Menomonie News Net

Below are upcoming public meetings. Click on the links to find location, agendas and digital links if available.

City Meetings

Jan 13 – Recreation Advisory Board 7pm

Jan 15 – Urban Forestry Board 1pm

Jan 21 – City Council 7pm

School District Meetings

Jan 13 – Mid-Year Budget Hearing 5pm

Jan 13 – School Board Meeting 5:45pm

Dunn County Meetings

Jan 8 – Executive Committee

Jan 9 – Fair Board Committee

Jan 15 – Planning, Resource & Development Committee

Jan 15 – Board of Supervisors

Town Meetings

NOTE: The following is part of NoteTakers – Menomonie News Net. Community members take notes at public meetings (city, county, schools, town). Orientation is provided. If you are interested in learning more email [email protected].

Town of Menomonie Dec 17 Board Meeting Summary

by Sara Cardwell, Town of Menomonie resident, NoteTaker (MNN)

• The ordinance to increase general fire call service costs to all residents was approved. Residents having to use the service will pay the full costs of the fire call starting in 2025 versus the current maximum of $500 for a fire call. • Townspeople are encouraged to call in to report potholes. New equipment coming this spring that will allow more patching in a shorter period. • The Town of Menomonie is required to do a new Comprehensive Plan in 2025. Townspeople can contact the Plan Commission for how to be notified of the process and progress. • .Nomination papers for Town Board positions are due Tuesday, Jan. 7. • Tax statements have been mailed.

Town of Menomonie Dec 17 Board Meeting (Complete) Notes

(by Sara Cardwell, Town of Menomonie resident, NoteTakers (MNN)

Attendance: Kent Jackson, Chairman; Brian Johnson, Supervisor; Scott Barnhart, Supervisor; Nancy Ponto, Treasurer; Charisse Sutliff, Clerk

Chairman Jackson called the 2025 Budget Finalization Meeting to order at 6 p.m.

Brian Johnson moved to approve. Scott Barnhart seconded. Approved 3-0.

Motion to adjourn meeting. Approved 3-0.

Chairman Jackson called to order the Special Elector Budget Meeting at 6:02 pm.

– 2025 Town Levy Approval Resolution 2024-07

– Highway Expenses Approval

– 2025 Budget Approval

Above items were approved by the Board and the townspeople present at the meeting.

Chairman Jackson called to order the Regular Board Meeting

Minutes from the Nov. 12 Board Meeting were unavailable due to Clerk’s computer issues.

Minutes from the Nov. 23 Special Board Meeting were reviewed. Barnhart moved to approve. Johnson seconded. Approved 3-0.

Public Comments

Brad Lindsey of Woodland Terrace spoke on the brush cut of the right-of-way on Dec 5. He wondered why a second cutting needed to be done as the brush had been cut in the spring. He felt the homeowners had a lot to clean up and believes there were hazardous areas. Lindsey distributed pictures he took to the Board members. Chairman Jackson responded that the right-of-way extends 30 feet onto the property. The Town needs to keep the brush clear. If the brush to allowed to continue to grow in the right of way, it can hit the plows, buses, etc. Initially the area may not look good, but the debris quickly disintegrates if left as is.

Christy Lindsey expressed concern that there needs to be more gravel sweeping in the spring. There are a lot of potholes that need work and there is graffiti on the street. Chairman Jackson responded that the Town does not own a sweeper and has limited funds allowing the City of Menomonie to do only one sweep. The Patrolman will cover the graffiti. Residents are encouraged to call in about potholes.

CSM – Special Exception Kinnard

Selling homestead parcel of 40 acres to daughter. Parcel is split through by 440th Avenue. (They must subdivide and survey the parcel because 440th Ave goes through the property). Plan Commission reviewed and approved the special exception. Johnson moved to approve. Barnhart seconded. Approved 3-0.

Cedar Corporation Presentation on Services for Town’s Comprehensive Plan

Chairman Jackson introduced the topic by explaining that the Town needs to redo the Comprehensive Plan every 10 years. The last plan was done in 2015. The plan provides direction where the Town plans to go over the next 10 years. Cedar Corporation gave a presentation on what they can provide to facilitate the updating ofthe plan.

