Politics Development Community Orgs
Heated Exchange Marks E.C. City Council Discussion on Business Improvement Districts
unexpected alternate resolution, tense questioning of city leaders end Feb. 10 City Council meeting
McKenna Scherer, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Editor’s note (2/12/25): This story has been updated to include additional information and public comments made at the meeting.
With topics like the recent downtown Eau Claire parking study and potential housing development on the agenda for Eau Claire City Council’s meeting on Monday, Feb. 10, it was perhaps no surprise to see a full house in the council chamber. However, the explosive public comment period that ended the evening was a surprise.
A proposed resolution by City Council Members Kate Felton and Aaron Brewster centers on the city’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), ultimately aiming to address concerns voiced by BID members. However, in a memo shared with council members and the public prior to the meeting, Assistant City Attorney Jenessa Stromberger responded to the resolution with a memorandum on behalf of the City Attorney’s Office, suggesting some of the resolution would encourage actions that are “improper at best or unlawful at worst” and advised the council not to pass it.
”
This resolution is an opportunity for our council to openly discuss our BIDs and the concerns they brought to us and to decide whether we want to express an interest in resetting the culture around our city’s work with them.
KATE FELTON
eau claire city council member
The resolution was the second-to-last item of Monday’s meeting agenda and sparked a roughly 45-minute public comment period with testimony from 10 people. Prior to the comment period, Felton opened by highlighting downtown Eau Claire’s significant revitalization over the past 20 years and the key role BID partners – including the South Barstow BID, North Barstow BID, West Grand Avenue BID, and Water Street BID – played, as well as some BID members’ concerns over their relationship with city leadership.
“This resolution is an opportunity for our council to openly discuss our BIDs and the concerns they brought to us and to decide whether we want to express an interest in resetting the culture around our city’s work with them,” Felton said. “It is our explicit job to hear the concerns of our community partners and do what we can to set the direction of our city.
“To that point, I want to push back a little on the argument in our packet that it is inappropriate for a City Council to give direction (to city staff). It is appropriate for City Council to give direction, and we have ample precedent for it,” Felton continued. She noted that a resolution passed about eight years ago by the City Council pushed the city to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050. That resolution continues to influence the city policy today.
Other points of contention in the memorandum include whether the BIDs can lead the update or creation of their official operating plans, how to create a policy handbook, and whether BIDs have the right to hire their own legal counsel other than of City Attorney Stephen Nick. To the latter point, Felton noted BIDs in other Wisconsin communities have been allowed to hire outside legal services.
Prior to the comment period, Felton noted an alternate resolution – not penned by Brewster or herself – had been placed on the council dais. Confusion broke out for a few minutes over its origin, with City Council President Emily Berge asking Nick if he “would like to speak on that.”
Nick said the alternate resolution was a draft proposal that attempted to address some of the issues the City Attorney’s Office had with the original. “(It was) something, frankly, intended just to be at my desk in case that’s where discussion went, but (I’m) happy to have it, happy to share it with the broader audience,” Nick said.
Councilman Andrew Werthmann followed up by asking if any council members had asked for or supported the substitute resolution. Berge said, “I think it was accidentally put on our desk,” a statement met by grumbles from some in the chamber.
“I think they’re trying to be helpful,” Berge said. “What I heard City Attorney Steve Nick say is … staff did not see (the original resolution) before it was (sent out). … So this was like, OK, if City Council members would have worked with staff. … It does have the same essence (as the original resolution).”
However, Brewster and Felton said they did not feel the unexpected alternate resolution had the same spirit as their original resolution.
Current and former downtown business owners, BID members, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce were among the 10 individuals who spoke during the public hearing. The first – and most outspoken – was Jeff Frawley, co-owner of Estilo Salon on Water Street and a Water Street BID member.
“I ask, if not the council, not the city manager, then who is in charge of the City of Eau Claire?” –Jeff Frawley, Eau Claire business owner
Less than one minute into Frawley’s comments – which included two questions: “Why did City Legal draft a rebuttal memo against a resolution to support the BIDs?” and “Why does this memo contradict state statute and read more like an emotional reactionary argument rather than objective legal analysis?” – points of order was called by Berge and Council Vice President Emily Anderson.
“I prefer there not be personal attacks in this space against city staff,” Berge told Frawley, suggesting he email the council his comments.
“So you’re trying to cut me off and not willing to allow me to address the council – is that what’s happening?” Frawley responded. “These questions are hard questions but I feel like I’m respecting the quorum.”
Throughout the next few minutes Frawley directed a slew of questions toward the council, including: “I ask, if not the council, not the city manager, then who is in charge of the City of Eau Claire?”
Following Frawley during the public comment section were Nick White, former board member of Downtown Eau Claire Inc. (DECI); Scott Rogers, vice president of governmental affairs at the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce; Crystal Halvorson, general manager at Menomonie Market Food Co-op; William Glass, a longtime area business owner and former member of DECI, the city plan commission, and South Barstow BID, among others; Erin Klaus, executive director of DECI; Terry Weld, former City Council president; Julia Johnson, Pablo Group co-founder; Nikki Olson, downtown business owner; and Blaine Midthun, downtown business owner.
The speakers, all of whom were in support of the proposed resolution, offered a variety of sentiments, many acknowledging the city’s investment in downtown Eau Claire and the importance of continued collaboration between the city and its partners, including the BIDs.
Rogers pointed to those partnerships in his comments. “A further attribute of Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley has been our reputation as a place where collaboration is a community value … where cooperation, good will, and an emphasis on the greater good have characterized the community’s response to challenges and opportunities,” he said. “Whatever the outcome of the specific provisions of the resolution, as representatives of the broader business community we hope this process can lead to a stronger, more positive relationship that will be valuable for everyone.”
Glass also commented on the importance of positive partnership, and his view on the city’s relationship with local business leaders, neighboring communities, and citizens. “Resolutions are fine, but there needs to be a culture change to address what Eau Claire is today and guide it into what it should be in the future,” he told the council. “Please, take action and turn Eau Claire into a better partner and a good neighbor.”
A video of the full Feb. 10 meeting is available on the Eau Claire City Council website (this discussion begins roughly 1 hour and 53 minutes into the video).
The Eau Claire City Council is scheduled to vote on the original BID resolution at its Tuesday, Feb. 11 meeting. This is a developing story.
