Council adopts several agenda items: central-count flexibility, room-tax reporting resolution, and public-hearing set for Taco Bell

The 2 Rivers City Council approved several administrative and policy items at its Jan. 20 meeting, voting unanimously on measures that affect elections administration, short-term-rental tax reporting, and planning for a restaurant drive-through.

Key votes at the meeting:

- Remote participation: The council approved allowing two members (Mark Bittner and Bill LeClaire) to participate remotely for the meeting. The motion was made by Adam Mohoskey and seconded by Shannon Derby; the roll-call vote was unanimous.

- Consent agenda and Taco Bell public hearing: The council adopted the consent agenda, which included receiving multiple committee minutes and setting a public hearing on a conditional-use permit application for a Taco Bell with drive-through on Washington Street. The planning commission recommended a public hearing for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at 6 p.m. The consent agenda motion was moved by Shannon Derby and seconded by Doug Brandt; the motion carried unanimously.

- Resolution upon retirement of Lisa Keene: Council read and adopted a resolution recognizing Lisa Keene for her service as administrative assistant to the city manager and deputy city clerk (employment March 27, 2017 to Nov. 8, 2024). The motion to read and adopt was moved by a council member and seconded; the vote was unanimous.

- Tabling of Stantec professional services agreement: The council voted to table action on a grant-funded professional services agreement with Stantec for shoreline planning to the Jan. 27 work session, after staff requested additional contract revisions. The motion to table was moved by Doug Brandt and seconded by Shannon Derby; the vote was unanimous.

- Ordinance to permit alternate central-count locations: Council adopted an ordinance amending the municipal code (Section 2-1-5 B3) to allow the council to designate alternate central-count locations for elections by resolution in the future. Staff said the change is intended to avoid future last-minute special council meetings if city hall becomes unavailable for central count; the ordinance was adopted by roll-call vote.

- Resolution urging state action on online booking platforms and room-tax reporting: The council adopted a resolution asking the Wisconsin Legislature to require online booking platforms to provide property-level detail (property name/address and taxable amount) when remitting room taxes to municipalities. Council members said the change would help prevent duplicate payments, aid enforcement and licensing of short-term-rental operators, and improve local tourism analysis. The motion to adopt was moved by Darla LeClaire and seconded by Bonnie Schimelunis; the vote was unanimous.

Motions to approve or adopt each item were recorded by Amanda (city clerk) in the roll-call votes. No items failed; several items were moved to a future agenda as requested by staff.