Josh Miller, a senior planner with Cedar Corporation spoke. The Comprehensive Plan covers nine items mandated by the state.The Town has flexibility as to when the plan needs to be completed. Miller believes it will take 12 to 18 months to complete. They will meet with the Plan Commission throughout 2025. The plan needs to be good for the town. Public engagement is needed but the Plan Commission will do the heaving lifting. Cedar Corporation will develop a draft for the Plan Commission; then there will be a public hearing as required by the state.Townspeople can request to be notified of the process.

The Town can pay for the plan over a two-year period. Public involvement requires more money and time. Can limit the amount of public involvement needed by doing a SWOT analysis where the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threat can guide the focus.

Approval of Contract with Cedar Corporation for Town’s Comprehensive Plan Services

Johnson made a motion to have Cedar Corporation facilitate the plan. Barnhart seconded. Approved 3-0.

Employee – Chairman Report

The Patrolman is busy patching holes, cutting brush, cleaning the shop, and sanding. Doing all the necessary stuff. It is currently a “one man show” as the other Patrolman recently retired.

Vote on Possible Extra Holiday Season Days Open (for solid waste site)

Christmas & New Years are both on Wednesday this year and the solid waste site is closed because of the holidays. If only open on Saturday, there will be too much garbage. GFL is willing to haul garbage on Friday and workers are willing to work on Thursday to facilitate garbage drop off. Information will be posted on Facebook and flyers provided about the holiday hours. Barnhart moved to approve. Johnson seconded. Approved 3-0.

Plan Commission Appointments

Scott Frederick introduced himself; he would take over for Kent Jackson as Chairman of the Plan Commission. Appointment would begin Dec 18. Jackson would remain on the Plan Commission as a regular member. Barnhart moved to approve. Johnson seconded. Approved 3-0.

Fire Protection and EMS Ordinance

Would repeal old ordinances and adopt this one. No old ordinances were found but by approving this any old ordinances would be nullified. Barnhart moved to approve. Johnson seconded. Approved 3-0.

Fire Protection Charges Ordinance

This is a better version of the ordinance. Main change is moving from $500 per charge to charging the entire amount of the fire call to the resident. The Town has the right to waive the fee if it is extraordinary. Eight Towns and the Village of Knapp own the fire equipment, but it’s operated by the City of Menomonie. The new agreement ties the Towns to participate in this process. The new charge starts Jan. 1, 2025. Johnson moved to approve. Barnhart seconded. Approved 3-0.

Delmore Consulting Road Report

Chairman Jackson asked Delmore Consulting to provide a description of what road services they could provide for $200,000. The thought is that a double chip seal for 330th Street should be the priority. More to follow on this.

Delmore Consulting Discussion and Possible Approval of Culvert Assessment Services 

Delmore offering a special price because of the previous work; prices will go up in 2025. There is an $8,000 up front fee for inventory. Will get all culverts on GPS so the Town doesn’t have an issue like what happened in Woodland Terrace. (A culvert that the Town hadn’t known existed failed, and it was costly to replace). Barnhart moved to approve having the assessment done. Johnson seconded. Approved 3-0.

Drop-Off Site Employee Pay Approval

The Chairman shared that the increases have been over time. Johnson moved to approve. Barnhart seconded. Approved 3-0. Raises effective January 1.

Patrolman Pay & Benefits Contract Approval

The Patrolman is currently paid $25.50 per hour. The new salary will be $27 per hour. Nothing else will change in the contract. Patrolman would prefer more comp time in lieu of over time but the Clerk stated he can only accumulate 80 hours of comp (per State). Barnhart moved to approve the salary change. Johnson seconded. Approved 3-0.

Clerk Pay Increase Approval

The Clerk’s contract allows for an annual increase. Salary will increase from $16,000 per year to $16,400. Johnson moved to approve. Barnhart seconded. (Approved 3-0.)

