City Council updates from November and December meetings

The following is a summary of City Council meetings in November and December.

Creation of Data Center Industrial (I-4) District

At the December 1st meeting, the council voted to forward a proposed zoning ordinance that would create a new Data Center Industrial (I-4) district to the city’s Plan Commission following extensive discussion and public comment.

During public comments, attorney Douglas Buck, representing Balloonist, LLC, urged the council not to refer the ordinance to the Plan Commission and instead re-engage with the company regarding its proposed data center project. Buck said the city halted negotiations before details could be discussed publicly and described the creation of a new zoning district as a form of “downzoning” that would reverse prior expectations. While acknowledging vocal community opposition to the project, Buck asked for an opportunity to discuss project details in an open forum.

The proposed ordinance would amend Title 10 of the city code by revising definitions for warehouses and data centers and establishing a new I-4 Data Center Industrial District. Under the current code, data centers are included within the definition of “warehousing” and are permitted uses in Restricted Industrial Districts I-1 and I-2, as well as the General Industrial District I-3.

City staff explained that the ordinance would remove data centers from the warehousing definition and require them to be located only within the newly created I-4 district. The change follows questions from residents and elected officials regarding the level of regulation applied to data center developments.

Council discussion focused on how the proposed ordinance would affect existing facilities and ongoing projects. Council member Ryland Erdman questioned whether the ordinance would impact data centers currently operating in City Hall and at 24/7 Telecom. Public Works Director David Schofield responded that those facilities are not the primary use of their buildings, though Erdman noted that the 24/7 Telecom data center operates in a separate building where it is the primary use.

Several council members raised concerns about transparency and the city’s relationship with potential developers. Council member Sydney Brennen said the issue extended beyond data centers to how the city conducts business, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust. Council member Matthew Crowe supported the creation of the I-4 district and said he would like to see negotiations resume.

Council member Eric Sutherland criticized the city’s handling of the matter, saying it gave the impression negotiations would occur in good faith before being halted. He is concerned that changing zoning rules mid-process could discourage future investment and set a negative precedent.

Mayor Randy Knaack clarified that if the ordinance is adopted, Balloonist would need to apply for a rezoning to proceed with its project. He acknowledged that the city could have handled the situation better and said, in hindsight, he did not conduct sufficient due diligence.

Council member Jeff Luther supported the ordinance, saying it would give the city more time to negotiate and respond to community concerns.

The council voted 10–1 to refer the proposed ordinance to the Plan Commission. Voting in favor were Luther, Crowe, Yonko, Pickard, Schwebs, Gentz, Solberg, Brennen, Erdman, and Sommerfeld. Sutherland voted against the motion.

The Plan Commission is scheduled to review the ordinance on December 8th. A public hearing will be held on January 5th, after which the Council is expected to vote on whether to adopt the ordinance.

2026 General Fund Budget

At the November 3rd meeting, the City Council reviewed the proposed 2026 Draft General Fund Budget. Because additional information from the state was still pending, the budget was scheduled to return for a public hearing and final council consideration on November 17th. At that November 17th meeting, the council was presented with three levy options.

Option 1 would increase the levy by $369,106 to $8,268,596, leave no funding for a contingency fund, and result in a mill rate of 6.96 per $1,000 of assessed value. Option 2 would raise the levy to $8,518,596, create a $250,000 contingency fund, and set the mill rate at 7.17 per $1,000 of assessed value. Option 3 would increase the total levy to $8,568,596, provide a $300,000 contingency fund, and result in a mill rate of 7.22 per $1,000 of assessed value. The mill rate in 2025 was 6.69. The council ultimately selected Option 3. The ordinance was introduced with both the first and second readings waived and was approved on a 9–1 vote. Council member Erdman was absent, and the lone dissenting vote came from Council member Brennen.

