Common Council — Minutes

Page 1 of 2 The Common Council met in special sessio n at City Hall in the City of Black River Falls on June 17, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. Alderpersons Dougherty, Gearing-Lancaster, Wussow, Ammann and Peloquin were present. Alderperson E. Rave attended remotely via Zoom meetings. Alderpersons M. Rave and Busse were excused. Mayor J. Eddy presided. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the June 2, 2026 Common Council meeting and approve as presented. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ CITIZENS IN ATTENDANCE There was one citizen in attendance remotely via Zoom meetings. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- COMMITTEE REPORTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2026 Business Improvement District (BID) Board meeting. Motion carried. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2026 Joint Review Board meeting. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ There was a lengthy discussion on reducing the speed limit on Main Street in the downtown business district . The City Administrator shared information obtained fr om the WI Department of Transportation which indicated the local government body has the authority to raise or lower the speed limit within statutorily established parameters of 15mph to 55mp without WisDOT approval, but a speed study would need to be done before the speed limit could be changed to document it and make it enforceable. Council members and the City Administrator shared their positions which included 25mph is slow enough and already hard enough to enforce, would rather spend money on another speed radar sign to be placed on the hill for eastbound traffic, they’ve witnessed traffic traveling 15 -20mph already and so you already have safety conscious drivers and drive a little slower anyway and others will choose to speed regardless of the set speed limit, the potential of backlog of vehicles with fewer being able to get through the stop light if they were traveling slower, liked the idea of reducing the speed limit but the cost of a study is concerning, based on experience in smaller towns that h ave lower speed limits seemed more dangerous as you have more people J -walking because traffic is moving slower and they feel safer, drivers and pedestrians both bear some responsibility in safe pedestrian crossings and using designated crosswalks, we have portable yield to pedestrian signs in the middle of the street, and if someone is concerned about safely crossing they have the option to walk to the stoplight push the button and cross with a pedestrian crossing light at a controlled intersection . The City Administrator also shared a concern raised by another resident who recommended extending a 25 mph speed zone past the Lunda Community Center and the pedestrian crosswalk near there. There was consensus to explore placing a speed radar sign on Main Street and placing a portable yield to pedestrian crosswalk signs in the crosswalks on N Water Street near River Street and Jefferson Street. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- There was discussion on posting regulations for e -bikes, e-scooters, and similar devices on the Foundation Trail and downtown sidewalks. There was consensus there were too many regulations to get on a sign for downtown and have it be effective so we should not post any signs at this time, and we should explore painting the 15 mph speed limit on the pavement at each access point to the Foundation Trail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the purchase of up to three (3) Historic Downtown District signs with custom octagonal posts at a cost not to exceed $ 7,500 using funds from TID #6. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ The Department Head monthly reports were reviewed. Department heads present were Mark Nordahl, Darryl Nelson, Jarod Mayer, Travis Brown, and Brad Chown. Cara Hart was excused. 1. The Parks & Recreation Director advised the tube slide pipe repair at the Aquatic Center cost $7,300 and we received funds from the Hoffman Aquatic Center Maintenance Fund that the Black River Falls Area Foundation oversees. He also advised donations for Festival in the Park came in at just under $20,000 so the community continues to back that event. At the last Black River Youth Softball & Baseball Association meeting they discussed making Marks Field a no smoking area so that will be brought forward as an action item at next month’s meeting. Page 2 of 2 2. The Library conversion to solar went well. The City Administrator commended the Fire Department for providing a canopy for the lineman to use to complete the work in the rain. 3. The Fire Chief advised correction to his report that account balances were as of June 10 th. He also advised Jessica Osgood, one of our full-time EMT’s, has passed her paramedic test so we will soon have three full-time paramedics, which will be great for us and the surrounding communities we serve! 4. The Street Superintendent advised curb & gutter has been installed on N 8 th Street, Chippewa needs to come back to spray sealer because they got rained on during installation, Street Dept has about 1,500 feet of restoration to do, and hope to have the street open to traffic as soon as that is complete. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was moved by Alderperson Ammann, seconded by Alderperson Peloquin to approve the applications for renewal of Class A, B, and C Beer, Wine, Liquor, and Wholesale Retailer Licenses for 2026 -2027. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ ORDINANCE 905 – an ordinance repealing and recreating Sections 17.24(3)(a)(4), 17.24(3)(a)(6), and 17.24(3)(b)(2)(c) of the Code of Ordinances regarding Well Head Protection was presented with 1 st reading. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Dougherty, seconded by Alderperson Wussow to approve the vouchers for May 2026 Check #76990 - #77094 totaling $571,813.54. Motion carried. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------- It was moved by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster, seconded by Alderperson E. Rave to approve the City Treasurer’s Report for May 2026. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It was moved by Alderperson Wussow, seconded by Alderperson Gearing-Lancaster to approve the Revenue & Expense Report for May 2026. Motion carried. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ It wa s moved by Alde rperson Peloquin, seconded by Alderperson Dougherty to a djourn. Motion carried at 6:54pm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ A. Brad Chown City Administrator