Stop the data center protesters at meeting
Editor - Below is the full article on this contentious meeting tomorrow but during the meeting Alderperson Sydney Brennan called for a vote on a resolution of no confidence against Mayor Knaack. This vote could not be held as it was not on the meeting agenda. The mayor announced that he has had the City Administrator send a letter to Balloonist LLC saying that the city would provide no TIF district for the proposed data center and that he was no longer interested in receiving a development agreement. The mayor declared that the data center project is now "on pause". We will contact the city to understand what this actually means in practice. A large number of anti-data-center protesters appeared at the meeting both outside before the meeting and inside. As with the last few meetings, the meeting room was completely full, with many people listening from the hallway.
Numerous corrections have been made to this article to clarify what the letter to Balloonist stated.
Pledge of Allegiance
- Roll Call
Randy Sommerfeld and Matthew Crowe absent.
- Approval of Minutes
Approved.
- Public Comments (agenda items only).
Mayor reminded the audience that the Data Center is not on the agenda and if things are not on the agenda, public comments are not allowed.
Ron Larson spoke on the ATV/UTV ordinance. He thanked the Council for changing the start time to 6 am and changing the route on South Broadway from 1st avenue to 4th avenue. He is still hoping the city will move the handicapped parking space in front of the post office one spot to the west so the ATVs/UTV’s can see at this corner.
Brittany Williams and Michelle Rugland stated they were available to speak on Item 9B.
The last comment concerned the agenda item for 59th Street NE. The speaker wanted to know if the SPA property has anything to do with the data center.
- New Business
- Proposed Ordinance 2025-08, An ordinance amending portions of
Section 6-1-12 relating to ATV and UTV routes within the City of Menomonie and the hours of operation for ATVs and UTVs within the City of Menomonie. – discussion, possible introduction, possible waiver of the first reading, possible waiver of the second reading and possible adoption.
The police state that the ordinance is working well. The City Administrator presented the new ordinance to extend the hours and change the route. The parking spot issue needs to be forwarded to the Parking Department. Jeff Luther moved to waive second reading. Mary Solberg seconded it. Two council members opposed. The motion passed. Jeff Luther motioned to approve the ordinance. Gretchen Yonko expressed concerns with changing the hours as it will cause more noise earlier and Stout lots don’t open until 7 am. Sydney Brennan questioned whether changes should wait until there is a longer track record on traffic tickets. Jeff Luther stated as we move into winter it will be dark at 7 am and 5 pm. The ordinance passed.
- Certified Survey Map for the proposed SPA Properties, LLC site on 59th Street NE – discussion and possible action.
This land is currently city property. The survey creates two lots. The City will retain lot 1. The city will sell the second lot to SPA properties, which will construct an online retail warehouse on the second lot. Council member Brennan asked who SPA is and the city staff didn’t know. The sale was approved.
- Award of New Sludge Truck Bid – discussion and possible action.
There were originally three bids. One bid was rejected for being nonresponsive. Premiere Truck Group submitted bids for two different trucks. The truck is used to haul biosolids from the Wastewater Treatment Plant on Riverside Drive to the Sludge Storage Tanks on Badger Drive. The existing sludge truck is 17 years old and has reached the end of its useful life.
According to Paul Sterk, the Wastewater Superintendent, there is a bigger tank on the new truck so it will not have to make as many trips. The current truck was designed for highway driving. The new truck is better designed for city driving. The City will do as much maintenance as possible. Maintenance should not be an issue. Lee Schwebs moved to approve the purchase. Cody Gentz seconded it. Motion approved.
- Budget Transfers
None
- Mayor’s Report
- Communications and Miscellaneous Business
Abigail Pickard stated that Menomonie is a small close-knit community.
Gretchen Yonko reported that voices were being heard. The Community remains welcome to progress.
Eric Sutherland reminded everyone to come support the mustangs on Friday.
Jeff Luther stated he was glad to see all the anti-data center people at the meeting. There was clapping in response.
Ryland Erdman went to view the blasting at Point Comfort. It was more impressive than he was expecting, and the Company got the job done.
Sydney Brennan expressed her disappointment with the mayor. The Community faced a difficult decision, and the mayor pitted the council against the people. She requested a resolution of no confidence in the mayor. She would like the Council to be involved in setting the agenda, receiving earlier communications on projects, and having no NDAs without Council approval, as well as clear criteria for projects. Some anti-data center people started shouting "resign!" while she was speaking.
Mary Solberg disagreed with Sydney and stated she has been on the council with the mayor for a long time.
Cody Gentz stated he appreciates the work of the mayor, but felt the data center never needed to get this far. There are systemic issues with this project. There is a need for a policy to ensure early review by the council. He believes there should be a standing Committee for Economic Development. The council needs to be involved in setting the agenda. The council owes it to the community that the next project is transparent.
Lee Schwebs stated he has been on the council for 28 years. He said there were secret meetings on Cardinal Glass. He was around for the Walmart Distribution center and Anderson Windows. Things went well. Council members just need to ask to have something put on the agenda. He objected to Sydney’s statement.
Eric Sutherland stated there have been issues with the agenda in the past.
The Mayor responded that he loves the council and loves the dialogue. He appreciates that everyone tries to do the right thing. He will consider things for the agenda, but they may not always fit on the agenda. He also listens to citizens. He did something he thought was proper, and on September 17, he contacted Balloonist and stated the city was not interested in a TID or receiving a development agreement. Therefore, the Issue of the data center is now on pause. “Menomonie means everything to me. I try to make the best decisions.”
Jeff Luther echoed that the mayor cares about everyone.
Sydney Brennan expressed concern that the council rubber stamps the mayor's decisions and is being controlled by slum landlords.
The Mayor responded that he works hard for the city. For example, there is Project Hope that is saving lives. There has been $100 M of buildup under his leadership. "Just look at the winter wonderland in Wolske’s Bay". He shows visitors the schools, Mabel Tainter and talks about cleaning up the lake. He has been talking to the governor about the lake. “Randy is here for you. I love Menomonie. We will continue meeting in cordial fashion.”
- Claims
Mary Solberg made a motion to approve the revised list. It was seconded and approved on a roll call vote.
- Licenses
- Normal license list – discussion and possible action
Motion made and seconded. Passed
- Application for Class B Combination License (Class “B” Beer and “Class B” Liquor) from The Yard WI, LLC for The Yard (formerly Dean & Sue’s, 2002 Midway Road) – discussion and possible action.
Brittney Williams and Michelle Rugland are here. This is a name change. Remodeling is planned for the future. The license is conditional until the sale is completed. At 2:00 pm this coming Saturday there will be a video on the history of Dean & Sue’s. Everyone is welcomed to come.
- Adjourn
Cody Gentz motioned to adjourn. It was seconded and approved.
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