Town Board and Plan Commission — Minutes

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – REGULAR BOARD MEETING Monday, May 18, 2026, River Falls Town Hall The meeting was called to order by Chair Terry Kusilek at 7:07pm. Elected officials and staff present: Terry Kusilek, Chair; Mary Foster, Siri Smith, Joe Mahoney, Jerome Rodewald; Supervisors; Rita Kozak, Treasurer; Sarah Meyer; Clerk; Don Rodewald, Zoning Administrator; Guests present: Maureen Ash, Brad Peterson, Mary Merta, Kristin Nyquist, Wendy DiPeso, Linda Yde Joe made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. Siri seconded. M.C. Joe moved to approve the minutes of the May 4, 2026, Regular Board meeting. Mary seconded. M.C. Financial Report/Fire Call Report: Treasurer Rita provided the Treasurer’s Report. The current available balance is $502,731.00. Siri moved, and Joe seconded to approve the financial and fire call reports. M.C. Public Comments & Requests: Mary Merta said that on May 9, the speed reduction on 690th Avenue caused a delay in the vet’s arrival for a sick cow. She asked if the speed reduction signs will be removed once the road project is done? Terry said that the speed reduction is temporary. Linda Yde knows of another place that has a buckthorn puller that people can rent, requires a deposit that is returned when the equipment is returned. Would the town consider purchasing a buckthorn puller for resident use? Brad Peterson asked if there are there late fees on fire calls? He suggested adding them to encourage late and non-payments to get their payment in. Zoning Administrator Report: Zoning Administrator Don Rodewald provided the zoning report (attached). Siri made a motion to accept the Zoning Administrator’s report. Joe seconded. M.C. Plan Commission Report: The Plan Commission recommends the approval of alternate dwelling site for Tom Johnson on 690th Avenue. Joe moved and Jerome seconded to approve the alternate dwelling site for Tom Johnson on 690th Avenue. M.C. Review and Take Action on Sealed Bids for Chip Sealing and Crack Sealing Projects for the 2026 Season: Bids were submitted by Scott Construction & Fahrner Asphalt to complete chip sealing on 945th Street, 850th Street, 710th Avenue (starting at county rd. E), and 945th Street. Also included in the request for bids was an option to also do work on 710th Avenue starting at county road O. Terry opened and read the bids aloud at the May 4, 2026, Town Board meeting. Scott Construction’s bid for the entire project was $79,345.00. Fahrner Asphalt Sealers’ bid was $78,850.00 for the entire project. Mary made a motion to accept the bid from Fahrner Asphalt for $78,850.00. Joe seconded. M.C. Discuss and Take Action on Parking Issue on 862nd Street: Siri shared that a rental home on 862nd Street has been parking a minimum of 5-6 vehicles on the road in a curved area of the road, creating a dangerous situation. Mary made a motion that Don sends a letter to the owner of the property requiring off street parking for all vehicles within 30 days. Siri seconded. M.C. Discuss Future ETZ Committee Roster and Meetings: Terry requested that changes are made to the ETZ Committee. Terry recommends replacing Kurt Liechtle with Kara Petta and adding term expiration years for each member. Joe moved and Siri seconded to make the recommended changes. On the June 1, 2026, meeting agenda there will be a discussion regarding possible future meetings between the ETZ Committee and the City of River Falls. Discuss and Take Action on Purchasing a Buckthorn Puller Mary moved and Siri seconded to table this topic until the June 1, 2026, meeting. M.C. Discuss and Take Action on Findings from April 21, 2026, Annual Meeting: The Board reviewed the recommendations made to the board at the Annual Meeting. Mary made a motion to have Terry contact Darrell Hubbell for possible property exchange as referenced in Resolution 2026 – C – Annual Meeting Resolution to Dispose of Town Property Parcel Number 022-01058-1000 and David DuBois regarding property on 770th Avenue as referenced in Resolution 2026 – D – Annual Meeting Resolution to Dispose of Town Property Parcel 022-01064-0400. Jerome seconded. M.C. Siri moved and Joe seconded to form a committee to discuss moving Clerk and Treasurer positions from elected to appointed positions and to appoint Brad Mogen, Mary Foster, Maureen Ash to the committee. M.C. Joe suggested that we put moratorium on data centers. The topic will be added to the June 1, 2026, Town Board meeting. Review and Discuss Proposed Updates to Chapter 1 Regarding Boards and Commissions: Sarah showed the group the changes she is suggesting for Chapter 1 section on Commissions and Boards. Each standing committee is tasked with documenting the purpose, authority and duties for each committee. Discuss Plans for Town Hall 125th Celebration: The Town Hall was built in 1901 so it will turn 125 years old in 2026. Rita will head up the celebration. Review and Discuss Recycling Center Staff Duties: Joe and Rita shared concerns about users of the Recycling Center that bring in very large loads and expect the workers to sort and transport, tying up employees for several hours. Jerome made a motion that Joe create a standard operating procedure that explicitly lays out what the duties of the Recycling Center workers are. Siri seconded. M.C. Board and Staff Communications: Rita asked when will 785th be sprayed for dust? Terry will follow up. Jerome shared that the Town and Country 4H Club did a spring cemetery clean up day at Glass Valley Cemetery. Jerome has sent a letter to Town Attorney Bob Loberg regarding the boundaries and access at Mt. Zion. Joe asked for a better check and balance system for finding new dwellings or sheds at Board of Review. Mary shared that the bridge has been moved to Halverson Park. Sarah will share her calendar with the group. She asked that Committees get their June meetings on the calendar ASAP so she can get them posted. A resident sent a message to the town facebook page complaining about guns shooting frequently and loudly last Saturday. Another resident commented on the chip sealing being dangerous for motorcycles. Terry mentioned that the town’s contract for assessment services is expiring in July. He asked that the assessor contract process goes on the June 1, 2026, agenda. Audit and Pay Bills Siri moved to audit and pay bills, Joe seconded. M.C. Future Agenda items: • Approve Agenda • Minutes from May 18, 2025, Regular Board Meeting • Financial/Fire Call Report • Public Comments and Requests • Zoning Administrator Report • Plan Commission Report • Discuss and Take Action on Purchasing a Buckthorn Puller • Discuss Plans for Town Hall 125th Celebration • Review and Approve Updates to Town Policies • Approve Blair Mobile Home License • Discuss Process for Assessment and Revaluation Contract • Discuss Possible Conversation with City of River Falls Regarding a Boundary Agreement • Discuss Moratorium on Hyperscale Projects in the Town • Board and Staff Communications • Future Agenda Items • Audit and Pay Bills • Adjourn Joe moved to adjourn. Siri seconded. M.C. Meeting adjourned at 9:01pm.