Hello City of Eau Claire residents, staff, and Council Members,

Here’s some news from around the City for this week. As a reminder, prior updates can be found here, and people can sign up for City updates here. Feel free to send me feedback.

CITY UPDATES:

More Library Parking Being Created: Some minor work was done around the US Bank Parking lot this week. The sidewalk adjacent to Farwell Street was redone, and a connection between US Bank Lot and City Hall Lot was created to help with snow removal. Also, emergency access to the Library's front door for an ambulance was created. The major redo of the lot making the two lots into one larger lot will occur next year when asphalt plants reopen. Asphalt plants in this part of the country typically close for the season just before Thanksgiving. We are, however, looking at options to stripe the lot as it currently is configured to add more parking for the Library. The availability of parking (especially without having to cross the street) is one of the top areas of concern that has been identified as part of the Library’s strategic planning process. Stay tuned for updates.

Mill Rate Calculated: The City’s Finance Department has prepared the final figures for the 2024 Mill Rate. This rate differs depending on which taxing jurisdiction people are in. City of Eau Claire residents live in both Eau Claire and Chippewa Counties, and some residents live outside of the Eau Claire School District jurisdiction. Most of our residents, though, live in the taxing jurisdiction that’s within the City of Eau Claire, within Eau Claire County, and within the Eau Claire Area School District. For these people for 2024, the Mill Rate went up 2.55 percent, or from 7.66 to 7.85. The increase is due to a rise in debt service payments and an allowable levy increase from our net new construction. How the Mill Rate affects how much you pay in taxes is as follows… Take the assessed value of your property, divide by 1,000, and then multiply that by the Mill Rate. For example, a home assessed at $150,000 would pay 150 times 7.85, or $1,177 in City taxes per year.

The total Mill Rate for residents in Eau Claire City, County, and School District went up 2.92 percent from 17.81 to 18.33. A simplified version is shared below and listed on our website for the public at Budget | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (eauclairewi.gov), which includes a tax bill example on how they equate to the tax bills we receive. 

Regional Housing Study Released: In March of 2023, Eau Claire County, the City of Eau Claire, and the City of Altoona partnered to undertake a Regional Housing Study. The study aimed to examine housing market conditions across the county and to identify issues and opportunities that the County and its communities, including Eau Claire and Altoona, may seek to address in the future. The project was guided by County Planning staff, staff from each city, and a steering committee of residents with professional knowledge or responsibilities regarding housing issues. Consulting firm CZB was retained to complete the study on behalf of the partner organizations. The completed study has been presented to the Eau Claire City Council and Plan Commission at a website: EauClaireWI.gov/RHS. See example of one chart from the report below, which shows the increased salary requirements to purchase a home, from about $67K in 2013 to $117K in 2022.

A summary of our take-aways from reviewing the report is as follows. After the Great Recession, housing production fell steeply and did not keep pace with the demand for housing, which has created a very tight market in Eau Claire and elsewhere. The deficit in housing units requires the City to prioritize steps to add units, such as through territorial growth, infill projects, and rehab of our current older housing stock. Eau Claire continues to grow faster than almost all of the rest of Wisconsin, and we are now the seventh largest City in the State. We have few existing residential lots available in the City, and we have an identified need for housing of all types, from single family and twins to mid- or larger apartments. Eau Claire is well positioned to provide municipal service to a growing community. With the production of more housing and with demographic changes, as Baby Boomers age and generations following them are smaller, we hope that the market will become more accessible so that we can be known as an affordable community, welcoming to all, with a great quality of life. A more open market will put more properties in reach for residents who seek to either own or rent.

