[57:18] Any comments?

[57:20] So you clerk, please call the roll.

[57:26] Aye.

[57:27] Show.

[57:27] Aye.

[57:28] Toronto.

[57:29] Aye.

[57:30] Fourth minute.

[57:30] Aye.

[57:31] Bergen.

[57:32] Aye.

[57:33] Rooster.

[57:33] Aye.

[57:35] Johnson.

[57:35] Aye.

[57:36] Angoga.

[57:37] Aye.

[57:38] Miller.

[57:39] Aye.

[57:39] Otto.

[57:40] Aye.

[57:42] Okay, one more amendment that we have in front of us, right?

[57:50] I'd like to motion.

[57:51] Vice President Wearthman.

[57:52] Thank you, Council President.

[57:53] It's a motion for the last amendment here, which is regarding that fun 4-1-1 transportation

[58:04] by adding 25,000 to a tree planting boulevard program specifically from the stormwater operating

[58:10] fund.

[58:11] Okay,

[58:16] so I have a motion by Vice President Worthman in a second by Council Member Shown.

[58:20] Vice President Worthman, would you like to speak on this?

[58:23] Okay.

[58:24] Declined.

[58:25] You yield your time.

[58:26] Is that how you say it?

[58:27] Vice President or Council Member Shown, do you have anything to say?

[58:30] Sure, just briefly, as mentioned before, this really pairs, compliments the other amendment

[58:37] that Council Member Council Vice President Worthman and I brought forth related to Urban Forest

[58:44] District Underfall and Water Quality Initiatives.

[58:47] So I really appreciate the initiative and innovation

[58:50] that staff had in helping draft this amendment.

[58:57] Great, thanks.

[58:59] I'll read out loud just so we all know.

[59:01] So we're moving to amend the 2026 2030 Kaplan

[59:05] Improvement Plan for Fund 441 Transportation

[59:08] by adding 25,000 for 2026 for program 441-011.

[59:14] There are 1-1 transportation bill of our tree replacement program by increasing the transfer from the 2026 storm water operating.

[59:23] This amendment will increase the capital budget and operating budget for 2026.

[59:28] Is there any comments on this amendment discussion?

[59:34] Okay, so you quick, please call the roll.

[59:36] Councilmember

[59:39] Schoenel.

[59:40] Aye.

[59:40] Toronto.

[59:41] Aye.

[59:42] Workman.

[59:43] Aye.

[59:44] Berge.

[59:45] Aye.

[59:45] Rooster.

[59:46] Aye.

[59:47] Johnson.

[59:48] Aye.

[59:48] Emboga.

[59:49] Aye.

[59:50] Miller.

[59:50] Aye.

[59:51] Otto.

[59:52] Aye.

[59:53] Reed.

[59:53] Aye.

[59:55] In that amendment passes unanimously.

[59:58] Okay.

[59:59] Any.

[1:00:00] Any more discussion on the capital improvement plan?

[1:00:08] I just want to quickly say, I really appreciate staff. I know I said that just moments ago, but through the CIP budget process, one of the asks I had made was helping us understand what line items in the CIP. I mean, it's a massive document. We're managing millions of dollars. It's incredibly important. And being able to understand what line items come from statutory requirements.

[1:00:32] the state mandates that we have police and fire and provide different

[1:00:37] public services, maintain clean water and sewage and maintain our

[1:00:42] stormwater system and one of the things that was just like incredibly

[1:00:48] offstriking to me this year with staff's help in doing that was that I believe if

[1:00:53] I'm not mistaken it was something like 82 or 83% of the budget is just state

[1:00:58] mandated projects and things we have to invest in per state law and then beyond that there

[1:01:06] was sort of this middle category of projects that we don't have to invest in but there's

[1:01:11] definitely a fiscal or other large consequence associated with not funding them and I think

[1:01:17] that category constitute an additional like 12 to 15% and basically the entire budget has

[1:01:23] up and just those types of line items.

[1:01:26] And so I just always try to take every opportunity I can

[1:01:29] to advocate for our community and the importance

[1:01:33] of advocacy around different, finding different revenue

[1:01:38] streams moving forward, which the state also greatly limits

[1:01:41] what municipalities can do.

[1:01:43] And so I just really appreciate staff

[1:01:45] and going through that exercise helped me a lot.

