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Volume 7, Issue 30, Dec 9, 2024
 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire, Wis. 
Published the first business day of each week
Business Advocate Past Issues
Public Meetings Calendar
Chamber Events Calendar
The Chamber's Advocacy Principles
The Chamber's 2024 Business Issues Agenda
"Talking Po!nt" Podcast
How to become a Chamber investor
Contact: Scott Rogers, VP Governmental Affairs
rogers@eauclairechamber.org
Chamber Business Hours: Mon-Thu 7:30a-5:00p, Friday 7:30a-1:30p

In this issue:
 • EC City Council to consider Short Term Rental ordinances,
    Visit Eau Claire and Chamber oppose severe restrictions
 • CV Health Cooperative announces hospital plans, informational meeting
 • Dane County Judge overturns Act 10, appeal to be filed
 • Report: State in strong state financial condition, but less so than 2 years ago
 • Food for thought
 • Mark your calendar
Note on article links: A subscription is required for those marked with "$"
Publications known to have article limits or other access restrictions for non-subscribers are marked with "+"

Eggs & Issues: Holiday Legislative Breakfast
   Get a preview of the key state legislative issues in 2025 from members of the State Senate and Assembly who will represent the Chippewa Valley area beginning in January. This is an excellent opportunity to hear the top priorities that our local lawmakers will be taking to Madison for the 2025-27 budget session. Legislators who have RSVP'd so far include Senators Jesse James (R-Altoona), Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron) and Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire); Reps. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake), Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire), Clint Moses (R-Menomonie), and Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer); and Rep-elect Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire). The program will include moderated Q&A from questions submitted in advance by registrants.
Co-sponsored with the Chippewa Falls Area Chamber and the Menomonie Chamber and Visitor Center.
• Friday, Dec 20, 7:00-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
    Click here for details and to register

31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
    A unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance, representing the Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, and Eau Claire Chambers of Commerce.
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison
    Click here for details and registration information

Also for your calendar...
• Holiday Business After Hours - TONIGHT! - Monday, Dec 9
• Eau What A Night - 110th Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Jan 30

Eau Claire City Council: Short Term Rental ordinances
Chamber opposes severe restrictions that would inhibit local tourism
   The Eau Claire City Council this week will consider two ordinances related to Short Term Rentals (STRs), accommodations typically booked through sites like Airbnb and VRBO. One will modernize the City's zoning code to address such types of lodging, with the other establishing a City licensing process.
   The Chamber and Visit Eau Claire (the area's visitors bureau that markets area tourism) have raised objections to provisions in the licensing ordinance that would require a 7-night minimum stay at STRs and limit their availability to one 180-day period annually.
   There will be a public hearing and public discussion on the ordinances at Monday's Council meeting, with action at its Legislative Session on Tuesday. See pages 14-28 of the Monday Agenda Packet for the language of the ordinances.
Plan Commission discusses STR provisions
   Last Monday, the Eau Claire Plan Commission reviewed the ordinances. Per prescribed processes, the Plan Commission made a formal recommendation to the Council supporting the zoning ordinance, and held a discussion about the licensing ordinance but no formal recommendation. On the licensing ordinance, most members of the Plan Commission opposed the 7-day minimum stay, while some suggested a 2-3 night minimum without the 180-day limitation. The draft Plan Commission minutes can be read on pages 146-148 of the Council's Tuesday Agenda Packet. The December 2 Plan Commission meeting video recording can also be viewed at this link.
Visit Eau Claire: Proposal would put EC "at a competitive disadvantage"
   Visit Eau Claire (VEC) Executive Director Kenzi Havlicek delivered a statement during the public comment period at the Plan Commission meeting, expressing concerns that the proposed ordinance "would put Eau Claire at a competitive disadvantage and sharply reduce the collected room tax revenue for our city." It points out that over 90% of current STR bookings are for stays less than 7 nights.  It further notes that "today’s travelers increasingly seek diverse lodging options, including non-traditional accommodations such as short-term rentals. Additionally, the city’s current lodging options without short-term rentals would not be able to accommodate the large influx of visitors drawn to community events and festivals. Short-term rentals have been a vital resource, providing much-needed lodging for our guests." It argues that the proposed restrictions would "force visitors to seek accommodations in neighboring communities that offer more flexible lodging options."
   "Striking a balance between regulation and accessibility is essential to  maintaining Eau Claire’s appeal as a destination and preserving the economic benefits that tourism provides to our community," concludes the VEC statement.
   Currently, it's estimated that there are 66 active STRs in the City. Bookings through sites such as Airbnb and VRBO do collect the required city room tax that supports tourism promotion for the community.
Chamber expresses concerns about restrictions
   The Chamber provided a letter to members of the Plan Commission and City Council opposing the restrictive mandates that would "have a detrimental effect on tourism and our community’s competitiveness in this growing area of economic activity," diminish opportunities for room tax revenue, and inhibit the right and ability of home owners to get the best use of their property. The Chamber supports the provision in the ordinance amending the Zoning Code that would remove the requirement of a Conditional Use Permit for Bed and Breakfasts, to be replaced by a licensing process. Scott Rogers, the Chamber's Vice President Governmental Affairs, also spoke during the public comment period at the Plan Commission meeting.
How to weigh in with comments, online form available
   Anyone interested in commenting on this issue can speak at Monday evening's Public Hearing. The Council also has an online public comment form, which can be completed at this link. If you submit a comment, note that the meeting date is December 9, 2024, and the agenda items are numbers 2 and 3. You can also find direct contact information for City Council Members at this link. 
Warehouse zoning, Homeless resolution also on agenda
   Other items on the Council agenda this week include a rezoning for property at 6325 Sculy Drive for warehouse space. See the Agenda Packets linked below.
   On Tuesday, the Council will also consider an advisory resolution calling for state and federal assistance in expanded funding to address homelessness, establishing a regional support system, and prohibiting unstructured relocations where other jurisdictions transport unsheltered individuals to the city without coordination and support from local agencies. The Council will also hold a work  session after Tuesday's meeting "to discuss the impact of homeless encampments, City and stakeholder response, and
related ordinances."
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Dec 9, 6 p.m. Public Hearing Agenda Packet (28 pages)
 • Tuesday, Dec 10, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (148 pages)
    Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire)
    City Council Online Comment Form (City of Eau Claire)
     (STRs are agenda items 2 and 3)
    Contact information: City Council members (City of Eau Claire)
    City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
Visit Eau Claire statement on Short Term Rentals (Visit Eau Claire)
Chamber letter to City Council, Plan Commission (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Chamber and Visit Eau Claire oppose proposed severe restrictions that could inhibit tourism (Leader-Telegram $)
City of Eau Claire could change rules for short-term rentals; some are opposed (WEAU 13 News)
City Council to vote on formal request for state and federal help in tackling homelessness (WQOW News 18)
Further reading:
The Case that Short-Term Rentals Actually Make Our Neighborhoods Stronger (Strong Towns)
What Does Banning Short-Term Rentals Really Accomplish? (Harvard Business Review)
Housing Scapegoat: Short Term Rentals Aren’t The Problem (Forbes +)
Going After Corporate Homebuyers is Good Politics but Ineffective Policy (Strong Towns)
Three positive impacts of short-term rentals (Business Insider)
Our View: Rental proposal needs evidence to win support (Leader-Telegram editorial $)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Dec 12, 6 p.m. Meeting information

Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative announces
Lake Hallie Community Hospital plans
$158 million project for 48-bed hospital
Public meeting in Chippewa Falls December 9 at 6 p.m. to detail plans
   The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative last Wednesday announced that it is going ahead with plans to establish a community hospital at a site in Lake Hallie, with a goal of opening in the fall of 2027.
   "The decision came after exhaustive research to determine the optimal configuration, healthcare service offering, location, and long-term sustainability requirements for a new independent hospital in the Chippewa Valley," according to a news release.
   "The Cooperative’s new 144,000-square-foot state-of-the-art hospital will be a flexible facility including 48 hospital beds, with a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an Emergency Department, Medical-Surgical services, Labor & Delivery, critical care units, a comprehensive Cancer Center, and comprehensive diagnostic services, including laboratory, radiology, and cardiology services. The new hospital will also have a comprehensive therapy unit to offer physical, occupational, and speech therapies. The projected cost for the new hospital is $120 million, with a total project cost of $158 million, including start-up costs, substantially less than initial estimates." The release also said the cooperative is "exploring ways to bring behavioral health services to the community."
   The independent hospital anticipates it will have 410 full-time employees in addition to medical staff, which will be comprised of "qualified and accredited physicians from throughout the region. The OakLeaf Medical Network, the largest independent network of physicians and clinics in Western Wisconsin, has pledged to support the new hospital," it said.
  The cooperative chose a 20-acre site along highway 53 on land being purchased from Dave and John Markquart. 
December 9 meeting details
  The Monday, December 9, meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. at the Heyde Center, 3 South High Street in Chippewa Falls. Doors will open at 5:30 PM.
More information:
CV Health Cooperative greenlights new full service hospital in Lake Hallie (News release)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative gets greenlight to build hospital in Lake Hallie (WEAU 13 News)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative announces plans to build new hospital in Lake Hallie (WQOW News 18)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative plans Lake Hallie hospital (APG Wisconsin +)
Informational meeting on future hospital to be held on Monday at Heyde Center (Leader-Telegram $)
Hospital plans bring major economic opportunity for Chippewa County (WQOW News 18)
Our View: Work remains, but hospital site announcement is welcome news (Leader-Telegram editorial $)

