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CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS June 23 , 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; Police Chief Gordon Young ; Chief of Staff Jennifer Smith ; City Engineer Todd Nickleski ; Utility Director Kevin Westhuis; Finance Director Josh Solinger, Economic Development Manager Keri Schreiner; Sergeant Denton Anderson; Senior Civil Engineer Chris Buntjer; IT Technician Jonathan Thoen The pledge of allegiance was said. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : June 9 , 2026 meeting minutes MS Odeen /Carow to approve the minutes. Councilmember Walker noted one correction to the name of a speaker during public hearing. Minutes were updated by Clerk White Motion passed u nanimous ly . A PPROVAL OF BILLS: M S C Walker /Bjerstedt moved to approve the bills. Unanimous. PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: William Hansen – Hansen commented on the impacts of the City's decision to drain Lake Louise following the 2020 flooding event, expressing concerns about environmental effects and the loss of hydroelectric power generation. He encouraged the Council to consider these factors in future decisions regarding the Junction Falls Dam and Lake George. Dana Linscott – Linscott provided an update on the organization's efforts to assist individuals experiencing housing instability. He emphasized the need for additional affordable and subsidized housing and expressed interest in beginning discussions with the City to explore potential housing solutions and identify feasible next steps . Cameron Nelson – Nelson commented on the display of the Pride flag at City Hall. He expressed concern that, while intended to promote inclusion, the display may make some members of the religious community feel excluded. He encouraged the City to display only the United States, Wisconsin, and River Falls flags at City Hall as symbols of unity. PUBLIC HEARING: Annual Liquor License and Beer License Renewals – Hearing and Disposition by Motion for each License Class Clerk White confirmed the attendance of the agent. City Council Minutes for June 23 , 202 6 Page 2 At 6:3 8 p.m. , the mayor recessed into a Public Hearing asking if anyone had comments about the license renewal s . As there were no questions or comments, the mayor moved back into Open Session at 6:3 9 p.m. MS C Odeen /Bjerstedt move to g rant renewals for the Combination “ Class A ” Liquor and Class “ A ” Beer Licenses contingent that all licensing requirements are met at the time of issuance for Kwik Trip Stores # 453. Unanimous . Mayor Page opened the public hearing at 6:40 p .m . First Reading Ordinance 2026-13, An ordinance amending Title 17 – Zoning, Chapter 17.124 (Regulations for the Protection of Wetlands Within the Shoreland) Senior Civil Engineer Chris Buntjer provided a presentation to Council. Staff clarified that the proposed ordinance changes would not alter wetland permitting requirements for either private developers or City projects. All projects impacting wetlands would continue to be subject to the same review and permitting process through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with the ordinance aligning local regulations with existing state requirements. Mayor Page closed the public hearing and reopened the council meeting at 6 :45 p .m. Council m ember Downing asked why the City chose to extend the wetland ordinance citywide rather than only to targeted wetlands. Senior Civil Engineer Bunger explained that the Wisconsin DNR identified the City's ordinance as not being as stringent as state regulations because it did not apply to all wetlands. The proposed amendments address that deficiency by extending the ordinance citywide. Council m ember Walker requested clarification on the difference between a shoreland zone and a wetland, as well as the meaning of impervious surfaces. Bunger explained that the shoreland zone generally applies to areas adjacent to the Kinnickinnic River, while the amendments would apply wetland buffer requirements to all wetlands in the City. He noted that impervious surfaces include roads, buildings, and other hard surfaces that are restricted within wetland buffer areas. Counci lm ember Walker further asked whether the amendments created new requirements for developers. Administrator Simpson explained that developers are already required to comply with DNR wetland regulations. The ordinance amendments simply incorporate those existing state requirements into the City's code, allowing the City to review and enforce compliance without creating additional regulatory requirements. Council m ember Od een asked how future changes to DNR regulations would affect the City's ordinance. Administrator Simpson explained that incorporating state language into the City's ordinance could require future amendments if state regulations change, as the City could otherwise become either more or less restrictive than the state. Council m ember Abdouch asked whether the ordinance could automatically follow future state regulatory changes or require more restrictive standard s . City Attorney Gierhart responded that either approach