City Council hears about improvements to dam abutment and report from Fire Dept.

CITY OF MENOMONIE
COUNCIL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 PM
Monday – May 20, 2024

AGENDA
Pledge of Allegiance

Mary Solberg ran the meeting in the absence of Mayor Knaack. 
1. Roll Call & Special Recognitions

2. Approval of Minutes

Approved by voice vote. 
3. Public Comments

4. New Business

a. Presentation from Xcel Energy regarding Abutment Stabilization Project (no action).

The presentation is in the attached packet - this is to stabilize the abutment between the dam and the Wilson house, and to improve the small corner that holds the Tainter Gate display. This bank was constructed in 1958 and has shown signs of erosion. The wooden Tainter Gate will be replaced with a steel Tainter Gate, and there will be signage explaining the display. The gate is now installed in thousands of hydroelectric facilities around the world. 

There will be occasional lane closures on 25 near the bridge. There will also be a large crane in front of the Wilson House, and a barge in the river nearby. The project will start in June and should be finished by early November. 

b. Presentation of the 2023 Menomonie Fire Department Annual Report (no action).

The department is currently doing nearly 4000 runs per year. There has been over a 100% increase since 2020.

 The report is in the attached meeting packet. 

c. Proposed Ordinance 2024-09, Amending Title 3, Chapter 23, Mobile Food Establishment
regulations – possible introduction, possible waiver of the first reading, possible waiver of the
second reading and possible adoption.

The ordinance change puts in penalties for non-compliance with the ordinances - there are many issues with non-regulated food trucks from explosions and fire. This is primarily a safety issue. The new ordinance also changes the period of the license to make it easier for the truck owners to have their inspection during the summer.

The first and second readings were waived and the ordinance passed by voice vote. 

d. Proposed Resolution 2024-14, Regarding WisDNR Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act
Grant Program Application – discussion and possible action.

This is a one-time grant for disadvantaged communities in the state. A portion of Menomonie qualifies (primarily downtown and the student rental area). There will be about 100 large trees planted as part of this grant. The proposal is in the attached meeting packet. It has been approved by the Urban Forestry Board and the DNR. The grants will be awarded in July. The grant is for a three-year period. 

The resolution was passed by a voice vote. 

e. Proposed Resolution 2024-15, Regarding Sewer Utility 2023 Compliance Maintenance
Annual Report – discussion and possible action.

The report is in the meeting packet --- the resolution was adopted by voice vote.

f. Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions – discussion and possible action:

The appointments were approved by voice vote.

i. Plan Commission – Steve Lindberg

ii. Tourism Board – Barbara Bauer-Chen, Grady Richartz, Kat Wagner, Ryan Verdon

5. Budget Transfers

One budget transfer was for $6000 to repair a sludge truck.  The second was for $2845 moved from the natural gas budget into repairs for a pump at Wakanda Park. 

The budget transfers were approved unanimously by roll-call vote.

6. Mayor’s Report

There was no mayor's report. 
7. Communications and Miscellaneous Business

Some landscaping work is being done at City Hall. Bids are being collected. 

The library is attempting to receive a grant for nearly $4 million to improve access, broadband technology, and more. 

8. Claims

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

9. Licenses

a. Normal license list

There were no licenses. 

10. Adjourn

Adjourned at 8:04 PM.

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