Other Budgets

At the November 17th meeting, Council approved the 2026 Operating Plan for the Downtown Menomonie Business Improvement District (BID). Downtown Menomonie hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including Locals’ Night Out, the Flag Day Ceremony, Small Business Saturday, Trick-or-Treat, the Beer Tour and Wine Walk, the Great Community Cookout, and the Winter Daze Parade. Downtown Menomonie is funded through a BID assessment of $1.80 per $1,000 of assessed property value, along with support from Tax Increment District (TID) funding, fundraisers, and grants.

At the December 15th meeting, the Council unanimously approved several utility budgets for 2026. Both the 2026 Water Utility Operating Budget and the Wastewater Utility Operating Budget were unanimously approved. Also approved were the Solid Waste and Recycling Utility Budget and the Stormwater Utility Budget. No rate increase is proposed for 2026; however, a stormwater utility rate study is scheduled for 2026.

The council also approved the 2026 operating budgets for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts No. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. Lucas Chase, executive director of the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, which is located in TID 15, appeared before the council and requested $45,000 in TIF support. The proposed TID budget included $30,000 for the Mabel Tainter, down from the $45,000 it received in 2025. Chase told the council that the Mabel Tainter generates approximately $1.9 million annually for the community and costs an estimated $1,250 per day to operate, noting that revenue is limited by its 275-seat capacity. Council member Gretchen Yonko made a motion to increase the budgeted amount for the Mabel Tainter to $45,000, and on a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously. The Council unanimously approved all other TIF budgets as presented.

The council also approved the proposed 2026 Construction Fund capital budget.

Election updates

At the November 17th meeting, the council adopted a resolution setting polling locations for city residents. City Clerk Kate Martin said the city is moving away from less secure voting locations, such as churches, and that Wards 1 and 2 are moving from Christ Lutheran Church to the Dunn County Historical Society. Wards 10 and 11 will relocate from Chippewa Valley Technical College to the Fanetti Community Room at the Dunn County Recreation Park. Martin noted the move from CVTC was due to cost, as the Rec. Park space is available at no cost, and CVTC charges a fee.

During the discussion, Council member Sydney Brennen raised concerns about Wards 5 and 7 continuing to vote at UW–Stout’s Price Commons, citing long lines during the previous election. Martin responded that, due to the high number of UW–Stout students residing in those wards, Price Commons remains the most suitable location. Brennen asked whether the city could work with the university to improve parking for voters, and Martin said she would look into the issue.

At the December 15th meeting, the council approved a resolution setting the Spring 2026 Primary Election for Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The council also approved the 2026–2027 Election Inspector list as presented.

Ordinance Updates

Subdivision Improvements

The council approved updates to subdivision regulations to remove outdated street improvement requirements that conflicted with other sections of city code. Following a public hearing on December 1, at which no one spoke, the council waived the required readings and unanimously adopted amendments to Title 14, Chapter 5, Section 2 governing subdivision streets and utilities.

Off-Street Parking

The council updated city code related to supplemental parking and loading space requirements to modernize surfacing standards. After questions from both the council and Plan Commission, the minimum number of parking stalls requiring concrete or asphalt surfacing was increased from three to eight. No public comments were received at the December 1 hearing, and the ordinance was adopted on December 15.

Site Lighting

An ordinance establishing site lighting standards was adopted after review by the Plan Commission. The final version includes an exemption for decorative holiday lighting and sets a maximum corrected color temperature of 4,000 Kelvin. No public comments were made at the December 1 public hearing, and the council approved the ordinance on December 15.

Decrease in Minimum Lot Size

The council approved an ordinance reducing the minimum lot size for single-family homes following a public hearing on November 17. The change, recommended by the Ad-Hoc Housing Committee, is intended to support more compact and affordable housing options. The ordinance passed after the council waived the first and second readings.

