[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6570181,"mediaKeyId","3298484-4b24a502bd5f0ccae75ce32c7218bce1","parentId",3298484,"title","Eau Claire plans microtransit pilot on North Side; council reviews service-area, vehicles and branding","audioSeconds",593,"startMs",6939000,"endMs",7532000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298484-4b24a502bd5f0ccae75ce32c7218bce1&start=6939&end=7532","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298484-4b24a502bd5f0ccae75ce32c7218bce1/thumbnail_6939000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6570181/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-plans-microtransit-pilot-on-North-Side-council-reviews-service-area-vehicles-and-branding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570181-2c85de086df4638425e9d20c0ac0d649/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174388&Signature=LURLt2VtGt94kwNDRHDQUqLAeczc-HeUF1N96ol2ybeDf4XgWkvb38IR6o4T7tyjO5PinRNCN9MUyxdsZgIgVzjDOCrt1Yc~9Tousy8BXaUk11WH8-49zm-7Khx8IVb1uWWgz1boy~mvBZ4Ir3poDlyPsoOgC3ZnnPGlbayIQohaK3zhjBcb11AuCYTO7OpOBNVDzVMKFunPf84R-7jM3qF2howkp9UMvQLYjc6o3Cw-FZ2Jt34g3gI4hDkWcCEAphdmqMu0NwEvSJccpgmJlG3c~jOcU5MU6p7PA0SiyeYae8VRnRk2mTnVLVztPr3NPzZKJz1sqpBYklUntQrFUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eau Claire, WI","date","2025-05-13T16:01:00Z","article","Eau Claire transit staff outlined a planned microtransit pilot at a May 13 stakeholder session and council work time, describing a VIA-operated, app-enabled demand-response service intended to augment fixed-route bus service on the city’s North Side.

Staff said the pilot will use up to three vans (two of them wheelchair-accessible), operate roughly 12 hours on weekdays, and charge the same fare as fixed-route buses ($1.75). The service will be integrated into the city’s existing transit app so riders can compare microtransit and fixed-route options; staff said the service is intended as a complement to fixed routes, not a replacement.

The tentative service area includes the airport, Costco and several neighborhoods the city said are underserved by fixed routes; staff also proposed adding River Prairie in Altoona if Altoona opts to participate. Paratransit riders who use mobility devices will be able to flag that designation in their accounts and be matched with accessible vehicles, staff said. The pilot’s launch timing depends on finalizing a service name and related marketing materials — staff said they hoped to complete that work in the weeks after the May meeting and aimed for a late-July launch.

Council members and stakeholders offered naming ideas and gave early informal input on branding; staff said they would solicit additional feedback, publish the chosen name in an outreach newsletter and proceed with final operational preparations. If the pilot succeeds, staff said the city could consider service expansion and options for integrating microtransit more broadly with paratransit operations.

The council did not vote on the pilot at the May 13 session; staff said they will present launch materials and a final plan to the council once branding and contract details are complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Eau Claire, WI - City Council Meeting - Tuesday - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City transit staff said the microtransit pilot — a VIA-powered curb-to-curb service in the North Side service area — will start after branding is finalized and will operate 12 hours a weekday using wheelchair-accessible vans; staff and stakeholders discussed potential expansion and fare parity with fixed-route service.","taxTitle","Eau Claire City, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin","taxId",4140,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570185,"CIP work session: council weighs timing for downtown parking structure and trade-offs with street projects",4778,6420000,11198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298484-4b24a502bd5f0ccae75ce32c7218bce1&start=6420&end=11198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298484-4b24a502bd5f0ccae75ce32c7218bce1/thumbnail_6420000.jpg","/articles/6570185/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/CIP-work-session-council-weighs-timing-for-downtown-parking-structure-and-trade-offs-with-street-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570185-d04ddab585525a17bda83093d07d9db3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174388&Signature=RDw~3RT5yNffJrV0EOmz~v4QNj9evuJN1rQi1PI57WOorp2RqfWkvyWyM3Eg5~S~EW83aScXN17Lt7GoK6aXoFm43tb6euKcYFFkkvuBQVccKHsbmMAYEJiju70GKB1goW2mNcWeNyE0k7V1WEzgUSS4rRyy8fnQWg~0QYgTNk00WkqjpDHMBy0a5mh-V6eRQtmDNogh-EolIy4oHhlFlFJu8QSOJsWv3J47HkaMRgOZCIS2rMT0ogk4qalqvt4A~KOIThATYvq-QKxdmq-~bDTro5hhHdAEXvtyfcMdKOpn7qYeJGStqjUUx4CuCF2nINJG0UUpFPR8R5vjlyShng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the draft five-year capital-improvement plan (CIP) at a May 13 work session, urging the council to consider strategic trade-offs to keep the city within its internal debt-policy targets and to preserve flexibility for future large projects.