Clerk Report

The Clerk has been working on the mill rate worksheet. She finalized the Statement of Taxes and filed it with the State. There were issues with the school numbers, etc. which delayed everything.

Nomination papers for Town Board positions are due Tuesday, Jan. 7.  No one outside the current board members have contacted Clerk about running.

A primary, if needed, will be held in February with elections held April 1, 2025.

Town Hall computer is damaged as it accidentally fell. Hope to have it repaired soon.

Board Reports

Residents received tax bills today. Tax bills have increased.

The Treasurer needs a new printer. Approved by Chairman to purchase one.

There is still an issue with some mobile homes near the Armory. The issue is being sent to County attorneys.

Two applications for Patrolman position. Interviews will be scheduled.

Two outdoor lights need replacing. Electrician will be contacted.

Vouchers/Review/Approve

Vouchers were reviewed; Motion to approve by Barnhart and seconded by Johnson.  (Approved 3-0).

Meeting was adjourned. Next meeting is scheduled for Thursday Jan. 16 at 6pm

FIRST INDIAN IN MAJOR BOWL GAME
Navy’s Dave Sjuggerud will be the first Menomonie athlete to compete in a major football bowl when the Middies, number two rated in the country, tangle with Texas, the top team in the country, in the Cotton Bowl, on New Year’s Day. The game will be nationally televised from Dallas, Tex., over the CBS network starting at 12:45 p.m. CST. Sjuggerud was hurt early in the Army game, the Middies last regularly scheduled contest, but is expected to play against Texas. This will be the big 6-4, 210 pounder’s final collegiate game of his career as he will graduate from Annapolis in June. (Editor’s Note: The Navy quarterback was future NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach) – January 1, 1964 The Dunn County News

HUNDREDS HAVE TOBOGGAN CRAZE 

Menomonie is the victim of an epidemic — tobogganing. Hundreds in the city are afflicted with it. Crowds at the slide will testify to the popularity of this wholesome winter sport. Young and old enjoy the iced chute, that in a quarter turn of the second hand, lands its toboggan load far out on the icy floor of Lake Menomin. Sunday was a big day for the treasury. The receipts totaled $15.35, next to the largest of any day. New Year’s Day has the lead. At that time more than $18 were turned in. The sport adds daily to the numbers who enjoy it. The slide is open evenings 7 to 10 and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5. January 10, 1907 – The Dunn County News

RAISING MONEY FOR SPEEDWAY

Plans are progressing for lively times on the Lake Menomin Speedway, though nothing definite is ready for announcement. An effort will be made to interest Eau Claire horsemen in a race meet with the local sportsmen. Indications are now favorable to putting the project through. Money has been contributed by Menomonie business men for the good of the sport and in this way quite a sum has been raised by the enthusiasts on fast horse racing. Among those interested in the move are Paul C. Wilson, Ben Carter and W.A. Scanlan. The speedway is a clear, straight half mile across Lake Menomin, east and west. It is ideal for fast stepping on the ice. January 7, 1909 – The Dunn County News

SCHOOLS HONOR LINCOLN’S BIRTH

The grades of the city schools will honor the Lincoln birthday centennial with appropriate exercises Friday afternoon, February 12, at the Memorial. The program will consist of patriotic music, recitations, talks and lantern slides. Two members of Wm. Evans post, G.A.R., will give reminiscent talks on the great martyr president. The four lower grades will hold their exercises at 1:30, followed by the four upper grades at three o’clock. The North Menomonie grades will have their program in the hall at North Menomonie on the same day. January 21, 1909 – The Dunn County News

