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Record of Proceedings

Altoona City Council Meeting - September 10, 2026

Meeting Portal — Thursday, September 10, 2026
BodyAltoona, Wisconsin
SessionMeeting Portal
DateThursday, September 10, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:12:00

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:03

Exactly.

0:03

That was Saturday night, I think.

0:09

Oh, they don't have the lens on the screen.

0:13

Maybe they know the role.

Speaker 2

0:17

Zip

Unassigned speaker

0:17

it.

Speaker 3

0:26

Way to settle down, you guys.

0:28

Yeah, that

Speaker 4

0:29

was

Speaker 3

0:29

uh

Speaker 4

0:30

solid.

Speaker 3

0:36

A lot of power here.

0:39

Didn't have to use it yet.

0:46

I'll set Cindy.

0:47

Thank you.

0:48

All right, go ahead and call to order.

0:49

The regular council meeting for Thursday, September 10th.

0:52

Uh call to order with a pledge of allegiance.

Unassigned speaker

0:57

I

Speaker 5

0:57

pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of

Speaker 2

1:00

America.

1:03

One

Speaker 5

1:04

of

Speaker 2

1:04

the

Speaker 6

1:05

individual with

Speaker 3

1:11

councilpersons, roll call for department heads.

Speaker 7

1:17

In the absence of Mayor Brendan Pratt, we have Chairperson Matthew Beeron.

Speaker 3

1:22

Here.

Speaker 7

1:23

Councilperson Dale Stuber.

1:25

Councilperson Timothy Lima.

Speaker 2

1:26

Here.

Speaker 7

1:27

Councilperson Bruce Thielen.

Speaker 2

1:29

Yes.

Speaker 7

1:29

Councilperson Susie Zilmer.

1:31

Councilperson Susan Row.

Speaker 2

1:33

Here.

Speaker 7

1:33

We also have present attorney Sambach Hansen.

1:37

Assistant City Administrator Roy Atkinson.

1:39

Police Chief Kelly Bachin.

1:45

Taylor Greenwell.

1:46

Grant and Housing Program Manager, Julian Emerson, Parks and Rec Director Chad Durkup, and Cindy Bauer City Clerk.

1:54

We have acquaintan.

Speaker 3

1:55

Thank you.

1:56

Citizens participation period, no more than 20 minutes unless extended by two-thirds vote for section 2.04.051B.

2:06

This is for anyone uh in the audience that wants to speak on something that's not on the agenda.

Speaker 5

2:15

Seeing there are none, LAMO moves to close citizens' participation period.

Speaker 1

2:20

We'll second.

Speaker 5

2:21

We

Speaker 3

2:21

have a motion and a second.

2:22

All in favor say aye.

2:23

Aye.

2:24

Aye.

2:24

Any opposed?

2:25

Motion carries.

2:27

Discuss consider approval of the minutes from the August 27th regular council meeting.

Speaker 1

2:32

We'll move approval.

Speaker 3

2:34

Stuber seconds.

Unassigned speaker

2:36

Do

Speaker 3

2:36

a motion, a second.

2:37

All in favor say aye.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████17%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████12%
Procedural██████████10%
Youth Programs██████████10%
Economic Development█████████9%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Public Safety█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Altoona City Council Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Altoona City Council met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included reports from department heads, approval of a consent agenda item, a tourism update, financial report approval, preliminary plat approval, a license agreement for a storage building, an amendment to the Safe Steps program, and a position reclassification. All agenda items were approved.

Consent Calendar

  • Proclamation recognizing Ski Sprites: The Council approved a proclamation honoring the Altoona Ski Sprites as the 2026 Division II National Show Ski Tournament Champions. The team earned first place in overall team competition and several individual categories, and two members are invited to Team USA training camp.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke during the Citizens Participation period.

Reports

  • Economic Development: Assistant City Administrator Roy Atkinson reported on several initiatives, including the opening of a new disc golf course, a listening session for the destination master plan on October 15th, upcoming innovation grants, and a meeting with EDC regarding an 80-acre parcel. He presented at Eggs and Issues on August 28th.
  • Parks and Recreation: Julian Emerson and Chad Durkup provided updates: a five-year parks plan survey is online until November 31st; Highland Park is nearly complete with fencing installed; the fall concert series at River Prairie Park runs Wednesdays in September. Additionally, a $5,000 grant from Union Pacific was received for downtown placemaking, and a federal grant opportunity for field lighting and a concessions building is being pursued.
  • Grant/Housing: Taylor Greenwell reported progress on the Safe Steps program, with nine people now talking to contractors. He is seeking additional funding sources. Also, a federal grant bid for lighting and concessions was submitted.
  • Police: Chief Bachin noted positive feedback on the Flock removal announcement; no further questions were received.