City Manager Stephanie Hirsch and Finance staff described the city’s fiscal guardrails — a statutory 5% of equalized value borrowing cap and an internal 3.5% self-imposed limit on outstanding debt — and explained how the city’s rapid valuation growth has kept the debt ratio below policy targets even as borrowing needs rise. Staff said the draft CIP totals about $266 million across five years, in part because five large projects fall in the 2026–2028 planning window, including a $14 million downtown parking structure and an estimated $22–25 million sewer project in 2027.

Staff asked the council for direction on whether to push the parking-structure project out of the five-year window to avoid exceeding the city’s internal policy thresholds. City staff said preserving the project as a placeholder and investing modestly in the existing Gibson ramp to keep it open (an estimated $150,000 per year for structural and safety maintenance) would be an option. Staff also noted that paid parking and ramp revenues could be structured to build a future replacement fund and that any ramp replacement would need to be ADA compliant and collocated with other downtown stakeholders.

Council members’ comments tracked several priorities: several spoke in favor of directing more CIP funds toward affordable housing and smaller-scale neighborhood park or playground investments; others emphasized a continued commitment to transportation maintenance and to preserving the city’s ability to compete for economic development projects. Several council members also raised the possibility of reallocating some transportation funding short term, while noting that reducing annual street investment can reduce state transportation aid through the aid formula’s multi-year average.

Staff asked the council for a near-term decision point: remove the $14 million parking-structure project from the five-year CIP (push it to a later plan) so the published five-year CIP remains inside current policy limits, or leave it in the five-year window and accept a future need to reevaluate debt-policy thresholds. Staff said they preferred to publish a CIP that keeps the city within current policy rather than show amounts that would exceed the internal limits.

The council did not take a final vote at the session but generally signaled they were open to moving the project out of the five-year window if staff continued to work with the convention center and other downtown partners on timing and cost-sharing arrangements. Staff said they will publish the full CIP on Monday, include the proposed change as a public explanation, and bring the CIP to council adoption on June 24.","At a work session the city manager and finance staff asked the council whether to defer a proposed $14 million downtown parking structure to keep the 5-year capital plan within the city’s debt-policy targets and to preserve flexibility for other large projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6570190,"Eau Claire City Council approves film-incentive resolution, backs state early childhood funding and other measures; pay-plan change passes 8-2",2236,2068000,4304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3298484-4b24a502bd5f0ccae75ce32c7218bce1&start=2068&end=4304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3298484-4b24a502bd5f0ccae75ce32c7218bce1/thumbnail_2068000.jpg","/articles/6570190/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-City-Council-approves-film-incentive-resolution-backs-state-early-childhood-funding-and-other-measures-pay-plan-change-passes-8-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6570190-0353880888494fd830be7e4df416ec11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174388&Signature=C6gVGWT2nqvDXDQJaC5vWQGoDy~Me4mgP5AsANsQVJ6fBC5OPjmAbVaiNiC8RWcXDoVVC7sbHpU73irWl2bF1VsIpRhKZ6hUoQThGEA09sOwv5CjTbFSWcNiuq0nspJcUgud9VVPItpYRbwKv1FWw1Zwu~SIUe5H8lPi3iDIFGrVfi1bZ7MrRC9CALWrxb5N9GBj72Engap17yjA7NIKOi~aPcrd~l6DqoWMBAkLlXi5v8aFvDAgtdxfj8PrJ4w8M-GHw60rClYpuwck538Dvz468d1qj~n48WswjSVxXovncv7gQBzniFyoDxjg7DpFe0PZgHtxP0997reZg91kKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire City Council on May 13 unanimously approved a resolution urging the state to create a film-and-television production incentive program and to reestablish a Wisconsin film office, and passed several other funding and policy items. Council also approved an ordinance changing comp-time and vacation carryover rules by an 8-2 vote.