[1:01:48] It helped inform, I think, hope a lot of the amendments

[1:01:50] that came forward and making sure we weren't

[1:01:52] pulling funds from items that we should not be touching and I just really greatly appreciate

[1:01:58] the staff's work on this. I know it's a lot of work and you put a lot of hours into it

[1:02:02] and just it speaks to also the larger need for municipal budget reform in our state. So thank you.

[1:02:10] Yes. Thank you. Any other discussion on the whole CIP because no booster?

[1:02:18] Thank you, Mr. President.

[1:02:21] I don't know.

[1:02:21] I've always just been a little bit, I don't know,

[1:02:27] ilitees.

[1:02:27] It feels like, you know, for something

[1:02:30] this big and this important, we should talk more about it.

[1:02:33] It's like we should have at least an hour discussing

[1:02:35] about $48 million, right?

[1:02:38] But I guess, you know, whenever T is crossed and I die,

[1:02:43] there's not really much to say, especially when

[1:02:46] And there's so little, as councilmember Shown pointed out, so little that we actually have the capacity to modify.

[1:02:53] So we did have a few work sessions.

[1:02:58] That's true.

[1:02:59] We'll come both, councilmember Serrano.

[1:03:01] Thank you, council president.

[1:03:02] I want to just echo what my colleague councilmember Shown said about all the work that went into this and the amount of time and effort that goes into educating councilman.

[1:03:16] And also the public about, it's a very complex system that we have for funding and for how we can allocate funds and how we spend funds and looking to the future.

[1:03:32] So I also just want to acknowledge the public because increasingly I see more public engagement.

[1:03:39] And we got a lot of feedback and a lot of emails of people who really reading the details in the budget.

[1:03:46] And I find that very heartening, I really just want to encourage other members of the public.

[1:03:52] Please get involved, please inform yourself.

[1:03:55] It's helpful to us and really important for our community to really understand all the dynamics and

[1:04:02] all the constraints really that we have as a city.

[1:04:05] you know, how that happens, you know, how the things that the county funds, the things

[1:04:10] that the city funds, the things that the school districts can fund, you know, really understanding

[1:04:14] how all of these things affect our community is very, very valuable.

[1:04:19] So don't be afraid of this and please continue to get involved.

[1:04:22] We have the operating budget next and I just welcome everybody's feedback.

[1:04:28] Thank you.

[1:04:29] Councillor Romboca.

[1:04:30] Thank you, Councillor Preston.

[1:04:32] I want to thank every reporter, especially all the collectors who have given the police

[1:04:38] chief, but I want to give a special time to the finance departments, especially the

[1:04:46] directors.

[1:04:47] Thank you for your leadership, thank you for your service, and I hope you take a day

[1:04:51] of two days of relax a little bit.

[1:04:53] That's it.

[1:04:54] Thank you.

[1:05:10] So

[1:05:14] we shouldn't postpone this. That's what you're saying. Yeah, just kidding. All right, no more comments. So you click please call the roll.

[1:05:26] Toronto.

[1:05:27] Aye.

[1:05:29] Worth minutes.

[1:05:29] Aye.

[1:05:30] Berge.

[1:05:31] Aye.

[1:05:32] Brewster.

[1:05:33] Aye.

[1:05:33] Johnson.

[1:05:34] Aye.

[1:05:34] Involga.

[1:05:35] Aye.

[1:05:36] Miller.

[1:05:37] Aye.

[1:05:37] Auto.

[1:05:38] Aye.

[1:05:39] Three.

[1:05:39] Aye.

[1:05:40] Show them.

[1:05:41] Aye.

[1:05:42] And they see IP pass unanimously.

[1:05:44] So thanks everyone.

[1:05:48] Moving on to artwork.

[1:05:50] This is artwork donation.

[1:05:51] A resolution accepting an artwork donation

[1:05:53] Question from Ms. Chiff from the Sculptured Tour O'Clayer.

[1:05:57] Mr. Lee, our Dr. Berg, I want to do it again.

[1:06:02] Mr. Lane.

[1:06:06] Good afternoon again.

[1:06:07] The item before you is to accept in our work donation.

[1:06:11] We are notified by a visit O'Clayer and the O'Clayer Sculptured Tour that they would like to permanently donate the 2024 People's Choice Award Sculptured to us, which is awesome.

[1:06:22] The sculpture is titled mischief, and it currently resides at 202 South Barstow.

[1:06:28] It's right between the Lismore and Wintership tattoo, and I did have some slides of it.

[1:06:33] It does not look like it's working, but if you could not, there we go, there are the slides.

[1:06:37] So it's really a cute sculpture, very whimsical in nature, a couple dogs out having a little joy rod on a tricycle.

