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CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS J uly 14 , 202 6 Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 6: 3 0 p.m. City Council Members Present : Mei Mei Abdouch, Todd Bjerstedt , S ean Downing , Diane Odeen, Michael Page, Rose Walker Absent : Nick Carow Staff Present : City Administrator Scot Simpson; Community Services Director/City Clerk Amy White ; City Attorney Chris Gierhart; Police Chief Gordon Young ; Chief of Staff Jennifer Smith ; Utility Director Kevin Westhuis; Economic Development Manager Keri Schreiner; Senior Civil Engineer Chris Buntjer; Assistant to the City Administrator, Jason Rohloff; IT Technician Jonathan Thoen The pledge of allegiance was said. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : June 23 , 2026 meeting minutes and Merchant McIntyre workshop minutes MS C Odeen /Bjerstedt to approve the minutes. A PPROVAL OF BILLS: M S C Abdouch /Dow n ing moved to approve the bills. Unanimous. PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: William Hansen – Hansen questioned the need for enhanced river access, asking whether data supports its benefits to residents and the local economy. He encouraged the City to pursue any river access improvements in a way that protects Junction Falls, the hydroelectric facility, and Lake George. Tonya Schmitt – Schmitt urged the City Council to adopt an ordinance prohibiting data centers in River Falls, citing concerns about their significant land, water and electricity consumption, environmental impacts, and limited long-term economic benefits to the community. Beth Rausch – Rausch expressed support for improvements made during Phase One of the Glen Park project but raised concerns about the proposed location and potential expansion of the Phase Two multi-sport complex. She encouraged the City to reconsider the project due to the potential loss of mature trees and the impacts of additional nighttime lighting on nearby wildlife and neighboring residents. Brian – Brian expressed concerns about the increasing use of fireworks within the city, citing impacts on pets, veterans, individuals with sensory sensitivities, and wildlife. The y asked the City Council to explore stricter regulations, consider alternative celebrations, improve enforcement of existing ordinances, and provide community education regarding fireworks. Sy Pitzen – Pitzen urged the City Council to remove Flock safety cameras, expressing concerns about privacy, data sharing, potential misuse, and the accuracy of automated license plate recognition technology. PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Page opened the public hearing at 6 :4 3 p .m . Second Reading of Ordinance 2026-13, An ordinance amending Title 17 – Zoning, Chapter 17.124 (Regulations for the Protection of Wetlands Within the Shoreland) . No comments from the public Mayor Page closed the public hearing and reopened the council meeting at 6 :4 4 p .m. City Council Minutes for Ju ly 14 , 202 6 Page 2 MSC Odeen/Page to pass the Ordinance. Unanimous Mayor Page opened the public hearing at 6 :44 p.m. Second Reading Ordinance 2026-14 An ordinance amending Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic: Creating Chapter 10.21 relating to electric bicycles and electric scooters . No comments from the public . Mayor Page closed the public hearing and reopened the council meeting at 6 :45 p.m. MS Odeen/Downing to pass the Ordinance. Councilmember Downing a sked whether the City's planning efforts include signage and safety measures for shared-use paths, such as reminders for bicyclists to yield to pedestrians, speed limits, helmet use, and rider education. Administrator Simpson responded that appropriate signage and multimodal safety considerations are incorporated into planning and construction projects. He noted that the proposed ordinance provides an opportunity to expand public education on safe bicycle and trail use. Councilmember Abdouch a sked what penalties would apply if the ordinance were violated, including minors and their parents or guardians. Attorney Gierhart e xplained that violations would be subject to the City's general penalty provisions. While officers would likely emphasize warnings and education for first-time violations, citations could result in forfeitures as provided in the municipal code, along with applicable court costs and fees. Police Chief Young confirmed. The Ordinance passed u nanimous ly . CONSENT AGENDA Resolution No. 7097 Creating Ward 19 and Correcting the Ward Designation for the Territory Annexed by Ordinance No. 2026-12 Resolution No. 7098 Approving Merchant McIntyre & Associates, LLC 2026-2027 Agreement Resolution No. 7099 A pproving the P urchase of 29 N ew C omputer W orkstations from CDW-G MSC Odeen /Walker to approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous. ANNOUNCEMENTS : Mayor ’s Appointments Mayor Page appointed Arriety Lowell to the Plan Commission M SC Downing /Odeen to approve the appointments. Unanimous. Mayor Page thanked Rebecca Prendergast for her service on Plan Commission. REPORTS : Administrator ’s Report Administrator Simpson express ed appreciation for those who participated in the River Falls Days parade representing the City . Comptroller Report General Fund revenues through the end of June were $5,573,762 or 39% of total budgeted revenues for the year. Revenues in June included $52,565 from building permits, 17,130 from liquor and malt beverage licenses and $14,536 for swimming pool fees. Expenditures through the end of June were $7,147,443, or 50% of total budgeted expenditures for the year. As of June 30, 2026, net expenditures over revenues were $1,573,681. Mayor ’s Good News City Council Minutes for Ju ly 14 , 202 6 Page 3 The Mayor congratulated the River Falls Chamber of Commerce on another successful River Falls Days celebration. The Mayor also invited the community to attend the Cookout Conversation at Hoffman Park on July 16 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., featuring free hot dogs, ice cream, and a water fun event hosted by the River Falls Fire Department. CLOSED SESSION At 6:54 p.m., MS Downing/ Bjerstedt move to Recess into Closed Session per Wisconsin State Statutes §19.85(1)(e) for the following purposes: “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 wit: Property located at 404 S. Winter Street ” . Mayor asked for a roll call vote which passed 6 -0. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION At 7:21 p .m ., MSC Odeen /Abdouch to move back into Open Session. Unanimous. MSC Bjerstedt/ Walker to adjourn at 7:22 p.m. Unanimous. Re spectfully submitted , Amy White, Community Services Director/City Clerk