Agenda and Packet

COMMON COUNCIL AGENDA April 14, 2026 The public may view/listen to the meeting by: • Calling Toll Free 1-844-992-4726, access code: 2634 284 2088 • Visiting the web link: https://tinyurl.com/RFCC041426 • Viewing the City's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityofriverfalls Call Meeting to Order – 6:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Approval of Minutes – March 24, 2026 Council Meeting Approval of Bills: $ *** NOTE: OFFICIAL ACTION MAY BE TAKEN ON ANY AGENDA ITEM *** PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1. Public Comment If you are unable to attend the meeting in person but would like to submit a public comment, please e-mail to the City Clerk’s office (awhite@rfcity.org). 2. Recognition of Council Service Scott Morissette and Jeff Bjork 3. Recognition of Mayoral Service Dan Toland ANNOUCEMENTS 4. Mayor’s Appointments 5. Arbor Day Proclamation 6. UWRF Women’s Hockey Team Proclamation REPORTS 7. Comptroller Report 8. Administration Report 9. Mayor’s Good News Report ADJOURNMENT NOTE: Any person who has a qualifying disabilit y accommodation the Americans with Disabilities Act that requires the meeting or materials to be in an accessible location or format, may contact City Clerk Amy White at (715) 426-3408 or in person at 222 Lewis Street, for accommodations. Requests for accommodation should be made at least three (3) business days in advance of the meeting. Every effort will be made to arrange accommodation. Posted at City Hall on 04/06/26; Publish: The Pierce County Journal: 04/08/26 Website: 04/09/26 CITY OF RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS March 24, 2026 Mayor Toland called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. City Council Members Present: Todd Bjerstedt, Jeff Bjork, Nick Carow, S ean Downing, Scott Morrissette, Diane Odeen, Michael Page Staff Present: City Administrator Scot Simpson; Community Services Director/City Clerk Amy White ; City Attorney Chris Gierhart; Police Chief Gordon Young; Utility Director Kevin Westhuis; Chief of Staff Jennifer Smith; Assistant to the City Administrator Jason Rohloff; Community Development Director Amy Peterson; Public Works Manager Erica Ellefson; Police Seargent Denton Anderson; Fire Chief Justin Wilson; IT Technician Joe Reardon; varies Police Officers and Fire Fighters Others Present: Police and Fire Commission Members Jon Longsdorf, Lenny Austin, Dick Rinehar t, Tom Gunderson The pledge of allegiance was said. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 10, 2026 meeting minutes MSC Bjork/Odeen to approve the minutes. Unanimous. APPROVAL OF BILLS: MSC Morrissette/Bjerstedt moved to approve the bills. Unanimous. Mayor Toland changed the agenda order to recognize the Police and Fire Commission’s Police Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year. Commission President Lenny Austin recognized Police Officer Alex Sather as the 2025 Police Officer of the Year. Sather was presented with the award from Police Chief Gordon Young and Mayor Dan Toland. Commission Present Lenny Austin recognized Captain of Special Operations, Chad Zess as the 2025 Firefighter of the Year. Zess was presented with the award from Fire Chief Justin Wilson and Mayor Dan Toland. PUBLIC COMMENT, PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS: Dana Linscott – Linscott talked about the treatment of those experiencing homelessness William Hansen – Hansen talked about dam removal and renewable energy. Melissa Mei Mei Abdouch – Abdouch encouraged Mayor and Council to reevaluate how councilmembers and appointed to and serve on Boards and Commissions. She also encouraged passing an ordinance to not allow data centers Tanya Schmitt – Schmitt asked Council to reconsider having a ballot drop box. Jeff Bjork – Bjork encouraged the community to root on the UWRF Women’s Hockey team this weekend. He recognized notable city departments and staff. City Council Minutes for March 24, 2026 Page 2 CONSENT AGENDA: Acknowledgement of the following minutes: BID Board (12/09/25, 1/13/26); Plan Commission (2/03/26); Park and Recreation Advisory Board (2/18/26) ; Library Board (01/05/26, 02/02/26) ; Utility Advisory Board (01/06/26); Historic Preservation Commission (01/14/26, 02/11/26); Resolution No. 7064 Awarding the Contract for HVAC Upgrades for the Library Building Resolution No. 7065 Awarding the Contract for Humidification Upgrades for the Library Building Resolution Awarding the Contract for Lawn Care Services→→pulled by Downing MSC Odeen/Page to approve the remaining Consent Agenda. Unanimous. Resolution No. 7066 Awarding the Contract for Lawn Care Services Councilmember Downing indicated he was in favor of the resolution but wanted an opportunity to remind everyone of the city’s Bee City status and he would like to see those initiatives, where native pollinators areas can be recognized, incorporated when reviewing proposals. MSC Downing/Morrissette to pass the Resolution. Unanimous. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Resolution No. 7067 Approving Special Event Requests Policy MSC Morrissette/Bjork to pass the Resolution. Unanimous. