Chippewa Valley Times

CITY UPDATES:

Snow: Our winter has been mild so far, and we may be evenly split as to whether people are wishing for snow or celebrating its absence. With each storm, our City departments put together an action plan to handle the storm and keep people safe.

Our Streets Division Manager, Aaron Nicholson, shared this update on today’s storm: “The Streets Division has been out since this morning monitoring and treating roadways per City policy. The Division will continue operations and adjust as conditions change and until the storm has moved out of the area. How much snow falls and when it falls will determine what the end game of our operations will look like. If we get more than three inches, we are planning to do a full residential plow and sanding of the residential streets once the snow has stopped. The weather continues to change hour by hour, so we don’t have a definitive answer on where things will end up. The City does have a three-inch rule to trigger a full residential plow, and if we fall short of the three inches, the Streets/Fleet Manager and the Community Services Director will discuss a plan. Our crews are dedicated to providing the best winter driving conditions we can!”

To keep you up-to-date as the winter unfolds, take a look at some of these sites:

• Additional information about the most common snow and ice questions can be found here: EauClaireWI.gov/SIControl
• The three tiers of our snow and ice response, resident resources, and answers to questions about mailbox damage, and other snow removal issues can be found here: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/recreation/parks-forestry-cemetery-division/snow-ice-control-new
• A FAQ on topics like “Why does it seem like my street is always plowed last?”, “Will my side street be plowed to bare pavement”, and “Why did the plow go by with its blade up?” are all answered here: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/our-divisions/street-and-fleet/snow-and-ice-control/frequently-asked-questions

Our Media and Communications person, who is often the first stop for questions of all types, wrote: “On the surface, the City’s management of winter weather may seem straightforward: snow falls, crews drive around, ta-da! But winter maintenance of our streets is a complex process… There are many factors considered in getting roads into fair winter driving conditions after a winter weather event. Policies are reviewed and updated each year. Our amazing crews are now taking care of over 430 of city streets. (That many miles will get you down to Janesville and back!) Thank you to our crews, and here’s wishing a safe winter season to us all!” Below is an image of snow removal at City Hall, and an image that reads "We're on the Road," and asks drivers to be patient and to leave plows lots of room.

Pinehurst Warming Shelter Opening Soon: And here’s an upside of cold weather… Recreation announced this update: “Eau Claire Parks, Recreation & Forestry is proud to announce that Pinehurst Warming Shelter will be open for sledding, snowboarding, downhill skiing, and equipment gear share beginning on Saturday, January 13th. Pinehurst Warming Shelter will be open from January 13th until January 15th, from 12 to 7PM. Beginning January 16th, Pinehurst Warming Shelter will be open during regularly scheduled hours. For more information see our Warming Shelter schedule online at: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/recreation/outdoor-skating-rinks”

Regarding the outdoor skating rinks, Eau Claire Parks, Recreation & Forestry Outdoor Rink Crews are working hard to get the outdoor rinks ready at Boyd, Pinehurst, Roosevelt, and Putnam Heights for useable and safe ice. In order to create a safe and useable layer of ice, we need a solid ground frost and consecutive days of below freezing temperatures. As this is taking longer than expected, please be patient while crews attempt to work on the outdoor rinks. For updates follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofecpr.

Library Parking: The Library shared the following update about parking: “ATTENTION MOTORISTS!  The City has added five more parking spaces for library patrons! The new stalls are located on the north side of the old US Bank parking lot, aka the side closest to the library.

Remember...

• This is 2-hour parking
• Cars must enter the lot from South Dewey Street
• Cars must exit to North Farwell Street
• Use the sidewalks on Dewey or Farwell to access the library
• Library users may only use the north-side spaces

According to our public survey last year, library parking was your very top concern. We hope this is driving things in the right direction!”

I want to give a special shout out to our Community Services and Engineering Departments who figured out a way to get these spots laid out, posted, and striped, even though it’s not the right season for this work. A special thanks to Jericho Jurewicz and John Rademacher, who striped the spots in cold weather. A constituent commented on Facebook: “This makes the library more accessible to those that may have struggled with the further walk before. Great addition.”

Century Code Update – Zoning Rewrite Project: Here’s an update on our ongoing Zoning Code rewrite from the Planning Division. The last six months was the public engagement phase, and now the project enters into code drafting, which will continue throughout 2024. Learn about preliminary recommendations in the report and other background materials by visiting: https://eau-claire-zoning-code-rewrite-hlplanning.hub.arcgis.com/pages/documents, or via the QR pasted below. As code sections are drafted, community stakeholders and residents will have more opportunities to chime in with feedback prior to final adoption.

Fire Training: This week, our Fire Department crews carried out annual ice rescue training at Half Moon. They wrote: “We received a new inflatable boat to replace our previous one that would no longer maintain pressure. Crews filtered through and learned how to properly inflate it and use it for rescue situations.” Pictured here are the staff… I can only imagine how cold it was in that water! Cold water and ice emergencies are a very common threat in Wisconsin. Having crews who are highly trained to act quickly can be the difference between life and death. 

Urban Towns Bill Hearing: This week, Council President Emily Berge, Deputy City Manager Dave Solberg, and Deputy City Attorney Doug Hoffer traveled to Madison to testify on the Urban Towns Bill hearing: 1767790 (wisconsin.gov). As described by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities: “The bill removes city or village review of growth near their boarder and will force cities and villages to extend water and sewer services outside their boundaries to serve properties within the town.” Our team testified at the hearing about these concerns: increased challenge with building housing and commercial/industrial development, limits to private property rights, and increased burden on city ratepayers for the cost of water/sewer service infrastructure.

