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River Falls Mayor Dan Toland delivers farewell address highlighting parks, public safety and sustainability
Summary
Mayor Dan Toland used his final River Falls Common Council meeting to outline accomplishments from 14 years in office — from Glen Park’s revitalization to a switch to Allina EMS ambulance services — and urged future council members to remain nonpartisan and community-focused.
Mayor Dan Toland delivered a wide-ranging farewell at the River Falls Common Council’s April 14 meeting, thanking residents and staff and highlighting major city projects and policy choices from his 14-year tenure.
Toland told the council and audience that this meeting marked his final official session and warned the chamber that, for now, the council would not take public comments from non-residents: “Tonight for the first time since I became Mayor, we will not be taking public comments from individuals who live outside of our city limits. This is a deliberate decision, and tonight I am drawing a firm line. This is not up for debate,” he said.
The mayor reviewed accomplishments the city pursued under his leadership, including long-term growth planning using tax-increment financing to attract businesses, renovation of a new police facility, improvements to the volunteer fire department and a new fire station, and investment in Glen Park’s full revitalization with new play structures, pool infrastructure upgrades and a splash pad. He said the city prioritized steady, incremental growth and fiscal restraint while expanding services.
Toland also recounted the city’s decision-making on emergency medical services: after independent studies in 2017 and 2019 recommended an outside partner, the city selected Allina EMS to provide ambulance service, a move Toland said was aimed at ensuring reliable, sustainable emergency care for River Falls and neighboring communities.
On environmental planning, Toland described a long-term vision for the Kinnickinnic River corridor and said River Falls began work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2022 on a major grant opportunity to support a full river corridor project. He also noted the city’s sustainability commitments, including a push toward powering municipal buildings with 100% renewable energy.
Former Council member Scott Morissette and others offered remarks during the meeting that echoed Toland’s call for cooperation. Morissette, who was also finishing a lengthy period of service, urged the incoming council to maintain a nonpartisan approach and to continue careful fiscal oversight.
Toland closed by thanking staff, council members and residents and stressing that most achievements were collective: “I didn’t do all these things on my own,” he said. “The real story is the ‘we’ — what we did together.” The meeting adjourned following brief closing business.
