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CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS J uly 28 , 202 6 Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 6: 3 0 p.m. City Council Members Present : Mei Mei Abdouch, Todd Bjerstedt , Nick Carow, S ean Downing , Diane Odeen, Michael Page, Rose Walker Staff Present : City Administrator Scot Simpson; Community Services Director/City Clerk Amy White ; City Attorney Chris Gierhart; Sergeant Travis Rudesill ; Chief of Staff Jennifer Smith ; Utility Director Kevin Westhuis; Assistant Director of Community Development Emily Shivley ; Senior Planner Harley Muhlhorn; IT Technician Jon Smits The pledge of allegiance was said. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Ju ly 14 , 2026 meeting minutes MS C Odeen /Walker to approve the minutes. Unanimous . A PPROVAL OF BILLS: M S C Bjerstedt /Odeen moved to approve the bills. Unanimous. PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: William Hansen – Hansen expressed concerns about the funding sources for the Corridor project, particularly the use of electric utility funds to support ongoing project expenses. Steve Leitch – Leitch, a representative of the River Falls Economic Development Corporation (EDC) , thanked the Council for its past support of the Innovation Center and expressed appreciation for consideration of the proposed amendment to the EDC agreement on the consent agenda . Sy Pitzen – Pitzen reiterated concerns about the City's Flock camera system, raising questions about privacy, data sharing, and the company's practices. He urged the Council to reconsider the use of the cameras and remove them from the community. Tonya Schmitt – Schmitt urged the Council to adopt a moratorium on data center construction and to develop policies governing the ethical and safe use of artificial intelligence to protect residents, employees, and visitors. Dana Linscott – Linscott expressed concerns about transparency related to the City's use of Flock cameras and urged the Police Department to provide greater transparency and more comprehensive public information regarding the camera system. CONSENT AGENDA Acknowledgement of the following minutes: Police and Fire Commission (6/1/26) ; Park and Recreation Advisory Board (6/17/26) ; Plan Commission (6/2/26) ; Historic Preservation Commission (4/15/26, 5/13/26 & 6/10/26) ; Utility Advisory Board (6/15/26) Resolution No. 7100 to Apply for Exemption from County Library Tax Resolution Approving Specific Implementation Plan for The Creamery at Cedar →→ pulled by Downing Resolution Approving Development Agreement with Creamery at Cedar, LLC →→ pulled by Downing Resolution Approving Addition of a RG-3 Optional Residential Rate →→ pulled by Downing Resolution No. 7101 Approving Purchase of Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park Street Lighting Resolution No. 7102 Approving Luther Memorial Church for Noise Control Exemption for Special Event Resolution No. 7103 Approving 7th and Linden Neighborhood Block Party Open Container Exemption for Special Event City Council Minutes for Ju ly 28 , 202 6 Page 2 Resolution No. 7104 Approving Amendment to the 2017 Development Agreement with the River Falls Economic Development Corporation for the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center Resolution No. 7105 Approving the Purchase Agreement for 404 S. Winter Street MSC Odeen /Bjerstedt to approve the remaining Consent Agenda. Unanimous. Resolution No. 7106 Approving Specific Implementation Plan for The Creamery at Cedar Councilmember Downing expressed support for the implementation plan and asked whether parking and directional signage identified in the plan would be incorporated into the City's broader wayfinding plan to better direct visitors to public parking areas. Administrator Simpson responded that future wayfinding updates could include these improvements and noted that the City could evaluate the effectiveness of the parking strategy over time and make additional changes, including signage, if needed. MSC Downing/Odeen to approve the resolution. Unanimous. Resolution No. 7107 Approving Development Agreement with Creamery at Cedar, LLC MSC Downing/Bjerstedt to approve the resolution. Unanimous. Resolution No. 7108 Approving Addition of a RG-3 Optional Residential Rate Councilmember Downing expressed support for the proposed RG-3 optional residential electric rate, noting its potential to help customers save money while encouraging off-peak electric vehicle charging to reduce system-wide power costs. He asked whether the rate included the same one-year enrollment commitment as the existing RG-2 rate. Utility Director Westhuis confirmed that RG-3 also requires a one-year commitment to support utility planning and cost management. MSC Downing/Odeen to approve the resolution. Unanimous. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Resolution No. 7109 Authorizing the City Administrator Use Due Diligence to Pursuing the Necessary Next Steps for Required Approvals and Referendum in the Purchase of St. Croix Gas Utility Director Westhuis provided a presentation on the proposed acquisition of St. Croix Gas, outlining the utility ’s history, customer base, service territory, financial condition, staffing, and the rationale for City ownership. He explained that St. Croix Gas serves approximately 10,000 customers and operates similarly in scale to the City ’s electric utility. The presentation highlighted that the negotiated purchase price is $6.4 million and that the acquisition would include the utility ’s assets, equipment, inventory, and real estate. Administrator Simpson explained that several steps remain before a purchase could occur, including additional financial and legal due diligence, review and approval by the Public Service Commission, and ultimately a community referendum. Councilmember Bjerstedt asked whether current St. Croix Gas employees would become City employees following the acquisition. Administrator Simpson responded that retaining employees is a priority and that the proposed agreement anticipates transitioning the existing workforce to City employment. Counci lmember Downing asked whether the referendum would include the full costs associated with the acquisition, including studies and additional expenses. Administrator Simpson responded that by the time the referendum occurs, voters would have a complete understanding of the financial impacts, City Council Minutes for Ju ly 28 , 202 6 Page 3 purchase terms, and anticipated rate structure. He noted that the Public Service Commission review would provide additional information regarding costs and rates before the referendum. Councilmember Walker a sked whether the Public Service Commission (PSC) establishes utility rates and whether the City purchases natural gas based on a commodity price rate. Utility Director Westhuis c onfirmed that the PSC establishes utility rates through a detailed cost-of- service analysis that considers the costs necessary to operate the utility. Councilmember Downing a sked whether the planning process would include 20- to 30-year projections that account for customers transitioning to alternative energy sources. He also asked whether succession planning would be considered given the specialized nature of utility positions and potential retirements or departures. Utility Director Westhuis indicated that long-term changes in customer energy use would be considered as part of the planning process. He also stated that staff continually evaluates succession planning, staffing needs, and potential gaps to ensure the utility is prepared for future workforce needs. Mayor Page asked about future natural gas demand and whether long-term projections would consider changes in energy sources, including increased use of renewable energy. Administrator Simpson responded that long-term industry trends would be considered as part of due diligence. He noted that while the future energy landscape will continue to evolve, natural gas remains an important energy source in the region and that planning would focus on the expected useful life of the utility ’s infrastructure. Councilmember Carow asked why other entities had not pursued purchasing St. Croix Gas if it was a good investment opportunity. Administrator Simpson explained that the acquisition appears to be a strong fit because of the City ’s existing utility operations and commitment to retaining employees. He noted that the seller placed significant importance on ensuring employees and the community would be well served through the transition. Councilmember Odeen asked whether the City would continue serving customers located outside of the City limits. Administrator Simpson confirmed that the current plan is to continue serving those customers as part of the utility operation. MSC Odeen/Page to approve the resolution. Unanimous. REPORTS : Administrator ’s Report Councilmember Carow asked for further discuss ion on the questions and concerns regarding the City ’s Flock automated license plate reader system, including data retention, vendor oversight, access controls, and transparency. Administrator Simpson explained that while the City relies on vendor security measures, system access is monitored through audit tools and Police Department review processes. He noted that policies, contracts, and usage procedures are publicly available and that the City continues to update information in response to community questions. EMS Quarterly Report No questions or comments Mayor ’s Good News Mayor Page reminded residents about the rescheduled Cookout and Conversation and Water Fun event at Hoffman Park on Thursday, July 30. City Council Minutes for Ju ly 28 , 202 6 Page 4 Mayor Page recognized local Boy Scout Jackson To d y for completing an Eagle Scout service project at the River Falls Dog Park. Jackson raised funds, purchased materials, and coordinated volunteers to install dog agility equipment, enhancing the park for community members and their pets. MSC Bjerstedt/ Walker to adjourn at 7: 47 p.m. Unanimous. Re spectfully submitted , Amy White, Community Services Director/City Clerk