[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6465949,"mediaKeyId","5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac","parentId",5827718,"title","Eau Claire council adopts Land Development Ordinance updates and a 25% park impact fee","audioSeconds",647,"startMs",1222000,"endMs",1869000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac&start=1222&end=1869","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac/thumbnail_1222000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6465949/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-council-adopts-Land-Development-Ordinance-updates-and-a-25-park-impact-fee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465949-31ab5a0b46b454ceb92c815f167a2b2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166505&Signature=BMtvw3f7skSgjjKOkf~DZm72dC3uw1oLdwZRYHduP3LZwx2wbxRzrAtv4EIkivkJ3~0mfaabxfggAzwM3AtDv-WYzxzWP~N730gxiZlNo1RfXYm~4MBHphLJFRYtMvC4a~pNqSebIV9gec~l9X5k26vAUUgakDLAzK6iQotjFIocguc7aaQ-5qsaXhcYPxLWWPd4weA51Qfjqy38THu3F6DUvxksG5uMCV-WZFbq4E1JH4iI8WC6BzCa00K9Wo2eDsU7sk4KCj0ph584qZgrPycH4~5rqf9Qo6CtIHP51imP1WXBqkCxdrayBomm~hUczIsaQtWFlfaZZpUTaApuCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eau Claire, WI","date","2025-09-23T16:00:00Z","article","The Eau Claire City Council on Sept. 23 approved amendments to the Land Development Ordinance (Title 17) and related code updates, and adopted changes to the 2025 schedule of fees and licenses that include a park impact fee set at 25 percent of the study’s assessed level.

The council unanimously approved the LDO-related ordinances and the fee-schedule amendment after a presentation by planning staff. Planner Noel walked council through the fee assessment, historical context from a 2008 study, and capital costs the city has incurred. Staff said the recent 10-year capital investment in the park system exceeded $9.5 million and that projected capital needs included roughly $3.7 million tied to basic park services; the Cannery Neighborhood Park project was cited as nearly $3 million.

Why it matters: The park impact fee is intended to generate revenue for park capital needs associated with new development. Staff emphasized that the fee may not be used for routine maintenance or staffing; instead, it can offset debt service on capital projects, which could free general-fund dollars for maintenance and operations.

Council discussion and amendment: Council Member Schoen moved an amendment to set the park impact fee at 25 percent of the assessed level; Council Member Mboga seconded. Schoen said she was “torn” about the fee level because the parks department is understaffed and fees cannot be used for maintenance or staffing, and she supported 25 percent as a cautious starting point that can be re-evaluated annually. Council members discussed the trade-offs between higher fees to fund capital versus the city’s capacity to operate new amenities. The amendment passed unanimously, 7–0, and the fee schedule with the 25 percent park impact fee was adopted by a 7–0 vote.

Other technical details: Staff reported that the draft fee schedule included a proposed tree fee-in-lieu of $100 (to be retained in the fee schedule) and that subdivision agreements may continue to require land dedication in lieu of a fee in certain cases. Planner Noel noted the new LDO reduces the typical land dedication requirement from 15 percent to 10 percent in some situations, providing flexibility to require on-site park improvements instead of a fee.

Votes and next steps: The council adopted the LDO amendments and the fee schedule amendment by unanimous roll call. Staff said the park-impact fee and other fees will be part of annual budget and zoning implementation discussions; the fee level may be revisited during future budget cycles.

Ending: Staff materials and the full impact-fee assessment contain the detailed per-unit cost calculations council reviewed; council directed staff to proceed with implementation consistent with the revised code and fee schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Eau Claire, WI - City Council Meeting - Tuesday","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved several Century Code/LDO updates and amended the 2025 fee schedule to adopt a park impact fee at 25% of the assessed level; staff said fees cannot be used for maintenance or staffing but can offset capital debt 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},6465954,"Eau Claire council approves new employee health plans, ancillary benefits and clinic contract",697,399000,1096000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac&start=399&end=1096","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac/thumbnail_399000.jpg","/articles/6465954/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-council-approves-new-employee-health-plans-ancillary-benefits-and-clinic-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465954-44b9bc1f4347d5946f89df8289f66d7a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166505&Signature=gY3j2O2Pz2TV0IkURS0QIGSj7FJj1CyApaYX7YQe2Ah-xn8y5BhthRPalFfjKJdktrwxdP7JzIe2gg4bSwGjgXycBrW1zVnaWJgQrpAF9f98ah-LyfXIPn7fPkvZ8aUR7stG8k3nnAhwfiOk3mOBL2Ip-GI4wGOZYRCBbFP20SVz3~gkFT-feBl5QcTlOis-xiUBDBsmHOjHKFaIU2dIJsn~52KiVHmKZCXpKJYcVo1ZuUyM7In~plRSTLvmmHuxnyNXl4x8SdTsBztmnasS4hDn5NVDsNtS1ASzn6k29mfn77YzmUNp-llrpneNGaofDyI6EdpxcrTPLRLoC6Cymg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire City Council on Sept. 23 approved a package of employee benefit contracts that includes a health insurance contract with Medica, a standalone contract with local clinic Solidaritas and awards for ancillary benefits to Delta (dental and vision) and Mutual of Omaha (short- and long-term disability, voluntary life, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity).