Carson Capers Scavenger Hunt: Here’s an update from Claire Ystebo of our Recreation Department about the Scavenger Hunt that’s underway… “The Carson Capers Scavenger Hunt is a great way to get outside, stay active and learn about the historical pieces of Carson Park this winter season. The hunt consists of 17 different ‘Codes to Crack’. Clue #1 to start your hunt can be found online at: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/recreation/family-fun/clearwater-winter-events. In order to be eligible for prizes, please register a family member or as an individual at: http://activenet.active.com/Eauclaire/. Registration is free for anyone. For each code that you crack, take a selfie with it and email it to recreation@eauclairewi.gov to get a ticket into the drawing for fabulous Culver’s prizes! We currently have over 80 families and individuals registered for the event! The hunt runs January 1st through January 31st. Try it out if you get a chance!”

Report out from July Fourth Celebration Committee: At the last Council meeting, the July Fourth Committee chair, Benny Anderson, provided a report out on the Committee’s work. By way of background, the Committee was formed to address various concerns and considerations related to our City's longstanding tradition of hosting a firework display on the 4th of July. The recommendations and results of their research can be found here: Fireworks Committee | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (eauclairewi.gov) There will be an opportunity for the public to weigh in on the recommended plan at the next Council Public Hearing night on Monday, January 22nd at 7PM.

Composters Available: Now through January 26th, Eau Claire County is offering a sale on home composter bins and stainless steel kitchen pails. Bins will be $57, while kitchen pails are available for $21. To place your order, visit eauclairecounty-recycling.square.site.

Health Assessment Conversation: As a reminder, results are in from the Community Health Survey conducted recently by local health partners in the Chippewa Valley. Those results will be shared during an upcoming conversation on Wednesday, January 17th, at 6:30PM. To register, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVconversations2024 or email/call Alex at alex.craker@eauclairecounty.gov or call at 715-271-9902. The information gathered will be part of the final Community Health Assessment report released in May.  Our community health coalition (Eau Claire Health Alliance), our health care system partners, United Way, the Health Department, and others consider these prioritized community health concerns and allocate resources toward local health improvement projects.

 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Here are questions that came through the City Manager’s Office this week… Feel free to share your question here and we will work on answering it: https://forms.gle/VKzrTnfASd4EUd8cA

Alley Reconstruction:

Question: “I have an alley behind my house, but I don’t use it. Do I still need to pay for the street assessment?”

Answer: Our Engineering Department shared this response: “According to the City’s street assessment policy, ‘alleys provide access to the abutting property, and improvements to an alley are therefore considered a special benefit, subject to special assessments’ regardless of current usage.”

Underpass by Galloway Flats:

Question: “Is there any progress on completing the underpass trail between Galloway Flats and Prairie Height Residences so bicyclists can more easily avoid this intersection?”

Answer: Engineering staff reported: “Asphalt was placed along the trail which was graded though a development contract this fall. Engineering has a contractor scheduled to complete the trail connection under River Prairie, along the west side of the river, in the Spring.”

Lanes on Farwell:

Question: “Currently the corner of Farwell and Main Street is challenging and has been for a really long time….Can we please get some proper paint out down to show lanes?”

Answer: Once again from Engineering: “The City programs for pavement marking paint on collector and arterial streets on an annual basis, as needed. We will make sure that this intersection is on next years list to have fresh paint again.”

 

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS: We have the best employees! Get to know one of them this week. (And submit your suggestion for an employee to spotlight here…)

Today we highlight Teri Oestreich!

A co-worker said this about Teri: “Teri is amazing at her job. She juggles multiple projects with ease. Teri always acts with a sense of urgency - if you ask Teri for something, you know it will be done before you even need it. Teri's breadth of knowledge in the Library also makes her a great person to go to bounce ideas off of. I love Teri's dry sense of humor and look forward to working with her each day.”

Here’s more information about Teri:

• Your Job: “I have worked for the City for forty years. My job title is Assistant (Materials Management) in the Technical Services Division of the Library.”
• Favorite Activities: “I love to read! I also enjoy biking, canoeing, volunteering, attending the grandchildren’s school and sporting activities, and spending time with family.”
• Best Part about Working for the City: “I have the opportunity to work with an awesome team of dedicated co-workers every day.”
• Life Philosophy: “Always do your best.”
• Anything Else to Share? “I plan to sit in my office chair someday.”

COUNCIL CALENDAR (Tentative – Please see: City Calendar | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (eauclairewi.gov) for most complete and up-to-date list of public meetings)

• Monday, January 22nd, 7PM, Council Chambers: Council Public Hearing/Discussion Night
• Tuesday, January 23rd, 4PM, Council Chambers: Council Meeting
• Monday, February 12th, 7PM, Council Chambers: Council Public Hearing/Discussion Night
• Tuesday, February 13th, 4PM, Council Chambers: Council Meeting
• Monday, February 19th, 4PM, Library River Room: ZPAC Meeting – Districts & Uses
• Monday, February 26th, 7PM, Council Chambers: Council Public Hearing/Discussion Night
• Tuesday, February 27th, 4PM, Council Chambers: Council Meeting

 Original source can be found here.