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Volume 7, Issue 39, Feb 10, 2025
 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 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: Business Improvement District (BID) resolution sparks
   controversy between Council members, City Attorney
 • Full EC Zoning Code draft to be revealed at Feb 17 meeting
 • Early voting underway for Feb 18 State Supt Primary
 • Former Chamber intern to speak at UWEC Menard Center event
 • National and economic stories
 • 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: Washington Insights from the US Chamber
  How do we make sense of the dramatic changes in policies and direction coming from the new Administration and Congress? Who is looking out for the business community, how will decisions get made, and how will all of this affect business and the economy in the Chippewa Valley? John Kirchner from the US Chamber will provide us insights into the new power structure in DC and the various forces at play. Learn what issues are getting the most attention, and how the US Chamber is navigating he new landscape and advocating for a positive business climate. John Kirchner is Vice President, Midwest Region, Congressional and Public Affairs Division, US Chamber of Commerce. 
• Friday, Feb 21, 7:00-8:30 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. In these first months of the new year, the Legislature is tackling the 2025-27 biennial budget, which sets the spending and priorities for the state over the next two years. 
   At the Rally, we'll deliver to policymakers a shared consensus on issues important to the economy of the Chippewa Valley. This year's topics will include healthcare, education, talent attraction & retention, childcare, the state's role in addressing homelessness, economic development & tax reform, transportation & infrastructure, and energy. Plus, we'll express thanks for previous regional priorities enacted during the past two years.
 • Wednesday, March 5, Madison
    Click here for details and registration information

Tonight...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Feb 10

EC City Council: Business Improvement District (BID) resolution
sparks controversy between Council members, City Attorney
Also on agenda: Parking Study, Tree preservation work session
   The Eau Claire City Council meets this week with a full agenda, including a resolution proposed by two Council members to set policy towards Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), acceptance of the consultant's report on the downtown parking study, a development agreement and zoning for the apartment complex that's part of The Sevens project, several street and sidewalk projects, and a work session on tree preservation.
   Monday's Public Hearing agenda includes public hearings and discussions on the street and sidewalk improvements, apartments zoning, the downtown parking study, and the BIDs resolution.
BIDs resolution stirs controversy
   Following a January 14 City Council work session related to the relationships between the City and its Business Improvement Districts, Council Members Kate Felton and Aaron Brewster drafted a resolution for consideration this week that they say is intended to support and clarify City policies towards BIDs.
   The City has four BIDs, which are each created by a vote of property owners to self-tax for purposes of various types of initiatives and physical improvements within their districts.
   Felton told Volume One that the resolution was drafted because she and Brewster "both have gotten comments from the community, particularly downtown businesses and BID board members, with some concerns about city policy and also generally the direction the city is taking with BIDS.” The resolution deals with creation of operating plans and relates to the rights of BIDs to manage meetings and seek legal counsel. (See pages 117-119 of the Monday Agenda Packet linked below for the resolution language.)
   The Council Agenda Packet includes two memorandums written in response by the Office of the City Attorney (See pages 120-127 of the Monday Agenda Packet) which assert that the resolution includes "improper direction of staff" and other "legal concerns" with the direction it provides and argues that “It is advised and encouraged that the City Council not take such action.”
   Individuals who want to comment on this or any other agenda item may appear in person at Monday's Public Hearing, email City Council members directly, or complete an online contact form.
   Contact information: City Council members (City of Eau Claire)
   City Council Online Comment Form (City of Eau Claire)
      Click here to see the agenda item numbers if you use the above form
Downtown parking study
   At its previous meetings on Jan 27-28, the Council heard from its parking consultant with preliminary recommendations for its downtown parking study. Jon Forster, Parking and Mobility Planner with consulting firm Fishbeck of Grand Rapids, Mich., described a need for a full reset of the City's approach to downtown parking after reviewing capacity, usage, and expectations for future changes to current structures. The Council conducted a work session with Forster to ask more questions and discuss future direction. The public has an additional opportunity this Monday night to make comments before the Council acts to formally accept the study on this Tuesday. Accepting the study does not necessarily mean the City will adopt the recommendations, but instead is expected to begin a process to determine what will move forward. See pages 40-116 of the Monday Agenda Packet linked below for the report and recommendations. 
Paragon Apartments at The Sevens
   The Plan Commission last week unanimously recommended approval of a rezoning request for the apartment complex that's part of "The Sevens" development on the City's southeast side south of I-94 at 5400 Old Town Hall Rd. The City Council will act on that zoning on Tuesday, as well as a development agreement.
  Paragon Apartments is a 305-unit apartment community being developed at the intersection of Old Town Hall Road and Bourbon St. It will be developed by Keyhole Capital, owned by Jim and Jennifer Rooney. According the meeting documents, the project will include five 61-unit buildings, seven 16-stall detached garages, a resort-style clubhouse with an outdoor pool and hot tub, and
a maintenance building. As part of its development agreement with the City of Eau Claire, 20% of units will be offered at 80% of County Median Income and 5% of units at 60% of County Median Income. (See pages 166-214 and pages 294-314 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below.)
Tree preservation work session
   After Tuesday's Legislative Session, the Council plans a work session on  "opportunities for strengthening tree preservation" in the City. See pages 315-317 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet.
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
 • Monday, Feb 10, 6 p.m., Public Hearing Agenda Packet (127 pages)
 • Tuesday, Feb 11, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (322 pages)
    Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire)
    City Council Online Comment Form (City of Eau Claire)
    Contact information: City Council members (City of Eau Claire)
    City of Eau Claire News Updates (including weekly City Manager's Update)
More information and city news...
Council Member, City Attorney’s Office Spar Over Business Improvement District Resolution (Volume One)
Parking Study Executive Summary (Jon Forster, Fishbeck)
Parking Study Findings and Recommendations (Jon Forster, Fishbeck)