In other business:

Speed Limit Changes on South Broadway

At the request of a city council member, Public Works Director David Schofield reviewed the speed limit on South Broadway between 15th Avenue W (just north of Williams Stadium) and 28th Avenue W to determine whether a reduction to 25 miles per hour was appropriate between 15th and 17th avenues. Because South Broadway is a connecting highway segment of State Highway 25, any speed limit changes require review and approval by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

During the review, Schofield identified discrepancies between city code and posted speed limits. After evaluating existing ordinances, current signage, traffic speed data, traffic volumes, crash history, and WisDOT standards, the following changes were recommended:

• Extend the 25 mph zone to the south line of 17th Avenue W

• Extend the 30 mph zone from the south line of 17th Avenue W to the south line of 24th Avenue W

• Extend the 35 mph zone from the south line of 24th Avenue W to the south line of 28th Avenue W

• Clarify that the speed limit from the south line of 28th Avenue W to the city’s southern limits is 45 mph

Grant Application for MPD Radio System

The council approved a joint grant application with Dunn County to the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs through the Daily Use Radio Grant Program, with the City of Menomonie’s share not to exceed $100,000. Dunn County will prepare the grant application and include any public safety agencies within the county that choose to participate.

The Menomonie Police Department’s current radio and tower system is outdated and in need of replacement, with an estimated total project cost of $2 million. Dunn County plans to upgrade to the WISCOM 2.0 800-megahertz tower and radio infrastructure system. Police Chief Rick Hollister addressed the council, describing the grant opportunity as a “win-win” for the city and county.

MPD Collective Bargaining Agreement

The council approved a new collective bargaining agreement between the Menomonie Professional Police Association (MPPA) Local 45 and the City of Menomonie covering January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026. The previous contract expired on December 31, 2024.

The new agreement includes 3 percent wage increases in both 2025 and 2026.

Update on Well #9 Project

Public Works Director David Schofield provided an update on the Well #9 project. The city’s most recent well was constructed in 1994. A water system evaluation completed in 2023 recommended adding capacity to meet peak demand.

In 2024, two test wells were drilled—one in Wakanda Park near Diamond 7 and another in Phelan Park near the Community Garden. On March 24, the city council selected the Wakanda Park site for the new well. The city applied for and received funding through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, which will provide up to $1.6 million for Phase I and a low-interest loan for the remaining costs.

Phase I, which includes well construction, is estimated to cost $6.6 million. Phase II, which will involve water treatment infrastructure, is expected to cost approximately $2 million and will be completed at a later date. Construction on Phase I could begin as early as spring 2026.

Flashing Beacons Near Schools

The council approved a resolution supporting the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program–Safe Routes to School (TAP-SRTS) project. At its October 6 meeting, the council authorized Public Works Director David Schofield to submit grant applications for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons to be installed near River Heights Elementary School and Oaklawn Elementary School.

Schofield informed the council that WisDOT requested formal resolutions of support from both the City of Menomonie and the School District of the Menomonie Area as part of the application process. If the project is approved, funding would likely become available in 2028.

Qualification for Affordable Housing Development

The City of Menomonie owns a 41-acre parcel near the Stout Technology Park. In August, the council approved a request for development proposals from builders. Only one proposal was received, submitted by C&M Builders and Capital Investment Partners, LLC (CapVest).

City staff also contacted two developers who did not submit proposals. Those developers indicated they would be more interested in developing multifamily rental housing rather than single-family homes for sale. Based on this feedback, staff recommended revising and reissuing the request for proposals at a later date and asked the council to reject the proposal submitted by C&M/CapVest.

Humane Society Services Agreement

State law requires the City of Menomonie to provide animal control services. The city fulfills this obligation by contracting with the Dunn County Humane Society at a rate of $2.15 per capita. Based on the city’s estimated population of 16,971, the annual cost totals $36,487.65.

The council approved the service agreement with the Dunn County Humane Society for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

Rezoning at The Bridge to Hope

The Bridge to Hope requested a rezoning after planning a new ground-mounted solar panel system revealed that its offices are located on two parcels with different zoning classifications. The organization sought to rezone the affected property along 4th Avenue NE from Limited Multiple Family Residential (R-2) to Multiple Family Residential (R-3).

The ordinance was introduced at the November 3 council meeting and referred to the Plan Commission for review. A public hearing was held on December 1, during which the executive director of The Bridge to Hope spoke in support of the request. The Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval, and the council waived the required readings and adopted the rezoning ordinance.