Menomonie City Council turns down re-zoning request

7 PM, City Council Chambers

Pledge of Allegiance

1. Roll Call & Special Recognitions

2. Approval of Minutes

3. Public Hearings

4. Public Comments

 Leslie Norris spoke in opposition to item 6K - the rezoning of the property near Estover Park. She runs an outdoor massage practice near that property and will not be able to continue to do this outside due to the construction. 

 Joan Pougiales spoke on the same issue and is opposed because another set of multiplexes will change the character of the neighborhood. She also believes that people in neighborhoods are not consulted or aware of these zoning changes before they come up for approval at the council.

5. Unfinished Business

A. Temporary trailer storage extension for Stepping Stones of Dunn County, Inc. at 1602 Stout Road – discussion and possible motion approving

The motion to approve a 90 day extension was approved. 

6. New Business

A. Proposed employment with Amy Gjestson to serve as Treasurer/Comptroller effective June 1, 2023 — discussion and possible motion of approval

Ms Gjetson spoke about herself to the council. Her position was approved by the council. 

B. Proposed ReforMedicine Letter-of-Intent to lease additional office space in the lower level at 800 Wilson Avenue – discussion and possible motion of action

They want to lease another office across the hall from their current office. This was approved by voice vote. 

C. Proposed Letter-of-Intent from Beton-Stahl, Inc to extend their current lease at 800 Wilson Avenue – discussion and possible motion of action

This is a 7 year term extension on their current space on the second floor. There is a 2-year cancellation option. It was approved by voice vote. 

D. Proposed offers to purchase from Habitat for Humanity for 1202, 1208, 1220, 1224, 1232, and 1240 Brickyard Road – discussion and possible motion approving

This is 3 separate purchases of $10,000 each, 2 lots in each purchase. The city may purchase the properties back if they are not built by 2026. The first is closing on June 30, The second closes on Dec. 1 of 2023. The third closes by June 30, 2024. These purchases were approved by voice vote. 

E. Proposed developer agreement from Gerrard Development, LLC for a residential housing development west of 21st Street East and north of Tower Ridge Avenue – discussion and possible motion approving. 

This is next to the middle school on 21st St. East and South of Tower Ridge Avenue. This was approved unanimously. 

F. Review of Well #8 Chemical Room bids – discussion and possible motion of award

Only one bid came in on this. This is the well next to the Waterfront Bar and Grill. The chemical wells cannot be stored in a single room by order of the DNR as they can interact with each other dangerously. The bid is from Spring Lake Contracting for $417,000. This needs to be done by Dec. 31 so there is a time restraint on finishing this. It will be funded by the water utility. The council approved the bid unanimously.

G. Review of the Menomonie Police Department's proposed purchase of Axon Taser7 devices — discussion and possible motion of approval

Chief Hollister spoke on this issue.  The tasers the department owns are over 10 years old and have issues and can no longer be repaired.  The cost for the new tasers is $79,000. The purchase was approved unanimously. 

H. Proposed cooperative agreement and authorizing resolution to apply for and partner with surrounding towns on 2024 Clean Sweep Hazardous Waste event – discussion and possible cooperative agreement and resolution adoptions

This collection will be held in collaboration with the Town of Menomonie and the Town of Red Cedar. This will be up to 75% funded by a DATCP grant. The resolution was approved. 

I. Proposed waiver to allow excavation within 100 feet of the property line in the northwest corner of the Covia Sand Mine – discussion and possible motion of approval. 

This excavation will save money on the extension of Stokke Parkway past the sand mine and will be helpful to the sand mine as part of their reclamation plan - if the waiver is not allowed Covia will have to first reclaim that portion and then the city will need to re-excavate the area to extend the parkway. The waiver was approved unanimously. 

J. Proposed certified survey map and wetland delineation for City-owned lands in the Stout Technology and Business Park – discussion and possible motion of approval

This is an area just south of Anderson Windows that the city owns in the Technology Park. A survey needs to be done to merge the three properties and to determine where the wetlands are in the property. The eventual intention would be to make this available for housing development. The cost of this survey is $8,200. The survey was approved unanimously. 

K. Proposed zoning ordinance amendment for the vacant property west of Estover Terrace from R-1 Single Family Residential District to R-3 Multiple Family Residential District – discussion and possible ordinance introduction and a motion of referral to the Plan Commission. 

The mayor suggested that this is not a good re-zoning since it is a single-family area, and agreed with the citizens who spoke at the beginning of the meeting. There are 35 single-family lots in the area. This would be a mix of single-family, duplex, and 6-plex properties. Several council members spoke in opposition, The council voted to deny the variance unanimously. 

L. Re-Appointment to the Multiple Boards including Tourism, Recreation Advisory, Community Development, Board of Review, Board of Zoning and Historic Preservation– discussion and possible motion approving

All of the re-appointments were approved by the council.

M. Budget Transfers - There were no budget transfers. 

7. Mayor’s Report

There were 70 participants in the move-out day. 500 pounds of metal were recycled.

343 children have signed up for T-ball and softball programs.

The new city website launches on June 6. 

Work is being done on Wakanda Water Park - there are four leaks that caused the loss of 4 million gallons over the last few years. The pool will be filled next week and open after Memorial Day.

Water Mains flushing is beginning starting tomorrow. After the flushing, it will help if you run water out of a garden hose bib to clear the sediment from the laterals.

On June 7 there will be a water rate case hearing on Zoom.  The PSC proposal is for approximately a 15% rate increase. 

The police department has received a grant for Project Hope. 

8. Communications and Miscellaneous Business

Objections have been made to the front signage of the new tobacco shop across from the Mabel Tainter and is being worked through with the store owner. 

Issues were discussed about properties in the city that have large amounts of junk in the yard. Several notices are in process with property owners. 

9. Claims

The claims list was approved unanimously. 

10. Licenses

A. Normal license list

The license list was approved. 

11. Closed No closed session for May 15, 2023

13. Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 PM.

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