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In this issue of the Business Advocate
• EC City Council: Housing Our Neighbors report, Eaux Claires Festival
• Altoona nearing completion of zoning code update, open house on Tuesday
• Joint Finance Committee releases Rogers Behavioral Health grant
• Federal and economic news
• Food for thought
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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Join us on Thursday...
Eau What A Night: The Chamber's 111th Annual Meeting - February 12
Last chance to register...
32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally - Thursday, Feb 19
Organized by the Chippewa Valley Chamber Alliance representing
the Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Menomonie Chambers of Commerce
If you plan to attend, you're strongly encouraged to register by the middle of this week.
This annual event is a unique opportunity to bring a collective voice on regional and state economic priorities to Madison all at one time. This year's trip will be important to strengthen relationships with legislators, express thanks for accomplishments, and highlight issues that still need attention.
Click here to see the 2026 Issues Book.
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:
32nd Annual Chippewa Valley Rally
• Thursday, February 19, Madison
Click here for details and to register
Eggs & Issues: Altoona's innovative housing initiatives
Addressing housing supply and affordability has long been a policy priority for the City of Altoona, already known for its innovative Solis Circle affordable housing community. At this edition of Eggs & Issues, we'll learn how the city plans to deploy the $6 million affordable housing fund created from its recent tax increment district closure, discuss plans underway for its 80 acre east side development to include a new model for housing at attainable price points, and look at aspects of its new zoning code designed to achieve housing goals. City leaders will detail the 12 principles guiding their efforts and the importance of key partnerships in achieving success. The discussion will include Mayor Brendan Pratt, City Administrator Mike Golat, Grant and Housing Program Manager Julian Emerson, and co-owner of C&M Home Builders & Real Estate Cody Filipczak.
Event information:
Eggs & Issues: Altoona's innovative housing initiatives
• Friday, Feb 27, 7:30-9:00 a.m., River Prairie Center, Altoona
Click here for details and to register
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Eau Claire City Council: Housing Our Neighbors
report, Eaux Claires Music Festival
The Eau Claire City Council meets this week, with its Monday Public Hearing agenda including a public discussion as the Council considers accepting the report from the Housing Our Neighbors Planning Collaborative, and public hearings on several street, utility, and sidewalk improvements.
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. The Council will hear input regarding the report on Monday, then vote on accepting the report at its Tuesday Legislative Session (see pages 34-54 of the Monday Agenda Packet).
Also on Tuesday, the Council will vote on the projects for which there are public hearings on Monday, including those on Arthur, Cameron, Forest, Gray, Maple, Mappa, Sara, and South Dewey streets (see pages 6-33 of the Monday Agenda Packet linked below).
Eaux Claires Festival
Tuesday's Business Agenda includes two items related to the planned July 24-25 Eaux Claires Music Festival: Authorizing the event to be conducted at Carson Park, and an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the use of City facilities and resources (see pages 51-71 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet linked below).
Post-meeting sessions planned: Labor negotiations, City Manager's performance evaluation, downtown Eau Claire Main Street program
After both meetings this week, the Council will hold additional sessions: On Monday, it will go into closed session to discuss negotiations with two labor unions, Fire Fighters Local 487 and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1310 (see page 92 of the Monday Agenda Packet). It will also have a closed session to conduct the annual performance review of City Manager Stephanie Hirsch (page 93 of the Monday Agenda Packet). On Tuesday, the Council will conduct a work session related to the Wisconsin Main Street Program presented by Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. (DECI) (see pages 234-260 of the Tuesday Agenda Packet).
More information:
Eau Claire City Council
• Monday, Feb 9, 6 p.m., Public Hearing Agenda Packet (93 pages)
• Tuesday, Feb 10, 4 p.m. Legislative Session Agenda Packet (262 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)
Comprehensive Plan website (City of Eau Claire)
Full report - Housing Our Neighbors Collaborative (Housing Our Neighbors)
EC County DHS - Housing Collaborative website (Eau Claire County)
One Better Way: Day Resource Center/Community Haven House (Western Dairyland)
Addressing Homelessness: Community collaboration shares action plan for growing crisis (Leader-Telegram $)
Community leaders confident after launch of new homeless initiative plan (WQOW News 18)
‘Eggs and Issues’ event tackles topic of homelessness in Eau Claire (WEAU 13 News)
Eaux Claires Music Festival seeks to host event at Carson Park (WEAU 13 News)
City of Eau Claire seeks Strategic Plan feedback
In her most recent City Manager's Weekly Update, Eau Claire City Manager Stephanie Hirsch invited citizens to review and provide input into the City's draft Strategic Plan Update.
"We have been working on an update to our Strategic Plan for the last couple of years," she said. "We are also working on a process to create consistency across different planning tools, and to update the public on the work activities and metrics associated with each “community value” and high-level goal."
Click here to view the Strategic Plan Draft (City of Eau Claire)
City of Eau Claire pushes for industrial business development ahead of Comp.
lan update (WQOW News 18)
City of Altoona: Zoning Open House on Tuesday
The City of Altoona is nearing completion of its zoning code update. The next step is an open house on Tuesday afternoon on the completed draft, with an opportunity for public input on the proposed new ordinance and zoning map. Then, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the Plan Commission will consider the ordinance before it goes to the City Council later this month.
More information:
Altoona Open House on proposed zoning updates
• Tuesday, Feb 10, 3:00-4:30 p.m., The Fish House Agenda
City of Altoona Plan Commission | |
