RIVER FALLS — City Council took on a series of road use ordinance alterations at the March 10 meeting, defining where and how bicycles, ATVs and UTVs can be used within city limits.

Council approved an ordinance that prevents bicycle use on sidewalks as far north as Division Street/County Road M, as far south as Cascade Avenue, as far west as Main Street and as far east as Second Street. There is an exception for children under 12 and under to continue using the sidewalks.

Additionally, the ATV, UTV and off-highway motorcycle use ordinance was altered to fall in line with state regulations.

“Prohibition of operation on city streets, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, trails, parks, and other public property, except where expressly authorized by state law or by the ordinance,” city documents state of the ordinance adjustments. “Clear identification of limited exceptions, including designated routes or trails, emergency and governmental operations, and approved special events.”

The city also updated towing and parked vehicle requirements in the official parking control map.

“Clarify notice requirements to vehicle owners prior to towing,” city documents state on the changes. “Clearly outline the options available to vehicle owners to secure release of a vehicle, including payment of forfeitures, scheduling a municipal court appearance, or a combination thereof.”

The changes were made to have more consistent enforcement of parking standards and to provide more transparency to the residents.

Storm Water Report

Planning and Engineering Technician Tyler Galde presented the 2025 Storm Water Permit Report to council, sharing about the 61 construction sites and 73 stormwater ponds visited over the course of the year. River Falls is one of about 250 cities permitted through the state, and reported zero illicit discharges to the DNR.

The city received an $85,000 match from a state grant to update stormwater quality modeling and identify water quality projects. That work is expected to be completed in Q2 2026.

“We’re, I would say, aggressive with our stormwater management, and that has led the state to essentially say, well then you can do more because your neighbors aren’t doing as much,” City Administrator Scot Simpson said. “Because we’re aggressive, because we have good data, because we’ve done a lot of modeling, it’s easy to say to us, ‘Hey, you should reduce this much more phosphorus, this much more sediment.’”

Simpson used the example of Lake St. Croix, stating River Falls is reducing sediment pollutants at a rate that other municipalities have not kept up with. Because of that, they are frequently asked to continue raising their performance, where the underperforming municipalities are not asked to do the same.

Other business

• Awarded a $267,762 bid to Lepke Trucking and Excavating for the 2026 Mill and Overlay Program.
• Rezoned a portion of Jerry’s Automotive at St. Croix and Summit Streets from Industrial to Highway Commercial to allow for an expansion of the auto repair facility.
• Approved a Developer’s Agreement with JPB Land for the Wildflower Meadows Subdivision.
• Reappointed Rebecca Ferguson and Kari Heinselman to the Library Board of Trustees through 2029 and appointed Morgan Paavola to the Historic Preservation Commission through 2028.