Altoona City Council Meeting – July 23, 2026

The Altoona Common Council met Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Altoona City Hall, 1303 Lynn Avenue, Altoona, WI. Council President Matthew Beer presided in the absence of Mayor Brendan Pratt. The council approved the prior meeting minutes, heard staff reports, held a public hearing on a zoning reorganization, approved Ordinance 7B-26, approved a condominium plat, met in closed session on litigation and a possible property sale, and adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The Citizens Participation Period was opened for items not on the agenda; no public comment was offered, and the council closed the period by voice vote.
• At the scheduled 6:00 p.m. public hearing on the zoning reorganization, no one from the public testified, and the hearing was closed by voice vote.

Reports & Discussion Items

• City Administrator Michael Golott reported that the capital budget process is ongoing and a subcommittee will meet soon. He noted the capital budget has remained at $2 million for about eight years, split 50% streets and 50% other items; the enterprise fleet now consumes about $400,000 annually, leaving about $600,000 for everything else, and one parks project alone is $125,000. He said department heads were asked to prepare a status-quo operations budget with no requests for additional staff.
• A council member asked how police and EMS personnel were coping after recent incidents. Staff reported two traffic fatalities in the past month and a half, another non-traffic fatality, and a fire; support services had been provided and staff were reportedly doing well.
• A council member expressed questions about Flock license-plate-reader and surveillance cameras and asked that Kelly present a detailed pros-and-cons briefing to the council. Staff noted public concerns, reported breaches, operational costs and license requirements, and the cameras' value as a law-enforcement tool.
• Parks and recreation updates included progress at Highland Park, new roads and pickleball courts, an upcoming open house/ribbon cutting, progress on the disc golf course, and a planned community meeting regarding the proposed Saxon Wood/Windsor Forest project at the Fish House from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• In miscellaneous business, a council member asked about City of Eau Claire lots being sold to Habitat for Humanity near Mayo Hospital; staff said the effort is in the works and estimated roughly ten infill homes over five years.

Public Hearing & New Business

• Zoning Reorganization: The public hearing considered amending Title 19 "Zoning" by removing Section 19.04.08 to Title 18 "Reserved" and renaming Title 18 "Environmental & Natural Resources." Staff explained that the environmental chapter is being made a stand-alone title to facilitate DNR approvals and improve formatting and cross-references. The content is about 95% the same; changes include formatting fixes, updated procedures, and DNR-recommended shoreline-wetland revisions.
• Ordinance 7B-26: The council approved the ordinance making the zoning reorganization official. The Plan Commission discussed it on July 14, 2026. The motion carried by voice vote with no opposition.
• Condominium Plat – 1485 Front Porch Place (Parcel # 1820122709153109027): Staff described this as a two-lot condominium plat for the 44 North/River Prairie mixed-use building. No changes would be made to the building, residential units would not be touched, and the commercial space would have a tenant improvement for a future health clinic, according to the owner. The plat would allow the residential and commercial spaces to be sold separately. The Plan Commission recommended approval, and staff and bankers recommended approval. The council approved the plat by voice vote; the approval authorized only the condominium division, not any particular business occupant.

Closed Session

• The council unanimously voted by roll call to enter closed session at 6:17 p.m. under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(g) for legal advice regarding Helstern litigation and under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) regarding Parcel Number 1820122709253202067.
• The council reconvened in open session at 7:00 p.m. by unanimous roll-call vote. After reconvening, the council reported that it had discussed an update on the Helstern claim against the city and a possible sale of a parcel off Windsor Forest Drive; no action was required on either matter, and staff will continue working on both.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the July 9, 2026 regular council meeting minutes by voice vote.
• Closed the Citizens Participation Period and the zoning public hearing with no public testimony.
• Approved Ordinance 7B-26 relocating Section 19.04.08 from Title 19 to Title 18 and renaming Title 18 "Environmental & Natural Resources."
• Approved the condominium plat for 1485 Front Porch Place.
• Held closed session; no action was taken on the Helstern litigation or the potential property sale.
• Adjourned at 7:03 p.m.