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Police and Fire Commission Reappointment Gary Donath through 2031 MSC Morrissette/Downing to approve the mayor’s appointments. Unanimous. REPORTS: Administrator’s Report Administrator Simpson provided Council with current election statistics. Mayor’s Good News Report Mayor Toland congratulated the UWRF Woman’s Hockey team on advancing to the NCAA Division III semifinals. CLOSED SESSION: At 6:55 p.m., the mayor moved to recess into Closed Session per Wisconsin State Statute §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: discussion and consideration regarding the sale and development of City property in the Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park” and recess into Closed Session per Wisconsin State Statute §19.85(1)(e) fo r 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: discussion and negotiating a loan from First National Bank of River Falls that will be contingent on a grant award from the federal Economic Development Administration” and 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 and claimant’s counsel under Wis. Stat. sec. 893.80(1g). City Council Minutes for March 24, 2026 Page 3 MS Morrissette/ Bjerstedt. Mayor asked for a roll call vote which passed 7-0. RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION: At 7:28 p.m., MSC Morrissette/Odeen to move back into Open Session. Unanimous. During closed session, City Attorney Gierhart provided an overview of the claim against the City, which involves an injury to a disabled student while in the care of school staff. The school district was also named in the claim. The service of the disallowance will start the six-month timeclock to file a lawsuit. MSC Morrissette/Odeen to approve Resolution No. 7068 Approving Disallowing Claim. Unanimous. MSC Bjerstedt/Morrissette to adjourn at 7:29 p.m. Unanimous. Respectfully submitted, Amy White, Community Services Director/City Clerk MEMORANDUM TO: City Council FROM: Dan Toland, Mayor DATE: April 14, 2026 TITLE: MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDED ACTION Consideration of the following appointments: Parks and Recreation Board Appointment Eli Guthrie through May 2028 4 MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Toland and City Council FROM: Brooks Ostendorf, Conservation and Parks Manager DATE: April 14, 2026 TITLE: PROCLAMATION FOR RIVER FALLS ARBOR DAY 2026 BACKGROUND The idea for Arbor Day originated in 1872 in Nebraska and is a traditional spring event celebrated in all 50 states and across the world. Arbor Day’s intent is to raise awareness about the importance of trees and the benefits they provide to our daily lives. Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of April, which in 2026 is April 24. This year the City will continue advancing the urban forestry program to maintain our existing canopy and foster future resilience. The City will complete removal of the remaining ash trees and continue replanting trees lost to EAB as site conditions allow. With support from a Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant awarded in 2025, the City will also focus on tree planting and updating the tree inventory. The Conservation and Parks Division plans to create a Forestry Internship to collect data and update the inventory throughout the spring and summer months. Approximately 260 trees are planned for planting this fall. A diverse mix of boulevard and park trees will be installed. CONCLUSION River Falls has been designated a Tree City USA Community since 1994 and was recently recertified for our most recently completed year (2025). Observance of Arbor Day is a requirement for Tree City USA designation and has been observed by our community for many years. Attached is a proclamation for the Mayor to read at the Council meeting to help celebrate the observance of Arbor Day on April 24, 2026. 5 PROCLAMATION ARBOR DAY 2026 WHEREAS, trees are a vital resource in The City of River Falls, across Wisconsin, the nation and the world; and WHEREAS, trees help to combat climate change, conserve energy, filter our air and intercept storm water runoff from entering our waterways , create jobs through a large forest products industry, provide wildlife habitat, and make our homes, cities and countryside more livable and beautiful; and WHEREAS, human activities, along with acts of nature, threaten our trees, creating the need for concerted action to ensure the future of our rural and urban forests; and WHEREAS, each year in late April Arbor Day is celebrated as people across the country pay special attention to the wonderful treasure our trees represent, and dedicate themselves to the continued health of our forests; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Dan Toland, Mayor of the City of River Falls, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2026, to be Arbor Day in the City of River Falls, Wisconsin; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that I urge all citizens to become more aware of the importance of trees to their well -being, and to participate in tree planting programs that will ensure a healthy and green City and an inheritance for future generations in River Falls. Given under my hand and seal of the City of River Falls this 25th day of April 2026 Dan Toland, Mayor ATTEST: Amy White, City Clerk PROCLAMATION CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM ON WINNING THE 2026 NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN'S HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. WHEREAS, the University of Wisconsin- River Falls women's hockey team won its third consecutive national championship after defeating Nazareth University 4-0 in the championship game on its home ice at Hunt Arena; and WHEREAS, the UW-River Falls women's hockey team demonstrated exceptional perseverance, talent, and sportsmanship throughout the 2025-26 season; and WHEREAS, senior Megan Goodreau became the fifth Falcon to win the Laura Hurd National Player of the Year award and senior MaKenna Aure was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. WHEREAS, the team was led by co-captains Megan Goodreau, Kailey Niccum and Kaitlyn Ronn, who were joined by teammates MaKenna Aure, Katherine Bell, Kennedi Bielenberg-Howarth, Catt Donna, Megan Goodreau, Olivia Hansen, Sophia Hess, Payton Hixson, , Kylie Jones, Madison Kadrlik, Makenna Kadrlik, Gracyn Knowles, Alexis Larsen, Madison Lavergne, Cahlilah Lindquist, Lily McKenzie, Alexa Niccum, Kailey Niccum, Jordan O’Kane, Sami Pool, Anna Rader, Brooklyn Riley, Kaitlyn Ronn, Addie Seleski, Amanda Smythe and Izzy Stephes. WHEREAS, the team was managed by brilliant coaches and staff, led by Joe Cranston, assistant coaches Jim Walsh, Amanda Ryder, and Jeremy Weiss, athletic trainer Sean Peterson, strength and conditioning coach Jake Anderson, and managers Maya Wills and Meggan Daniels. WHEREAS, the UW-River Falls community and the City of River Falls take pride in the integrity, leadership, and excellence the team has demonstrated in its historic accomplishments. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the members of the River Falls Common Council do hereby commend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls women's hockey team, the coaching staff, the athletic department, and the chancellor on winning the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Hockey National Championship title and wish the student-athletes, coaches, and staff continued success on and off the ice. Dated this 14 th day of April 2026. Dan Toland, Mayor ATTEST: Amy White, City Clerk 6 Administrator’s Report April 28, 6:30 p.m. – Council Meeting May 12, 6:30 p.m. – Council Meeting COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Ensure sustained (re)development of the city from the prospect stage through construction • Brookgreen – Occupancy granted for Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and Clubhouse. Buildings 6-10 are under construction. • Oak Hill – 3 permits issued, 4 COs issued. • Construction for the Sycamore Two senior housing and 4 duplexes project has begun. • An application has been received to rezone a parcel in the Sterling Ponds Corporate Park to facilitate development of an industrial building. The rezoning will be reviewed at the April 8, 2026 Plan Commission meeting. • A Planned Unit Development General Development Plan application has been submitted for The Creamery at Cedar, a brewery, taproom, and event center at River Street and W. Cedar Street. The request will be reviewed by Plan Commission on April 8, 2026. Library renovations • Phase II of the library remodel is substantially complete. Phase III, which is mostly work in the lower level is ongoing and expected to be finalized in May. Fire Station Building • Fire Station demolition began the week of February 9 th and is ongoing. Concrete footings and foundations are currently being placed. Vertical pre- cast concrete walls are expected to be installed in late April or early May and will include short-term roadway closures on Second Street and Elm Street. Safe Streets Action Plan (will be completed in 2026) • Staff is planning a coordination meeting with representatives from St. Croix and Pierce Counties. • The Safe Streets Task Force Meeting No. 3 occurred on March 23. • City Council is anticipated to review and adopt the Safety Action Plan at its May 12th meeting Downtown Project • Staff provided an overview of the downtown project to Plan Commission on March 3, 2026. Hoffman Basin Study • The consultant provided a final copy of the Hoffman Basin Study. Conservation and Parks Division • The City was renewed as a Bird City and earned designation of High Flyer status, signaling that the City emphasized its commitment to conservation and education programs. • The City’s application for Tree City USA designation through the Arbor Day Foundation was approved for the 28 th year. • BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED Permit Type MARCH YTD Permit Value MARCH Permit Value YTD Building Permits 29 58 $4,314,555 $6,296,915 New Home Permits 13 18 $3,618,000 $4,858,000 8 Division Street crosswalks • The Safe Streets for All Action Plan is expected to include a concept plan for an improved pedestrian crossing at East Division and Wasson Lane. Stewardship of Public Infrastructure • The 2026 Mill and Overlay project was awarded to Lepke Trucking and Excavating. Work will occur starting in July and will take place on Paulson Road. Mapping • Map of available sites for development • Map of active development projects map POLICE DEPARTMENT Training • March 4-5 – ARIDE – Advances Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement – Ofc Austin, Ofc Perry, Sgt Rudesill • March 18 – ERU – Emergency Response Unit Training – Ofc Matt Miller, Sgt Walker • March 23-27 – Basic Evidence