River Falls Council approves nearly $1.0M in bills, passes lawn‑care contract and special‑events policy, then moves to closed session

The River Falls City Council on March 24 approved bills totaling $985,451.74, passed several consent‑agenda resolutions — including a lawn‑care contract and a special‑events request policy — reappointed Gary Donis to the Police & Fire Commission and then recessed into closed session to discuss property negotiations and a claim denial.

Council moved quickly through routine business. A motion from a council member to approve the bills in the amount of $985,451.74, subject to the comptroller’s review, was seconded and approved by voice vote. The consent agenda included minutes and multiple advisory‑board reports along with contract awards for HVAC and humidification work at the library; council members approved those items after a brief pull on the lawn‑care contract for comment.

Council member (speaker 9) pulled the lawn‑care services contract to note River Falls’ Bee City commitments and urged the city to use native plantings, particularly in roundabouts, to support pollinators and long‑term cost savings. The council member then moved approval of the lawn‑care contract; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The council also considered and unanimously approved a resolution adopting a city special‑event request policy and approved the mayor’s reappointment of Gary Donis to the Police & Fire Commission through 2031.

Public comments before the council raised several local concerns. Dana Linscott, representing the River Falls Alliance for the Homeless, urged the next mayor to prioritize building low‑cost affordable housing, noting River Falls’ history of local responses to housing need. William Hanson, a resident, argued that those seeking removal of the Junction Falls dam and its hydro generator should pay the cost of demolition and replacement, which he estimated at $24,000,000, and said local ratepayers and taxpayers should not shoulder that bill. Melissa Mimi Abduche urged the council to review whether council members should have voting roles on advisory boards and recommended the council consider an ordinance to prohibit data centers within city limits. Tanya Schmidt asked the council to return a ballot drop box to improve voter access ahead of the fall election.

Scott, speaking as clerk, reported that on the first day of in‑person absentee voting the office issued 747 ballots and received 233 returns, 74 of which were completed in person at the clerk’s office; he reminded residents there is no ballot drop box at City Hall and ballots should be mailed or delivered to the clerk’s office.

Near the end of the meeting the council moved into closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate the sale and development of city property in Whitetail Ridge Corporate Park and to discuss negotiating a loan from First National Bank of River Falls that will be contingent on a grant award from the Federal Economic Development Administration. The council also recessed under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g) to consult legal counsel about denying a claim against the city under Wis. Stat. 893.81(g); members were polled by roll call and the meeting entered closed session.

The meeting record shows the council approved the listed motions and recess into closed session; no final public action on the Whitetail Ridge property or the loan was recorded in open session.