Full EC Zoning Code draft to be revealed at Feb 17 meeting
   The City of Eau Claire continues towards its complete rewrite of its Zoning Code with a meeting next Monday, Feb 17, of the Zoning Policy Advisory Committee (ZPAC), consisting of members of the City Council and Plan Commission. The ZPAC has been meeting since late 2023 to complete a full rewrite of the City's Zoning Code, which it has dubbed the "Century Code Update" because the City's first zoning code was created 100 years ago. The project is being led by the City's Planning Department with help from a consultant.
   On Feb 17, the ZPAC will meet at 4:00 p.m. to "discuss final edits of the complete Code before it is brought to the public for pre-adoption outreach and engagement. Immediately following the ZPAC meeting, the City is hosting a public open house. All members of the Eau Claire community are invited to stop in anytime between 6pm to 7:30pm to learn more about proposed changes to the City's land development regulations and to ask questions and provide feedback to the City and consultant team."
   City officials say they expect the code to go to the Plan Commission for a recommendation, then to the City Council for adoption, sometime in late spring or early summer.
More information:
Zoning Policy Advisory Committee
 • Monday, Feb 17, 4:00-6:00 p.m.  ZPAC Meeting Agenda
    Public Open House, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
   LE Phillips Senior Center, Lower Level, 1616 Bellinger St, Eau Claire, WI 54703
   Meeting details
   Century Code Update project website (code drafts and other information)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire Housing Opportunities Commission
• Wednesday, Feb 12, 5:15 p.m. Meeting information

Altoona City Council
• Thursday, Feb 13, 6 p.m. Meeting information

Opportunity to Provide Public Input on the Future of Transportation in the Chippewa-Eau Claire Urbanized Area
Online survey now open, open houses in March
   The Chippewa-Eau Claire Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is updating the current MPO 2020-2045 Long Range Transportation Plan. The development and update (every five years) of the Long Range Transportation Plan is
required under the federal transportation legislation. The planning area includes the cities of Altoona, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire; the Village of Lake Hallie; portions of the towns of Anson, Eagle Point, Hallie, Lafayette, Tilden, and Wheaton, in Chippewa County; and Brunswick, Pleasant Valley, Seymour, Union, and Washington, in Eau Claire County.
   The process for updating the plan is currently in the early stages. MPO staff would like to hear what area residents think about the current transportation system in the region, as well as what they would like to see in the future. There are several ways that the public can give input. There will be three public open houses and an online survey. Open houses will allow people to comment on transportation issues and opportunities. For more information, contact Eric Anderson at eanderson@wcwrpc.org
More information:
Click here to take the survey
Open houses:
 • Tuesday, Mar 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Altoona, The Fish House, 418 9th St.
 • Thursday, Mar 6, 2-7 p.m., Eau Claire, Public Library, Room 104
 • Tuesday, Mar 11, 2-7 p.m. Chippewa Falls Public Library
Chippewa-Eau Claire MPO seeks public input on future of transportation (Leader-Telegram $)

More local stories...