The film-and-television resolution, introduced by Councilmember Charlie Johnson and seconded by Councilmember Brewster, expresses municipal support for a state-level incentive and a statewide film office to help attract productions to Wisconsin and steer them toward communities such as Eau Claire. Johnson told the council that Wisconsin is one of 13 states without an incentive program and that a state film office could point productions to local partners.

The council also unanimously passed a resolution supporting Gov. Tony Evers’ proposal to invest $480 million in early childhood education and childcare. Councilmember Nate Otto, who carried the measure, said parts of the state legislature have proposed cutting the item to zero and that the resolution is intended to urge lawmakers to restore funding. Supporters warned the council that without the funding as many as one in four childcare providers statewide could close.

Other approved items on the business agenda included acceptance of a $176,803 State Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant toward the Birch Street reconstruction and utility work; acceptance of a donated pair of rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) for the State Street–Gilbert Avenue crossing; approval of a public-art mural in the Main Street underpass; and a council resolution urging Congress to protect Pell Grant and workforce-training funding for area technical college students. The council also approved a $40,000 contribution agreement with Catholic Charities to support summer operations at the Sojourner House shelter.

A contested personnel-related ordinance drew the only recorded opposition. An ordinance amending the city’s pay plan and comp-time practices passed 8–2 after debate. The ordinance changes the way comp time is carried and paid out; under the adopted change employees’ maximum comp-time accrual would be limited and staff said employees would be allowed to carry additional vacation in some cases to offset the change. Councilmembers Worthman and Imboga voted no; eight members voted yes.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution: support for film and TV production incentive program and statewide film office. Mover: Councilmember Charlie Johnson. Seconder: Councilmember Brewster. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Resolution: support for Gov. Tony Evers’ $480 million early childhood education proposal. Mover: Councilmember Nate Otto. Seconder: Councilmember Schoen. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Acceptance: donation of two RRFB pedestrian crossing beacons for State Street and Gilbert Avenue (solar-powered). Mover/Seconder: not specified on the record. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Acceptance: State LRIP grant for Birch Street reconstruction/utility work ($176,803). Mover: Councilmember Miller. Seconder: Councilmember Schoen. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Resolution: public art application for the Main Street underpass (mural). Mover: Councilmember Reid. Seconder: Councilmember Otto. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Resolution: protect Pell Grant and workforce funding for technical college students (response to proposed federal changes). Mover: Council President Emily Bergey. Seconder: Councilmember Brewster. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Contribution award: Catholic Charities — $40,000 contribution for Sojourner House summer operations. Mover: Councilmember Anderson. Seconder: Councilmember Serrano. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Ordinance: amend pay plan and comp-time practices (limits on comp time carryover; allowance to carry additional vacation hours). Mover: Councilmember Serrano. Seconder: Councilmember Brewster. Outcome: approved 8–2 (Worthman — No; Imboga — No).
- Ordinance: amend code on recyclables and refuse collections. Mover: Councilmember Brewster. Seconder: Councilmember Miller. Outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Consent agenda (multiple routine items, including proclamations and special-event authorizations). Mover: Councilmember Otto. Seconder: Councilmember Anderson. Outcome: approved (unanimous).

What the council said and next steps

Council members who spoke in favor of the film-incentive resolution highlighted regional examples such as Duluth that have attracted Hallmark and other productions and argued that an incentive tied to locally spent dollars would benefit Eau Claire’s hotels, restaurants and small businesses. Supporters of the early-childhood resolution said local childcare providers had lobbied in Madison that day and urged the council to press the legislature to retain funding.

Staff told the council the LRIP award would be used to reduce borrowing needs on the larger Birch Street project; the RRFBs are donation-funded and the city will maintain the installed beacons. The Sojourner House contribution would come from the flexible housing fund in the capital-improvement plan and requires the shelter to show seasonal operating plans.

The council’s formal roll-call votes concluded the business agenda; staff said follow-up letters and notices would be sent to state and federal representatives where appropriate.","At its May 13 meeting the Eau Claire City Council unanimously approved resolutions supporting a state film/TV incentive program and the governor’s $480 million early-childhood proposal, accepted several grants and donations and approved a change to city pay-plan comp-time rules in an 8-2 vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Eau Claire plans microtransit pilot on North Side; council reviews service-area, vehicles and branding

CIP work session: council weighs timing for downtown parking structure and trade-offs with street projects

Eau Claire City Council approves film-incentive resolution, backs state early childhood funding and other measures; pay-plan change passes 8-2