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CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS May 26 , 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 Derek Hokkanen ; Chief of Staff Jennifer Smith ; C ommunity Development Director Amy Peterson ; Assistant Director of Community Development Emily Shively ; Municipal Project Manager Adam Martinson ; Senior Planner Harley Mehlhorn; IT Technician Lead Jon Smits The pledge of allegiance was said. APPROVAL OF MINUTES : May 12, 2026 meeting minutes MS C Odeen /Carow to approve the minutes. Unanimous. A PPROVAL OF BILLS: M S C Downing /Page moved to approve the bills. Unanimous. PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Page reviewed the process for submitting public comments by email when unable to attend a council meeting. She stated emailed comments are distributed to the mayor and council members, and may be read aloud at the meeting at the discretion of a council member. Sh e noted the clarification would help provide clearer guidance to the public before moving on to public comments. Dana Linscott – Linscott encouraged the council to maintain clearer records of closed session meetings, when possible, while recognizing the need for confidentiality in certain legal matters. He stated that increased transparency would be appreciated by the public . John Witt – Witt expressed concerns about continued high-density residential development and encouraged the council to consider lower-density zoning with larger residential lots for the proposed annexation to provide greater housing diversity and compatibility with surrounding properties. Joe Hollman, Director of Research, Maxfield Research and Consulting provided a presentation on the 2026 housing needs analysis report. Councilmember Downing discussed challenges related to housing affordability, including rising costs, inflation, and limited housing supply. He emphasized the need for innovative housing strategies and encouraged the city to prioritize the development of community land trusts as a tool to create and preserve long-term affordable housing for both renters and homeowners. He explained that land trusts separate landownership from home ownership to help maintain affordability over time and reduce speculative resale pressures. Councilmember Walker noted that rising home prices have outpaced wages, making entry-level housing unaffordable for many residents. Sh e emphasized the need for continued work on housing affordability strategies. City Council Minutes for May 26 , 202 6 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Page opened the public hearing at 7 :21 p .m . for the first reading of Ordinance 2026-12 regarding the annexation petition from Delbert F. Johnson and Elaine H. Johnson revokable trusts for the property at the southeast corner of County Highway M and 1060th Street (PID 002010010200 & and a portion of 002010010600); application of a Future Land Use Classification of Mixed Use and Medium Density Residential; and application of a Zoning classification of R-2 Multiple Family (Medium Density) Residence District and B-3 Highway Commercial District to portions of the subject properties . Senior Planner Harley Mehlhorn presented an overview of a proposed annexation of approximately 55 acres requested by Delvert F. Johnson and Elaine H. Johnson Revocable Trusts in collaboration with EW Homes. He confirmed the property is contiguous with city boundaries and consistent with the City ’s Comprehensive Plan. The site is currently in agricultural use and is surrounded by a mix of residential and agricultural uses. Mehlhorn explained the proposed future land use classifications include mixed-use and medium-density residential designations, with zoning options such as B-3 Commercial and R-2/R-3 Residential to support a mix of housing types and limited commercial development. The area is considered suitable for efficient extension of city utilities, transportation access, and pedestrian connectivity. He reported no anticipated adverse fiscal impact from the annexation based on available studies. Council member Abdouch raised a question regarding potential impacts on adjacent property values. Senior Planner Mehlhorn responded that property value impacts are not typically directly quantified in annexation decisions, but compatibility with surrounding land uses and quality-of-life considerations are evaluated. Lowell McCann of Clifton Township questioned whether sufficient communication and coordination had occurred with surrounding townships and suggested delaying the vote to allow additional engagement with affected residents . Christine Witt of Clifton Township requested clarification on how the annexation area is considered contiguous with city limits and expressed concerns about infrastructure impacts and the perception that decisions are predetermined . Administrator Simpson responded that contiguity is based on city boundary contact regardless of roads or