Eggs & Issues recap: Tackling Our Childcare Challenges (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Panel says childcare access and affordability problems likely to get worse in June (Leader-Telegram $)

Volume One releases 2025 Best of Poll (Volume One) 

Altoona Middle School students explore careers at 'JA in a Day' (Leader-Telegram $)

UW-Eau Claire to offer majors in AI (WEAU 13 News)

Western Dairyland concerned over future of funds after recent freeze on money for child care program (WEAU 13 News)
County and city say federal funds continue to come in, but situation is being monitored (Leader-Telegram $)

Legendary Bob Dylan to Play The Sonnentag April 5 in First-Ever Eau Claire Show (Volume One)

L.E. Phillips Senior Center gifted $2.4 million from late community member (WQOW News 18)
L.E. Phillips Senior Center Receives Largest Donation in Its History (Volume One)

E.C. County Human Services Department Seeks Nominees For New Award (Volume One)

After serving Chippewa County for seven years, Randy Scholz reflects on his time as administrator (WQOW News 18)

Early voting open for Feb 18 State Supt Primary Election
   With the April 1 Spring Election approaching, local voters will have one statewide race on the Feb 18 Primary Election Ballot. Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly is being challenged by two candidates, Jeff Wright and Brittany Kinser. The Tuesday, February 18, Primary is being held to narrow the field to two candidates for the April 1 election.
   Early voting is open now through Friday, Feb 14, at local municipalities for voters who wish to cast early absentee ballots. On Election Day, Feb 18, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
   At the April election, in addition to the State Superintendent, key races will include a 10 year term on the State Supreme Court, and the five at-large seats on the Eau Claire City Council.
More information:
2025 Election Primary and Early Voting (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Spring Election 2025 (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Three candidates are running in the nonpartisan election for Wisconsin’s Superintendent of Public Instruction (Ballotpedia)
Brittany Kinser, Dr. Jill Underly and Jeff Wright face off in the 2025 primary for Wisconsin state superintendent (PBS Wisconsin)
Wisconsin state superintendent voter guide for spring 2025 primary: What 3 candidates say about ICE, school police, referendums and more (Journal-Sentinel +)

Former Chamber intern to speak at UWEC Menard Center event
Wisconsin’s Partial Veto: Power, Prosperity, and Constitutional Limits
Feb 12 UWEC presentation by Nathan Kane, WMC Litigation Center
   A former Chamber Governmental Affairs Intern will be returning to UWEC on February 12 to deliver a presentation for the University's Menard Center of Constitutional Studies.
   Nathan Kane is Deputy Director of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) Litigation Center. Kane, a UW–Eau Claire political science alumnus and UW Law graduate, brings expertise in legal and political matters impacting Wisconsin’s business landscape. With a foundation in public policy shaped through internships with U.S. House Representatives and the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce, Kane will provide valuable perspectives on how legislative and judicial decisions influence business and economic growth in Wisconsin.
   Kane was one of the Chamber's Governmental Affairs Interns during the 2017-18 academic year before going on to law school.
Wisconsin’s Partial Veto: Power, Prosperity, and Constitutional Limits
 • Wednesday, Feb 12, 5:30 p.m., Centennial Hall, Room 1804, UW-Eau Claire
    Click here for details and to register
    Other upcoming Menard Center events (UWEC Menard Center for
    Constitutional Studies)

Virtual Event: Report Card for Wisconsin's Infrastructure - Rail
Presented by the League of Women Voters and ASCE-WI (American Society of Civil Engineers) Speakers include Joanna Bush, PE, author of the ASCE Report Card on Rail; Lisa Stern, WisDOT Chief of Railroads and Harbors, and Scott Rogers, Eau Claire Chamber
 • Thursday, Feb 20, 12:00-1:30 p.m. via Zoom
    Click here for full details and to register 

More state and regional stories...

Wisconsin Legislature website (Wisconsin Legislature)
31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally (Mar 5, Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance)

Evers proposes $145M plan to address PFAS in his next budget for Wisconsin (WPR)
What Gov. Evers' PFAS proposal means for Eau Claire (WQOW News 18)

Funding for Wisconsin is in limbo after Trump administration halts EV charger program (WPR)

Wisconsin refugee resettlements see ‘devastating’ impact of frozen federal funds (WPR)

Wisconsin communities still turning to public safety referendums after passage of shared revenue law (WPR)

Wisconsin Supreme Court rules Meagan Wolfe can remain state’s top elections official (WPR)

‘Creative’ financing used for 74 affordable homes in Milwaukee (WPR)

Can the Minnesota House Salvage a Bipartisan Session? (Governing)