City staff presented the three related agenda items together. The HR director said Group Health was excluded after it proposed a 24% premium increase and deductible changes, and the city selected Medica because its proposed plans “best meet the needs of the employees and the organization.” The HR director said the change will increase the city’s overall medical-related budget by roughly 10 percent, measured against the health-benefits line in the 2026 budget, but that official premiums for employees had not yet been finalized.

Why it matters: The council’s votes set the vendor structure for the city’s benefits program ahead of October open enrollment meetings. Staff said the package adds new voluntary options for employees and preserves lower-deductible plans for those who prefer them.

Key details: City staff said Medica will offer both a traditional plan aligned with the city’s current deductible limits and a qualified high-deductible plan paired with a health savings account. Medica also included a not-to-exceed 15 percent cap for the 2027 renewal, which staff identified as a planning parameter rather than a locked premium. Solidaritas — described in staff materials as a local direct-primary-care clinic that has served city employees since 2020 — will be contracted separately so employees may access lower-cost primary care services.

For ancillary benefits, the city will keep dental and vision with Delta and move most supplemental programs (short- and long-term disability, voluntary life, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity) to Mutual of Omaha. Staff said some ancillary options will be newly available to employee categories that previously lacked them.

Council questions and next steps: Council Member Serrano asked whether the 10 percent budget figure referred to the entire benefits line item; staff confirmed that the estimate reflects the bundled line that includes the Solidaritas contract, Medica contract and city contributions under either plan option and that the estimate used conservative assumptions (the highest-cost plan fully utilized) for budgeting. The HR director said final premium splits for employees will be shared at open-enrollment meetings planned for mid-October, and staff will migrate enrollment to an online platform with individual counseling available.

Roll-call votes: The three items passed unanimously, 7–0. A motion to award the health insurance contract (procurement referenced in staff materials as “procurement number 2020Five-four1, health insurance benefits for city employees”) was moved by Council Member Brewster and seconded by Council Member Mboga. The Solidaritas contract was moved by Council Member Schoen and seconded by Council Member Reid. The ancillary benefits contracts were moved by Council Member Otto and seconded by Council Member Serrano.

City Manager Steve Hirsch thanked HR staff and department heads for the work on the benefit evaluation, calling it a “huge undertaking” that involved multiple departments and staff time.

Ending: Staff will distribute premium figures to employees before or at open-enrollment meetings in mid-October; employees will then make plan selections during open enrollment. The council did not set employee premium shares at the meeting; those figures are pending and will be communicated in staff materials and enrollment sessions.","The Eau Claire City Council awarded a health insurance contract to Medica, approved a separate contract with local clinic Solidaritas and awarded ancillary benefits contracts to Delta and Mutual of Omaha. Council voted unanimously on all items; officials said employee premiums and exact impacts will be defined during open enrollment.",{"_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},6465940,"Eau Claire proclaims Fire Prevention Week with focus on lithium‑ion battery safety for K–5 outreach",139,330000,469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac&start=330&end=469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac/thumbnail_330000.jpg","/articles/6465940/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Eau-Claire-proclaims-Fire-Prevention-Week-with-focus-on-lithiumion-battery-safety-for-K5-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465940-cd4a1e919747eb3b8e38bd3a693ed693/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166505&Signature=LmWjtdyaUZw2www-J6jleT2ivMWDFAG5~9KsLTFWhqW6L~XAuCuHp9LGaVNk7GMUWsjgOeCxEptj59ZN1XoiS-ZcHiFP9H64ctPog~eq6mAzZLYLw2PgJQPW8Jjd8PWQ0KYeXIacVx896CDj3df~QkqRm-D-zzGMLar82wKc6hLQZ7OiH35fkhRauLAqfTz1wxB45qiBZu9hS3jGFhcCl35CAMlI2K4NivdvQ3qfHL9nMiRuHwnJhKFRbbXlBhT54jJYOifu9a50yAXaXTyFj9SUashHxjEHhaDcOGAnCxgeZ6YId2zIoxfYno60cHsP3eGlXgWr0JSJc5dVk-2EQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire City Council proclaimed the week of October 2025 as Fire Prevention Week and announced a public-education push focused on lithium‑ion battery safety in homes and schools.