[1:06:45] So I kind of let your mind wander with that, but the sculpture is valued at $15,000.

[1:06:50] was created by Scotch Legg, and as I understand it, the downtown bids sponsor the People's Choice Awards, so they would like it to remain in the downtown area, which we have no problem with, so it may reside at this location permanently, or it could migrate somewhere, but it will remain in the downtown area.

[1:07:10] Yeah, we are eternally grateful for this donation.

[1:07:13] You know, the sculpture tour is something, it's one of those items, and there's a long list of them, but it's one of those items that makes Oh Claire really cool.

[1:07:21] And it brings people in, and if you just take the walk and visit the sculptures, the creativity is amazing, and it just adds a flare to our city that make it just that extra bit special.

[1:07:32] So we're very grateful for this, and if you have any questions, I'd certainly answer them.

[1:07:37] Great. Any questions? I don't see any. So, oh, Council Member Priester has a question.

[1:07:43] So I know we've, before my time, taken several of these. I was just wondering if you know

[1:07:52] how many statute donations we've had over the years.

[1:07:55] I was really worried you're going to ask me that. I thought of it too late as us sitting in

[1:08:01] back, but I can't find that out for you. But I think it's an annual tradition. I remember

[1:08:05] I did remember this last year from our agenda that we had received the People's Choice Awards.

[1:08:09] I think it's an annual thing, but I can verify that for you.

[1:08:12] I believe it started, the tour started in 2011, I believe, so I think it is an annual thing.

[1:08:17] But it's awesome, and we love having these adore in our city forever.

[1:08:23] Thank you, I would number one.

[1:08:27] Okay, so let's see, I'll move this.

[1:08:31] I motion made by Councilmember Otto, seconded by Councilmember Serrano, this item is moved

[1:08:36] any discussion.

[1:08:39] Seeing none.

[1:08:40] So you click please call the roll.

[1:08:42] Councilmember Ruth Mendelssohn.

[1:08:45] Aye.

[1:08:46] Bruce.

[1:08:46] Aye.

[1:08:47] Johnson.

[1:08:48] Aye.

[1:08:49] Involga.

[1:08:49] Aye.

[1:08:50] Miller.

[1:08:51] Aye.

[1:08:51] Otto.

[1:08:52] Aye.

[1:08:53] Reed.

[1:08:53] Aye.

[1:08:54] Shoe.

[1:08:54] Aye.

[1:08:55] Okay.

[1:08:55] That's right.

[1:08:56] Aye.

[1:08:58] And that passes unanimously.

[1:09:00] Next we have an intergovernmental transfer agreement.

[1:09:03] It's a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an intergovernmental transfer

[1:09:07] agreement between the city of Eau Claire and the Eau Claire County to transfer a utility

[1:09:12] easement, director Ness.

[1:09:14] Good afternoon again.

[1:09:16] This is related to a permanent utility easement for the extension of utilities to the southern

[1:09:24] portion of the city of Eau Claire. The utility easement would be through Lowes Creek Park.

[1:09:33] We partnered with the county and met with their parks and forest committee and went through

[1:09:39] their county board for approval of an easement through the park. Originally with this utility

[1:09:47] extension project we had thought we would go further to the west from

[1:09:52] Lurch Avenue and come down Lowes Creek Park or South Lowes Creek Road.

[1:10:00] But in working with our lift station consultant and our utility designer, they both questioned can we go through the park and working with them and with the county with the easement here. We are able to bore utilities through the park. So there will not be a lot of surface impacts within the parks to the trail.

[1:10:30] everything will be board underground will have approximately a 40 by 60 pad at the

[1:10:39] very southern portion of the right-of-way utility easement that the

[1:10:45] boring machine will sit and there will be some spot checks throughout the

[1:10:51] bore path but otherwise very minimal impact to the park will work through the

[1:10:59] the DNR process and other permitting processes that we have to do for the utility extension,

[1:11:05] but are very grateful that the county found the benefit of this and to them and the city

[1:11:13] residents moving forward and passed the approval for this transfer agreement.

[1:11:21] So related to that, we will have potentially a couple more coming forward to you today, but

[1:11:28] but this is one of three for this project to move forward.

[1:11:34] Great.

[1:11:36] Thank you.

[1:11:36] Any questions for Dr. Ness on this?

[1:11:39] Vice President Worthman?

[1:11:41] So thank you, Director Ness.