The report pointed out the need for different types of housing and also the need for repairs to the City’s older housing stock. Eau Claire’s population growth is unknown, however, we control many factors that influence its growth. Continued growth and revitalization of older neighborhoods are key focus areas of policies and efforts we are working on now. Those efforts include:

• Promotion of construction of housing suitable for students (thus freeing up central city older homes for renovation and owner occupancy);
• Investment in amenities (like parks, trails, businesses, arts) that continue to make Eau Claire and its downtown a destination;
• Continued outstanding service delivery to residents in all of our operational areas, perpetuating Eau Claire’s bragging rights of having an amazing quality of life;
• Rewrite of our zoning to promote infill development and to make building and renovations easier. (The huge increase in construction costs since COVID and high mortgage interest rates are a driver in the lack of affordable house construction today, and continued efforts to reduce the cost of the construction is key to addressing affordability of housing);
• Continued promotion of new industries that provide good jobs;
• Collaboration with and support for the University as it seeks to maintain and grow its enrollment and impact on the region;
• Exploration of mechanisms to encourage more diversity in housing stock; and
• Creation of a Neighborhood Services Division that is focusing on managing code enforcement and parking, two areas where violations impact quality of life in neighborhoods and thus residents’ willingness to support infill development.

It’s a continued balancing act that requires careful thought and significant effort, and we look forward to continuing to take on the big challenge.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Here are a few questions that came through the City Manager’s Office this week…

Chick-Fil-A Traffic Control

Question: “We noticed that there was traffic control for the opening of Chick-Fil-A. Did the City pay for this?”

Answer: Sergeant Brandon Dohms shared the following information: “Chick-Fil-A hired and paid for traffic control attendants. In addition, in an effort to ensure public safety in multiple congested areas, the PD, Engineering, WIsDOT, and others developed a plan to mitigate traffic issues. These plans and efforts were not focused on one particular store or organization, but rather on areas of the city that commonly receive large amounts of traffic that were likely to see an even larger influx of traffic.” City Engineer Leah Ness added: “The mall area has its highest traffic volumes during this time of year, and we are collaborating to maintain safe access to minimize incidents which would create further delays. Those in the Oakwood area, please be patient and follow traffic laws to have a safe trip to this busy area.”

Hunting within City Limits

Question: “Is it legal to hunt within the City limits?”

Answer: City staff shared the following answer: “State law permits bow hunting throughout the state. It used to be the case that municipalities and counties could prohibit hunting within their borders. Many communities with more urban areas did prohibit it. However, that local option was removed by 2013 Act 71. The law states that local units of government may not restrict hunting with a bow and arrow or cross bow, except for certain limited safety provisions, such as safe distances and direction of the shot toward the ground. Urban deer population and herd control is managed by the DNR.”

Short Term Rental Compliance

Question: “What can we do if we think there is a short-term rental operating in the neighborhood? Are they allowed to do this, or do they register somewhere?”

Answer: “Short-term rentals require a Conditional Use Permit and registration with the City/County Health Department. If a resident believes a property is operating as a short-term rental without a permit, they should contact the Health Department for review. Typically, if the property is operating without a permit, the Health Department will send a cease and desist letter and refer them to the City Planning Department for direction on what the property owner needs to do to come into compliance. More information on the Health Department’s program can be found here: Hotel and Lodgings | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (eauclairewi.gov)”

Solar Energy Efforts

Question: “What is the City doing to promote a transition to solar energy and other renewable energy sources?”

Answer: City Planning Manager, Ned Noel, shared the following information about efforts in both the private and public sectors:

Private sector

• We have seen more residential solar installed in the last two years, so the trend is growing, especially now with all IRA tax credits and rebates.
• The City cannot force property owners to install solar per state building code. A few local builders do set up electric panels and conduit to make houses “solar-ready.”
• Xcel Energy (NSP-WI) provides solar programs for those who cannot install solar and provides a ~38 percent certified renewable energy percentage automatically to all customers.

