Special Common Council Meeting

The Common Council met in special session at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on December 17 2025 at 6:00 P.M. Alderpersons Ammann, Peloquin, Dougherty, and Gearing-Lancaster were present. Alderpersons M. Rave, Busse, and Wussow attended remotely via Zoom meetings. Alderperson E. Rave was absent. Mayor Jay Eddy presided. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the December 2, 2025 Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE – There were four citizens in attendance – 1 in person and 3 via Zoom meetings. B. Palmer expressed concerns regarding ADA accessible curbs, snow/ice covered sidewalks, bathrooms at the Cahmber of Commerce building, nitrous oxide use in the community and asked about members of the Police Commission. The Street Superintendent advised that next summer, the State of Wisconsin is going to redo every wheel chair ramp on state highways that run through the City at no cost to taxpayers. The Parks & Recreation Director advised the bathrooms at the Chamber building are in the capital improvement plan in 2 years. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to place on file the minutes of the October 16, 2025 Airport Commission meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- The Department Head monthly reports were reviewed. Department heads present were Mark Nordahl, Travis Brown, Darryl Nelson, Jarod Meyer, Cara Hart, and Brad Chown. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- The Fire Chief advised Truck 13 came back from annual inspection with a few minor repairs that were covered under warranty. The Fire Chief and the EMS Coordinator attended a town of Franklin meeting and after good discussion the Town decided to stay with BRF EMS for ambulance service. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to authorize the City Administrator to sign the agreement with Make My Move and apply for the WEDC Talent Recruitment Grant. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- Representatives from Olson Solar and Ethos Green Power Cooperative attended virtually. There was lengthy discussion on the proposed 32.4kW DC ground mount system for City Hall that included updated gross and net project costs, payback estimates of 10-12 years, concerns with the aesthetics of the back of ground mount units being visible from the front of City Hall and the Library, options for softening the view, the need for warning signs and placards, expiring incentives, Foreign Entities of Concern compliance coming in to play in 2026, as well as discussion on a roof mount option. A roof mount system would be more productive due to less shading, but the biggest concern is the estimated cost of over $22,000 to remove and reinstall the system when the roof needs to be replaced. Roof replacement is recommended before a system install, so the roof and the panels are on the same life cycles. Council would like to see the vendors provide 3-D conceptual renditions to get a better feel for what the system will look like. This project will be brought back to the January 6, 2026 Common Council meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ORDINANCE 900 – An ordinance rezoning Parcel 206-2577.0010 from R-1 Single Family Residential to B-3 Highway Business District was presented for 1st reading. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to approve vouchers for November 2025 Check #76305 - #76411 totaling $333,691.56. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Busse, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to approve the City Treasurer’s Report for November 2025. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the Revenue & Expense Report for November 2025. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to convene in to closed session for the purpose of considering an amendment to an accepted offer to purchase vacant land from SC Swiderski for five (5) residential lots in Lallapalooza Estates where competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session which is authorized under Section 19.85(1)(e) of the Wisconsin Statutes. Motion carried at 7:12pm. Page 1 of 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to reconvene in to open session to announce or take action, if any and if appropriate. Motion carried at 7:27pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to direct the City Administrator to counter offer with SC Swiderski with the terms discussed in closed session. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to adjourn. Motion carried at 7:30pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- A Brad Chown City Administrator Page 2 of 2