Altoona City Council Meeting - February 27, 2025

The Altoona City Council met on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Mayor Brendan Pratt presided. Councilpersons Timothy Lima, Matthew Bieran, Caitlin Leopold, and Susan Rowe were present; Councilperson Dale Stuber was absent. Also present were City Administrator Michael Golat, Attorney Sam Bach Hansen, Director of Public Works Scott Quick, City Engineer Christian Hubert, Planning Director Taylor Greenwell, and City Clerk Cindy Bauer. The meeting covered reports, approval of minutes, and two ordinances.

Reports

• Mayor Pratt reported that he and staff met with Visit Eau Claire for a strategic planning session, completing a SWOT analysis for recreation and tourism in Altoona.
• Director of Public Works Scott Quick reported on CPR/AED training conducted by Chief Renderman for city staff, and that the city has purchased four or five AED enclosures to be installed on the outside of buildings in parks for public access.

Discussion Items

Item 1: Approval of Minutes

A motion by Councilperson Lima, seconded by Councilperson Leopold, approved the minutes of the February 13, 2025 regular council meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 2: Ordinance 2B-25 – Amendment to Building Permit Fee Schedule

City Administrator Mike Golat presented the ordinance, which amends Chapter 3.08, Addendum A of the city fee schedule for building permits. The change establishes a $15,000 cap on permit fees for remodels and expansions, and gives the building official discretion to waive fees for future permits tied to the same project. The impetus was the Oak Crest project, where the permit fee exceeded $15,000 due to a total project value of approximately $30,000. Councilperson Lima moved to approve, Councilperson Rowe seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Item 3: Ordinance 2C-25 – Deferment of Water and Sewer Connection Requirement

Mike Golat explained that the ordinance was prompted by a case involving the Bowers family, who own a property on KB Avenue. The city extended sewer to KB Avenue in 2019 but failed to notify the Bowers to connect. In the meantime, they invested in upgrades to their septic and well systems. The new ordinance provides two mechanisms for deferment:

1. If the city fails to notify a property owner in a timely manner and the owner makes investments in their existing systems, the council may defer the connection requirement for up to five years.
2. For newly installed systems, a schedule grants deferment proportional to the system’s age (e.g., a 1-year-old system gets 10 years to connect, a 6-year-old system gets 5 years).

Additionally, the notification period was extended from 90 days to six months to provide a favorable weather window.

During discussion, Ms. Bowers addressed the council, explaining that the house was built in 1969 and that upgrades to the septic system (about ten years ago) and the water system (last year after a lightning strike) were significant investments. She expressed a desire for a longer deferment or one that lasts until the house is sold, as the cost of connection ($17,000 average bid) is burdensome. She stated she would comply with the law but noted that five years essentially kicks the can down the road.

Council members debated the policy, with some arguing that five years is generous and that most cities have no deferment provisions at all. The council decided to maintain the text as drafted, providing for up to a five-year deferment for the Bowers-type situation, to be granted by council upon application. Councilperson Leopold moved to approve, Councilperson Rowe seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the minutes of the February 13, 2025 meeting.
• Approved Ordinance 2B-25, amending the building permit fee schedule with a $15,000 cap on remodel/expansion permits.
• Approved Ordinance 2C-25, amending Title 13 to allow deferment of water/sewer connection requirements under specific conditions, including up to five years when city failed to notify and the owner invested in existing systems.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM.