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1 CITY OF AMERY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS June 23 , 202 6 The Committee of the Whole of the City of Amery met on Tuesday – June 23 , 202 6 , at City Hall . Council President , Roger Van Someren called the meeting to order at 5: 0 0 P.M. Present: Council President, Roger Van Someren ; Alderpersons, Fran Duncanson , Jason Bottolfson , Eric Elkin , Adam Honl and Sharon Marks ; and Mayor Rick Van Blaricom . Absent: None Staff Present: City Administrator, Alex Mansfield; Clerk-Treasurer, Taylor Larson ; Public Works Director, Jeff Mahony; Police Chief, Dan Peters ; Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Lisa Gunderson; and Asst. Public Works Josh Anderson Othe rs Present: Tom Stangl – Amery Free Press and Scott and Holly Carlson Motion by Alderperson, Duncanson; seconded by Alderperson, Marks to adopt the agenda. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. 1. Vehicle Registration Fee Infrastructure Funding Discussion : Administrator Mansfield presented to the committee the idea of adding a vehicle registration fee, commonly known as a wheel tax, in the City of Amery. The funds would be used for road maintenance since the current road budget is significantly below where it needs to be to maintain City streets in accordance with an engineer recommended streets maintenance program . Council members discussed the fee and requested Mansfield put together a model of the revenue, how the funds would be used and what the program would look like over a period of time. 2. Sidewalk Maintenance Program Discussion : Administrator Mansfield presented to the committee , in conjunction with a vehicle registration fee, about the maintenance of sidewalks in the City. Currently the City does not have a comprehensive catalog of the sidewalks in the City and their condition. Residents are responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalk in front of their property. The Comprehensive Plan highlighted the desire for a cohesive sidewalk system. The committee discussed and the consensus was it was important to maintain the sidewalks the City already has before adding new ones in existing neighborhoods. 3. Data Center Development Policy Discussion : Alderperson Duncanson recused herself from this discussion. Administrator Mansfield presented to the committee the topic of data center development. The City has not been approached about a project at this time , but other communities in the state have been. The committee discussed the topic a nd requested that Mansfield further explore the recommendation in the memo such as defining data center in zoning code and address what district it would fall in as well as explore the legal side of the process such as creating a policy addressing NDA ’s. 4. Stower Seven Lakes Trail Use Discussion: Alderperson Duncanson recused herself from this discussion. Administrator Mansfield presented to the committee that Polk County is working on planning efforts again for the Stower Trail. Committee members discussed the trial and what has taken place thus far. The consensus of the committee was the Council should pass a Resolution or a document in support of maintaining the trail as is, including community engagement in the planning process, and disapprove of funds being spent at the county level that are unnecessary. 2 5. Municipal Code of Ordinance Chapter 390 Trees and Shrubs : Mayor Van Blaricom addressed the committee about the ongoing issue of tree dying from disease in Amery such as A sh trees from Emerald Ash B ore r . He would like to see owners be notified that they need to remove trees that have died on their property. The ordinance already has a process in place for notifying owners, and Public Works Director Mahoney will contact the County Forrester to see if they could be of any assistance with the issue. Motion by Alderperson, Marks ; seconded by Alderperson, Duncanson ; to adjourn at 6:59 P.M. Ayes – 7 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. Sincerely, Taylor Larson Clerk-Treasurer June 25 , 202 6