Common Council Meeting

The Common Council met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on June 3, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. Alderpersons Ammann, Peloquin, Dougherty, Busse, Gearing-Lancaster, and Wussow were present. Alderpersons M. Rave and E. Rave attended remotely via Zoom meetings. Mayor J. Eddy presided. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the May 21, 2025 Special Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE There were 5 citizens in attendance in person. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ COMMITTEE REPORTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to place on file the minutes of the May 19, 2025 Utility Commission meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to place on file the minutes of the May 22, 2025 Hiring Committee meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson E. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Busse to place on file the minutes of the May 28, 2025 Board of Review meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Ammann to approve the applications for renewal of Class A, B, and C Beer, Wine, Liquor, and Wholesale Retailer Licenses for 2025-2026 as presented. Motion carried (7-0-1) with Alderperson M. Rave abstaining. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve RESOLUTION 2025- 03 – a resolution approving the intergovernmental agreement between the Town of Brockway and the City regarding E. Lincoln Street. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to approve ORDINANCE 895 – an ordinance changing the operating hours for ATVs and UTVs. Motion carried (7-1) with Alderperson M. Rave voting no. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS, JACKSON COUNTY, WISCONSIN ORDINANCE NO. 895 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND RECREATING SECTION 7.20(4)(b) OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS 1. Section 7.20(4)(b) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Black River Falls is repealed and recreated to read as follows: (b) ATVs and UTVs may only be operated on authorized streets/roads/highways between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ There was discussion on sex offender residency restrictions that included considering being specific about the type of offense and tie that to the residency restrictions – offenses against elderly then restrict near assisted living facilities, etc. / offenses against a minor then restrictions near schools, bus stops, etc.; having blanket coverage and considering those circumstances if they apply for an exemption; determining how large a radius to set and the justifications on how that distance is determined; it is going to be a lot for people to know what the restriction means and the police department is going to be very overwhelmed with calls reporting perceived violations; other counties and other cities that have done this were contacted and there was an increase in calls; do we want to set ourselves up for litigation if someone feels the restrictions violate their civil rights; this is being driven by a perceived problem; obtaining a complete list of school bus stops from the school district and the Ho- Chunk Nation; the need to annually update the map based on changes in school bus stops; if all school bus stops need to be signed; implementing the nine safety zones from the City of Blair’s ordinance; checking with the city attorney to see if museums, arcades, or other private businesses specifically for kids can be added to the list of safety zones; may be limited to restricting public places; producing a map that shows 500 foot radius; and there was consensus to have an ordinance. Page 1 of 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to convene in to closed session for the purpose of conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the Common Council with respect to claims of excessive assessment filed by Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust which is authorized under Section 19.85(1)(g) of the Wisconsin Statutes. Motion carried at 6:55pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to reconvene in to open session to take or announce action, if any and if appropriate. Motion carried at 8:00pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to move forward with the settlement offer as discussed in closed session. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to adjourn. Motion carried at 8:02pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ A. Brad Chown, City Administrator Page 2 of 2