City council makes no decision on data center development plan

CITY OF MENOMONIE COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Menomonie City Hall
800 Wilson Avenue
1st Floor, City Council Chambers
7:00pm
Monday – July 21, 2025

Pledge of Allegiance
1. Roll Call

2. Approval of Minutes

Minutes were approved by voice vote.

3. Public Comments (agenda items only).

4. Old Business

   a) Proposed City of Menomonie Non-Profit Grant Program – discussion and
   possible action.

A discussion took place regarding the possible structure of this grant program and how the grants would be awarded in a fair and equitable manner.  The council voted on a proposal to implement the nonprofit grant process  for fixcal year 2026. The process and procedures would be decided at a later date and the amount would be set in next year's budget.

The vote passed with two no votes (Summerfeld, Schwebs)

5. New Business

   a) Update from Atlas Specialty Contracting regarding redevelopment of the
   former Badger Iron site – discussion only (no action).

The site has been purchased and will become Atlas Contracting,  a concrete company. They are moving their business into the facility and will be doing more cleanup on the ground. The farmable ground is planted in hay. There are photos in the city council packet attached. The changes have all been done by local businesses. The property has been made clean and safe.

   b) Resolution 2025-12 regarding Award and City Cost for the Menomonie
   Public Library Roof Replacement Contract – discussion and possible
   action.

The library was last re-roofed in 2002. Bids were taken and are in the packet. Bid #1 was accepted with Elite Construction Solutions for 91,50842 plus the cost of any sheeting and wood reconstruction needed under the shingles. 

The city will pay 50% of the cost up to $100,000

The resolution was approved unanimously by roll call vote.

   c) Award of the ConAgra Phase II Water Main Repair Contract – discussion
   and possible action.

This is a follow-up to the initial repair of the water main, which will reconnect ConAgra to the damaged water main. The bid tabulations are in the attached packet. The low bid was from Skid Steer Guy at $166,005. 

The bid was approved unanimously by roll-call vote contingent on bonding and insurance and an easement from ConAgra. 

   d) Special Event Requests – discussion and possible action
      (1) St. Joesph Fall Festival, Wilson Avenue, September 21, 2025

The request includes a street closure. The request was approved by voice vote.

6. Budget Transfers

This will enable Megen Hines to purchase a truck from the city for use in solid waste recycling.

The transfer was approved unanimously by roll-call vote.

7. Mayor’s Report

The mayor talked about his trip on the giant slide at the water park and the success of Let's Paint The Town on Saturday.
8. Communications and Miscellaneous Business

The Dunn County Fair is this week. 

UW-Stout wants to have a Grill The Reps event this fall and council members are requested to attend. Complaints have come in about the large number of deer in town (Councilperson Brennan). There is a possibility of a limited bow deer hunt in the city.

9. Claims

The claims list was approved unanimously by roll-call vote.

10.Licenses

   a) Normal license list – discussion and possible action

The list was approved as presented by voice vote.

   b) Application for Class B Combination License (Class “B” Beer and “Class B”
   Liquor) from Hostetter Pub, LLC for Hoss’s Pub (formerly The Pub, 516 Broadway Street South) – discussion and possible action.
Details of this application are in the attached council packet. It will be a sports bar with limited food service. 

The license was approved by voice vote.

11.Closed Session 
   a) Motion to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e)
   for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public
   properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified
   public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a
   closed session.
      i) Discuss/consider a proposed Development Agreement with
      Balloonist, LLC.

IThe closed session was approved by roll-call vote.

12.Return to Open Session
   a) Motion to reconvene in open session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(2).

   b) City may take action on items under discussion in closed session and/or
   report action taken in closed session, if any.

      i) Discuss/consider a proposed Development Agreement with
      Balloonist, LLC.

After a long (almost 90 minute) closed session the city council took no action on the development plan with Balloonist, LLC. The annexation and re-zoning will be considered at the Planning Commission meeting on July 28, and will come back to the council for consideration in their Aug. 4 meeting.
13.Adjourn
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