Menomonie City Council approves budget

CITY OF MENOMONIE COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
Menomonie City Hall 800 Wilson Avenue
1st Floor, City Council Chambers 7:00pm
Monday – November 17, 2025
Pledge of Allegiance
   1. Roll Call

All were present other than Ryland Erdman.

   2. Approval of Minutes

Minutes were approved

   3. Public Hearings:
       a) Proposed Ordinance 2025-14, An ordinance appropriating the necessary funds for the operation of the government and administration of the City of Menomonie for the year 2026.

Only one public comment was given, in support of funding for the public library.

       b) Proposed Ordinance 2025-09, an Ordinance amending Title 14, Chapter 4 of the City Code to decrease the minimum lot area and lot width for lots served by public sewer.

The ordinance is in the attached meeting packet. No public members spoke on the ordinance. 

   4. Public Comments (other agenda items only).

Becca Schoenborn spoke on the operating plan for Downtown Menomonie. (Item 6a)

   5. Old Business:
       a) Proposed Ordinance 2025-14, An ordinance appropriating the necessary funds for the operation of the government and administration of the City of Menomonie for the year 2026 – discussion, possible introduction, possible waiver of first reading, possible waiver of second reading and possible adoption.

There was a $ 15 million increase in assessed value, and an increase in other revenues. There was a population growth to just short of 17,000 people. There was also an increase in new construction of 2.1%

However, the aggregate ratio continues to be very low at 68%. Next year there will be a proposal to have a new community assessment. 

Additional firefighter/medics were added, and there will be an increase in debt service payments, which will cause a challenge to this budget. Details are in the attached packet. 

Alderperson Yonko introduced a budget with option C in the packet, with a 7.39 mill rate and a $250,000 contingency fund. The first and second readings were waived and passed with Alderperson Brennan voting no.

       b) Proposed Ordinance 2025-09, an Ordinance amending Title 14, Chapter 4 of the City Code to decrease the minimum lot area and lot width for lots served by public sewer – discussion, possible waiver of first reading, possible waiver of second reading and possible adoption.

This ordinance would allow the development of a smaller lot with the intention of making lot sizes more flexible for developers. The first and second readings were waived The ordinance was adopted with a voice vote. 

   6. New Business:
       a) Proposed Business Improvement District (Downtown Menomonie) 2026 Operating Plan – discussion and possible action.

The plan was approved unanimously by roll call vote. 

       b) Consider Resolution 2025-17 regarding Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Transportation Alternatives Program-Safe Routes to Schools (TAP-SRTS) – discussion and possible action.

The grant information is in the packet - this funding would not be received until 2028 at earliest. The resolution was approved by voice vote. 

       c) Consider Resolution 2025-18 regarding Setting Polling Locations in the City of Menomonie for Elections – discussion and possible action.

The intention is to move one polling place to a more secure location - Wards 1 and 2 would move to Holtby Hall at the Historical Society. There will also be a move from CVTC, which is now charging for use of the facility. Wards 10 and 11 will move to the Fanetti Community Center. 

The motion was passed by voice vote.

       d) Discuss possible Speed Limit changes on South Broadway Street (STH 25) – discussion and possible action. 

There are some concerns about speed limits and accidents, particularly near the stadium on Highway 25. Details are in the packet. The current posted speed limits are slightly out of sync with the ordinance. It is a state highway, so the state controls the speed so the city can only request changes. The average speeds have been collected since the state has rules on having the speed limits be roughly consistent with the actual speeds traveled. There is a draft memo that will be submitted to the state for approval. 

The council asked that a proposal be drafted. 

   7. Budget Transfers

There was a transfer to pay for the transfer of a police car to the IT department. 

The transfer was approved by roll call vote unanimously.

   8. Mayor’s Report

The lights will be turned on at Wolske Bay during Thanksgiving week.

   9. Communications and Miscellaneous Business

There is still a need for election workers in the city.

Liquor compliance checks have been reduced and are mostly being done on a complaint basis. There have been a few complaints recently but are being dealt with more with walk-throughs and discussions with the tavern owners. There has also been additional training for bartenders. 

Wakanda Wonderland is coming up and the Historical Society is looking for volunteers.

   10. Claims

A roll-call vote approved the claims. 

   11. Licenses
       a) Normal license list – discussion and possible action

Licenses were approved. 

   12. Adjourn
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