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CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS April 28, 2026 Mayor Page called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. City Council Members Present: Mei Mei Abdouch, Todd Bjerstedt, Nick Carow, Sean Downing and Rose Walker City Council Members Absent: Diane Odeen and Michael Page Staff Present: City Administrator Scot Simpson; Deputy City Clerk Jackie Hanson; City Attorney Chris Gierhart; Police Chief Gordon Young; Chief of Staff Jennifer Smith; Assistant to the City Administrator Jason Rohloff; Community Development Director Amy Peterson; Utility Director Kevin Westhuis; Public Works Manager Erica Ellefson; Economic Development Manager Keri Schreiner; Assistant Director of Community Development Emily Shively; Natural Resource Coordinator Levi Myers; IT Technician Jonathan Thoen The pledge of allegiance was said. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 14, 2026 meeting minutes and April 21, 2026 organizational meeting minutes MSC Abdouch/Carow to approve the minutes. Unanimous. APPROVAL OF BILLS: MSC Bjerstedt/Downing moved to approve the bills. Unanimous. PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: Amy Hartman – Hartman spoke in favor of agenda item 12, the planned development of The Creamery at Cedar. Public Hearing: Mayor Page opened the public hearing at 6:35pm for the first reading of Ordinance 2026-11 Rezoning property in the Sterling Ponds Corporate park from Conservancy (C) to Industrial (I-1). No questions or comments from attendees. Mayor Page closed the public hearing at 6:36pm. Consent Agenda: Acknowledgement of the following minutes: BID Board (2/10/26); Board of Canvass Spring Election (4/7/26); Park and Recreation Advisory Board (3/18/26; Plan Commission (3/3/26) Resolution Appointing New Agent for Kwik Trip Store 301 →→pulled by Walker Resolution No. 7073 Approving Decentralized Foods, LLC Purchase Agreement Resolution No. 7074 Approving Decentralized Foods, LLC First Right of Refusal Resolution No. 7075 Approving Community Arts Based Request for Noise Control Exemption for Special Event Resolution No. 7076 Approving Indivisible River Falls Request for Noise Control Exemption for Special Event Resolution No. 7077Approving Municipal Court Memorandum of Understanding Resolution No. 7078 Approving Purchase of a Telehandler Forklift Resolution No. 7079 Approving 2026 Pavement Markings Contract Resolution Approving Planned Unit Development General Development Plan for The Creamery at Cedar, a planned brewery, tap room, and event center at W. Cedar Street and River Street (Bearcat Investments LLC) →→pulled by Downing MSC Carow/Bjerstedt to approve the remaining Consent Agenda. Councilmember Abdouch made a comment on agenda number 8 regarding downtown businesses restrooms being used by the public during events. Unanimous. Resolution no. 7080 Appointing New Agent for Kwik Trip Store 301 Councilmember Walker called the agent; Jeremy Rodriguez, to come forward for questions. Walker asked if he possessed a responsible server’s certificate, if he understood the role of an agent, and if he understood that if an alcohol-related violation occurs even if he was not there, he is responsible. Rodriguez answered yes to the questions. MSC Downing/Walker. Unanimous Resolution No. 7081 Approving Planned Unit Development General Development Plan for The Creamery at Cedar, a planned brewery, tap room, and event center at W. Cedar Street and River Street (Bearcat Investments LLC) Mayor Page provided a brief description of what was being requested in the resolution and the general plan for the development. Councilmember Downing asks for guidance and reassurance about how the project will protect the trout stream, including expectations for water use and thermal impacts. City Administrator Simpson explain that the project must follow stormwater regulations, with added protections due to its proximity to the river, and is expected to have less impact than current conditions. Water use will be typical of similar developments, with wastewater treated through the sanitary system, minimizing direct river impact. Thermal effects are not specifically evaluated, and parking plans will be reviewed flexibly by staff, though no fixed review schedule is set. Councilmember Abdouch asked Stephanie Johnson from Bearcat Investments to come forward and explain what they considered when determining available parking spaces. Johnson provided a summary of how they determined available parking for the event center. MSC Downing/Bjerstedt. Unanimous Announcements: Police Week Proclamation Councilmember Bjerstedt read the police week proclamation Economic Development Week Proclamation Councilmember Downing read the economic development week proclamation Historic Preservation Commission Proclamation Mayor Page read the historic preservation commission proclamation Migratory Bird Week Proclamation Councilmember Walker read the migratory bird week proclamation Poppy Day Proclamation Councilmember Abdouch read the poppy day proclamation Professional Clerk Week Proclamation Councilmember Carow read the professional clerk week proclamation REPORTS: Administrator’s Report No comments or questions EMS Quarterly Report Councilmember Carow thanked the EMS for the service they provide and for providing the report with data that shows the level of service Aliana provides the community. David Madison EMS Manager for Alina gave updates on the services they provide. He also talked about the important partnerships EMS has with the Police and Fire Departments and how crucial those relationships are in providing services to the community. Councilmember Downing thanked Aliana for their service asked if Aliana does proactive engagement such as fall preventions. Mr. Madison advised they do not but the hospital does. Councilmember Abdouch thanked Alaina and Chief Young for their response to a critical incident that happened earlier in the day. Councilmember Walker thanked EMS, Chief Young and Chief Wilson for their partnership and for protecting the community. Mayor Page thanked Mr. Madison for his work and for attending the meeting. Mayor’s Good News Report Mayor Page highlighted what a success Earth Fest was with attendance of approximately 2,700 people and thanked everyone who participated. Mayor Page congratulated Annie Frisbie on her 8th place finish in the Boston Marathon and for running her personal best time. MSC Bjerstedt/Carow to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Hanson, Deputy City Clerk