[1:11:43] I know you put a lot of work into this,

[1:11:46] attending all the different intergovernmental meetings and things,

[1:11:50] and I just want to share my appreciation for that.

[1:11:54] that. So I'm seeing that this is an incredible project that saved residents and taxpayers

[1:12:02] 842,000 going this route versus the other potential route. So, how does that mean for,

[1:12:11] I assume, how does that work in the budget in terms of, I assume we were, we were budgeted

[1:12:17] to spend that, or how should we think about, what does that mean for our future budget potential?

[1:12:23] Well, we do have utility funds that we allocate for utility extensions every 3 years.

[1:12:33] And that coupled with existing utilities and roadway infrastructure.

[1:12:43] So it's not all coming out of our utility fund.

[1:12:46] And there was road reconstruction costs that now we, since we are not going the longer

[1:12:52] route along Lowes Creek Road, we will not have to reconstruct as much of the roadway

[1:12:57] through there.

[1:12:58] So we are eliminating the use of the future funds for a couple several different areas.

[1:13:07] I think it builds partnerships moving forward to look at how can we continue this type of

[1:13:15] coordination moving forward with different jurisdictions to be smart about our projects

[1:13:23] moving forward and use our budget as wisely as we can.

[1:13:29] Thank you.

[1:13:31] Okay.

[1:13:32] No more comments?

[1:13:33] Our question?

[1:13:34] So we'll move it.

[1:13:34] Thank you, Dr. Ness.

[1:13:37] So by motion made by Councilmember Johnson, say goodbye, Councilmember Brewster, the

[1:13:42] Item is moved.

[1:13:44] Any discussion?

[1:13:46] Cena, see you quick, please call the roll.

[1:13:51] Aye.

[1:13:52] Rooster, aye.

[1:13:54] Johnson, aye.

[1:13:55] Involga, aye.

[1:13:57] Miller, aye.

[1:13:58] Otto, aye.

[1:13:59] Reed, aye.

[1:14:01] Show them.

[1:14:01] Aye.

[1:14:02] Zorano, aye.

[1:14:04] Worthment, aye.

[1:14:06] Could I just, yes, let me just say it passes unanimously.

[1:14:09] So you manage your hersh.

[1:14:10] I just wanted to piggyback on council member

[1:14:13] worth of an statement, just appreciation for engineering department and director.

[1:14:18] This is such a busy time for them, and you see how they are trying to complete so many scheduled work projects during this summer season.

[1:14:27] And then there's emergent issues like our two bridge problems, and this kind of intergovernmental agreement.

[1:14:33] And then it's also summer time when you might want to be with your family.

[1:14:35] So I just really appreciate that whole crew for this incredible work they do.

[1:14:39] Thank you.

[1:14:42] Okay.

[1:14:43] I'm number 23, update and sustainability and advisory committee's work plan.

[1:14:49] So, there's a resolution improvement update to sustainability advisory committee yearly

[1:14:53] work plan to review herbicide, pesticide and fertiliser use on city owned public

[1:15:00] LegislativeCalence faithful lands. Including parks and that councilmember, Vicears

[1:15:03] President WorthMed and council members Toronto is bringing this forward so Vice

[1:15:08] P ta President, worth may Halo excuse me, vegan this.

[1:15:10] Sure. Thank you. Thank you so much, Council President. This item came about through the conversations around the transition of pollinator toward pollinator habitat in our parks, and I think created more awareness around the sometimes needed use of chemicals, but also raised questions about where are their opportunities for their reduction in the use of

[1:15:40] chemicals in our parks. Interestingly, we just did an item earlier on a capital budget

[1:15:47] that probably falls within this same category. And it spurred the sustainability commission

[1:15:54] to request, advisory commission to request that their work plan be updated to actually tackle

[1:16:01] this idea and to try to solicit public comment and to provide feedback to the council about

[1:16:09] where we want to go when it comes to the use of herbicides and fertilizers, potentially

[1:16:18] fertilizers as well in our parks.

[1:16:21] And so that's what this amendment does.

[1:16:25] I think the only thing I'd like to draw attention to regarding their work plan, they have

[1:16:30] been working through a lot of the, the work plan that you see in your packet here is just

[1:16:36] just one page of three, but most of the items that the big ticket items for sustainability

[1:16:42] have already been worked through the process, including things like the zoning code which

[1:16:47] is kind of coming to a close. So it frees up some space in their second half of the year

[1:16:52] to work on this. And I also want to draw your attention to the fact that the Waterways and

[1:16:59] Parks Commission has an interest in this as well. And so I requested in this amendment that

[1:17:05] that there would be a conscious effort to work together with that committee to bring forward

[1:17:12] policy to this body.

