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Eau Claire council approves MOU for Hoover Chapel use, creates three new voting wards
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Eau Claire City Council approved a memorandum of understanding authorizing Chippewa River Trolley use of Hoover Chapel, adopted resolutions creating three new voting wards tied to a recent annexation, and passed a consent agenda and a welcoming-week proclamation.
The Eau Claire City Council approved several consent and land-use items on Sept. 9, including a memorandum of understanding allowing Chippewa River Trolley operator Volume 1 to use Hoover Chapel as part of seasonal tours and resolutions establishing three new voting wards following an April annexation.
The council first passed its consent agenda by unanimous voice vote after a motion by Council Member Anderson and a second from Council Member Serrano.
Chippewa River Trolley MOU
Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the City of Eau Claire and Volume 1/Chippewa River Trolley clarifying access and use of Hoover Chapel at Lakeview Cemetery for the operator—s seasonal dark-history tours. City staff said the MOU sets expectations for key access, decoration and lighting removal when the chapel is reserved by the public, responsibilities for damages, and fees to the city. Mr. Newkirk presented the item; the motion to approve was made by Council Member Johnson and seconded by Council Member Brewster. The roll call vote was unanimous.
New voting wards and ward assignment
City Clerk Kerner presented three related items to establish voting wards for territory annexed from the Town of Washington in April. Because the annexed parcels were in a different political district from surrounding city parcels, staff recommended creating new voting wards (79, 80 and a third ward 81 for a parcel that was not contiguous to existing city parcels) and assigning them to Aldermanic District 2. Council approved the resolutions in separate roll-call votes; staff noted there are currently no electors at most of the parcels and that one parcel includes a house where staff will reach out to the owner.
Welcoming Week proclamation
Council President Emily Bergey read a proclamation recognizing Welcoming Week for Sept. 12–20, 2025 and invited representatives from local welcoming and refugee-support organizations to introduce themselves.
Other items
Council briefly discussed proposed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance and several rezoning items on the agenda and then moved to a budget work session. Council did not act on ordinance suspensions at the Sept. 9 meeting.
Ending
All recorded votes on the items approved during the Sept. 9 meeting were unanimous, and staff said they will follow up with the few property owners in newly created wards to confirm elector status and to circulate maps and notices as needed.
