Fond du Lac City Council approves series of appointments, finance and land‑use measures

The Fond du Lac City Council on Jan. 22 approved a package of appointments, event permits, financial‑policy updates and land‑use changes, and advanced an initial industrial revenue bond resolution for two LLC projects that city staff said will refinance developer debt and support existing jobs.

The actions were largely unanimous. Council President Tiffany Brault presided over the meeting; the council voted unanimously on the consent agenda, appointments, an alcohol‑possession waiver for a downtown festival, an update to the city’s public deposit and investment policy, the initial industrial revenue bond resolution, and a correction to a previously enacted ordinance. Two land‑use votes — a comprehensive‑plan amendment and a rezoning to allow an SSM Health expansion — passed with five ayes and one abstention by Ald. Schisler.

The initial industrial revenue bond (IRB) resolution concerned projects identified as 1125 East Johnson LLC (Johnson Crossing/Festival Foods Plaza) and 6663 Rolling Meadows LLC. Community Development Director Emily Benson told the council the IRB is a narrow statutory tool used infrequently by the city to pass through financing to a developer; staff said the mechanism imposes no liability on the city and can lower borrowing costs for the borrower. Benson said the Johnson Crossing location already resulted in 37 jobs at that site and three jobs at another retail location. The council approved only an initial…