THE ARMY OF WOOD BUTCHERS 

The magnitude of the lumber operations of Knapp, Stout & Co. is not generally known to the outside world. The labor and capital required to supply their mills with logs is immense. This winter’s campaign among the pines is expected to bring forth 65,000,000 feet of logs. To cut this vast amount, the company employ in their sixteen lumber camps not less than 500 men. In addition to these there are ten camps run by jobbers, or men cutting and banking logs on contract. Thirty-five double teams are employed hauling supplies to the various camps. About fifty-five horse and mule double teams, and seventy-five yokes of oxen are required in the camps to haul the logs to the stream. The amount of forage and provisions necessary to subsist this small army for three or four months we have no means of computing, but it must all be hauled to these remote points in the wilderness. To direct these vast operations, and bear the responsibility of their management require not only experience, but also the most vigorous mental and physical endowments. For many years this difficult and laborious task has devolved upon Capt. Andrew Tainter; and though the snows of many winters have whitened his hair somewhat, he is still possessed of the same tireless energy, the same indomitable will that has characterized him through life. He is the moving spirit in this particular department, and he knows no rest or relaxation till he brings the logs down in the spring. January 19, 1878 – The Dunn County News

Source: Dunn County Historical Society

MENOMONIE – The School District of the Menomonie Area is launching a comprehensive update to the district’s strategic plan. The updated strategic plan will be created with input from staff, families, students, and community members, and it will serve as a roadmap to heighten excellence in our school community.

Please attend a family & community member listening session this week. Sessions are approximately 60-to-90-minutes long, and you will be asked a few questions by a third party consultant about the school district’s strengths, opportunities for improvement, and your desired direction for our school district.

Please pick a date and time that fits your calendar and make time to attend a session located in any one of our schools. No advance preparation or registration is necessary. Your input will make a difference, so we urge you to take part.

Wednesday, January 8

• 8:00 am- Downsville Elementary School Library
• 10:00 am- Menomonie High School Tiered Lecture Hall
• 6:30 pm- Menomonie High School Auditorium

Thursday, January 9

• 8:00 am- Knapp Elementary School Library
• 10:00 am- Menomonie Middle School Library
• 6:30 pm- Menomonie Middle School Commons

Friday, January 10

• 8:00 am- Oaklawn Elementary School Library
• 10:00 am- River Heights Elementary School Library
• 12:00 pm- Wakanda Elementary School Library

Please also consider applying to become a member of the SDMA Strategic Planning Committee. The SDMA will be forming a 15-member team of staff, parents, community members, administrators, and board members to oversee the strategic planning process, analyze input, and make key plan recommendations to the Board of Education regarding the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. This group will meet approximately seven times over the next six months. Meetings will be held in the evening and each meeting will be approximately two hours in length. This option is for people who want to be directly involved in the strategic plan development process from start to finish.

Please apply to serve on this Committee by submitting a completed Strategic Plan Committee Application by this Friday, Jan. 10. Note that those selected to serve on the Committee will be notified before the first meeting which will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Your leadership in this important work would make a positive difference, so please consider joining this important committee.

Source: Dunn County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page

On Dec. 24, 2024 the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office lost one of its own.

Correctional Officer Jeff Reynolds was Westbound on US Hwy 12/ State Hwy 29 at 02:44 a.m. enroute to fill a shift at the Jail when his vehicle was struck by a Northbound vehicle on Cth E that failed to stop at the posted stop sign.

Jeff began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in 2007 and was a valued member who will be missed greatly.

The operator of the striking vehicle, 40 year old Mark A. Sokolowski of Eau Claire, has been charged with Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle and is currently being held at the Eau Claire County Jail. Three other passengers in his vehicle, including his wife, were also injured in the crash. Sokolowski has had his initial appearance and Dunn County Judge Wagner issued a $75,000 Cash bond.

The crash investigation is being conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol. The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Wisconsin State Patrol, Menomonie Fire Department and Menomonie Police Department for their support and assistance.

NOTE: Jeff Reynolds Family Memorial Fund for donations can be found HERE.

Jeffrey Reynolds obituary.

Source: Chief Rick Hollister, January 3, Menomonie Police Dept Facebook Page

MENOMONIE – On Dec. 27, 2024, the Menomonie Police Department announced the unexpected off-duty death of Officer Sam Miller. Due to Officer Miller’s employment with the Menomonie Police Department and previous employment with the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation into Officer Miller’s death was conducted by the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Department.

