Agenda and Packet

BID Board Chair: Joleen Larson 715-426-7776 joleenlarson@hotmail.com BID Staff: Emily Shively 715-426-3437 eshively@rfcity.org City of River Falls Business Improvement District AGENDA OCTOBER 13, 2026 AT 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL – FOSTER CONFERENCE ROOM 222 LEWIS STREET RIVER FALLS, WI 54022 CALL TO ORDER APPROVAL OF AGENDA/MINUTES 1. September 8, 2026 BID Meeting Minutes FINANCIAL REPORT GRANT APPLICATIONS 2. Fox Den Sign Grant (117 S. Main Street) OTHER BUSINESS 3. Discussion: Kinnickinnic River shoreline/riverbank natural resources* 4. Main Street Updates* ADJOURN *There are no advance materials for this item Next Meeting: November 10, 2026 at 8:30 a.m., Foster Conference Room, City Hall NOTE: Any person who has a qualifying disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires the meeting or materials to be in an accessible location or format, may contact City Clerk Amy White at (715) 426 -3408 or in person at 222 Lewis Stre et, for accommodations. Requests for accommodations should be made at least three (3) business days in advance of the meeting. Every effort will be made to arrange accommodations. POSTED: River Falls City Hall, River Falls Public Library, River Falls Police Department: October 8, 2026 BID Board Chair: Joleen Larson 715-426-7776 joleenlarson@hotmail.com BID Staff: Emily Shively 715-426-3437 eshively@rfcity.org City of River Falls Business Improvement District MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 AT 8:30 A.M. FOSTER CONFERENCE ROOM – CITY HALL 222 LEWIS STREET RIVER FALLS, WI 54022 Members present: Joleen Larson, Amy Halvorson, Amy Freeman, Mike Miller, Terry McKay, Sarah Jenkins, Rosa Magnus Members Absent: Vince Seidling, Andrew Singerhouse, Kerri Olson CALL TO ORDER: Larson called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. AGENDA/MEETING MINUTES The meeting minutes for the August 11 , 202 6 meeting were approved. M/S Miller/Halvorson. Unanimous. FINANCIALS Financials were reviewed; there was nothing to note. OTHER BUSINESS Discussion: BID grant program parameters The Board discussed changing the amount of a project that could be reimbursed through the BID grant programs. It was noted that there is a lot of stability with businesses downtown so there isn’t a need to change signage very often. The Board discussed the reasons for the current parameters and what has been different in the past. Halvorson made a motion to increase the façade grant reimbursement to 50% of the project cost up to $12,000 (a change from 35% of project cost up to $6,000). Miller seconded. Unanimous. Halvorson made a motion to increase the sign grant reimbursement to 50% of the project cost up to $2,000 (a change from 35% of the project cost up to $1,000). Miller seconded. Unanimous. The Board agreed to keep the increased reimbursement in place until the funds were spent and then reevaluate the program parameters again. Discussion: Downtown event evaluation Larson discussed opportunities for evaluating events that BID Board supports downtown (Music in the Park; River Falls Business Leaders events; Chamber events). There are bene fits to understanding if events are achieving their intended purpose so that changes or shifts can be made for ongoing success. Magnus shared that each of the Chamber events has its own charter so that it is focused and goals are set. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Main Street/Connect Communities program has a handbook for event evaluation. Larson is drafting a letter to event partners that will include the resource to encourage them to collect information about events and provide the BID Board with a summary of outcomes as funding stakeholders. Discussion: Opportunities available with Connect Communities Gold Tier status designation Shively provided an overview of additional resources available to the downtown area as part of the Gold Tier status designation from WEDC. These include a market analysis, infographics, and one free façade design rendering. Shively noted that WEDC has developed a library of façade