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203 S. Farwell Street, P.O. Box 5148, Eau Claire, WI 54702-5148 Phone: 715-839-4914 Redevelopment Authority Minutes May 20, 2026 1. Call to Order and Roll Call Board members present: Pam Haller, Connie Pedersen, Wayne Wille, Aaron Brewster, Jennifer Fesenmaier, Ray French Staff present: Aaron White, Dave Solberg, Billie Hufford, Michael Korbol, Steve Nick 2. Review and approval of minutes from 2/18/26 Motion to approve: Wille Seconded by: French Passed unanimously 3. Review and approval of financials Korbol shared current financials. Motion to approve: French Seconded by: Fesenmaier Passed unanimously 4. Public comment for items that are not listed as public hearing or discussion No one came forward with comment 5. Business items with public hearing or public discussion 6. Other Business 1. Discussion and potential action on Hiker Coffee concept for the Riverside site A. Staff presentation on the concept White shared that Hiker Coffee would like to request project postponed until June meeting. B. RDA discussion Discussed changes needed to project due to October zoning code update. Request for brief overview of project. White shared details of project. Members expressed satisfaction with the project and fit with desired outcome for the space. C. Motion to authorize staff to enter into an MOU with Hiker Coffee for the development of a facility on RDA property identified as the Riverside site Motion to postpone to July meeting: French Seconded by: Wille Passed unanimously 2. Discussion on use of leftover RDA funds for redevelopment modeling and planning along segments of the Chippewa River A. Staff presentation of project outline White shared potential for a River Walk study with existing RDA funds and potential study areas. B. RDA discussion and feedback Questions about the plans timeframe to complete development. White shared the plan is a concept to show what could happen in the area, but projects would typically be private with no set timeframe. Questions about other plans to help inform this study. White shared ideas for reviewing area. Questions about timeframe to complete the plan. White shared potentially about 6 months, but will be determined with the scope. Questions about other potential funding sources. White shared currently this is the only funding, but other options are being explored. Would the study address any potential zoning concerns, possibly an overlay district. Nick shared benefits of connecting spaces and trails and benefits of doing a plan. Questions about planned work along the trail/river. Requested plan be completed before planned work to match potential plan outcomes. Question about if funding would allow a study on both areas presented, White shared that it would. Discussion about previous plan for the second area. Suggestion to meet with property owners about potential development on vacant lots. White shared requests for the area to more engaged with the river. Solberg shared previous plan was focused more on the physical environment and this plan would expand that study. Nick shared benefits of the plan helping to drive private development and limitations. Benefits to further connections to other parts of the city. Questions about potential acquisitions to activate the river. 203 S. Farwell Street, P.O. Box 5148, Eau Claire, WI 54702-5148 Phone: 715-839-4914 Redevelopment Authority Minutes May 20, 2026 Page 2 Question about a plan for Forest St. White shared difficulties with area being in a flood plain. Board decided to focus on Sonnentag area for phase 1. French suggested looking at River Falls river planning. 7. Executive Director’s Report White shared that restrooms in Kessler Park will be removed making sure fully ready for development. Discussed possibility of LIHTC and difficulties. No new interest in the Heights. Potential ideas may be created to help promote development. Liner site has another party interested. Question about status of Transit Station. White updated current status. Question about when new RDA districts will go to Council. White shared districts will be presented to Council in June. 8. Next meeting date – June 17, 2026 9. Adjournment motion by Brewster. ___________________________________________ Ms. Pam Haller, Secretary