Public sector

• In 2017, we were in the top ten cities in the U.S. regarding solar-readiness with permitting, planning and partnerships. We earned the Solsmart Gold by the Department of Energy.
• The City has the first net-zero building guide in WI and a solar ready guide to help people understand what is possible.  See our solar landing page.
• City Council approved funding for an Energy Efficiency Navigator program, which will allocate money for possible solar for low-income housing. The implementor has already funded two low-income properties using outside philanthropic dollars as demonstration sites. Both went fully electric with solar and heat pumps, and gas meters will be removed.
• In November, City Council entered into agreements with Xcel for 1.3 Megawatts in a new 2025 solar farm to power various buildings that are not good candidates for on-site solar. In 2017 we contracted 116kW of power from an Xcel community solar garden on our leased SkyPark landfill.
• The City has solar installed on one fire station #8 and another will occur next year on station #5. We try to make the buildings close to fully offset with solar as a goal. (See pictures pasted below). The Library is solar-ready as well.
• The City has installed a large biogas recovery facility at the Wastewater Treatment Plant that generates around 20 percent of the City’s renewable energy percent. We are considering a microgrid control with solar there as well.
• City and State helped fund a new low-income apartment building by Gerrard Properties, which decided to install solar. The building is under construction at Birch Street and River Prairie Drive (NE corner).

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: We have the best employees! Get to know one of them this week. (And submit your suggestion for an employee to spotlight here…)

Today we highlight Alia Johnson!

A co-worker shared this quote about Alia: “Alia is one of the first people I met at the City. She always keeps busy on her main tasks as well as side tasks (and there are a lot of them). She also updates the Veteran's signs, and I am pretty sure she delivered lapel Veteran pins out on Veteran's Day. She took time to get to know me and, as hardships came around for me, she knew exactly who in my life was affected. She does a lot of work around here and deserves 15 minutes of fame.”

Here's some more information about Alia:

• Your position: “I have worked for the City for two and a half years and currently serve in the role of HR Specialist with the majority of my time focused towards assisting with Risk Management.”
• What people may not know: “I am deathly afraid of centipedes 😊.”
• Favorite activities: “I love spending time with my family, though with a house full of teenagers, that feeling is not always reciprocated! We are constantly on the go attending their activities and sporting events, but when time allows, I love camping, traveling, baking, and crafting.”
• Best part about working for the City: “I have the opportunity to work amongst an AMAZING and brilliant team of individuals who deeply care about the work they do and the lives it affects each and every day.”
• Life philosophy: “’People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.’  ~Mother Teresa.”

SHOUT-OUTS:

Readers’ Choice Awards: We agree wholeheartedly with the voters who named TWO of our parks as finalists for Readers Choice awards run by Volume One. The finalist awards go to Carson and Phoenix parks!

Clearwater Parade Winners: The Clearwater Winter Parade was awesome! Here’s an update from the Recreation Department:

“The weather was great, the fireworks were fantastic, the floats and entries were amazing, and the turnout was wonderful, both in-person and online. There were several thousand people in attendance and another 8,100+ unique views of the WEAU livestream online. This truly was a community event, and it would not have been possible without the efforts of everyone involved coming together to make it happen. Please make sure to mark your calendars for next year's parade, which will be held on Friday, December 6th, 2024. We hope to see you all back next year!

The theme was Festival of Cartoons, and the award categories were Best Use of Lights, Best Use of Theme, Judges Choice, Most Entertaining, and the Best of the City of EC. Without further ado the winners are…..

• Best Use of Lights: Chippewa Valley ATVers
• Best Use of Theme: Ski Sprites Water Ski Team
• Judges Choice: Chad’s Towing
• Most Entertaining: En Avant School of Dance
• Best of City of EC: City of Eau Claire Streets Division

Many thank yous and shout outs are due to those who made the event possible, including to:

