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"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. " - Martin Luther King. Jr.
In this issue:
• Eau Claire City Council postpones action on Graham Ave parking lot redevelopment
• PSC public hearing Tuesday on City of Eau Claire water rate case
• Altoona Schools plan April referendum
• Valerie Yang joins Chamber staff as Kaitlyn Molis departs
• Podcast: John Jacobson on the role of a lobbyist
• US Chamber: The State of American Business is "fearless"
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 "+"
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Last chance to register...
Eggs & Issues: Addressing homelessness in Eau Claire
The Housing Our Neighbors Planning Collaborative - a public-private effort across a wide spectrum of local governments and organizations - has spent the past year developing local strategies to bring together existing resources and initiatives, build on local strengths, and apply evidence-based strategies to tackle homelessness in our community. At this edition of Eggs & Issues, learn the six key strategies the collaborative is recommending to make homelessness in Eau Claire County rare, brief, and non-recurring. Leaders of the Collaborative will answer questions and discuss the next steps to move these recommendations forward to implementation.
Event information:
• Friday, Jan 23, 7:30-9:00 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
Click here for details and to register
NEW Eggs & Issues times for 2026: 7:30-9:00 a.m. (30 minutes later)
32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance representing
the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce
This annual event is a unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. At the Rally, we'll deliver to policymakers a shared consensus on issues important to the economy of the Chippewa Valley. Topics include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, housing, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. This year's trip will be important to strengthen relationships with legislators, express thanks for accomplishments, and highlight issues that still need attention.
When you join us, you'll spend a productive day taking part in issue briefings, small group meetings at legislative offices, a keynote luncheon, and networking with others from our area who are interested in state government policy. You'll also be invited to online pre-event briefings to help you be prepared for a effective day in Madison. And don't worry if you've never participated before. Our legislative office meetings will be led by experienced previous attendees.
Event information:
• Thursday, February 19, Madison
Click here for details and to register
Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Feb 2
• Wisconsin National Civics Bee - For Middle School Students: Essays due Feb 3
• Eau What A Night: Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Feb 12
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EC City Council postpones action on redevelopment
of Graham Ave parking ramp site
Holds work session on housing initiatives
At its Tuesday Legislative Session last week, the Eau Claire City Council postponed action on a proposal to declare the site of the current Riverside Parking Ramp at 402 Graham Avenue as excess land, selling it to a developer and approving a development agreement. The agreement with the entity, 402 Graham Ave. 1st Floor LLC, represented by Stuart Schaefer, would allow it to purchase the site for one dollar, remove the current, closed parking deck, then later fully develop the site. (See pages 54-82 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below.)
The top deck of the two-level ramp was closed on November 1, and the lower level is scheduled to close March 1, with the facility at the end of its useful life. Under the proposed development agreement, the sale would close on March 31 and the developer would take responsibility for removing the ramp. It would provide temporary surface parking within six months, then develop a residential project within five years with a minimum value of $10 million. Purchase price would be one dollar, taking into account the estimated demolition and site stabilization costs of $700,000. By moving to private ownership, the current public site would also pay real estate taxes.
The proposed development agreement included language related to the future residential project that would allow "for construction of either townhomes with attached garages atop a new parking structure, or conventional multifamily housing featuring three floors of rental housing above one or two levels of parking, whichever approach Developer determines best meet market need and demand."
During the City Council's discussion of the development agreement, Council Member Joshua Miller said he was uncomfortable with the lower density of the condo option and proposed an amendment to strike that portion of the development agreement. Council Member Aaron Brewster pointed out the higher costs of building in an urban core and pointed out the benefits of the developer taking over the obligation of demolishing the current ramp and responsibility for the project, as well as providing for interim parking needs. Council President Emily Berge pointed out that the Chippewa Valley Housing Task Force identified the need for housing at all levels but said she would support a postponement. After the amendment failed 2-7, Council Member Clara Serrano moved to postpone action to the next Council meeting, which passed 8-1. Two of the 11 Council Members were absent.
Work sessions
After Tuesday's meeting, the Council conducted two work sessions, one providing an update on housing-related initiatives, and the other to discuss the strategic planning process (see pages 100-101 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet).
The housing-related work session included updates from Western Dairyland on the launch of the Community Haven House at the new Day Resource Center, the six recommended strategies from the Housing Our Neighbors Planning Collaborative, projects underway or being considered by the Housing Authority, Housing Opportunities Commission, and RDA, Eau Claire Transit, and an update from Police Chief Matt Rokus.
The Housing Our Neighbors Planning Collaborative will be presenting its report at the Chamber's next Eggs & Issues breakfast on Friday, January 23. Click here for details.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, Jan 12, 6 p.m., Public Hearing Agenda Packet (9 pages)
• Tuesday, Jan 13, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (104 pages)
Click here to send an email to all City Council members
Click here for individual contact information for each City Council member
Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire, YouTube channel)
City of Eau Claire Public Notices (City of Eau Claire)
City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Weekly Update (City of Eau Claire)
City announces development plans for Graham Ave. parking ramp (WQOW News 18)
Dewey St. and Forest St. among planned 2026 Eau Claire road projects (WQOW News 18)
City Council votes for new polling location for Eau Claire Ward 7 (WEAU 13 News)
Eau Claire needs volunteers for critical homeless count on January 28 (WQOW News 18)
WDEOC discusses point-in-time homeless count, volunteers, Day Resource Center operation (Leader-Telegram $)
Food for thought...
“Why Are Developers Only Building Luxury Housing?” (Daniel Herriges, Strong Towns)
Public Service Commission hearing January 20
on City of Eau Claire water rate case
Public comment open through January 22
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) is conducing a public hearing on the application of the City of Eau Claire's Water Public Utility, for authority to adjust water rates. In this case, the City is seeking a 20% increase in the water portion of city utility bills. City officials say the increase is needed for infrastructure upgrades, funding the PFAS removal facility under construction, and increased operating costs.
"Although 20 percent seems large at one time, we will still remain in the middle of a rate comparison with peer communities after the proposed increase," said City Manager Stephanie Hirsch in her Jan 9 weekly City Manager's Update.
More information:
City of Eau Claire Utilities website
Public Hearing
• Tuesday, Jan 20, 1 p.m. Virtual meeting, Hearing details
Public comment period open through January 22: Click here for details
Related news coverage:
Proposed increase to Eau Claire water rates to be decided in February (WEAU 13 News)
PFAS treatment facility nears completion as City of Eau Claire proposes water rate increases (WQOW News 18)
City of Eau Claire applies for increase to water utility (Leader-Telegram $)
PFAS treatment to begin this year as City of Eau Claire shares update (Leader-Telegram $)
City of Eau Claire applies for increase to water utility (Leader-Telegram $)
Stanley residents facing 115% water rate increase (WQOW News 18)
Eau Claire County seeks $500K in PFAS litigation investigation (WQOW News 18)
Meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar
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