[1:17:15] So I appreciate my council colleagues, Councilmember Serrano, for seconding this, and we'll

[1:17:23] let you speak to it in that I'm open for any questions if you want to discuss this item.

[1:17:28] Thank you.

[1:17:29] Great.

[1:17:29] Councilmember Serrano?

[1:17:30] Yes.

[1:17:30] Thank you, Council President.

[1:17:31] And I'm particularly enthusiastic about this thinking of it earlier when we were doing

[1:17:39] our proclamation on Parks and Rec that we'd every year and even New Kirk's remarks about

[1:17:48] how we have such an engaged community and we have a lot of expertise in our community.

[1:17:55] community wants to be involved and our commissions and I also appreciate the fact that we're

[1:18:01] going to be looking, you know, taking a maybe a little bit of a deeper look at how commissions

[1:18:08] work best with council in terms of advising. But in the meantime, I think it's really valuable

[1:18:15] to take advantage of our sustainability advisory committee and our waterways and parks commission

[1:18:22] to advise and this doesn't hold us to anything but we have volunteers and experts in our community

[1:18:32] that want to take a look at this and I think the more buy-in we get generally with the way

[1:18:38] we certainly the way we maintain our green spaces et cetera it just gives us a shared

[1:18:44] ownership of our city and I think that's that's helpful all the way around.

[1:18:49] Thank you, Councilmember Serrano.

[1:18:54] Okay, so motion made by Vice President Ortherman,

[1:18:57] seconded by Councilmember Serrano.

[1:18:59] This item is moved, any discussion?

[1:19:03] Councilmember Schoen?

[1:19:03] Thank you, Councilmember.

[1:19:05] I don't know if this is a question for the movers

[1:19:07] or someone in the city's staff, but in a promise is related.

[1:19:13] But what staff member oversees the city's MS4 permit?

[1:19:17] the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Director-Ness I have a question then if the

[1:19:26] movers would be open to a friendly amendment or do I need to wait until I think you

[1:19:33] can motion to make an amendment if you want to make state what it is and so the

[1:19:40] MS4 permit is one that our engineering department overseas it's a DNR

[1:19:46] state required permit for communities of certain sizes, like O'Clair. Part of that permit

[1:19:52] includes public and outreach and education on nutrient use and different components.

[1:20:00] Discharges, thing related closely to use the fertilizers, I actually believe a component of that permit also requires municipalities to have a nutrient management plan if they're applying nutrients to parkland in access of five acres. I don't know what's the top of my head if we would have anything in that category. But I just wanted to make a motion to include so in the column that's titled leader in the table. So I think it's the

[1:20:31] I don't know if I'm raising that correctly, but it lists only community services as the

[1:20:37] leader in this.

[1:20:37] And I would like to see our engineering staff included just because it's so closely related

[1:20:43] to the MS4 permit.

[1:20:47] So your motion to amend is to add in the work plan to put engineering as a leader, in addition

[1:20:58] to community services.

[1:20:59] Okay.

[1:20:59] Okay, so in addition, is there a second to that?

[1:21:05] Okay, all right, accepted.

[1:21:08] Okay, thank you.

[1:21:10] Let's see, yeah.

[1:21:13] Council member Miller, do you have a question or a comment?

[1:21:17] Okay, sure, yeah, comment.

[1:21:18] Thank you, Council President.

[1:21:21] I commend the ingenuity to update the sustainability

[1:21:24] of our committee work plan here at Council,

[1:21:26] because I know the commission's a committee's,

[1:21:29] you know, make their own work plans,

[1:21:30] but there are tools of the council as a whole, and thank you for directing them directly

[1:21:36] to take on somebody that the council, the council would like to see done.

[1:21:41] I don't think I've seen this done in four years I've been a council, so good job taking

[1:21:45] it.

[1:21:47] I think if you want to see done, and giving it to the hands of people who are donating their

[1:21:50] time and efforts and expertise to these plans, so it takes more from the council and give

[1:21:54] the people who are eager to take it on, so I can come in that effort.

[1:22:01] I have a discussion in your comments.

[1:22:04] Is that the mobile vote?

[1:22:06] Okay.

[1:22:07] As you click, please call the roll.

[1:22:12] Aye.

[1:22:13] Johnson.

[1:22:14] Aye.

[1:22:15] Involga.

[1:22:16] Aye.

