RIVER FALLS — In remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and the lives lost, River Falls Mayor Alison Page made a proclamation at the Sept. 8 River Falls City Council meeting. Nearly 3,000 victims died during the terrorist attacks on that day in 2001.

“We will never undo the pain and injustice born that terrible morning, nor will we ever forget those we lost. These attacks were meant to terrorize our nation, but on Sept. 11, 2001, amidst shattered glass, twisted steel and clouds of dust, the spirit of America shone through,” Page said. “We remember the sacrifice of strangers and first responders who rushed into darkness to carry others from danger. We remember the unbreakable bonds of unity we felt in the long days that followed. We recall how Americans of every station and background joined together to support the survivors in their hour of need, and to heal our nation in the years that followed. We remember the outpouring of love we felt from nations and people across the globe as they extended a caring hand.”

Members of the River Falls Fire Department and Legion Honor Guard were present at the meeting.

The council also made proclamations for Hispanic Heritage Month and Chamber of Commerce Month.

Second readings and approvals

After going through first readings and public hearings during the Aug. 28 meeting, council approved amendments to the fence and landscaping ordinance, the residential boulevard ordinance and to the city’s Traffic Control Map.

Council voted to remove the three-foot setback and associated landscaping requirements for fences adjacent to the right-of-way.

“In evaluating the existing ordinance, staff reviewed whether the current three-foot setback and landscaping requirements continue to achieve their intended purpose. Staff determined that smaller setback reductions would provide limited functional or aesthetic benefit, as narrower landscaped areas are generally difficult to maintain and unlikely to meaningfully contribute to the streetscape. Accordingly, the discussion centered on either retaining the existing standards or removing the setback and landscaping requirements,” city documents state.

At the previous meeting, it was mentioned that line of sight requirements at intersections would remain in place.

The boulevard change requires adjacent property owners to maintain the boulevard area, whether it be between the city sidewalk and the street or off of a street without a sidewalk. According to City Administrator Scot Simpson, this was a long-standing expectation, and the amendment simply puts that into writing. There will be no new tree maintenance expectations attached to the change.

“The proposed boulevard maintenance amendment codifies the longstanding expectation that adjacent property owners maintain boulevard areas, providing clearer and more consistent administration of City Code,” city documents state.

Six changes were approved on the Traffic Control Map. Changes to the map must go through council, then providing legal authority to the police to enforce them.

“A stop sign isn’t just placed, and then you can write a ticket if somebody runs a stop sign,” Simpson said. “The council has to make it law that you need to stop at that corner.”

The following changes were approved:

1. “School Bus Stop Ahead” signs in locations that meet the criteria.
2. “No Parking Here to Corner” signs on Radio Road near the roundabout.
3. 35 mph speed limit signage on Powell Avenue from Apollo Road to Radio Road.
4. No parking here to corner signs on North Wasson Lane from East Division Street to the first driveway.
5. Stop sign on Balmoral Place at the intersection of Newcastle Drive.
6. Pedestrian crossing signage and crosswalk at the intersection of North Fremont Street and West Division Street.