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Council hears planning, parks and economic development reports; closed session planned for potential property purchase
Summary
Committees reported on a proposed mixed-use development seeking TID assistance, recommended special events policy changes to raise insurance limits, and discussed a Twin Rivers condominium easement request; council approved a first reading of a future land use map amendment and the economic development committee scheduled a closed session regarding a potential property purchase for development.
Council members heard a series of committee reports from planning, parks and recreation, public works and economic development and took initial action on planning and policy matters.
The Planning Commission reported that it opened and closed a public hearing on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment to the future land use map after no public comment and recommended adoption to council. Mister Ritchie moved, and Mister Herter seconded, a first-reading ordinance amendment to the future land use maps; the motion carried 10-0.
Park and Recreation committee discussed a request from Kaye Patterson, president of the Twin Rivers Condominium Association, asking the city to vacate a riverside walking-trail easement. Patterson cited concerns about property values, security, liability and privacy from public access to docks. Administrator Hart said the original development agreement and certified survey map would be reviewed by the city attorney and that the item will return for future discussion.
Parks staff (Director Sowell) presented recommended updates to the special events policy driven by the city’s insurance carrier, Civic. The committee recorded recommendations to increase required insurance limits (for example, raising the level-1 policy from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 and increasing requirements by tier) and to add clarifications on drone use and event-duration limits (individual events limited to no more than three consecutive days). The committee voted to recommend the policy updates to council.
Economic development committee members reviewed a proposed development at the corner of Wyoming Street and Wolf River Avenue that would include two sixplex apartment buildings, one with first-floor commercial space. Developers asked for assistance through a TID grant; the committee recommended the city administrator negotiate a TID development agreement. The committee also reported that the city had earned a gold-tier Connect Communities designation from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, a recognition that provides additional program services to participating towns.
Committee members moved to a closed session under statutory exemption 19.85(1)(e) to consider the possible purchase of public property for development in the northeast; attendees listed included council members, the mayor, administrator, city attorney and representatives from Avering Grid Company. The transcript records the motion to move into closed session and names the invited external representatives.
The committees also provided updates on downtown projects, including road-base preparation and upcoming concrete paving for a phase-2 downtown project, and an asphalt patch program on Roland Street. No final determinations about the closed-session property purchase were recorded in open session.