renderings over time and BID Board Chair: Joleen Larson 715-426-7776 joleenlarson@hotmail.com BID Staff: Emily Shively 715-426-3437 eshively@rfcity.org may be able to provide e xamples of buildings similar to those downtown without doing a custom rendering. This would at least provide some ideas for building and business owners who may be looking to improve their buildings. She also noted that she will continue to forward webinar and other information from WEDC to the BID Board and they should feel free to pass those al ong to others who may be interested. Main Street Updates Larson shared that Pat Nistler from Accessibility Awareness River Falls sent the BID Board a thank you letter. They have installed over 35 doorbells at businesses and have more in the works. The doorbells have been used by people with mobility devices as well as caregivers with strollers needing assistance entering businesses. Larson stopped by Bow and Button on W. Walnut Street. The owner is a teacher so the open hours vary but she is having fun and doing well. It was noted that many of the insuranc e agents with offices downtown are working from home. Larson reported that Fox Den is still figuring out their sign and awning but an application for a grant is anticipated. The building next to Fox Den is likely to be a Dungeons & Dragons/Magic the Gathering/art store. McKay reminded the Board that September 24th is Ladies Night Out and there are more giveaways, a passport to have stamped at businesses, 300 bags with gift items, and many businesses particip ating up and down Main Street. They have increased their marketing with posters and social media posts. There is also Bac on Bash, the UWRF Ro deo, Art o n the Kinni, and the 9/11 5k events happening in September. ADJOURNMENT Chair Larson adjourned the meeting at 9:19 am Respectfully submitted, Emily Shively Assistant Director of Community Development 2026 BID Receipts & Disbursements Checking Account balance forward as of December 31, 2025: $ 80,046.50 Date Type Check # Project or Charge/Use Amount Balance 1/22/2026 Debit 3020 West Bend Ins Co / liability ins $ 565.00 $ 79,481.50 1/27/2026 Debit 3021 RF CAB / Music in the Park sponsor $ 1,000.00 $ 78,481.50 1/31/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $ 78,476.50 2/19/2026 Debit e-check Dept of Financial Institutions/file annual report $ 25.00 $ 78,451.50 2/20/2026 Debit 3022 RF CAB / remainder of sponsorship $ 1,500.00 $ 76,951.50 2/28/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $ 76,946.50 3/31/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $ 76,941.50 4/14/2026 Credit Assessment funds $42,000.05 $118,941.55 4/14/2026 Debit 3023 City of River Falls / Swinging Bridge celebration $ 600.00 $118,341.55 4/28/2026 Debit 3024 Accessibility Awareness RF / door bells $ 1,500.00 $116,841.55 4/30/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $116,836.55 5/27/2026 Debit 3025 Krazy Kerry’s / second st gardens $ 1,316.00 $115,520.55 5/27/2026 Debit 3026 Pearson’s Florist / hanging baskets $ 1,875.00 $113,645.55 5/27/2026 Debit 3027 Earthworks / hanging baskets $ 2,250.00 $111,395.55 5/31/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $111,390.55 6/3/2026 Debit 3028 Adoray Treasures RF / sign grant $ 978.51 $110,412.04 6/9/2026 Debit 3029 RF Business Leaders / 2026 sponsorship $ 4,500.00 $105,912.04 6/29/2026 Debit 3030 FN Candy Shop / 2nd St garden thank you $ 400.00 $105,512.04 6/29/2026 Debit 3031 Hub 70 / print gifts for 2nd St gardeners $ 11.29 $105,500.75 6/30/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $105,495.75 7/16/2026 Debit 3032 Anchor Websites / web servicing $ 319.35 $105,176.40 7/31/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $105,171.40 8/11/2026 Debit 3033 City of River Falls / 2nd St gardens maintenance $ 2,000.00 $103,171.40 8/11/2026 Debit 3034 RF Chamber of Commerce / River Dazzle spons $ 6,000.00 $ 97,171.40 8/12/2026 Debit 3035 Quality Plastics, LLC / Plugs & baskets $ 776.41 $ 96,394.99 8/12/2026 Debit 3036 Cedar Hill Green House / hanging baskets $ 2,250.00 $ 94,144.99 