• Event Sponsors: This year special thanks go to Market & Johnson, Xcel Energy, and the West Grand Bid for providing the fireworks. Extra special thanks go to the West Grand BID and the Court’N House for support of this wonderful night! The 2023 parade was also made possible by support from FASTSIGNS of Eau Claire, Monarch Paving Company, Scheels, and the Community Parks Association.
• The Judges: This year’s judges were from the Leadership Eau Claire Class of 2023, and they worked together to determine the award winners.  Thank you to Sarah Gordee from Hookd Promotions, Holly Johnson from Wipfli, Chelsea Seckora from the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, and Clint Van Sambeek from Miron Construction for volunteering your time to determine our winners!
• Warming House: Thank you to Pastor Phil Ruge-Jones and Grace Lutheran Church for allowing us to provide volunteer check-in and a warming house for the parade. The musical entertainment from the 20 members of the church choir and the music from the bell tower before the fireworks were a great touch. Your generosity helps contribute to the sense of community around this event and also ensures people can keep their fingers and toes warm during the event!  In the warming house, Brad Candell led Cub Scouts Pack 238 on taking care of refreshments (provided by Xcel Energy) as well as face painting, games, activities, and a photo booth.
• Parade Volunteers: This year’s event was made possible through the efforts of 55 volunteers, thank you for your help. Parade volunteers helped with crowd control, event check-in, driving of parade vehicles, and even acting as mascots.  We have received several compliments from parade participants that this was the safest parade they have been involved with regarding crowd control, so an extra special thank you goes to all of our volunteer parade marshals!
• Grand Marshals: Thank you to Chad Rowekamp of the Eastside Hill Neighborhood Association and his family for being this year’s Grand Marshals. Thank you to Benjamin Lindberg and Eau Claire Ford for providing the vehicle for Chad and his family to ride in.
• Fireworks: Thank you to Ken Schroeder and his team with Ace Pyro LLC!  This year’s fireworks show was fantastic!  We heard many, many compliments about it from the crowd and it was a great way to start the night.
• Santa & Mrs. Claus: Thank you to Terry and Pam Koxlien for providing joy and wonderment to children throughout the community at this event. Your participation over the years has been wonderful!
• WEAU: Thank you so much to WEAU for broadcasting the parade via livestream!  WE need to thank Terry McHugh, Michael Strubell, Marcela Tapia, and Tom Benson for making this happen.  One of our goals for this year’s event was to make it as accessible as possible and you helped us ensure that people could watch the parade even if they couldn’t be there in person.  8,100+ unique views is fantastic and we couldn’t be happier!
• City of EC Police, Fire Departments & Engineering Departments: Thank you to Brandon Dohms, Bob Haller, and Leah Ness for coordinating on the planned street closures and road signage related to the event.  This year added the closure of Lake St near the lineup lot to allow for safe arrival of parade floats and participants and it worked out very smoothly and safely for the participants and community.  The noticeable police presence also contributed to the safety of everyone involved all along the parade route.
• City of EC Parks, Streets & Engineering Crews: Thank you to Brendan Osborne, John Lofgren, Chad Hesselink, and their teams for the great job setting up the signage and barricades for the event!  Your efforts made the community aware of traffic flows and made the event safe and enjoyable for everyone that came to watch.
• The Recreation Team (Christine Mohr, Julie Booth, Claire Ystebo, Pete Seymour, Karen Larsen, Nancy Radke, Melissa White): Last but definitely not least, this group has been behind the scenes for months carrying out the planning and implementation of this event and without them this event does not happen. From leading planning meetings with the various involved City of EC workgroups, to working with our event sponsors, to registering parade participants, to coordinating everything that made the event a success.

COUNCIL CALENDAR (Tentative – Please see: City Calendar | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (eauclairewi.gov) for most complete and up-to-date list of public meetings)

• Monday, December 11th, 7PM, Council Chambers: Council Public Hearing/Discussion Night
• Tuesday, December 12th, 4PM, Council Chambers: Council Meeting (Transfer Center: Council Tour of Transfer Center following meeting)
• Monday, December 18th, 4PM, Banbury Place, Eau Claire Room: Joint Plan Commission and City Council Meeting for Zoning Overhaul Discussion
• The December 25th and 26th Council meetings have been cancelled.
• Monday, January 8th, 7PM, Council Chambers: Council Public Hearing/Discussion Night
• Tuesday, January 9th, 4PM, Council Chambers: Council Meeting
• Monday, January 20th, 7PM, Council Chambers: Council Public Hearing/Discussion Night
• Tuesday, January 21st, 4PM, Council Chambers: Council Meeting