As a result of the investigation, it was determined that Officer Miller died tragically by suicide. As we honor Officer Miller’s memory, we also want to emphasize the importance of mental health support and resources available to first responders.

There are numerous options that stand ready to offer assistance. If you are a first responder in need of help, please reach out.

NOTE: Officer Sam Miller Memorial Fund (by Fraternal Order of Police) for donations can be found HERE.

Sam Miller obituary.

By Luisa Gerasimo

Read, talk, and sing to your baby or toddler today! Do NOT delay!

Did you know that from birth to 3 years old there is a magic window in time for almost every foundational skill a growing child will need? It is also an incredibly important time for babies to develop a secure attachment to the adults who care for them. This attachment is not something you can fix later, as far as we know. So, it is key to get to know your baby and meet their changing needs as best as you can when they are tiny!

Today, parents are super stressed according to the recent report: Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents. Click here to read the report.

As your local Family Educator, I don’t want to add to that stress. Here are some suggestions for interacting with your young child:

1. Narrate what you are doing in real time – sounds odd but it helps children make meaning out of a complicated world and builds great vocabulary.

2. Read to them – every single day. Even a short bedtime or bathtime story can create a calming fun routine. Children thrive on routines – it makes them feel less anxious and calmer.

3. Eat together and encourage family conversations. Dinner at home has been shown in numerous studies to build vocab, eye-hand coordination, manners and better physical and emotional health for all involved.

4. Take a walk and sing silly songs together. Movement and song are both beneficial to young children and to over-worked adults as well.

5. Ask your child what they see in picture books or ask what might happen next? This kind of interactive reading gets children pulled into the story and makes reading much more fun.

6. Want to be a super parent (without breaking a sweat)? Base your family time on love, respect and limits. Treat toddlers like they are part of the team – they can help dust baseboard with a damp cloth, or rinse dishes or set the table. Ask them for their opinion in places where you can honor their wishes.

7. Want more? Click here to check out the youngest and probably cutest TED Talk speaker Molly Wright, age 7, on How Every Child Can Thrive by Five.

For an additional list of parenting classes and resources, contact:

Luisa Gerasimo, Dunn County Extension Family Educator

715-231-6690 [email protected] https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn – Sam Seguin didn’t grow up dreaming he would be a member of the University of Minnesota Gophers Marching Band but a seed was planted when he was in seventh grade.

The 2023 Menomonie High School graduate is in his second year as an aerospace engineering and mechanics major at the University of Minnesota and is in second year as a member of “The Pride of Minnesota,” the Gophers Marching Band where he plays the mellophone.

“I didn’t know what school I was going to until mid-March of 2023, and once I had selected the University of Minnesota to attend, I started looking for opportunities to be involved in the marching band,” Seguin said. “In seventh  grade band, I went to see the Minnesota marching band indoor concert, so once I knew that I was going to go to the University of Minnesota, I thought that that would be something fun to be a part of, and I looked up how to apply.”

The Gophers are fresh off a trip to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl where the University of Minnesota football team faced off against Virginia Tech in Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 3.

The marching band flew out of Minneapolis Jan. 2, the day before the game, and the full band performed at a fan event that same day. Smaller band groups performed at other events around Charlotte, Seguin said.

On game day, the band had a morning rehearsal before lunch and getting into uniform, then down to Bank of America Stadium for pregame festivities and a 6:30 p.m. kickoff. Both the Gopher marching band and the Virginia Tech marching band performed a pregame and a halftime show, splitting the available time.

Seguin said the band performed half of earlier pregame and halftime shows taken from earlier in the season, but the shows were altered to fit the bowl game time slot.

See the halftime performance on Instagram.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Photo: Contributed

Sam Seguin (middle) is with several of his teammates from the University of Minnesota Marching Band.

Seguin said auditioning to join the band was quite an extensive process.

“It’s an online application, where I had to record myself playing various musical excerpts and songs on my chosen instrument, the mellophone,” he said. “The audition consisted of a chromatic scale of my entire range, a two octave major scale, the Minnesota Rouser and Go Gopher Victory.

