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Volume 5 , Issue 5, June 20, 2022
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Eggs & Issues: Planes, Trains, Automobiles & More... • Friday, Jul 15, 7:00-8:30 a.m., Pablo Center or online via Perigon Registration deadline 12:00 noon on Thursday, Jul 14 What's the future of transportation in Wisconsin and the Chippewa Valley? At this edition of Eggs & Issues, we'll take a look at what's happening with transportation trends in our current economy and the policy issues surrounding them, including implementation of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). We'll get a statewide perspective from Debby Jackson, Executive Director, Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin; an update on efforts to establish passenger rail service to Eau Claire from Scott Rogers, Chair, West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition; get details on progress on the new transit center under construction and planned route changes from Tom Wagener, Eau Claire Transit Manager; and hear the latest about Essential Air Service (EAS) decisions and local airline changes from Charity Zich, Airport Manager, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport. |
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In this issue: • City Council approves annexation, Niagara Waters proposal withdrawn • RDA approves MOU with Ambient Inks for Cannery District • Plan Commission: Proposed rezoning for SkyPark housing • Eau Claire County: 87 businesses and non-profits get ARPA grants • HSHS mental health needs survey for $15 million state funding • Chamber "Bravo to Business" Award Nominations open through Jun 30 • State and regional news • National and economic news • COVID-19 updates • Mark your calendar |
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City Council approves annexation Niagara Waters proposal withdrawn, Cannery Park plan approved The Eau Claire City Council voted 9-2 last Tuesday evening to approve the proposed annexation of 438 acres south of the City currently in the Town of Washington, described in its application "to allow a future residential development to have sanitary sewer and water main services when the City makes the services available." The annexation will be the first in a multi-step process leading to housing development. It will still require rezoning, a development plan, platting, and other approvals. The proposal included annexing part of the current Lowes Creek County Park, which would remain in that current use (see pages 234-241 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below). To be approved, the annexation required 8 of the 11 members to vote for it. During the meeting, some Council members wanted to postpone consideration to August to allow more time for interaction with current neighbors who oppose the annexation. However, the Council defeated the postponement 4-7. After extensive debate about the pros and cons, voting for annexation were Council Members Emily Anderson, Kate Beaton, Emily Berge, Jill Christopherson, Jeremy Gragert, Charlie Johnson, Roderick Jones, Joshua Miller, and Terry Weld. Voting "no" were Council Members Larry Mboga and Andrew Werthmann. Chamber supported annexation The Eau Claire Chamber supported the annexation as an important move to help address the community's critical housing shortage. As is often the case with new developments, a number of neighbors spoke at the Public Hearing opposing it. The Chamber provided a letter to the City Council which noted: "Among the most significant current challenges for our local economy are workforce development and housing supply. These issues are closely tied together because housing supply impacts the ability to meet the needs of a growing population, as well as affordability for all individuals and families. This annexation is a first step towards the development of additional housing supply in our community. This will help address the housing shortage while providing benefits for everyone towards attainability and affordability." Niagara Waters proposal postponed The Council had also been scheduled on Tuesday to vote on a development agreement for a proposed $65 million Niagara Waters plant on 30 acres in the Gateway Industrial Park. The plant would employ 58 positions with salaries starting at $50,000 and averaging $59,000. City of Eau Claire Economic Development Director Aaron White announced at the meeting that Niagara had requested the item be removed from the agenda. The Council then voted to postpone action indefinitely, which would require a change to the proposal if it is to be brought back to the Council within a year. The Niagara proposal generated hundreds of opposing comments to the City Council based upon fears generated regarding the City's water supply, and those who opposed the concept of bottled water as business. This despite the City's utility staff providing significant scientific evidence of adequate well capacity and resources in the aquifer. The Chamber supported the development agreement as a desirable and responsible project that would provide significant economic and employment benefits, increase the tax base, and create high-paying jobs. We communicated to City Council members that we were satisfied that the City staff had taken care to ensure that there is sufficient water capacity to provide for a successful project, and that safeguards are in place in case of future unforeseen circumstances. Cannery Park plan approved, ARPA work session held The City Council on Tuesday approved the rezoning and site plan for the proposed Cannery Park along the west side of the Chippewa River, along with related improvements to Oxford Ave., and Maple St. The plan comes after extensive public outreach to determine the uses and design of the six-acres to be encompassed by the new park (see pages 7-35 of the Monday Agenda Packet linked below). City Manager Stephanie Hirsch lead a public discussion after Tuesday's meeting regarding the potential allocation of the $13.