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Volume 7, Issue 29, Dec 2, 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 Plan Commission: Recommendation on Short Term Rentals ordinances,
    Chamber opposes severe restrictions
 • Window now open for collecting ballot signatures for Spring election,
    City of Eau Claire to hold "How to Run for City Council" session
 • Alaska middle school student wins 2024 National Civics Bee,
    2025 competition now open with local Eau Claire contest
 • 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 region beginning in January. This is an excellent opportunity to hear the key priorities that our local lawmakers will be taking to Madison for the 2025-27 budget session. 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

Also for your calendar...
• Business After Hours - Monday, Dec 9
• Eau What A Night - 110th Chamber Annual Meeting - Thursday, Jan 30
• 31st Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Wednesday, March 5

EC Plan Commission Monday agenda: Recommendation
on proposed Short Term Rental ordinances
Chamber opposes severe restrictions that would inhibit local tourism
   At its Monday meeting, the Eau Claire Plan Commission will discuss proposed new ordinances related to Short Term Rentals (STRs) that would introduce city licensing, while also severely restricting offerings by newly-licensed STRs to stays of 7 days or more and limiting their availability to one 180-day period each year. STRs typically are booked through Airbnb and VRBO. (See pages 40-59 of the Plan Commission Agenda Packet to see the proposed language.)
   The Chamber last Tuesday 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.
Visit Eau Claire: Proposal would put EC "at a competitive disadvantage"
   Visit Eau Claire (VEC) Executive Director Kenzi Havlicek released a statement she plans to deliver 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.
   The Plan Commission will formally make a recommendation to the City Council related to one of the two ordinances, the Zoning Amendment. The other, which is the one that includes the licensing and duration requirements, will not be a formal recommendation, but "Plan Commission comments on supplemental ordinance 5.66 will be recorded in the minutes of this meeting," according to the staff memo accompanying the language. The City Council will have the ordinances on its agenda for its December 9-10 meetings. Opportunities for public comment will be available at the Plan Commission meeting this Monday, and at the Eau Claire City Council meeting on December 9.
Warehouse zoning, Hogeboom B&B also on agenda
   Other items on the Plan Commission agenda include a recommendation related rezoning property at 6325 Sculy Drive for warehouse space, and a Conditional use Permit for a Bed and Breakfast at 1318 Hogeboom Ave. See the Agenda Packet linked below.
More information:
Eau Claire Plan Commission
2024 Work Program
• Monday, Dec 2, 6 p.m. Agenda Packet (59 pages)
Eau Claire City Council
   Contact information: City Council members (City of Eau Claire)
Visit Eau Claire statement on Short Term Rentals (Visit Eau Claire)
Chamber letter to City Council, Plan Commission (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
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)

Also meeting this week...
Full public meetings schedule

Eau Claire Board of Education
• Monday, Dec 2, 7 p.m.  Meeting information

Eau Claire County Board of Supervisors
• Tuesday, Dec 3, 7 p.m. Meeting information

Spring Election features statewide Supreme Court, DPI races,
local 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.
Eau Claire to hold "How to Run for City Council" session
   The City of Eau Claire is hosting an informational session for individuals who may be interested in seeking a seat on City Council at the April 1, 2025, Spring Election. Among the non-partisan offices on the ballot next Spring are the five at-large seats on the Eau Claire City Council. Candidates must file nominating petitions by January 7 and can begin collecting signatures on December 1. The meeting will cover the process for running for office and an overview of the responsibilities of a City Council member.
   Elected at-large council members 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 elected in 2024, and the City Council President seat up next in 2026.
More information:
City Council Candidate Information Session
• Wednesday, Dec 4, 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers, 203 S. Farwell St.  
   Click here for information 
Eau Claire to host “How to run for City Council” information session (Leader-Telegram $)
‘How to Run for City Council’ Informational Session (WEAU 13 News)
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 +)
Douglas Hoffer seeks election as Eau Claire County Circuit Court judge (WEAU 13 News)
Douglas Hoffer seeking election to seat of Eau Claire County Circuit Court judge (WQOW News 18)
Joshua Miller announced re-election campaign for Eau Claire City Council (WEAU 13 News)
Eau Claire County Municipalities Town of Washington, Town of Seymour and City of Eau Claire Complete Post-Election Audit (WEAU 13 News)
Post-election audit complete, no discrepancies found in Eau Claire County municipalities (WQOW News 18)

More election stories...
Updated US House election results (AP)
Full election results: State Senate (WPR)
Full election results: State Assembly (WPR)
Election Results 2024: Key Wisconsin Races (WPR)
Full local election results (Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce)
Voters’ feelings about economy decided election, says Marquette pollster (WPR)
GOP Losses Will Test Vos, LeMahieu (Steven Walters, Urban Milwaukee)
Democrats gain ground in Wisconsin after new legislative maps take effect (The Badger Herald)
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler announces run to lead Democratic National Committee (WEAU 13 News)
John Fetterman Wants Democrats to Stop Freaking Out (New York Times +)
Publisher of ‘2,000 Mules’ election conspiracy theory film issues apology (NPR)

Health Cooperative to release hospital feasibility report December 9
   The Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative, which is pursuing the creation of a local community hospital, last week announced that it will hold a Community Information Meeting on Monday evening, December 9, to release the results of a feasibility study and share plans for the new independent community hospital.
   "The expert third-party feasibility study we commissioned to help determine configuration, location, and sustainability factors for a new independent hospital is complete," said a news release from the Cooperative. "This report examined many different variables and focused on the unique healthcare situation in the Chippewa Valley. The report identifies clear gaps and clearly supports the need for a new, full-service hospital here."
  The 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:
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative announcement (Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative)
Chippewa Valley Health Cooperative moving forward with plans for new hospital (WQOW News 18)

More local stories...

