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Volume 8, Issue 5, Jun 16, 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-4:30p, Friday 8a-12n
Closed Fridays in July

In this issue:
 • EC Zoning Code pre-adoption open houses on Tuesday, June 17
 • City of EC to host Municipal Budget Forum Sunday, June 22
 • EC City Council work session: Moving towards downtown parking decisions
 • South Middle School student wins State Civics Bee
 • Wisconsin, EC County: Record tourism economic impact in 2024
 • JFC continues work on state budget
 • National and economic news
 • 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 "+"

Today...
Business Community Reception
for newly-elected public officials
   Join us for a special meet-and-greet in honor of newly elected local public officials. This is a valuable, informal opportunity to get acquainted with these new office holders, talk about local government issues important to your business, and learn more about why they decided to serve in public office. There is no formal program and no charge to participate.
   Confirmed to attend are new Altoona City Council Member Bruce Thielen, and new Eau Claire City Council Members Nate Otto and Ethan Reed.
• Monday, June 16, 4:00-5:30 p.m., Chamber Office, WNB Conference Room
   Click here for details  

Last chance to register...
Eggs & Issues: Parking and the downtown EC experience
   Along with the significant development and growth in downtown Eau Claire over the past two decades has come growing pains, including what to do about parking. The City commissioned a comprehensive downtown parking study last year, and is now in the midst of determining whether and how to implement its various recommendations. At this edition of Eggs & Issues, we'll hear how business and community feedback are being incorporated into decisions scheduled to be made soon by the City Council. We'll also touch on other key aspects of the downtown experience for visitors, businesses, and residents, including the new Street Ambassador program. Joining us will be Dave Solberg, Deputy City Manager; Stephney Brick, Block-by-Block Operations Manager; and Julia Johnson, partner with the Pablo Group.
• Thursday, June 19, 7:00-8:30 a.m., CVTC Business Education Center
   Click here for details and to register  

Next Eggs & Issues topics...
• Legislative Breakfast - Thursday, July 24
• Higher Education in the Chippewa Valley - Thursday, Aug 21
• The Economic Impact of Local Tourism - Friday, Sep 19

Also for your calendar...
• Celebrate the 715 - Saturday, June 21
• Morning Momentum - Tuesday, July 15

• 32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Thursday, Feb 19, Madison

Eau Claire Zoning Code Update: Pre-Adoption
Open Houses Tuesday noon and evening
   The City of Eau Claire is holding two public open houses this Tuesday to provide an opportunity "to examine, discuss, and comment on the contents" of the draft zoning code rewrite expected to be considered by the City Council in July.
   "The Project Team will be available throughout the community open house to present material, answer questions, and get feedback before initiating the approval process" according to the City's invitation to the event. 
   A complete rewrite of the City of Eau Claire's zoning code has been underway since 2023. The process has been dubbed the "Century Code Update," commemorating the 100th anniversary of the City's first zoning ordinance. The process has been led by City Planning Manager Ned Noel with the assistance of a consultant, under the direction of the Zoning Policy Advisory Committee (ZPAC) consisting of the City Council and Plan Commission.
Purposes of zoning rewrite
   Since the City's latest significant overhaul occurred over 33 years ago, there was a consensus among City leadership and local industry that it was time to review and update the code based upon current housing and economic needs, as well as incorporating best practices. A project overview presentation from February 2024 enumerated 12 primary purposes of the initiative (click here and see pages 7-8 for the complete list), including such goals as "Produce more housing supply, diversity of choices, and affordability," "Improve development process certainties," "Lessen pressure on sprawl and environmental and habitat degradation," "Produce more complete streets and neighborhoods with housing choices, commercial and jobs within walking distance," "Reduce exclusionary zoning practices," and "Educate with evidence-based literature/data on the need for zoning reforms and associated co-benefits."
Chamber supports efforts to enhance housing supply, affordability
   The Chamber has been closely watching and involved in the code update process. Its Business Issues Agenda supports the process to "Update zoning codes and policies to eliminate outdated and arbitrary standards in order to encourage infill development, creation of missing middle housing types, a greater diversity of housing choices, compact growth, efficiency of public resources, and the ability to build the types of housing demanded by the marketplace. It is also important to reduce uncertainty in the development process, develop objective standards that can be adhered to without subjective approval processes, and respect property rights."
   In a May 5 letter to ZPAC, the Chamber referenced concerns about some provisions in the draft that could negatively impact supply and affordability. The Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association and the City's Housing Opportunities Commission provided similar input. The Chamber letter encouraged policymakers to "carefully consider the supply and affordability consequences" of the issues highlighted there, while supporting the overall goals of the rewrite.
Full draft code now on project website, Council action in July
   The City Planning Department has posted online the full draft 425-page document. The Plan Commission will review the final draft at it June 30 meeting, and the City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider adoption at its July 21-22 meetings. It is possible that some amendments may be proposed by Council members to address concerns expressed related to supply and affordability.
More information:
Century Code Update Pre-Adoption Open Houses
 • Tuesday, June 17, LE Phillips Memorial Public Library
      11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Century Code Update full website (City of Eau Claire)
Comments and Recommendations about the Proposed Zoning Code (Chippewa Valley Home Builders Association)
Letter from Housing Opportunities Commission (City of Eau Claire, Housing Opportunities Commission)
Chamber letter to ZPAC (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
City to host final Century Code Update open houses (WQOW News 18)

City of EC to host Municipal Budget Forum Sunday, June 22
   The City of Eau Claire is inviting residents to participate in a Municipal Budget Forum on Sunday afternoon, June 22, at the Brewing Projekt.
   "Learn budget basics and ask any questions on your mind" about municipal finance and the City's budget process, according the invitation in City Manager Stephanie Hirsch's weekly update. The event is being organized by Hirsch and City Council Member Aaron Brewster.
More information:
Municipal Budget Forum
 • Sunday, June 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m., The Brewing Project
 Budget Process and current documents (City of Eau Claire)

EC City Council holds downtown parking work session
   After its Tuesday Legislative Session last week, the Eau Claire City Council conducted a work session to consider potential Council direction on implementation of the downtown parking study conducted by a consultant last year. Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg presented two alternatives, one that would implement more limited paid parking in 2026 and later centralize parking administration and hire a full time manager, and the other implementing new parking administration but with a more aggressive start to paid parking.
   The Chamber wrote to City Council members on June 9, noting its position on parking and other downtown issues as articulated in its Business Issues Agenda, pointing out that the consultant strongly recommended centralizing the parking management and communications function.
   Parking and the downtown experience will be the topic of the Chamber's next Eggs & Issues breakfast on Thursday, June 19. Click here for details. 
More information:
Parking alternatives presentation (Dave Solberg, City of Eau Claire)
Chamber letter - downtown parking (Eau Claire Chamber)
City News Updates -incl. City Manager's Update (City of Eau Claire)
Current N Barstow St Construction Info (DECI)

Meeting this week...
Full public meetings calendar

Eau Claire Plan Commission
• Monday, June 16, 6 p.m. Meeting information
Planning Commission to discuss three new housing developments (WQOW News 18)

Altoona Board of Education
• Monday, June 16, 6:30 p.m. Meeting information 

Chippewa-St. Croix Rail Commission
• Tuesday, June 17, 8:30 a.m. Meeting information 

Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, June 17, 7 p.m. Meeting information