National Civics Bee for middle school students
now open with Eau Claire regional competition
1st Step: Essay portal with Feb 4 deadline
   The Eau Claire Chamber is one of the regional hosts sites for the 2025 Wisconsin Civics Bee. Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home schools are invited to take part in the first-round of civics essay competition. The competition begins with a 750-word civics essay where students are asked to identify a community issue and propose how they could help improve it. In each region, the top 20 essays will be selected to advance to a live event, with the Eau Claire location on April 12. The portal for essay submissions is now open, with a deadline of February 4, 2025. Click here for details.
More information:
Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce Launches 2025 National Civics Bee® (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
DeLong Student Wins First-Ever Wisconsin Civics Bee (Volume One)
National Civics Bee submission entry opens up for local students (Leader-Telegram $)
Our View: Civics bee offers great opportunity for students (Leader-Telegram editorial)

More local stories...

Edwards, Other News Staffers Out at WQOW (Volume One)
Allen Media Makes Cuts at Wisconsin Stations (Adweek)

Homelessness during the winter months in Eau Claire (Leader-Telegram $)

ECASD discuss efficacy of key communicators group (Leader-Telegram $)

Hoffman announces he won't seek another term as CF mayor (Leader-Telegram $)
CF Council unanimously approves 2025 city budget (Leader-Telegram $)

Sheriff Hakes' attorney files suit against Chippewa County on outstanding legal fees (Leader-Telegram $)
Lawyer for Sheriff Travis Hakes sung Chippewa County for $27,000 (WQOW News 18)

Act 10 overturned by Dane County Judge
   Dane County Judge Jacob Frost released a decision last Monday, ruling that several sections of the 2011 Act 10 law are unconstitutional, overturning the law. By Tuesday, Republican lawmakers filed a notice of appeal with the 2nd District Court of Appeals.
More information:
Dane County judge strikes down Act 10, restoring public employee union bargaining rights (WPR)
Act 10 overturned by Dane County judge. Walker-era law decimated public employee unions (Journal-Sentinel +)
Wisconsin’s Act 10 is back in court. Here’s what to know about the controversial law. (WPR)
What to know about Wisconsin’s collective bargaining law for public workers (AP)
Act 10 could take center stage in upcoming state Supreme Court election (Journal-Sentinel +)

Report: State in strong state financial condition,
but less so than 2 years ago
   "Heading into the 2025-27 state budget, Wisconsin retains impressive reserves that put the state in a strong financial position and allow it to consider limited spending increases or tax cuts," according to a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. "As expected, however, the budget has lost some of its exceptional strength from two years ago, meaning state officials may wish to exercise caution this budget cycle, especially if they are eyeing large permanent tax cuts or spending increases."
More information:
Report: Moving Back to Budget Basics (Wisconsin Policy Forum)
Policy Forum report: Wisconsin finances in good shape. Lawmakers cautioned against big moves (Journal-Sentinel +)

Spring Election features statewide Supreme Court and DPI
races, local judicial, municipal and school board seats
Nominating petitions began circulating Dec 1, deadline Jan 7
  The April 1 Spring Non-Partisan Election will include a race for an open seat for a 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a statewide election for Superintendent of Public Instruction, other judgeships at the district and county level, and various seats on local city councils, town boards, and school boards.
Candidates must file nominating petitions by January 7 and could begin collecting signatures on December 1.
   In the City of Eau Claire, the April ballot will include the five elected at-large council members, who will serve a three-year term. There are also five district representatives and the City Council President who make up the 11-member body. Election of each category is staggered, with district representatives most recently elected in 2024, and the City Council President seat up next in 2026. So far, incumbent Council Members Charlie Johnson, Larry Mboga, and Josh Miller have announced reelection plans. Council member Kate Felton has announced she is not running. Council member Rod Jones has not indicated his intentions.
More information:
5 city council seats up for election in April 2025 (WEAU 13 News)
Spring 2025 Election Information - all races (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Wisconsin's next elections are in February and April. Here's what's on the 2025 ballot. (Journal-Sentinel +)
After an intense election season, the political focus shifts to state races in Wisconsin (Journal-Sentinel +)

More state and regional stories...

Governor Evers hears community feedback in Executive Budget listening session (WKBT News 8000)
Gov. Evers brings budget listening session tour to La Crosse (WXOW)

Eau Claire-Twin Cities passenger rail project on track (The Business News)
WisDOT studying possibility of adding more passenger rail capacity (WisBusiness.com)
Amtrak Hiawatha ridership up 4.5% (BizTimes)
Amtrak notches ridership and revenue record for fiscal 2024: Analysis (Trains +)

Gov. Evers appoints new Clark County Sheriff (WEAU 13 News)

UWEC Marketing alumna finds award-winning success in economic development (UWEC)