Menomonie City Council meeting for September 16, 2024

COUNCIL MEETING 
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 PM Monday – September 16, 2024 

AGENDA 

Pledge of Allegiance 

1. Roll Call & Special Recognitions 

Adam Accola introduced himself as the new director of the economic development partnership. 

2. Approval of Minutes 

Minutes were approved by voice vote

3. Public Comments 

Padraig Gallagher spoke in favor of increasing funding for programs such as Stepping Stones and other organizations important to the community.. 52% of the residents of Dunn County are below the ALICE threshold and need for support from Stepping Stones is increasing.

Melissa Kneeland spoke re: the distribution of public funds to these organizations as well, along with funding for the Dunn County Historical Society. She also spoke about different ways cities can support organizations that are not simply monetary. 

Lucas Chase spoke regarding the nonprofits and particularly the Mabel Tainter. 

Becca Schoenborn spoke in favor of all of the organizations as a representative of Downtown Menomonie, Inc. 

4. New Business 

   a. Award Test Wells for Well #9 Contract - discussion and possible action. 

The bids have come through for drilling the test wells, The bid being accepted is for $386,386. The city currently has three wells, and there is a strong need for a fourth. These test wells will be drilled in Phelan Park and Wakanda Park.  The bid was approved unanimously. More details are in the council packet which is attached to this article.

   b. Agreement with West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission for Update of Menomonie Sewer Service Area Plan – discussion and possible action. 

The motion was approved unanimously.  The details are in the council packet. 

   c. Resolution 2024-18 to Support 2025 Urban Forestry Grant Application – discussion and possible action. 

The council approved the resolution to support applying for the grant. The details of the grant are in the council packet.

   d. Proposed Ordinance 2024-14, an Ordinance Amending the title of Section 5-2-4 of the City Code and amending Section 5-2-4 C. of the City Code to include a prohibition of students possessing vaping devices on school grounds and at school events – discussion, possible introduction, possible waiver of the first reading, possible waiver of the second reading, and possible adoption.

 Students currently can possess vaping instruments on the school grounds if they are over 18. The intention of the ordinance is to protect the under-age students from exposure to the devices. The first reading was waived. The second reading was waived. The motion was adopted by voice vote. 

   e. Proposed Ordinance 2024-15, an Ordinance Repealing Section 10-3-1-C of the City Code to eliminate protests against zoning amendments – discussion, possible introduction, possible waiver of the first reading, possible waiver of the second reading, and possible adoption. 

The city ordinance on zoning has a protest provision against zoning amendments.  This is no longer allowed under state law, so the zoning code is changed to remove the ability to protest. Since this is a zoning amendment it will be referred to the planning commission for adoption.  The council approved by voice vote. 

   f. Future public investments – discussion only (No Action). 

This item is a discussion of public investments to help determine how to set next year's draft budget. There is a list of past investments in the council packet.  There is also a survey of cities that are similar in size. There will likely be a $250,000 budget shortfall this year so there has been some consideration for taking this money and putting it into the contingency fund so it can be spent later if there is money available. The discussion is captured in the attached video.

5. Budget Transfers 

Please see the budget transfers in the packet. The two budget transfers were approved.

6. Mayor’s Report 

The homecoming parade is Friday, followed by music in Wilson Park.

7. Communications and Miscellaneous Business

The payroll portion of the new enterprise software is live and other parts will be coming online soon. Many other items are in the packet. The water main that split has been repaired and it is almost ready to have the concrete poured

The resurfacing on Bongey Drive will be happening soon. The last parts of the sidewalk in Wilson Park will be done after the homecoming parade. The updates to the water park are underway. 

There will be a clean sweep event - the poster is in the packet. There is also information on the Red Cedar Partnership report.

Nitrate levels in the watershed are still "worryingly high". We are in year 8 of the 10-year plan and will apply for another 10-year plan. The environmental mailer went out to all mailing addresses in the city last week.

There is now a City of Menomonie Instagram account.

The new Cedar Corporation building should be finished by August if the winter weather is mild.

It is Stout's car-free week. 

8. Claims 

The claims are in the packet. They were approved unanimously by roll-call vote. 

9. Licenses 

  a. Normal license list – discussion and possible action.

The license list was approved 

10. Closed 

   a. Motion to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statues 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 potential industrial development in TID #18 and financial support. City of Menomonie 800 Wilson Ave 1 st Floor 

11. Return to Open Session 

   . 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 potential industrial development in TID #18 and financial support. 

12. Adjourn 

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