jurisdictional lines, and that annexation is initiated by property owners requesting inclusion in the City. S impson noted that coordination with townships has occurred at the governmental level, though broader public outreach varies by process. Administrator Simpson reiterated that annexation does not involve city acquisition of property; ownership remains with the private landowners. He explained that while townships provide an alternative development path, annexation is typically pursued for access to municipal services and higher-density development potential. Mayor Page closed the public hearing and reopened the council meeting at 7 :4 1 p .m. Councilmember Downing discussed fiscal considerations, noting that medium-density development can improve cost efficiency for utility extension and infrastructure maintenance by distributing costs across more units. Administrator Simpson responded to questions from Councilmember Abdouch regarding whether Tax Increment Financing (TIF) would be offered or utilized for potential development within the proposed annexation area. He indicated that no TIF request had been received from the developer and that no specific financing arrangement had been proposed at this stage, as a final development plan has not yet been submitted. City Council Minutes for May 26 , 202 6 Page 3 Administrator Simpson clarified when asked by Councilmember Abdouch, if the property could remain in the township and still be developed, that annexation does not transfer property ownership to the City, but instead brings the property into City boundaries for services and zoning, with development decisions remaining with the private owner. He added that development within township areas is possible but typically occurs at lower densities due to infrastructure limitations, while City annexation allows for more efficient utility-supported development. CONSENT AGENDA Acknowledgement of the following minutes : BID Board (4/14/26) ; Historic Preservation Committee (2/11/26 and 3/11/26) ; Park and Recreation Advisory Board (4/15/26) ; Plan Commission (3/3/26) Utility Advisory Board (2/23/26) Resolution No. 7086 Acceptance of Public Improvements for The Preserve Resolution No. 7087 Acceptance of Public Improvements for Oak Hill 1st Addition Resolution No. 7088 Approving Community Arts Base Request for Alcohol in the Park Exemption for Music in the Park on June 11, 2026 Resolution No. 7089 Approving Garage Bikes and Brews Application for Brewery Off-Premise Retail Outlet for Community Arts Base - Music in the Park on June 11, 2026 MS C Odeen /Bjerstedt to approve the Consent Agenda. Unanimous. ANNOUNCEMENTS : Pride Proclamation - Mayor Page read the proclamation National Pollinator Week Proclamation - Councilmember Downing read the p roclamation REPORTS : Administrator ’s Report Administrator Simpson noted positive interest from the Town of River Falls in pursuing a boundary agreement and referenced an existing agreement with the Town of Kinnickinnic. Mayor Page expressed support for continued boundary discussions with neighboring towns . Mayor ’s Good News Mayor Page shared community updates, including a well-attended Parks summer kickoff event featuring family activities and amenities. She recognized the badge pinning ceremony for a newly graduated police officer, noting it as a positive milestone for the department. Mayor Page further highlighted food insecurity concerns in the region and announced a $2 million state grant awarded to the St. Croix Valley Food Bank to support local food assistance programs. S he reflected on a Memorial Day ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery, commending organizers and participants for honoring local veterans CLOSED SESSION At 8 :00 p.m., the mayor asked for a motion to recess into Closed Session per Wisconsin Statute §19.85(1)(g) for the following purposes Conferring with legal counsel for the governmental body who is rendering oral or written advice concerning strategy to be adopted by the body with respect to litigation in which it is or is likely to become involved.to wit: denying the claim against the city and approval of the letter to the claimant under Wis. Stat. sec. 893.80(1g). MS Carow /Bjerstedt . Mayor asked for a roll call vote which passed 7-0. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION: At 8 :15 p.m., MSC Odeen /Bjerstedt to move back into Open Session. Unanimous. During closed session, City Attorney Gierhart provided an overview of the claim against the City, which alleged water damage to the basement of a home within the City. The cause of the water in the basement is undetermined, therefore a recommendation from the City Attorney is to deny the claim. City Council Minutes for May 26 , 202 6 Page 4 MSC Odeen/ Page to approve Resolution No. 70 90 Approving Disallowing Claim. Unanimous. MSC Bjerstedt/ Abdouch to adjourn at 8 :16 p.m. Unanimous. Re spectfully submitted , Amy White, Community Services Director/City Clerk