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the City is receiving (see pages 43-46 of the Monday Agenda Packet). More information: Eau Claire City Council • Monday, June 13, Public Hearing (Agenda Packet, 48 pages) • Tuesday, June 14, Legislative Session (Agenda Packet, 270 pages) Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire) City Council Online Comment Form (City of Eau Claire) Annexation: City staff presentation on annexation Chamber annexation support letter (Eau Claire Chamber) Niagara Waters development agreement: EauClaireWI.gov/Niagara (City of Eau Claire web page with more detail) Chamber Niagara support letter (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce) It Seems to Me: Setting the record straight (Scott Rogers, Eau Claire Chamber, column in the Leader-Telegram) It Seems to Me: Project's positives outweigh negatives (Stephanie Hirsch, EC City Manager, column in the Leader-Telegram $) Our View: City seems to have data to back proposal (Leader-Telegram Editorial $) News coverage: Water bottling company withdraws before Eau Claire City Council vote (Leader-Telegram $) Eau Claire City Council approves controversial annexation (WQOW News 18) Company withdraws bottling facility proposal at City Council meeting (WEAU 13 News) Niagara Bottling Withdraws Plans for E.C. Plant (Volume One) Company pulls plans for Eau Claire water bottling plant (WPR) BIPOC group wants greater input in city's $13.5M ARPA proposal (Leader-Telegram $) Our View: Lessons from Tuesday's meeting (Leader-Telegram editorial $)
RDA approves MOU for Ambient Inks in Cannery District Discusses purchase agreement for another Merge apartment building At its meeting last Wednesday, the Eau Claire Redevelopment Authority (RDA) approved an MOU with Ambient Inks to negotiate terms for its planned construction of a $9 million facility north of the Brewing Projekt. It would provide the company, which creates and sells merchandise for music artists, authors, and businesses, an opportunity to expand and combine its office and production spaces. The Cannery District site would also include retail and public spaces. It fits the RDA's vision of continuing a "maker's district" theme for the area. (See pages 4-11 of the Agenda Packet linked below for more details, elevations, etc.) The RDA also began consideration of a purchase agreement with Merge Urban Development for the remaining "Liner Remnant" along the North Barstow Parking Ramp at Riverfront Terrace and Barstow streets, immediately south of the Eau Claire Children's Museum building currently under construction. Merge proposes a five-story building with commercial space on the ground floor and 52 apartment units including studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans. It would guarantee a minimum value of $8 million. The RDA postponed action on the purchase agreement to its next meeting on July 20. Merge is currently nearing completion of the Andante apartment building at 100 N. Farwell, across Barstow Street from the proposed site. More information: Redevelopment Authority • Wednesday, Jun 15, 7 p.m. Agenda Packet (24 pages) Merge Liner Site apartment concepts (5 pages) Redevelopment Authority (City of Eau Claire) Cannery District Redevelopment (City of Eau Claire) Ambient Inks plans to build in Cannery District (Leader-Telegram $) Merge plans building next to parking ramp, new museum (Leader-Telegram $) Andante apartment building (Merge Urban Development)
EC Plan Commission: Zoning for 96 apartments at Sky Park Aspen Meadows II development, N Clairemont coffee drive-thru, new TID At its Monday evening meeting, the Eau Claire Plan Commission will consider a rezoning for recommendation to the City Council for 4.5 acres in Sky Park from light industrial to multi-family residential to allow RyKey Properties to construct three buildings with 96 units, consisting of a combination of one- and two-bedroom apartments totaling 147 bedrooms. All of the units will fit the definition of workforce housing, with the developer agreeing to provide 10 of the one-bedroom units to be affordable to individuals who have income at 60% of the County Median Income (CMI). The development will be located at the corner of Craig Road and Hamilton Ave., on property less suited to industrial uses. (See pages 31-45 of the Agenda Packet linked below for more detailed information, including maps and elevations). Also on the Plan Commission's agenda are a rezoning for a 7Brew Coffee Shop to be located at N. Clairemont and Moholt Dr. (pages 4-30); a planned development to allow construction of a single family home by C&M Properties in Aspen Meadows II at 6140 Aspen Meadow Ct. (pages 46-51); a conditional use permit for Hope Gospel Mission to expand residential accommodations for its Renewed Hope program at 2650 Mercantile Dr. (pages 79-86); and a project plan for creation Tax Increment District (TID) No. 15, an overlay to current TID 9 at the Gateway Industrial Park to continue development of unimproved land in the area. More information: Eau Claire Plan Commission • Monday, Jun 20, 7 p.m. Agenda Packet (86 pages) Plan Commission website(City of Eau Claire) Link to videos of city meetings (City of Eau Claire) Living in Sky Park (Leader-Telegram $)