[1:22:17] Miller.

[1:22:18] Aye.

[1:22:19] Otto.

[1:22:20] Aye.

[1:22:22] Aye.

[1:22:23] So.

[1:22:23] Aye.

[1:22:24] Sorano.

[1:22:25] Aye.

[1:22:25] Hi.

[1:22:26] Hi.

[1:22:27] Hi.

[1:22:28] Hi.

[1:22:29] And that passes unanimously.

[1:22:31] Okay.

[1:22:32] We have one item left in our business agenda.

[1:22:34] This is a report from ad hoc committee on fiscal stability.

[1:22:38] This is a report from our chair of our ad hoc committee on fiscal stability from June 9, 2025

[1:22:44] committee meeting.

[1:22:45] And councilmember Miller, we'll be reporting out.

[1:22:49] Yes.

[1:22:49] Thank you, council president.

[1:22:51] So, as a reminder, at the February 25th Council meeting, we created an ad hoc committee on

[1:22:58] fiscal stability, and then we waited until our organization meeting in April 2 point

[1:23:03] members, and appointed were members, Councilor Serrano shown Johnson, Brewster, and myself.

[1:23:09] And our first meeting took place on June 9th, that's stated here, with the City Manager

[1:23:16] to finance director and the deputy manager in attendance. I was selected chair, so I'll

[1:23:21] begin a report of the meeting. The entire minutes are in the packet here, so you can

[1:23:25] read those through four more details. First part of the meeting was public comments.

[1:23:31] So to anybody in public listening, these meetings on fiscal stability for the City of Eau Claire

[1:23:36] are open to public comments, so comments can be made directly during these meetings. And

[1:23:41] And then I'll try to keep this brief.

[1:23:44] First step was kind of a high level summary of the city.

[1:23:47] Things that were said there are things that are often said doing our budgeting processes.

[1:23:53] Constraints in the levy limits, we can't keep up with coal and CPI increases.

[1:23:57] So we have structural deficits, hence the reason for this fiscal stability commission to be created.

[1:24:04] There are other, and then questions from council after the high level summary were about enterprises.

[1:24:10] And you'll have pay parking if we do that one, the desire for that to help parking be self-sufficient and then also we have uncertainty with having to buy a new insurance provider and that's going to be a big question market if we move forward into the operational budget.

[1:24:24] And then we kind of discussed the purpose of the fiscal stability commission.

[1:24:28] This was Council Director Arprefying to be used for a study from ALERS to model long-term

[1:24:34] revenue and expenditures and how we can close this gap going forward as you know we've

[1:24:42] already seen a graph where you know we have a funding and they're expensive than the

[1:24:45] wedge you can bigger and bigger over the years.

[1:24:48] The community members expressed desire to include community stakeholders and state legislators

[1:24:51] even in some of these discussions perhaps with more informal work sessions and then open

[1:24:56] up to community participation as we get closer to the fall.

[1:25:00] And then two areas of focus for increasing revenue were lobbying for municipal sales tax and searching for waste to increase revenue directly through things like economic development, grants, tourism, et cetera. And then the last part of the meeting was touching on one particular thing that's come forward. This one was budgeting with paratransit. There's a gap in that. Between what the county has normally given, it's normally been a set on the county can longer do the 70% so there's going to be a gap there. And mobile offices were discussed.

[1:25:29] And then the part of the commission is that we recommend things to the same manager and the finance director as they work is scheduled to meet every two weeks for most of the year and then taking problems and challenges that come with the budgeting and thank you and giving feedback to the manager and the finance director to find ways to try to minimize the structural deficits that occur every year.

[1:25:57] So that was a quick summary, like I said, the entire minutes are here and then as we go forward

[1:26:07] into the year, it is expected that the commission will give a report to the City Council

[1:26:15] kind of like a final report on all the discussion that occurred over the past six months as we

[1:26:21] head into the operating budget cycle.

[1:26:23] And everyone, any questions, I'll take them, but like I said, you probably find mostly

[1:26:28] inches here because the entire minutes are in our packet.

[1:26:31] Great.

[1:26:32] Thank you.

[1:26:32] Any questions for the chair of the council?

[1:26:38] Do we have to move to accept the

[1:26:46] motion made by councilmember Emboca, seconded by Vice

[1:26:52] President Orthman, this item has moved any discussion.

[1:26:57] Council President, I would just say for feedback for the city to particular the last section

[1:27:02] in which relates to the paratransit revenue split.