Technician – Ofc Matt Miller • March 23-27 – First Line Supervisor Week 1 – Sgt Rudesill, Sgt Hokkanen • March 25 – MRDS Transition Course – Ofc Paul Jensen • March 30-31 – Ethics Training – Kim Fischer, Tricia Traynor FIRE DEPARTMENT Run Volume • In March 2026, we responded to a total of 31 calls for service, which compares to 29 calls for the same period in 2025. Year to date: 2026 = 96 calls; 2025 = 93 calls • Activities/Highlights • The building project continues to progress on schedule. Phase 1 demolition was completed in March, followed by backfilling and preparation for new footings. Installation of the tilt- up wall panels is anticipated to begin toward the end of April. • Seven inspectors attended a full-day inspections seminar at the CVTC campus in Eau Claire. • The department completed 48 inspections during the month of March. • Fire Department personnel completed ethics training in partnership with CVMIC. • We recognized our Police and Fire Commission award recipients. Congratulations to Fire Captain Chad Zess and Officer Alex Sather for being named PFC Firefighter and Police Officer of the Year. UTILITIES Electric • We received the digger derrick truck. • Zach Kuechenmeister passed his Journeyman’s exam. • Tree trimming with Zielies has about two weeks yet. • Remodeled our room to be more efficient. • Installed pallet racking in the old paint bay and moved material from cold storage up to the shop to be more efficient. • The frost is out and underground construction has started to prep for projects later this year. Customer Service • Moratorium began November 1 and ends April 15 so there are no disconnections for residential customers during this time. Past due notices went out to 337 residents with a past due amount of $250.00 or more on March 6. Business disconnection letters were sent out on March 6 to 19 businesses with past due amounts reflecting the threshold of $250.00 or more. • An outbound call was made on March 11 to 298 residents reminding them of a past due and to contact River Falls Municipal Utilities if needing phone numbers for assistance. There were three personal calls made and two emails sent on March 16 to business customers on the disconnection list informing them of the disconnection date and requesting to set up a payment arrangement to avoid a disconnection. No businesses were disconnected in the month of March. • An election to be held on April 7 did increase calls and foot traffic at City Hall for in- person absentee voting and voting questions in general. • The due date for dog license renewals ended March 31, which prompted dog owners to renew this month. For the remainder of the year, there is a late fee assessed with dog renewals. • Parks and Recreation calls and visits were also prominent this month as recreation registration began March 9. • Customer service scheduled 75 water service requests, of which 67 were water meter exchanges in the month of March. Engineering Technician Work • Mapped 8 AMI meters changes. • 4 plan reviews (Sterling Ponds Industrial 2 Preliminary, Wildflower Meadows Re-submittal, Another Creamery Submittal, Our Neighbors Place-Re-Submittal) • 1 Pre-construction meeting (Wildflower Meadows) • 1 Training Session (Ethics Training) • Continued work with Leica to resolve GPS issues. • Had pre-construction meeting with Insituform for the 2026 sewer lining project. • Printed letters for the field crew to deliver to homeowners for the 2026 sewer lining project. • Attached more sanitary videos and reports to the mapping system from field crew. • Sent survey company and engineering firm requested information for potential projects. • Worked on adding as-built data to the mapping system for various subdivisions. • Requested deeds from Pierce County • Participated in passport tour for new employees. • Assisted B&M locating Water department • Reorganized the Water storage room and paint booth for more usable storage between all departments • Cleaning up hydrant parts and getting a better inventory system • There was a leak at 538 Birchcrest service line that we fixed and updated a hydrant since it was in the same trench. • Continued meter changeouts throughout the city. • Replaced chemical feed lines at the remaining wells that hadn't been done • Testing some large meters to get ahead for the year. • Wastewater • Televised and dye tested service lines for the sewer lining project • Dryer Project: • Screw press passed performance test • BCR fixed regulator on boiler for dryer, dryer is working better but BCR continues to optimize • Discharge system is working and have discharged material into the silo • DNR is here to do a project plan overview inspection today (3/26/26) • Issues: Makeup air exchanger has intake problem plugging filters; one furnace doesn't work WPPI • Incentive Programs and Green Blocks o Total RFMU Program participation (as of March 25, 2026)  8 customers received $1,475 in incentives o Total River Falls Focus on Energy Participation (as of March 25, 2026)  94 customers given $126,366 in incentives o Green Blocks Update:  January had 3,535 blocks purchased by 1,234 customers  2,122,800 kWh of renewable energy purchased in 2026. • Upcoming Events of Interest o April 22 – WPPI Executive Committee Meeting o April 23 – WPPI Board of Directors Meeting o May 12-14 – MEUW Annual Conference