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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 SPECIAL MEETING JULY 21, 2026 AT 8:00 A.M. FOSTER CONFERENCE ROOM – CITY HALL 222 LEWIS STREET RIVER FALLS, WI 54022 Members present: Joleen Larson , Vince Seidling , Amy Halvorson , Amy Freeman , Andrew Singerhouse, Mike Miller, Kerri Olson, Terry McKay Members Absent: Rosa Magnus Others present: Emily Shively, City of River Falls; William Hanson CALL TO ORDER: Larson called the meeting to order at 8:06 a.m. AGENDA/MEETING MINUTES The meeting minutes for the June 9 , 202 6 meeting were approved. M/S Seidling/Freeman. Unanimous. FINANCIALS Olson presented the financials and noted that the website invoice was submitted. Larson ordered additional wicks and plugs for the flower baskets and some replacement pots for some that were stolen. SIGN AND FAÇADE GRANTS Application: 125 North Main Street (Jim Leske) – façade grant request It was noted that the application requests $6,000 for the north façade improvements and $6,000 for the east façade improvements (brick tuckpointing with a total cost of approximately $50,000). Larson noted that typically, only $6,000 would be granted as this is one project. However, the Board has provided larger grant awards for larger projects such as the south wal l of the Glass Express building. Olson mentioned that if one wall was done this year, and one next year, the Board would likely approve both requests. The Board discussed increasing grant awards for larger projects while maintaining a limit of 35% of tota l project costs. As the Board has sufficient funds, it was decided to increase awards for larger projects while the funds are available and gather information from building and business owners about what their needs are and how grant funds can be effective in supporting investment downtown. M/S Halvorson/Miller for a $12,000 total grant award. Unanimous. Application: 114 East Elm Street (Amy Freeman) – façade grant request The Board reviewed photos of the window that needs replacing at 114 E. Elm Street and Freeman answered questions. The request is for a grant of $1,710.45 (35% of the total project cost of $4,887). M/S Miller/Halvorson for a $1,710.45 grant award. Unanimous (Freeman abstained). Discussion: 117 South Main Street (Heather Williams) – sign and awning grant request An application has not yet been submitted, but is anticipated for a sign/awning grant for Fox Den. Larson also mentioned that she would stop by Buttons and Bows (a new business opening on W. Walnut Street) and let them know about BID grants. BID Board Chair: Joleen Larson 715-426-7776 joleenlarson@hotmail.com BID Staff: Emily Shively 715-426-3437 eshively@rfcity.org OTHER BUSINESS 2027 Budget discussion Larson reminded the Board that a preliminary 2027 budget would need to be adop ted at the August meeting. Options to consider include an increase for Public Works staff support for downtown and sponsorships for events. Larson provided some history of past BID Board operations including running events with volunteers when there was a paid staff member; placing lights on the buildings; fireworks over Lake George. The events were turned over to the Chamber when the paid staff member left; the lights started to fail on the buildings after a hailstorm; and there were fire concerns about the fireworks (dry conditions; housing on W. Cascade; etc.) so all of those things shifted over time. The Board could consider increased support for the River Falls Business Leaders and the Chamber for events since that is a core programming element for a downtown area. It would be helpful to gather information about the success of the various events. The Board could also consider an increase in the assessment if there are projects/programs that would warrant an increase and benefit the downtown. The assessment has not been increased during the history of the BID. WEDC Connect Communities resources Shively described resources available to the BID as part of the Connect Communities program including webinars, promotions calls, and handbooks on various topics such as event evaluation. Shively said she will continue to share these resources with the Board and they can fee l free to share them with others as well. Main Street Updates McKay said that the former Anytime Fitness space in the Radisson hotel is still available. The hotel is under new ownership, but is seems like the rent is still higher than many prospective tenants are looking for. There was discussion about the property at 431 N. Second Street that was recently demolished due to fire damage. ADJOURNMENT Chair Larson adjourned the meeting at 8:43am