Brian Hagen

The meeting agenda included the introduction of the new Community Services Superintendent. Key discussion items involved the review of a proposed cell tower construction to ensure compliance with airport height limitations, and the handling of a hangar area lease transaction between the Estate of Ross Nelson and R&R Memorial, LLC, which required termination of the existing lease and creation of a new one. The commission also scheduled a closed session to conduct a performance review of Gibson Aviation Services, LLC.

The commission received a staffing update regarding personnel currently in the academy and those undergoing background checks. During the closed session, the commission reviewed employment, compensation, and performance evaluation data. Following the closed session, the commission authorized the Chief to offer conditional employment to one candidate and added a second individual to an eligibility list for future consideration.

The regular meeting of the City Council addressed several procedural and substantive matters. Key actions included the appointment of a replacement Ward #9 Alderperson, Chad Schlough, following a tied vote broken by the Mayor. The Council introduced, waived readings, and unanimously adopted Proposed Ordinance 2026-06, which repeals and recreates the chapter concerning Outdoor Food Stand/Mobile Food Unit Vendor Licenses. Furthermore, the council unanimously approved agreements and resolutions pertaining to the 2026-2028 Municipal Agreement for Storm Water Education and Outreach Coordination and the 2026-2028 Menomonie Farmers Market, Inc. Special Event Requests. Several special event requests for the Menomonie Baseball Association and Menomonie Junior Mustang softball tournament were also approved, contingent upon insurance proof in some cases. The agenda included presentations regarding Economic Development which resulted in no action being taken, and discussions on uncontrolled intersections. The council also appointed a member to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Following a closed session to discuss a potential industrial development land sale, the meeting adjourned.

The agenda included discussions and potential actions regarding sign color palettes and three separate Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications for murals proposed at 616 3rd Street East, 400 Main Street East, and 438 Main Street East. The accompanying staff comments detailed the consideration of color palettes from Nova Color, Ronan, and 1 Shot for signs, and provided justification for why the proposed murals, naming former local businesses, were considered exempt from standard signage regulations under City Code 9-6-5-C as works of art without commercial messages. Separately, the minutes from the February 9, 2026 meeting detailed discussions concerning the upcoming 'Murals in Menomonie' event, which involves the Walldogs organization, and resulted in the approval of the Benjamin Moore Historic Color Palette, Pittsburgh Paints Historic Color Palette, and Mautz Historic Colors of America Color Palette for building exteriors, while deferring sign paint discussion to a subsequent meeting.

Key discussions included updates on the Urban Forestry DNR Grant Project, which is currently under review, and planning for the 2026 Field Day for Tree Planting, focusing on volunteer coordination and tree protection methods. The board reviewed a draft flyer for Tree Planting/Tree Care Door Hanger and prioritized finalizing the Arbor Day event planning for the next meeting, including selecting the Friend of Forestry award recipient. New business involved addressing a potential vacancy on the board. The Urban Forester reported on ongoing tree removals and trimming activities at various locations, including Wolske Bay and Lakeside Park.