Discussion Items

  • Tourism Report (New Business Item 1): Kenzie Havelcheck from Visit Eau Claire presented the quarterly report. Summer was record-breaking with increased room tax and average daily rate. Highlights: Altoona pages on VisitEauClaire.com had 78,000+ sessions; partner referrals increased 62% to over 9,800; a summer digital ad campaign generated 4,700 arrivals and an estimated $1.5 million economic impact. Upcoming events include the Midwest Travel Journalist Association visit, Economic Development Summit, and Wisconsin Fall Tourism Conference. A destination master plan process is underway with a community engagement session on October 15th.
  • Resolution 9A-26 (New Business Item 2): The Council discussed and approved a resolution authorizing the closing of books for 2025 and accepting the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The Finance Committee had recommended approval. Motion carried unanimously.
  • Preliminary Plat – The Villas (New Business Item 3): Staff presented a proposal for a 30-lot preliminary plat at 1710 Whitetail Way to convert existing rental townhomes to for-sale units by adding zero lot lines. The site plan and buildings are already approved and partially constructed. The developer, Jeff Stockburger (represented by Mark Erickson), noted high interest in purchase. The Plan Commission had unanimously recommended approval. The Council approved the preliminary plat as conditioned.
  • AYSB Building Agreement (New Business Item 4): The Council considered a license agreement allowing Altoona Youth Softball/Baseball (AYSB) to construct a 20x40 foot storage building in Cinder City Park. Staff explained the distinction between a license and a lease, emphasizing flexibility for the city. AYSB will be responsible for maintenance and insurance. The building is valued at $50-70,000. The Council approved the license agreement.
  • Safe Steps Amendment (New Business Item 5): Taylor Greenwell proposed an amendment to add a loan option for removal of dead or hazardous trees on homeowners' property. City forester Scott Quick would determine eligibility. Estimated cost per tree is $1,500-$3,000. The Council approved the amendment.
  • City Clerk Reclassification (New Business Item 6): The Council approved reclassification of the City Clerk position from Exempt Grade J to Exempt Grade L, effective for the next city clerk hire, following a market analysis by Cottingham Butler. This is in preparation for Clerk Cindy Bauer's retirement on November 30, 2026.

Key Outcomes

  • All new business items were approved unanimously.
  • The city clerk position will be reclassified to Grade L for the next hire.
  • The Safe Steps program will now include hazardous tree removal loans.
  • AYSB received a license to build a storage building in Cinder City Park.
  • The preliminary plat for The Villas (30 lots at Whitetail Way) was approved.

Miscellaneous Business

  • Council members noted deteriorating black coating on street lights along River Prairie and Oakleaf Way; staff will follow up on warranty.
  • An update on a potential fire engine purchase: Chief looked at a used quint priced around $1.2 million, but no purchase yet.

Adjournment

  • The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:13 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Exactly. That was Saturday night, I think. Oh, they don't have the lens on the screen. Maybe they know the role. Zip it. Way to settle down, you guys. Yeah, that was uh solid. A lot of power here. Didn't have to use it yet. I'll set Cindy. Thank you. All right, go ahead and call to order. The regular council meeting for Thursday, September 10th. Uh call to order with a pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One of the individual with councilpersons, roll call for department heads. In the absence of Mayor Brendan Pratt, we have Chairperson Matthew Beeron. Here. Councilperson Dale Stuber. Councilperson Timothy Lima. Here. Councilperson Bruce Thielen. Yes. Councilperson Susie Zilmer. Councilperson Susan Row. Here. We also have present attorney Sambach Hansen. Assistant City Administrator Roy Atkinson. Police Chief Kelly Bachin. Taylor Greenwell. Grant and Housing Program Manager, Julian Emerson, Parks and Rec Director Chad Durkup, and Cindy Bauer City Clerk. We have acquaintan. Thank you. Citizens participation period, no more than 20 minutes unless extended by two-thirds vote for section 2.04.051B. This is for anyone uh in the audience that wants to speak on something that's not on the agenda. Seeing there are none, LAMO moves to close citizens' participation period. We'll second. We have a motion and a second. All in favor say aye.

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