Altoona City Council Meeting - July 24, 2025

Mayor Brendan Pratt convened the regular Common Council meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The council approved the July 10, 2025 minutes, closed the Citizens Participation Period with no speakers, and acted on a facility agreement, a council appointment, a sponsorship, and a series of downtown, DORA, parking, and traffic ordinances. Department head reports were waived. Unless noted, motions were approved by voice vote with no announced opposition.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No one spoke during the Citizens Participation Period.
• Dave Kenyon, owner of the building housing the post office and his dental office, spoke during the Division Street parking item. He generally supported the proposal but asked the council to consider a yellow no-parking line in front of the mailbox and back to the driveway to prevent parking in front of his office.

Discussion Items

• Compassion Coalition Agreement: Staff recommended approving an agreement to let the Compassion Coalition use a small garage space in the old county shop buildings at the Public Works Shop. The coalition is losing its school-based space by fall; the city was its original partner and considers the service critical. The agreement has no rent; the coalition will pay $10 per month per refrigeration unit for utility use, and the city can terminate on short notice if it needs the space. Council approved.
• District 5 Council Appointment: Two candidates applied to fill the vacancy for District 5, Wards 9 and 10 through April 2026. Susan Nelson Zilmer described experience as a town clerk, county and federal government work, and service on a sand-mining investigative committee. Ryan Ludi described experience as a critical care paramedic, former executive director of United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, and work in banking and homeownership. A written ballot was 5-1 for Zilmer, and a subsequent motion to appoint her carried. Outgoing Councilmember Caitlin Leopold was recognized with a plaque.
• Lions Club Container Park Sponsorship: Staff reported that the Altoona Lions Club offered a $5,000 sponsorship over five years for site furnishings, primarily elevated seating at the Container Park, with the upper seating area named Lions Den and a sign placed and maintained by the Lions Club. Council approved.
• DORA Ordinance 7B-25: Staff explained that the Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area allows drinks from the three participating bars to be carried into the designated outdoor area but not back into businesses. The amendment adjusted the boundary map to address rear entrances at the 400 Club and Gold Spike, creating marked walkways through their rear and beer garden areas into the central green space. The city's insurance carrier requires each bar to provide liquor liability coverage and name the city as an additional insured. Staff installed planters and signs, planned DORA boundary signage and educational materials, and discussed possible special-event boundary extensions. Council discussion included removing a boundary line at the Division Street crosswalk, no parking in the green space, off-sale purchases, and parking availability. The motion included directing staff to obtain written permission from property owners. Council approved.
• One-Way Streets Ordinance 7C-25: Staff proposed creating a one-way street designation for the area around the Container Park and Division Street, tied to related parking and stop-sign ordinances. The plan would allow angle parking on the north side of Schooner Street, gain more than 12 spaces while retaining parallel parking on the south side, improve crosswalk visibility, permit parking on both sides near the post office, and add a four-way stop at Lynn and Division. Staff reported support from adjacent property owners, the post office, police and fire, county staff, and the railroad. The 400 Club's concerns about snow, access, and crosswalk traffic were addressed with signage and planters. Implementation would include temporary barricades, signs, education, and warnings. Council discussed event closures, a fuel truck's route, county parking signs, and a suggestion about Hayden Street stop signs; staff cautioned against ad hoc traffic-control changes. Council approved.
• Division Street Parking Ordinance 7D-25: The ordinance permits parking on the east side of Division Street from Lynn Avenue to a point 70 feet north, an area next to the post office. Council discussed whether the space should be short-term post office parking; staff agreed to monitor and revisit the issue. The motion was made contingent on adoption of Ordinance 7C-25. Council approved.
• Stop Signs Ordinance 7E-25: The ordinance adds stop signs for north, south, east, and westbound traffic at Division Street and Lynn Avenue, establishing a four-way stop. Council approved.
• Angled Parking Ordinance 7F-25: The ordinance removes River Prairie back-in parking and adds angled parking regulations. Council discussed the future reconstruction of Spooner Avenue with the county and railroad and considered an alternative angle-parking layout; staff agreed to review the suggestion against MUTCD guidance. Council approved.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the July 10, 2025, council meeting minutes.
• Approved the Compassion Coalition agreement (no rent; $10 per month per refrigeration unit; short-notice termination).
• Appointed Susan Nelson Zilmer to District 5, Wards 9 and 10, for the term ending April 2026 (ballot: 5-1; motion carried).
• Approved the Altoona Lions Club Container Park sponsorship: $5,000 over five years and Lions Den designation.
• Approved Ordinance 7B-25 (DORA boundary and consumption area amendment) and directed staff to obtain written permission from property owners.
• Approved Ordinance 7C-25 (one-way streets).
• Approved Ordinance 7D-25 (Division Street parking), contingent on adoption of 7C-25.
• Approved Ordinance 7E-25 (all-way stop signs at Division Street and Lynn Avenue).
• Approved Ordinance 7F-25 (removing River Prairie back-in parking; adding angled parking regulations).
• Recognized outgoing Councilmember Caitlin Leopold for her service.