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Residents raise concerns at River Falls council meeting about dam removal, data centers, park trees, fireworks and surveillance cameras
Summary
Five residents urged the council to consider recreational and environmental trade-offs for the Kinney Corridor and Junction Falls Dam, to prohibit data centers, to preserve trees and limit nighttime lighting at Glen Park, to tighten fireworks rules, and to avoid installing Flock surveillance cameras due to privacy concerns.
Multiple residents spoke during public comment at the River Falls City Council meeting on July 14, urging the council to weigh recreational, environmental, privacy and quality-of-life trade-offs in upcoming projects.
William Hanson, of 872-310 25th Street, asked the council to review whether language in Kinney Corridor materials promoting kayaking is supported by usage data and to consider economic and recreation trade-offs. Hanson warned that improving river access could require removing Junction Falls Dam, which he said would destroy the city’s largest renewable-energy source (the local hydroelectric generator at Lake George).
Tanya Schmidt, who identified herself as a River Falls resident, urged the council to draft an ordinance to prevent data centers from locating in River Falls, arguing they would consume large amounts of land, water and electricity and harm the environment and the local economy.
Beth Roche, a resident across from Glen Park, urged the council to pause Phase 2 of Glen Park and reconsider placement of a multi-sports complex that she said would remove legacy oaks and red cedars and introduce nighttime lighting that could disturb nesting great horned owls. She asked the council to reassess lighting and placement decisions.
A resident who gave his first name as Brian described adverse effects of random fireworks for pets, veterans and people with auditory sensitivities. He asked the council to research alternatives such as colorful smoke displays or drone shows, to consider stricter limits (time, place, designated days), and to pursue public education and enforcement.
Sy Pitson urged the council to reconsider installing Flock license-plate reader cameras in the city, citing news reports and cases in which camera data were shared or misused. Pitson said such cameras threaten privacy and could be used to target marginalized residents; he urged the council to look into removing them.
Speakers requested that the council research data on use and economic impact, clarify whether dam removal would affect municipal power, and explore options that balance recreation with environmental protection. The council did not take formal action on these public comments during the meeting.
The public-comment period closed before the council took votes on two ordinances later in the meeting.