8/31/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $ 94,139.99 9/30/2026 Debit fee 1st National Bank / monthly statement fee $ 5.00 $ 94,134.99 Pending BID Obligations Grants approved by BID Date approved Entity receiving grant Use of grant money Amount granted 7/14/2026 125 N Main St (Jim Leske) façade $ 6,000.00 7/14/2026 125 N Main St (Jim Leske) façade $ 6,000.00 7/14/2026 114 E Elm St (Amy Freeman) façade $ 1,710.45 Total to date: $13,710.45 Operating Expenses as outlined in “BID Board 2025 Budget” PO Box service fee $ 88.00 Liability insurance $ 600.00 Misc. printing, postage & supplies $ 500.00 Website maintenance $ 1,000.00 Total to date: $ 2,188.00 Special Projects as outlined in “BID Board 2025 Budget” Explanation of special project Estimated amount BID will contribute to project Main Street flowers / hanging baskets $ 1,325.00 Main Street benches/trash bins $ 2,400.00 Building mural projects/Heritage Park sign (continuing maintenance) $ 1,000.00 Total to date: $ 4,725.00 Projects – funds set aside for Main Street projects Explanation of one-time budgeted item Date approved Amount approved Large Main Street projects 08/14/2018 $ 22,500.00 ($2,500 in 2018; $2,500 in 2019; $2,500 in 2020; $2,500 in 2021; $2,500 in 2022; $2,500 in 2023; $2,500 in 2024; $2,500 in 2025; $2,500 in 2026) Total to date: $ 22,500.00 Summary of BID Obligations Pending Grants approved by BID: $ 13,710.45 Operating Expenses: $ 2,188.00 Pending Special Projects: $ 4,725.00 Pending One-Time Budgeted items: $ 22,500.00 Total pending BID obligations: $ 43,123.45 Balance in checking account as of 09/30/2026: $ 94,134.99 2026 pending obligations: $ 43,123.45 Funds available for grant requests: $ 51,011.54 River Falls Main Street BID Board Façade & Sign Grant Application Owner’s Name: Phone #: James Williams 715-821-2420 Applicant Agent’s Name: James Williams 715-821-2420 Business/Building: Fox Den Books Address of Project: 117 S. Main Street River Falls, WI 54022 Daytime Phone: Fax: 715-425-6180 Email: foxdenbooks@gmail.com 1. Project Description: Sign Replacement 2. Goal of Project: Replace aging sign with a new look, new logo 3. Project Time Frame: - We await an answer from Vintage Sign Shop. Should be soon. 4. Estimated Cost ofProject: We await an answer from Vintage Sign Shop. Should be soon. 5. Grant Amount Requested Signs & Awnings $500 Design, Ben Branum. Sign estimate is TBD Murals $ Building Façade & Exteriors $ Total $ 6. Have you contacted the City of River Falls and received approval from the Community Development Department or Design Review Committee? YES / NO 7. Name of your Architect, Designer, and Contractor: (if applicable) Designer - Ben Branum, Creative Studio Productions - 651-235-1064 Sign Contractor Wade Lambrigtsen, Vintage Sign Shop 715-579-1840 8. Certificate of Insurance (with the City of River Falls as a notified party) must be obtained and submitted before the project is started, with a minimum liability limit of $300,000. - Waiting for the planned date. We have business liability insurance through Jen Rivard State Farm in River Falls. We can get the certificate of insurance when we can get the installation date. The application must be completed and signed. ALL related documentation must be submitted prior to consideration. I understand and agree to comply with all applicable codes, conditions of the Grant Agreement and conditions of approval. I certify that the above and attached information is accurate. Applicant Signature Date: 10/7/26 Print Name Heather Williams For City and BID use: Date complete application received: City or DRC approvaldate: BID Board approval date: Amount Approved: $ Conditions of Grant Approval: Current Photos #f36e4d #f3eee5 #2f5465 #763533 #b4c137 #959b38 Existing Sign: 96” x 24” Width of Storefront: 246” Proposed Sign: 96” x 27.5” + 4.5” arch= 20.41 Square Feet 117 S Main Street is in the Downtown District. Rules for this district: • Total wall-sign area cannot exceed the building’s frontage length. • Window decals are allowed but count toward that total. • All signage requires a permit and must be included in the sign inventory.