[1:27:07] So if you do, if anybody who wasn't there

[1:27:09] does want to take a look at that

[1:27:11] and talk more about it or provide feedback,

[1:27:13] that's helpful.

[1:27:16] Councilmember Miller?

[1:27:17] There.

[1:27:18] Thank you.

[1:27:20] Great.

[1:27:23] Any other discussion?

[1:27:25] All right.

[1:27:25] Seeing none.

[1:27:26] As you click, please call the roll.

[1:27:28] Councilmember Johnson.

[1:27:30] Hi.

[1:27:31] You both go.

[1:27:32] Hi.

[1:27:33] Miller.

[1:27:34] Hi.

[1:27:35] Reed.

[1:27:35] Hi.

[1:27:36] Show.

[1:27:37] Hi.

[1:27:37] Toronto.

[1:27:38] Hi.

[1:27:39] Hi.

[1:27:40] Hi.

[1:27:41] Hi.

[1:27:43] Passes unanimously.

[1:27:45] Okay.

[1:27:46] I'm to announcements and updates.

[1:27:48] Say you miss.

[1:27:50] Thank you.

[1:27:51] I have a few.

[1:27:52] None of them are events.

[1:27:54] So first I wanted to thank councilmember Brewster for organizing a resident budget forum and also

[1:27:59] councilmember Serrano and read attended and I thought it was great.

[1:28:03] It was about 20-25 people real fun, lively discussion.

[1:28:06] Also, thank you to Councilmember Serrano, who went on a long tour with the fire department,

[1:28:12] so that was great.

[1:28:14] The third point is I have been thinking about how to get the word out about illegal fireworks.

[1:28:20] So if you remember, there are some kind of differences of opinion about the public display of fireworks.

[1:28:26] But one thing that there is consensus on was that people with their own social media channels

[1:28:31] or others if you can think of how to communicate that to, and I will be as well.

[1:28:38] Next thing is that tomorrow kicks off this working better together program,

[1:28:42] which is grant funded.

[1:28:43] There's 40 people, including council member Reed, who are part of it.

[1:28:48] And they're from all different groups in the city and as well as city employees.

[1:28:52] So that's going to be really great.

[1:28:54] And the last, this is the best, most fun part, is that we have new artwork in the chambers.

[1:28:59] and Mr. Lane is available.

[1:29:03] So first, thank you to Monica Frederick,

[1:29:06] the executive director at Pablo,

[1:29:07] and also Erica Crowdy or Crowdy,

[1:29:10] who is the Pablo gallery manager.

[1:29:13] She created this selection for us,

[1:29:15] but they're just swapped in this week.

[1:29:18] So Mr. Berg, wait.

[1:29:21] Director Berg, what does that say over there next to that one?

[1:29:34] Oh, nice.

[1:29:35] No curly leaf though, huh?

[1:29:39] by their floating goats? What's over by you, Pat?

[1:30:13] What you got there?

[1:30:22] Is it really? Is that awesome?

[1:30:25] Yeah.

[1:30:26] Yeah.

[1:30:27] That's a little bit of a little bit of an old, yeah.

[1:30:31] That's fine.

[1:30:32] That's a little bit of an interpretation of this one.

[1:30:34] Yeah.

[1:30:34] Okay, Pat.

[1:30:36] All right.

[1:30:36] So this one is a long title that's a kind of watercolor on paper, and a shaper.

[1:30:42] And it looks like kind of a, I don't know how to do that.

[1:30:50] I like the descriptions, you see.

[1:30:52] Yeah, I don't know.

[1:30:53] We have our own curators.

[1:30:54] I like it.

[1:30:55] Okay, Lane.

[1:31:06] Okay.

[1:31:08] Okay.

[1:31:09] Pat last night.

[1:31:10] All right.

[1:31:10] So this is the me.

[1:31:25] Nice.

[1:31:26] These are all roar short tests.

[1:31:28] By the way.

[1:31:29] Yeah.

[1:31:29] Everybody got a chance.

[1:31:30] I think you all on the staff got a chance to vote on their

[1:31:32] favorites.

[1:31:33] But how cool is it that we have our local artists, including

[1:31:36] a relative of somebody here to just that to make our chamber

[1:31:40] more lively and also just to know Councilmember Inboga would really like to see plaques of the prior council members

[1:31:48] So that's on

[1:31:53] Yes, that might those might be big plaques, but anyway, that's something on our to do or think about list

[1:31:59] Thank you, and then come vice president worth men has

[1:32:03] Thank you so much council president, and I want to draw all of your attention to the fact that this past Friday

[1:32:10] June 20th was marked as American Eagle Day, in Wisconsin, a day that was proclaimed

[1:32:15] by Governor Evers to celebrate all these eagles.