could be adopted as a policy decision. Council discussed the possibility of amending the ordinance at the second reading to ensure the City's standards would remain at least as restrictive as future state regulations. Mayor Page opened the public hearing at 6: 59 p.m. First Reading Ordinance 2026-14 An ordinance amending Title 10 – Vehicles and Traffic: Creating Chapter 10.21 relating to electric bicycles and electric scooters . Mayor Page closed the public hearing and reopened the council meeting at 7 :00 p.m. City Council Minutes for June 23 , 202 6 Page 3 Council m ember Downing asked whether the City should consider future requirements for identifying electric bicycle classes and how modified bicycles would be addressed. Council m ember Od ee n explained that state law requires Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes to display a classification sticker. Administrator Simpson noted that the ordinance primarily references state statutes while relying on officer discretion for enforcement. Council m ember B jerstedt asked whether similar ordinances had been implemented successfully elsewhere. Administrator Simpson responded that many municipalities have recently adopted similar regulations, but because e-bike and scooter regulations are relatively new, there is limited long-term experience. He introduced Sergeant Anderson, who coordinated development of the ordinance. Council m ember Abdouch asked how the City would educate the public about the new ordinance. Sergeant Anderson stated that the Police Department would work with City staff to develop educational materials through the City's communication channels. Council also discussed the possibility of future signage reminding trail users to yield to pedestrians. Council m ember Page raised concerns about ambiguous reflector size requirements in the ordinance and questioned whether compliant reflectors were readily available. Sergeant Anderson, Matt Johnson (The Garage Bikes + Brews), and staff agreed the language should be clarified to reflect available products and avoid creating unintended compliance issues. CONSENT AGENDA Acknowledgment of the following minutes : BID Board (5/12/26) →→ pulled by Abdouch ; Police and Fire Commission (1/5/26) ; Park and Recreation Advisory Board (5/20/26) ; Plan Commission (5/5/26) ; Utility Advisory Board (4/20/26; 5/18/26) Resolution No. 7090 Approving the River Falls Public Library Furniture Purchase Contract Resolution No. 7091 Approving the River Falls Public Library Construction Contract for the Solarium, Lower-Level Technology and Community Room Glass Wall Surround Resolution No. 7092 Approving Wastewater Treatment Plant 2025 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report Resolution No. 7093 Approving 2026 Directional Boring Contract Resolution Approving Purchase of Paulson Road Street Lights →→ pulled by Carow Resolution No. 7094 Approving Community Arts Based Request for Noise Control Exemption for Art on the Kinni Resolution No. 7095 Approving Community Arts Based Request for City Assistance for Art on the Kinni MSC Odeen/ Carow to approve the remainder of the Consent Agenda. Unanimous. Acknowledgment of the following minutes: BID Board (5/12/26) Councilmember Abdouch indicated she has specific questions regarding the minutes. She was advised to reach out to the Board for clarification. MSC Abdouch/Odeen to acknowledge the minutes. Unanimous. Resolution No. 7096 Approving Purchase of Paulson Road Street Lights . Council m ember Carow asked staff whether the proposed light fixtures had been used elsewhere in the City and inquired about their performance and warranty. Utility Director Westhuis responded that the same fixtures are installed along Cascade Avenue and at the Paulson Road roundabout, where they have performed well with no reported complaints. He confirmed the fixtures include a standard five-year warranty. MSC Carow/Page to approve the resolution. Unanimous. ANNOUNCEMENTS : Mayor ’s Appointments Mayor Page appointed Joel Donna and Lance Hovland to the Utility Advisory Board City Council Minutes for June 23 , 202 6 Page 4 MCS Odeen/ Carow to approve the appointments. Unanimous. Parks and Recreation Proclamation Councilmember Downing read the proclamation REPORTS : Administrator ’s Report No questions for Admin istrator Simpson Mayor ’s Good News Mayor Page thanked everyone who attended the recent Cookout Conversation, noting the strong community turnout and the park's continued success. She announced the next Cookout Conversation will be held on July 16 at Hoffman Park and reminded residents that River Falls Days will take place July 9 – 12, with the parade on July 10 and the theme "Christmas in July." CLOSED SESSION At 7:2 8 p.m., MS Downing/Caroe 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: 1091 Sutherland Ave and property with Parcel ID 276-01060-0100 ” . Mayor asked for a roll call vote which passed 7-0. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION At 9:05pm, MSC Odeen/Abdouch to move back into Open Session. Unanimous. MSC Bjerstedt/ Walker to adjourn at 9 :06 p.m. Unanimous. Re spectfully submitted , Amy White, Community Services Director/City Clerk