Common Council — Minutes

Page 1 of 1 The Common Council met at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on October 6 , 2026 at 6:0 0 P.M. Alderpersons M. Rave, Busse, Miles, Gearing-Lancaster, Ammann, and Peloquin were present. Alderperson E. Rave attended remotely via Zoom meetings. Alderperson Wussow was excused. Mayor J. Eddy presided. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------- It was moved by Alderpers on Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by M. Rave to dispense with the readin g o f the minutes of t he September 16, 2026 Special Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE There were 3 citizens in attendance 1 in person and 2 remotely via Zoom meetings. Black River Youth Hockey Board President-Elect Matt Karls distributed a letter of concern and supporting documents from their organization and addressed the Council regarding the City Administrator’s responses to their concerns, the legality of the lease agreement, a perceived lack of oversight over the Milt Lunda Memorial Arena Committee, and their recommendation for a legal commercial lease between the City, Black River Youth Hockey, and the Black River Falls Figure Skating Club. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ COMMITTEE REPORTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to place on file the minutes of the September 17, 2026 Business Improvement District (BID) Board meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Busse, seconded by Alderperson M. Rave to place on file the m inutes of the September 28, 2026 Utility Commission meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Busse, seconded by Alderperson Gearing -Lancaster to approve the 2027 contract between the City and the Municipal Street Department Teamsters General Union Local 662. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson M. Rave, seconded by Alderperson Ammann to approve RESOLUTION 2026-04 – a resolution to borrow $363,000.00 from Waumandee State Bank at an interest rat e of 4.85% for a term of 12 - months for 2026 Street Department capital items. Motion carried. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- ORDINANCE 907 – An ordinance repealing and recreating S ection 7.01 of the Code of Ordinances regarding state traffic codes adopted was presented – 1st reading. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the Mayor’s appointments to the Ad Hoc Housing Study Steering Committee. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The City Administrator presented updated proposed 2027 City Opera ting and Cap ital Budgets. Changes were made to balance the operating budget while also complying with an estimated lev y limit of . 701%. The operating budget was initially more than $100,000 over the levy limit . In order to balance the operating budget, the proposed capital budget was decreased by appr oximately $85,000, the levy fo r the shared ride taxi service was decreased by $5,000, and estimated interest income was increased by $30,000. There w ere n o c apital projects cut, but adding to reserves for future capital project needs was reduced substantially. At least $125,000 in grants and/or donations will need to be secured to make the filter replacement project at the Hoffman Aquatic Center possible. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Miles, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to adjourn. Motion carried at 6:56 pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ A. Brad Chown City Administrator