62 businesses, 25 non-profits get $5,000 County ARPA grants Next phase: 59 applications submitted for potential recovery projects The agenda for the Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday evening includes an update from the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (WCWRPC) on disbursements from the $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds the County allocated for small businesses and non-profits. The County hired WCWRPC to administer that program, which is a portion of the total of $20 million in federal ARPA funds it is receiving (see pages 24-34 of the Agenda Packet linked below). The first phase had a deadline of April 26 for businesses with less than 20 employees and 501c3 non-profits to apply for individual $5,000 grants. A total of 87 eligible applications were received - 62 businesses and 25 non-profits - for a total of $435,000 awarded. A list of recipients is included in WCWRPC's report in the Agenda Packet. The second phase invited the applications from organizations or businesses meeting the same eligibility criteria to apply for grants between $10,000 and $100,000 "for forward thinking and innovative projects, programs, or efforts that would assist the greater community in recovering from the pandemic." Those applications were due by May 16. A total of 59 applications were received, requesting $4.5 million of the approximately $1.5 million still available. WCWRPC will be working with the ARPA Committee appointed by the County to review and score those applications, with awardees anticipated to be determined in August. Starlink report, Broadband ARPA funding request The County Board will also get a report on the County's satellite-based Starlink internet service pilot currently being utilized by 50 customers in rural Eau Claire County, and will act on a recommendation from the Committee on Administration to allocate $99,576 in ARPA funding to United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley and the Eau Claire County Broadband Expansion project (see pages 35-44 and pages 88-90 of the Agenda Packet). More information: Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors • Tuesday, Jun 21, 7 p.m. Agenda Packet County Board District Representatives County ARPA Committee (Eau Claire County) Starlink impresses in county update (Leader-Telegram $)
Community mental health needs survey: Help HSHS implement $15 million in state funding The current Wisconsin state budget included $15 million to expand mental health beds in the Chippewa Valley. As part of the plan to implement the intent of that legislation, HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls are asking the public to participate in a survey to help more specifically identify the unmet mental health needs in our community. Click here to take the survey (Deadline Jun 30)
City of EC accepting Public Street Art applications Click here for information and an application packet (select and click "Public Street Art")
Chamber "Bravo to Business" award nominations now open June 30 nomination deadline for Sep 14 awards event For almost 20 years, the Eau Claire Area Chamber has recognized businesses of all sizes, entrepreneurs, and business leaders for their contributions to the business community. In 2021, the Chamber launched “Bravo to Business” by revamping and adding to its award categories. Bravo to Business will focus on our businesses and community development for their significant role in driving the city’s business community and economic growth. This event will be held on Wednesday, Sep 14, in conjunction with National Chamber of Commerce Month. Award applicants are narrowed down to three finalists in each category. The finalists and winners will be announced at the awards ceremony. Nomination Process Anyone can nominate a business for an award on the Chamber's website, including self nominations. Categories include: Small Business of the Year - Less than 50 full-time employees; Business of the Year - More than 50 full-time employees; Emerging Business of the Year - Operating for less than 3 years; Community Economic Development Project of the Year; and Young Professionals Best Place to Work. Click here for information and to nominate a business (deadline June 30) • Mark your calendar for Wednesday evening, Sep 14, for "Bravo to Business"
Leader Ethics recognition event Principles in Practice Award - Tommy Thompson An opportunity to join Leader Ethics, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that promotes ethical leadership in government, in recognizing Tommy Thompson for his recent leadership as Interim President of the UW System. • Wednesday, June 22, 12:00-12:30 p.m., virtual event Click here for details and free registration
Safe Kids. Safe Communities. An event for area parents with the Eau Claire Police Dept. to equip them with the most up-to-date strategies, resources, and language to teach their children how to identify safe and unsafe situations and know how to respond to stay safe. • Thursday, June 23, 6:00-7:30 p.m., CVTC Business Education Center Click here for details and registration
More local news:
Power providers: Challenges await with push to renewable energy (Leader-Telegram $)
Thrillist Dubs E.C. One of America's ‘Coolest’ Once Again (Volume One)
Sculpture Tour Eau Claire Aims for Growth (Volume One)
Badger Boys State makes UW-Eau Claire debut (Leader-Telegram $)
Roy Atkinson Top Choice for Chelsea City Manager (Chelsea Update)
New Owners, Same Connell’s: Connell’s Supper Club and Connell’s Club 12 Get New Owners (Volume One)
Additional donation supports track and field renovations for Memorial High (Leader-Telegram $)
THE STAGE IS SET: Pablo Center Unveils Season 5 Lineup (Volume One)
Our View: CVTC-UW System Degree deal good for students, schools (Leader-Telegram editorial $) |
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