Service providers discuss causes as city's homeless population grows (Leader-Telegram $)
'It’s just trying to survive:' Trying to break the cycle of homelessness (Leader-Telegram $)
Hope for the future as city services aid the homeless (Leader-Telegram $)
Our View: Communication, coordination needed on homelessness (Leader-Telegram editorial $)

Health Department encourages vaccinations in anticipation of winter gatherings (Leader-Telegram $)

DECI DIVISION: Nonprofit Downtown-Boosting Group Officially Separates from City (Volume One)

Eau Claire Economic Development seeks to bring in new businesses through website upgrade (Leader-Telegram $)
New website (City of Eau Claire)

Eau Claire-Twin Cities passenger rail project on track (The Business News)
Amtrak notches ridership and revenue record for fiscal 2024: Analysis (Trains +)

Raising Cane’s announces opening date for Eau Claire restaurant (WEAU 13 News)
Raising Cane’s Newest Location Opens in Eau Claire Dec. 3 (Volume One)

Leinie Lodge to continue tours amid closure (WEAU 13 News)

US Supreme Court considering gender identity case against ECASD (WQOW News 18)

CF school board looking at huge deficits, even with new referendum (Leader-Telegram $)

Chamber Talking Po!nt Podcast
City Budgets and their impact on business
Chamber President & CEO Dave Minor and Vice President of Governmental Affairs Scott Rogers talk with Eau Claire City Manager Stephanie Hirsch about how fiscal decisions at the city level impact infrastructure, workforce development, and economic growth.
Click here to listen (46:34)

Volume One "Best of" Voting Ends Dec 6 at Midnight
Categories with Chamber-related nominations:
 Best Local Business Advocate
 Best Networking Group or Event (Business After Hours, Leadership Eau Claire, Young Professionals)
 Best Place to Meet New People (Young Professionals)
 Biggest Thing We Should Make Happen Soon (Passenger Rail)
 Voting in all categories

Alaska middle school student wins 2024 National Civics Bee
2025 competition now open with local Eau Claire contest
   Emily Brubaker, a middle schooler from Alaska, has been named the winner of the 2024 National Civics Bee®, a nationwide competition launched by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to encourage young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Twenty-seven student finalists from across America competed in the inaugural National Civics Bee Championship held in the nation’s capital, showcasing their civic knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The local DeLong Middle School student who won the first Wisconsin Civics bee earlier this year, Rya Mousavi of Eau Claire represented our state at the event.
   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 on April 12. The portal for essay submissions is now open, with a deadline of February 4, 2025. Click here for details.
More information:
Alaska Middle School Student Wins America’s First National Civics Bee Championship (US Chamber of Commerce)
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)

State and regional stories...

Gov. Evers kicks off 4th annual Budget Listening Session Tour (WKOW)

Falling enrollment plagues many UW campuses. UW-Green Bay is framing the problem differently (Journal-Sentinel +)
Enrollment is up or stabilizing at four UW branch campuses (including UWEC-Barron County) and dropping at five campuses (Journal-Sentinel +)

UWEC placed among top study abroad institutions for their second year in a row (Leader-Telegram $)

Marquette faculty vote no-confidence in new president and chief operating officer (Journal-Sentinel +)

Wisconsin leaders weigh in on Trump’s comments about higher ed (The Cap Times)

'Bitterly polarized': State Supreme Court justices issued fewest decisions in at least 27 years (Journal-Sentinel +)
Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser dies at 81 (WISN)

Vos ‘hopes’ Michael Gableman gets disbarred for 2020 election review actions (WPR)

Wisconsin Hospital Association to replace retiring CEO with senior VP of government relations (Wisconsin State Journal +)

Only 30% of Wisconsin Hospitals Obey Federal Price Transparency Rules (Urban Milwaukee)

Trade and trade-offs: Business expert sees opportunities for Wisconsin during second Trump administration (WPR)

Fact check: No, Wisconsin’s electric and energy costs are not 'some of the highest' (Journal-Sentinel +)

Milwaukee City Council Rejects Mayor’s Vetoes, Finalizes 2025 Budget (Urban Milwaukee)

Delegates set Superior Days legislative agenda (Superior Telegram +)

Beloit-Janesville bus line could be discontinued after 2025 (Beloit Daily News +)

Milwaukee Public Schools has submitted its 2023 financial reports; now the DPI is waiting for Baker Tilly to finish its audit (Journal-Sentinel +)