[1:32:19] And this has been a designation in National Emblem since 1782 and is an enduring symbolism

[1:32:26] of freedom, courage, and the American spirit.

[1:32:29] And to particularly thank Mark Knox, who is a dedicated resident of our district, for bringing

[1:32:38] this to my attention that there,

[1:32:42] you know, is, you know, clear a history of probably the

[1:32:44] most famous bald eagle in Old Abe. And so I want to share with you just a little bit

[1:32:50] about Old Abe and what that story is. In 1861, an Ojibwe chief sky captured the eagle

[1:33:00] it near the Flambeau River in northern Wisconsin, and the eagle it sold for a bushel of corn

[1:33:04] to a farmer named Daniel McCann, which would soon become the mascot of the eighth Wisconsin

[1:33:11] voluntary infantry regiment, which was company C, known as the Eagle Company.

[1:33:17] Its name for President Lincoln, old age was the eagle was perched on top of a shield

[1:33:25] and sword over battles from Corinth to Vicksburg.

[1:33:28] Confederates called him the Yankee buzzard and tried desperately to capture or kill this

[1:33:33] eagle, but old Abe survived 36 battles and his screams stirred Union troops to victory.

[1:33:40] General Sherman himself praised the 8th of Wisconsin's valor writing, the eagle of the

[1:33:44] 8th of Wisconsin has ever done its whole duties of our conquest.

[1:33:51] After the war, old Abe returned home to Wisconsin as a hero, crowds cheered in Madison

[1:33:57] Susan and in Eau Claire were veterans paraded him on the street and lined with flags and cannon salutes.

[1:34:02] He lived out his days in the even alerting staff to a fire that occurred in 1881 in the Wisconsin Capitol.

[1:34:09] A final act of service before passing, unfortunately, Eagle breathed smoke in that tragedy indoors.

[1:34:16] And his likeness watches over our state assembly chamber and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.

[1:34:21] He is also the mascot here of our Memorial High School, which bears his name and our community

[1:34:27] remembers company C's courage to this day.

[1:34:30] I want to close this by saying that this American Eagle Day led us on our old Abe not just

[1:34:36] as a relic of history but as a reminder for the value vision, courage and adversity, and

[1:34:41] service to something that is greater than ourselves.

[1:34:43] I encourage all residents to

[1:35:00] To visit there's a plaque that is down on the Chippewa River, just three blocks from here,

[1:35:06] and there's an old Abe Memorial Park, up in Park Falls, Wisconsin, if you want to learn

[1:35:11] more at their museum. Together, we keep this legacy alive for future generations. Thank

[1:35:16] you. Thank you. Thank you. Sorry, formative. Any other announcements?

[1:35:24] I just want to comment as all of the people say, it's a good day, it's a good day at

[1:35:34] this, but it's excellent.

[1:35:36] Okay, we're number one in the state.

[1:35:39] Great.

[1:35:42] Okay.

[1:35:43] Any other announcements?

[1:35:46] Okay.

[1:35:46] See, now we do have a close session, so read that and we'll vote.

[1:35:50] I'm going into that. We can take a five-minute break. Yes.

[1:35:56] Upon a motion duly made and carried the City Council may go into closed session to conduct

[1:36:01] the three-month performance objections, check in with the City Manager and employ whom

[1:36:07] the City Council exercises responsibility, which is permitted to in closed session pursuant

[1:36:12] to 19.851C of the Wisconsin Statutes. So, motion made by Council Member Otto, second by Council

[1:36:21] Councilmember Serrano, this item is moved. Any discussion?

[1:36:25] Seeing none, see a quick call or roll.

[1:36:29] Councilmember Bogell.

[1:36:31] Aye. Miller.

[1:36:32] Aye.

[1:36:33] Auto.

[1:36:33] Aye.

[1:36:34] Read.

[1:36:34] Aye.

[1:36:35] Serrano.

[1:36:36] Aye.

[1:36:37] Worth a minute.

[1:36:37] Aye.

[1:36:39] Bruce.

[1:36:40] Aye.

[1:36:41] Johnson.

[1:36:41] Aye.

[1:36:42] All right.

[1:36:43] And that passes unanimously, so we'll be going into close session in five minutes.

City Council Meeting - Tuesday

Agenda

Transcript