City of Stevens Point

The meeting included the approval of the December 1st meeting minutes. The primary focus involved public hearings related to a proposed development in the northeast quadrant of Hoover Road and County Road HH, which included the creation of three proposed lots serviced by a new city public street. Specific agenda items addressed conditional use permits for a QuickTrip convenience store/gas station, a car wash, and an off-premise sign. Discussions also detailed the requirements of the groundwater protection ordinance, specifically referencing the shift in policy post-2022 regarding conditional uses for gas stations. Significant attention was given to the 30 proposed conditions for the gas station permit, including double-walled tanks and monitoring, and a newly introduced condition (21) mandating that any spills be remediated at the owner's expense to pose no risk to the municipal water supply. Condition 27 required a waiver from the county highway committee for an access point off County Road HH, and condition 30 allowed staff to approve minor site plan amendments.

The primary discussion focused on requests for 2025 out-of-state travel for staff training, which were moved for approval covering multiple departments including Park and Recreation, Community Development, Police, Personnel, and Public Works/Fire. A significant portion of the meeting addressed the request to move the Permit Technician position from 32 hours to a permanent 40-hour full-time role within Community Development due to increased permit volume and complexity, which has led to significant delays (currently 5 weeks behind for over-the-counter permits) and accrued compensatory time for existing staff. The Director detailed that while the requested change would address immediate compensatory time issues, it would not resolve the underlying staffing crisis, and future proposals for funding additional positions or increasing permit fees would be necessary for 2025. Separately, a request from the Fire Chief for a Limited Term Employee Creation Manager was withdrawn.

The Finance Committee meeting agenda primarily addressed financial requests and updates related to the Giry Willet Community Stadium project. Key discussions included an ask for authorization of up to $50,000 in additional funding for necessary repairs to the Willet Arena, driven by unforeseen issues discovered within the 1980s structure concerning roofing deck flammability and fire barrier code compliance in newly constructed sections. The presentation detailed extensive work on the building's interior, including necessary moisture barrier corrections on existing walls due to outdated construction methods, and improvements to the office space for increased staffing capacity. Significant capital was spent on foundation work, specifically driving helical piles deeper than anticipated due to poor soil conditions (previously absorbed by fundraising efforts). The committee also received updates on completed field improvements, which feature state-of-the-art padding, new video boards, and sound systems. Furthermore, details were provided regarding the implementation of a 15-year reciprocity agreement with school systems and user groups, which guarantees the city $3 million in income over that period, and necessary upgrades to restrooms and the main registration counter to meet ADA compliance.

The Finance Committee meeting included the selection of a Vice-Chair by acclamation. Key discussions revolved around financial restructuring via Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The committee addressed a capital reallocation for the Parks Department to address the swimming pool situation and discussed plans for future park maintenance obligations. Furthermore, the committee reviewed the creation of three new TIF districts (TIF A for Convent/Division Street North, TIF B for Church Street/Industrial Park, and a potential layering of TIF 5). Specific focus was placed on TIF A, which includes the convent property and adjacent parcels for potential high-density residential redevelopment, involving significant asbestos abatement costs for the historic structures. The process for TIF creation, involving review by the Planning Commission and the Joint Review Board, was explained. The layering of TIFs, which allows new increment to go to a new TIF while maintaining the existing TIF's base value, was also detailed.

The primary agenda item for this session was the ratification to approve the 2024 through 2026 collective bargaining agreement with Stevens Point City Central Transportation employees Local 309 A CME AFL-CIO. Committee members offered compliments to the staff and leaders for negotiating what was described as a person-centered contract, which resulted in all parties being satisfied.