City Council

CITY OF MENOMONIE COUNCIL MEETING OFFICIAL COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Menomonie, Dunn County, Wisconsin, was held in open session on, February 16, 2026, and called to order by Mayor Knaack at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The following members were present: Luther, Crowe, Sutherland, Yonko, Pickard, Schwebs, Gentz, Solberg, Erdman and Sommerfeld. MOTION made by Pickard, seconded by Erdman, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2026, City Council meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Chad Schlough spoke on agenda item 4a. Patrick Brougan spoke on agenda item 4a. Eric Hostetter spoke in support of agenda item 5g. Katie Baier speaking on behalf of the Menomonie Farmers Market, spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Richard Thomas spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Jeff Frawley spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Sylvia Gengenbach spoke against agenda item 5e. Crystal Halvorson speaking on behalf of the Menomonie Food Co-op, spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Ronald Knutson spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Tammy Simon speaking on behalf Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Aimee Lor, spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Jamie Schlosser, spoke in favor of agenda item 5e. Casey Sutliff, spoke in favor of agenda item 5e.. MOTION was made by Schwebs, seconded by Solberg, to appoint Chad Schlough as the replacement Ward #9 Alderperson for the remainder of the present term until April 2027. MOTION was made by Crowe, seconded by Erdman, carried unanimously to allow the two candidates for the Ward 9 Alderperson seat to come up and speak on their qualifications, and answer questions from the body. Roll call vote on the motion to appoint Chad Schlough: Ayes: Luther, Sutherland, Schwebs, Solberg, Sommerfeld, Noes: Crowe, Yonko, Pickard, Gentz, Erdman. 5-5 tie was broken by Mayor Knaack in favor of the motion. NO ACTION was taken on the Economic Development presentation by Adam Accola, Director of the Dunn Economic Development. NO ACTION was taken on the Economic Development presentation by Rebecca Kralewski, Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Menomonie. ORDINANCE – MOTION to INTRODUCE Proposed Ordinance 2026-06, an Ordinance repealing and recreating Title 3, Chapter 23 Outdoor Food Stand/Mobile Food Unit Vendor License was made by Pickard. MOTION was made by Pickard, seconded by Luther, and carried to waive the first reading of proposed Ordinance 2026-06. MOTION was made by Solberg, seconded by Erdman, and carried to waive the second reading of proposed Ordinance 2026-06. MOTION was Page 1 of 4 made by Pickard to adopt proposed Ordinance 2026-06, seconded by Luther, and carried unanimously on a roll call vote to ADOPT Ordinance 2026-06. MOTION was made by Yonko, seconded by Erdman, and carried unanimously on roll call vote to approve the 2026-2028 MS4 Permitted Municipal Agreement for Storm Water Education and Outreach Coordination by Rain to Rivers of Western Wisconsin, Inc. RESOLUTION – MOTION was made by Yonko, seconded by Schewbs, and carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2026-04 regarding the 2026-2028 Menomonie Farmers Market, Inc. Special Event Requests, as presented. MOTION was made by Luther, seconded by Sutherland, and carried unanimously to approve the Menomonie Baseball Association Special Event Requests for baseball tournaments on May 29- 31, June 5-7, June 11-14, June 26-28, and July 24-26, 2026 in Wakanda Park and on Game Park Road, contingent upon receipt of proof of insurance. MOTION was made by Solberg, seconded by Sutherland, and carried unanimously to approve the Menomonie Junior Mustang Special Event Request for a softball tournament on June 19-21, 2026 in Wakanda Park and on Game Park Road, as presented. NO ACTION was taken on the memorandum regarding uncontrolled intersections, presentation made by Environmental Program Coordinator Hines and Public Works Director Schofield. MOTION was made by Solberg, seconded by Erdman, and carried unanimously to appoint Randy Eide to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. BUDGET TRANSFERS – None. MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Knaack reported that he went to the Dunn Co. Fish and Game Ice Fishing Contest this past Saturday, stating that it was well attended and that a lot of fish were caught. The mayor further reported that the Community Invite ice-skating event afterwards, was also good, and wanted to thank everyone involved and City Communications Specialist Zaria Whitacre for helping with that event. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS – Deputy City Clerk Johnson shared that the Spring Primary Election is tomorrow, and encouraged folks go out and exercise their right to vote. Alderperson Pickard shared that she attended the Data Center Download – Citizen Lead Town Hall at the Off-Broadway Banquet Center, which was hosted on this past Sunday. She indicated that it was well organized, very informative, and was glad to see that folks came away from the event feeling heard, accomplished, and involved with the community. She further commented that it would be beneficial to host more discussion focused town hall style events to engage with citizens on a more frequent basis in a city sponsored space, beyond public Page 2 of 4 comments at these meetings. Alderperson Crowe shared that the Cocca Crawl event, put on by Downtown Menomonie was a success, good to see folks out enjoying the good weather. He further commented that while slushy the ice skating at Wolske Bay, it was good to be out there with the family. Alderperson Luther commented on the negative campaign messaging being seen on social media and said we should be focusing on the positives each candidate it looking to do. Alderperson Gentz wished to echo what was said by Alderperson Pickard about the quality and productiveness of the Data Center Download event. Alderperson Gentz also commented on feedback received from the community that the online portal was good for data collection, but expanded on the need to find a better way to collect community feedback and suggested the possibility of listening sessions held by the city in the on future topics. He further commented that with especially with contentious topics there is no such thing as too much communication, and good communication helps build trust with the community. CLAIMS – MOTION was made by Solberg, seconded by Luther, and carried unanimously on roll call vote to approve payment of the following claims: FEBRUARY 16, 2026 CLAIMS PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF WIS $2,935.44 U.S. POSTAL SERVICE $1,712.76 WOODLEY CO INC $1,196.65 TOTAL $5,844.85 PARKING UTILITY CLAIMS CLANCY SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL INC $350.00 IPS GROUP $739.08 TOTAL $1,089.08 MOTION was made by Luther, seconded by Crowe, and carried unanimously to approve the following license: LICENSES – FEBRUARY 16, 2026 LICENSE YEAR 2025-2026 TEMPORARY CLASS “B” BEER LICENSE & “CLASS B” WINE LICENSE: Menomonie Youth Hockey Association – 620 17th St SE Page 3 of 4  • Mite Jamboree, 02/20/2026-02/22/2026 TEMPORARY CLASS “B” BEER LICENSE: Menomonie Baseball Association – 1412 6th St. E • UW-Stout Baseball Games, Wakanda Park, Diamond #2 o 04/03/2026, 04/04/2026, 04/08/2026, 04/11/2026, 04/12/2026, 04/18/2025, 04/19/2026 • MBA-MBT State Qualifier Tournaments / 9u-14u Youth Baseball, Wakanda Park o 05/29/2026 – 05/31/2026, 06/05/2026 – 06/07/2026, 06/12/2026 – 06/14/2026, 06/26/2026 – 06/28/2026, 07/24/2026 – 07/26/2026 MOTION to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session to Discuss/consider a proposed Land Sale, Land Sale Price, and Tax Increment Financing incentives for a potential industrial (manufacturing) development on Packer Drive, was made by Solberg, seconded by Erdman, and carried unanimously on roll call vote. MOTION to reconvene in open session under Wisconsin Statutes 19.85(2) was made by Solberg, seconded by Gentz, and carried unanimously on roll call vote. NO ACTION was taken on the discussion/consideration of a proposed Land Sale, Land Sale Price, and Tax Increment Financing incentives for a potential industrial (manufacturing) development on Packer Drive. MOTION to adjourn was made by Gentz, seconded by Pickard, and carried unanimously at 8:52pm. Chris Johnson, Deputy City Clerk Page 4 of 4