City Council

OFFICIAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Menomonie, Dunn County, Wisconsin, was held in open session on June 19, 2023, and called to order by Council Mayor Knaack at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The following members were present: Luther, Burstad, Sutherland (arrived at 7:03 p.m.), Yonko, Schwebs, Gentz, Solberg, Schlough, Erdman, and Sommerfeld. McCullough was absent. MOTION was made by Schlough, seconded by Erdman, and carried to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2023 council meeting. PUBLIC HEARING – None. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Sylvia Gengenbach was present to speak on agenda item 6(h), Let’s Paint the Town Special Event Permit. Paul Schultz and Russ Kenny, representing TDS Telecom, were present to speak on agenda item 6(c), TDS Fiber Optic project. Scott Rogers, representing the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition was present to speak on agenda item 6(b), the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition presentation. NO ACTION was taken on the presentation by Joleen Sterk, Public Library Director, regarding the Menomonie Public Library Vibrant Spaces Grant Master Plan report. MOTION to waive the rules made by Erdman, seconded by Schlough, and carried unanimously to allow Scott Rogers to address council and present on the passenger rail development program/project. NO ACTION was taken. MOTION to waive the rules made by Erdman, seconded by Yonko, and carried unanimously to allow Paul Schultz and Russ Kenny, representing TDS Telecom, to speak on the TDS Fiber Optic project within the city. NO ACTION was taken. ORDINANCE - MOTION to INTRODUCE Title 5, Chapter 1 ordinance amendment relating to lawn height maintenance (No Mow May) was introduced by Gentz. MOTION to waive the first reading was made by Schwebs, seconded by Yonko, and carried. MOTION to waive the second reading was made by Erdman, seconded by Burstad, and carried. MOTION to adopt the ordinance amendment was made by Gentz, seconded by Sommerfeld, and carried unanimously. ORDINANCE - MOTION to INTRODUCE Title 8, Chapter 1 ordinance amendment relating to limitations on lawn irrigation was introduced by Schlough. MOTION to waive the first reading was made by Erdman, seconded by Solberg, and carried. MOTION to waive the second reading was made by Burstad, seconded by Luther, and carried. MOTION to adopt the ordinance amendment was made by Schlough, seconded by Erdman, and carried unanimously. RESOLUTION – MOTION was made by Erdman, seconded by Sommerfeld, and carried to adopt a resolution enacting alternate side lawn irrigation restrictions. MOTION to approve and accept the funds from the 2023 Carbon Reduction Grant Award agreement through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation was made by Burstad, seconded by Schwebs, and carried unanimously on roll call vote. MOTION to waive the rules made by Erdman, seconded by Solberg, and carried unanimously to allow Sylvia Gengenbach to speak to council on the “Let’s Pain the Town” special event permit request. MOTION was  made by Burstad, seconded by Solberg, and carried unanimously to approve the special event request for Let’s Paint the Town as presented. MOTION was made by Erdman, seconded by Schlough, and carried unanimously to approve the special event permit request for the Red Cedar Film Festival as presented. MOTION was made by Schwebs, seconded by Solberg, and carried unanimously to approve the special event permit request for Foundations Therapy 10 Year Anniversary Celebration & Open House as presented. MOTION to waive the rules made by Schwebs, seconded by Erdman and carried unanimously to allow Sean Lentz, Senior Municipal Advisor of Ehlers to speak to council on the resolution to borrow money from the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands of WI (Estover Terrace Payment). MOTION to present and adopt the resolution made by Solberg, seconded by Erdman, and carried unanimously on roll call vote. MOTION was made by Luther, seconded by Schwebs, and carried unanimously to approve the Wastewater Utility Department request to sell surplus equipment. BUDGET TRANSFERS – None. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Knaack announced that Tanglewood had their grand opening and ribbon cutting this past weekend which was a success. The Mayor presented two proclamations to council, the first being a proclamation recognizing the month of June as Pride Month, and the second being the a proclamation recognizing June 19th as Juneteenth Freedom Day. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – Public Works Director, David Schofield, gave an update on 604 Wilson Ave., noting that a Raze or Repair order has been issued for said property with a deadline of August 25, 2023, which was set with Stout move-in day in consideration. Megen reported that the City collected 27,353 pounds of electronics during the electronics recycling event. City Administrator, Eric Atkinson spoke about the National Night Out event being moved to a different location, closer to City Hall, for safety reasons due to the condition of the building at 604 Wilson Ave. Administrator Atkinson commended Megen Hines, Environmental Works Director, on her hard work and accomplishments in securing important energy grants for the city. CLAIMS - MOTION was made by Solberg, seconded by Burstad, and carried unanimously on roll call vote to approve payment of the following claims: June 19, 2023 Claims Cedar Corp $121,596.75 Fastenal $61.17 Total $121,657.92 2023 Parking Utility Claims Total Invoice, City Treasurer $1,869.77 Total $1,869.77 LICENSES – MOTION was made by Burstad, seconded by Sutherland and carried to approve the following licenses: LICENSE YEAR - 2024 (expires June 30, 2024) *PENDING PUBLICATION ON 6/21/23 AND NO REQUESTS FOR DENIAL RECEIVED* “CLASS A” LIQUOR & CLASS “A” BEER: Junction Liquor, LLC (Junction Liquor - 2521 Hils Ct. Ste. F); Northern Tier Retail LLC (Speedway #4484 - 2020 S Broadway St); Northern Tier Retail LLC (Speedway #4482 - 1708 N Broadway St); “CLASS B” LIQUOR & CLASS “B” BEER: Mendez Burrito Cali LLC (Burrito California - 334 Main St E) Eaglewood Golf, LLC (Tanglewood Greens, 2200 Crestwood Dr.) Love’s Travel Stop #662, 5930 Badger Dr Fiesta Cantina Authentic Mexican Grill, Inc. (Fiesta Cantina Authentic Mexican Grill – 1705 Plaza Dr.); CLASS “B” BEER & “CLASS C” WINE: DJ Fedderly Management Consultant, LLC (The Raw Deal – 603 S Broadway); Yamato Sushi, Inc (Yamato Sushi – 1320 N Broadway) Acoustic Café II, Inc (Acoustic Café – 102 Main St W) CABARET LICENSE: DJ Fedderly Management Consultant, LLC (The Raw Deal – 603 S Broadway); MASSAGE THERAPY FACILITY: Leslie Norris (Grace & Ease - 1414 10th Ave E) MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT: Chippewa Valley Cheesesteak, 1720 4th Ave N SOLID WASTE COLLECTION: Waste Management of Northern WI, Eau Claire (Cathy Canfield- 3 Vehicles); GFL Solid Waste Midwest, LLC, 11888 30th Ave, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 TOBACCO: Junction Liquor, LLC (Junction Liquor - 2521 Hils Ct. Ste. F); North Star Plus 3, LLC 1320 N Broadway Northern Tier Retail LLC (Speedway #4484 - 2020 S Broadway St); Northern Tier Retail LLC (Speedway #4482 - 1708 N Broadway St); TAXI CAB/ VEHICLE FOR HIRE: Checker Taxi (John Hallquist - 3221 Venus Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701) Courtesy Cab (Henry Williams – 3003 Wilson St #47); Town & Country Taxi, LLC (Jay McNulty - 1980 Whistling Straits Dr, Altoona, WI) MOTION to adjourn was made by Gentz, seconded by Luther, and carried unanimously. Kate Martin, City Clerk