Altoona City Council Meeting - August 13, 2026

The Altoona City Council met on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Brendan Pratt presided with Councilpersons Dale Stewart, Timothy Lima, Matthew Beeron, Susie Zilmer, and Susan Rowe present; Bruce Thielen was absent. The meeting covered a range of topics including future facility planning, the 80-acre property, a new goat-keeping ordinance, and a closed session for police union negotiations.

Reports & Presentations

• National Night Out: Police Chief Kelly Bachen reported on the August 4 event, which saw over 1,000 hot dogs served, indicating very good attendance.
• Flock License Plate Readers (LPRs): Chief Bachen provided an extensive update in response to public concerns. She stated that the city has 11 LPR cameras (7 city-owned, 4 from the school district) with annual costs of about $3,000 per Flock camera. Data is stored for 30 days and used only for law enforcement purposes. Due to customer service issues and cost, the city is switching from Flock to Vercata cameras, which does not have a nationwide sharing system, giving the city more control. She reported that before cameras, retail theft solve rates were 85%; after cameras, solve rates rose to 92%, despite a 46% increase in retail thefts.
• City Administrator Mike Golot: Noted new sculptures in River Prairie Park via artist Bill Henry Walker, a stormwater rate study to be presented soon, and a positive economic development breakfast where Altoona was praised for resilience and collaboration.
• City Clerk Cindy Bauer: Announced that Altoona’s population has exceeded 10,000, with approximately 7,400 voting-age residents. The August 11 election had 2,016 voters (37% turnout) and received positive observer feedback.
• Public Works Director Scott Quick: Reported that a review of water infrastructure showed the city is secure from hacks, as its PLCs are not internet-facing and use multi-factor authentication.

Discussion Items

Future City Facilities CIP Discussion

• Council discussed long-term capital improvement needs, including police/fire facilities, library expansion, and the potential purchase of the former Eau Claire County Agricultural Resource Center ("egg building"). The space needs analysis from 2021 identified deficiencies in all city facilities. The city has already made $32 million in improvements since then, but significant needs remain.
• Fire Department: The old public works building now serving as the fire station is serviceable but has issues like poor floor drainage (estimated $50,000 fix) and lacks a training room. The city has budgeted for land acquisition for a new fire station near the trailer park, and council expressed support for moving forward with that purchase.
• Library: Staff have real needs for more space and modernization. The city is waiting for grant opportunities; a prior application fell short. Options include a capital campaign, referendum, or waiting for future grants. Council discussed renovating the existing library or relocating city hall to the egg building and expanding the library into the current city hall space. A tour of the egg building was suggested.
• 10th Street Park: The concession and bathroom building (from the early 1960s) is in poor condition. A new facility is estimated at $400,000–$500,000. Council debated whether that or new field lights (similar cost) should be prioritized. A tour of facilities was proposed.

80-Acre Property Update

• The city acquired this property near Highway 12 for future expansion. Original plans for mixed-use development with affordable housing failed due to high infrastructure costs ($11–12 million) and rising construction costs (10–15% per year). Negotiations with developer Cody Um did not work out without significant subsidy. The administration proposed shifting to light industrial/commercial use, citing the city’s lack of such zoned land and the property’s strategic location. Council was open to this direction, noting it could generate higher tax revenue. A comp plan amendment and rezone (currently R1) would be required. The city will gather more information from experts like Jeff Hallowin.

Ordinance 8A-26: Temporary Keeping of Goats

• The ordinance amends Title 6 to allow temporary goat rentals for vegetation control on private property, with a permit process through the police department. Permits are for up to 30 days, maximum twice per year. The ordinance also updates ADA language in existing animal code. Council approved unanimously.

Fairway Park Playground Contract

• The Park and Recreation Department issued an RFP; six companies submitted nine designs. The Park and Rec Committee recommended Northland Recreation’s Little Tikes commercial playground. Council approved the contract for $119,960.

Closed Session – Police Union Negotiations

• Council convened in closed session at 8:07 PM under Wis. Stats 19.85(1)(e) to discuss police union negotiations. Reopened at 8:20 PM. Council approved a two-year contract with 3% salary increases each year and other administrative changes, which had been ratified by the police union.

Key Outcomes

• Approved minutes of the July 23, 2026 regular meeting.
• Approved award of Fairway Park playground contract (motion carried).
• Approved Ordinance 8A-26 regarding temporary keeping of goats (unanimous).
• Approved police union contract (two-year, 3% annual increases) (unanimous).
• Directed administration to proceed with purchasing land for future fire station.
• Directed further research on 80-acre property for light industrial use, including potential comp plan amendment and rezone.
• Scheduled tours of 10th Street Park and the egg building to inform future decisions.