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Committee hears fire hiring and training update and begins probing e-bike rules for trails
Summary
Battalion Chief Gravine told the committee the department received donated forcible-entry training props and has issued a conditional hire to replace a retiring firefighter. Chief Bennett and staff described enforcement and classification challenges with e-bikes on trails and recommended joint study with parks and recreation and review of Wausau's policy.
The committee heard separate monthly reports from the fire and (police) chiefs and an extended discussion about e-bike use and enforcement on local trails.
Battalion Chief Gravine told the committee the fire department received forcible-entry and auger training props donated by the Bierman Family Foundation and said the department held interviews for hiring to replace a retiring firefighter; one candidate received a conditional offer. Gravine noted outreach efforts at Merrill High School career day to encourage local applicants.
Chief Bennett presented the April packet and described how call data is compiled (dispatch labels versus final call outcomes). Committee members then raised safety concerns about electric bicycles on the Riverbend Trail and sidewalks, particularly for older pedestrians. Chief Bennett and staff outlined enforcement and policy challenges: e-bikes are widely manufactured to different performance standards, manufacturers do not always label class accurately, and some communities are adopting class-based or speed-limit rules. A staff member summarized common approaches: "a lot of the communities are trying to at least the ones that I've seen so far, there's 3 classes of ebikes, 1, 2, and 3. 1 and 3 are pedal assist. Class 2 is throttle assist." Staff also noted that some state parks set a 15 mph speed limit on trails for compliance and safety.
Committee members asked whether the city should draft an ordinance or refer the matter to the parks and recreation commission. Staff recommended coordinating with parks and rec and watching Wausau's policy development, then returning with a joint recommendation. No ordinance was adopted; the matter was discussed for future agenda consideration.
Chief Bennett additionally described parking and citation procedures: when unpaid parking citations result in registration suspension the city sometimes pays a small state processing fee (about $5) and later recovers that amount from the vehicle owner.
The committee took no regulatory action at the meeting but directed staff to continue studying options and to coordinate with the parks and recreation commission and neighboring municipalities. The next committee meeting is scheduled for June 22.