Council Chair Joshua Miller read the proclamation on behalf of Council President Emily Bergey and the full council. The proclamation said the city will emphasize safe charging, storage and recycling of lithium‑ion batteries and called attention to a national increase in incidents involving lithium‑ion batteries — citing injuries and fatalities in connection with ebikes and scooters.

Eau Claire Fire and Rescue staff told council they plan to deliver fire-safety education to area students in grades K–5 this year, reaching “over 7,500 children with age-appropriate materials,” and to expand messaging about battery safety alongside traditional topics. A department spokesperson noted that lithium‑ion batteries are now common in everyday devices and urged proper handling and disposal to reduce the risk of overheating and fire.

Why it matters: Staff framed this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme — “Charge to be safe: lithium‑ion battery safety in your home” — as timely because of the growing number of battery-powered personal devices and micromobility devices in households and schools. The outreach aims to inform children and their families about safe charging and disposal practices.

Ending: The proclamation directs city staff to continue public-safety activities tied to Fire Prevention Week and related school outreach; council members and staff encouraged families to watch for related materials during the school year.","City Council declared October 2025 Fire Prevention Week and highlighted a campaign to educate K–5 students about lithium‑ion battery safety; staff said the fire department will reach more than 7,500 elementary students this year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6465944,"Council approves three rezonings; several ordinances introduced without immediate action",183,2093000,2276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac&start=2093&end=2276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5827718-a609245aab86ec353a61d2a84f28fdac/thumbnail_2093000.jpg","/articles/6465944/Eau-Claire-City/Eau-Claire-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-three-rezonings-several-ordinances-introduced-without-immediate-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6465944-173442fa7096b9b03448e3748c760566/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166505&Signature=GSR1FzcsII41h~E8-ijkcKTEEOudPwkK4jAy1mIBtPGs63ssarn8Xcl~ReBgd64FCz61IFs5IN-j0EZo5Z36VzP269YXpSkAxFHeNZ7qSWX6tQZq-r1ZE~0mVQX-T5bgNGtPS65QeQ-VANayWIAq6OggMEaA-FlNfGs-O~l-z8YGP-YZz1wrn4mTQjki4AYsX1WByQD462G4iFIflLAuC97dVIwzJUnJ4xm~kHtcp8siexYurDchxqAWVmtmbMkAdqQPIbvs5RcdJJnLHN56d-DEqfQ6CwyoHDE6Qzr5dd9NW~yThb4xwdErA4jEj8tLaXpuVXyph9BLS6w5T7qB6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Eau Claire City Council on Sept. 23 unanimously approved three rezoning ordinances and introduced additional ordinances for later consideration.

Passed ordinances (roll-call votes): The council voted 7–0 to approve an ordinance rezoning property at 3141 North Hastings Way from R2 to C3 (Z-175625); to rezone property at 4437 Old Wells Road from R1A to R1; and to rezone property north of Shady Grove and south of Jackson Street on North Hastings Way from I1 to R4. Directors who presented the items said there was no further information beyond what was in the packet from the prior-night public hearing. Each rezoning passed on a unanimous roll call.

Introduced, no action taken: The council also introduced (for later consideration) three additional ordinances: rezoning at the northwest corner of County Line Road and County Road T (TR1A to I1P), rezoning at the northeast corner of London Road and Damon Street (C3P to R3), and an amendment to Chapter 9.76 (parks public grounds) to allow alcohol in Haymarket Plaza with a signed use agreement. Council chose not to suspend the rules to take up those items at the same meeting.

Why it matters: Rezoning decisions change allowable land uses and can enable new development types. The introduced parks code amendment would permit alcohol at a specific public plaza under a signed use agreement, but that item will return for formal consideration if council schedules it for a subsequent meeting.

Ending: The three rezoning ordinances that were passed will be effective as provided by ordinance; the introduced items remain pending and will be scheduled per council procedures.","The council unanimously approved three rezoning ordinances (items 16–18) and accepted introduction of additional rezonings and an amendment to parks code for future consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Eau Claire council adopts Land Development Ordinance updates and a 25% park impact fee

Eau Claire council approves new employee health plans, ancillary benefits and clinic contract

Eau Claire proclaims Fire Prevention Week with focus on lithium‑ion battery safety for K–5 outreach

Council approves three rezonings; several ordinances introduced without immediate action