RIVER FALLS – The River Falls City Council approved the final plat for a 20-unit twin-home development on one of the last remaining parcels in the Sterling Ponds neighborhood Sept. 26.

Husby Homes LLC plans to develop 20 individual twin-home lots accessed by a private road and connected via a sidewalk along Kingsbarn Avenue and a multi-use trail on the southeast side abutting a stormwater retention pond.

The Plan Commission approved a preliminary plat for the entire Sterling Ponds neighborhood in 2003. Since then, the following development phases have been platted, completed or are under construction: Sterling Ponds; Sterling Ponds first, second, third and fourth additions; Sterling Heights, Villas of Sterling Ponds Phases 1-4 and Sterling Pond Cottages.

Alderperson Sean Downing questioned whether the plat showed the final plan for roads accessing and exiting the development.

“I hesitate to say final,” City Administrator Scot Simpson said. “The council and plan commission have authority with private landowners to change things over time, but as we understand what this developer has fully developed, there’s going to be limited available lots so I don’t think there’s going to be significant changes that staff would propose to the access.”

Alderperson Jeff Bjork requested the developer consider adding a sidewalk midway through the development, leading from Husby Way to the sidewalk and multi-use trail, so kids on bikes and walking don’t have to go all the way around. The developer’s representative said it would considered.

Starbucks coming to RF

The council approved a resolution to amend a developer’s agreement with RF Holdings LLC. In Fall 2022, the city approved the initial developer’s agreement for redevelopment of the site at 708 N. Main St. (Valu Stay Inn & Suites). The building has been razed and site plan approvals have been given.

While going through the site plan approval process, staff and the developer talked about stormwater requirements, which were increased due to the purchase of additional property to the north of the site. These increased requirements are estimated to cost an extra $100,000 to $125,000, not anticipated by the developer during negotiations. Increased construction and interest costs have impacted the development’s path forward, according to a city memo.

RF Holdings LLC is planning to build a 2,200-square-foot commercial retail building/drive through for a Starbucks. Because of the increased, unanticipated costs, the city increased the developer’s guaranteed value to pay for the additional $100,000 in Tax Increment Financing pay-go payments. The project wil continue forward with an anticipated opening in 2024.

“This commercial redevelopment is expected to highlight the potential of our North Main Street commercial district and potentially spur additional redevelopment in the area,” the memo states.

Police officers

After hearing public comment from residents Patrick Callan, Ayanna Raven Benitez and Dana Linscott on homelessness in River Falls, Alderperson Diane Odeen made comments about the kindnesses shown by some of the police officers who serve in River Falls that aren’t generally known.

“About a month ago, a young man riding a bicycle was struck by a car,” Odeen said. “Officer McGinty stayed with him while he was being checked out at the hospital. Fortunately, his injuries were relatively minor but his bike and his helmet were destroyed. Officer McGinty and his fellow officers chipped in and at their own expense, bought that young man a new bike and helmet. Now, you may have seen that story on social media or in the paper, but there are lots of examples of kindnesses our police officers have shown that you don’t hear about.

“At their own expense, River Falls officers have bought meals for people in need, given them cash, paid for gas or groceries or hotel rooms for people who needed one. Our officers have shoveled driveways and sidewalks for people who couldn’t do it themselves. They’ve paid for car repairs and even offered to do car repairs for people who can’t afford them. They’ve even paid for insurance so someone could get their vehicle registered.

“Now the Bible tells us we should do good deeds in secret without seeking publicity. These officers have done so and they take seriously their mission statement to protect with courage and serve with compassion, and I would like to thank those officers for representing the best of our community.”

Strategic priorities

The council adopted the administration’s 2021-23 strategic initiatives, which includes projects identified through the work plan process and council workshops. This will help defined financial and staff priorities over the next two years.They include:

Connected community:

• Conduct 2025 national community survey
• Obtain hydroelectric re-license from the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission
• Kinnickinnic River Corridor Plan: USACE feasibility study
• Assist UW-River Falls with the Science & Technology Center

Economic vitality:

• Complete Phase 1 of Mann Valley Corporate Park
• Cooperative boundary agreement with Town of Clifton
• Preliminary analysis and preparation for Main Street Corridor Plan

Financial stability:

• Construct and begin operation of bio solids processing facility at the wastewater treatment plant
• 2024-28 Fiscal Plan

Quality municipal services:

• Complete Powell Avenue bridge construction
• Complete Wasson Lane urbanization
• Fire station initial design and engineering

Other business

• A public hearing will be held at the Oct. 24 council meeting concerning special assessments for the downtown Business Improvement District. The annual assessment, spread between businesses, is $44,500 and goes toward improvements in the downtown district.
• The council approved an option agreement and first right of refusal with Gary Moelter for property adjacent to Mann Valley Corporate Park. The agreement is a five-year term in which the city may buy all or less than all of the property; an option fee of $10,000 will be paid to Moelter annually for up to five years. The 2023 purchase price of the property is $84,000 per acre with a 5% increase each successive year of the option term.
• The council expressed deepest sympathies to the family of Tom Caflisch, who served as an attendant at the city skating rink in 1961-1962, mowed grass for Glen Park, served as alderperson for District 1 1991-1994, on the Cable Communications Advisory Board and on the Board of Review from 2000-2008, and as District 1 alderperson or alderperson-at-large from 2002-2013. Caflisch died Sept. 19.at age 85.