“I also had to submit a personal statement, which I did in the form of an essay, talking about why I wanted to be in the Pride of Minnesota and how I felt previous band experiences had prepared me for the Marching Band.”

The band starts practicing for the upcoming season several weeks before school begins.

“We start practicing about a week and a half before the start of the school year and the first football game,” Seguin said, “and it runs through until the last football game, where we then have very limited rehearsal up until the bowl game, if we make one.”

The band practices four days a week on weeks without a home football game, and on weeks with a home football game, the band will practice six days, with five days on weekdays and one the morning of the game. The practices run from 4:15-6 p.m. on weekdays, and depending on the time of the football game, the Saturday rehearsals can start from anywhere from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Before the season, in “Spat Camp”, we have rehearsals that typically run from 9 AM to 9 PM, with breaks for lunch and dinner, but these take place before the school year starts.

Throughout the season, the band performs an 18 minute pregame show before each home football game. The performs an indoor concert every year, where they will play all of the music from the halftime shows, as well as the school songs.

The band also had a touch with Hollywood this fall when they were hired to promote the film “A Complete Unknown” doing some promotional material with Timothée Chalamet, the star of the film who portrays Minnesota native Bob Dylan.

Seguin started playing piano about the time he was kindergarten or first grade, then switched to the french horn for middle and high school band. Seguin picked up the mellophone, the marching and pep band version of the french horn, in eighth grade. Seguin also learned trumpet in eighth grade, and played trumpet in the MHS jazz band from ninth grade through 12th grade.

In addition to playing in the MHS bands, Seguin was a member of the cross country and track and field teams, performed in several musical productions, the Academic Decathlon team, the National Ocean Sciene Bowl and was the team captain of the Science Olympiad team.

Dunn County, WI –  The Dunn County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a short gathering for Correctional Officer Jeffrey Reynolds, who was tragically killed in a traffic crash while on his way to work on December 24th, 2024. We will be gathering on Wednesday, January 1st at 6:30pm, with a moment of silence and reading at approximately 6:45pm, outside the Dunn County Judicial Center located at 615 Stokke Pkwy, Menomonie, WI 54751. The gathering will be open to Corrections, Law Enforcement and the public to show support for Officer Reynolds. For information related to parking please visit www.dunncountysheriff.com/officerreynolds 

Sheriff Kevin Bygd 

Dunn County, Wisconsin 

MENOMONIE – The Menomonie Singers will hold auditions for all sections (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) on January 20 and 21, starting at 6:00 pm, at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 420 Wilson Avenue, Menomonie.

The Menomonie Singers has been in existence since 1989 and presents four regular concerts of choral music per year. Under the leadership of Brian Klein, conductor, the choir will present concerts on April 26 and 27.

The choir is hoping to expand to 45 members. Participants must be 18 or older or post high school. Previous choir experience is helpful but not necessary.

There is no need to prepare a piece; the audition will include the following: a range check; a sight-singing exercise; musicality showcase (asked to sing one of the following: Silent Night, Happy Birthday, or My Country Tis of Thee).

Weekly rehearsals for the spring season begin Tuesday, January 28 at the UW-Stout Applied Arts Bldg, Room 315.

Juliana Schmidt, Executive Director may be contacted to set up an audition appointment or for more information:

[email protected] 715-505-3525

UW-Madison Extension Health and Wellbeing and FoodWIse Program is offering an evidence-based FREE virtual strength training program titled StrongBodies using a zoom platform.  No experience is necessary, and exercises are adaptable for all levels.

Next session class dates: January 6 – March 26. Class times: Mondays and Wednesdays 9:00 am – 10:20 am (60-minute class plus 20-minute optional education/socialization)

To register click here. You will receive an email with zoom link.

If you are unable to join a class and want to complete the exercises on your own, you can follow along to this video. Or refer to this document that lists all the exercises.

Karie Johnson is a UW-Extension FoodWise Nutrition Education Coordinator

[email protected]