RIVER FALLS — The River Falls City Council approved an annexation of property for housing development and heard the first reading of a property rezoning for the school district at the Jan. 28 meeting.

Council approved the annexation of 26.82 acres at 212 Paulson Road to the City of River Falls from the Town of Troy.

“The estate is working with a developer who intends to build two- to three new multi-family housing buildings (senior and/or market rate) near Paulson Road and one single-family home at the top of the hill (as an interim use) on the property,” city documents state.

The proposal was submitted by Joseph Casey on behalf of the Jeanette Jensen estate in collaboration with South Metro Centers, according to city documents.

The second item heard was for the first reading for the rezoning of a parcel at the northeast corner of Locust and Grove streets from R-2 Multiple Family to School Zone.

The request came in from the River Falls School District for the construction of an administrative and maintenance building next to the RFSD transportation center. Development plans are currently under review by city staff.

Alderperson Sean Downing asked City Administrator Scot Simpson if there was a timeline for the potential construction of the project. Simpson said while he does not have a timeline, he expects the district will act immediately.

Proposed zoning goes against the city’s comprehensive and area plans, but “furthers the goals” of preserving developable land and ensuring consistency and compatibility in land use, city documents state.

Administrator and Mayor Reports

The water tower recommissioning bids came in with the engineer’s estimate from the city coming in at $550,000. With multiple bids coming in, the lowest fell below the estimate at $484,000. Recommissioning the water tower is a process of re-coating the inside and outside of the tower.

“That will be good news for the rate-payers on that project,” Simpson said on the estimate falling below the budgeted amount. “It also gives people an idea of the enormity of maintaining the water system.”

Simpson discussed the memo released from the White House Office of Management and Budget Jan. 27 that stated federal funding would freeze federal grant funding.

“I do want to acknowledge the uncertainty that’s surrounding some of the things that are going on in Washington,” Simpson said. “We’re going to remain calm and try to seek information.”

The grant funding freeze was put on an administrative stay by a federal judge to halt the proceeding swiftly after the memo. A day after the council meeting, a brief statement from the Office of Management and Budget rescinded the original memo.

Council’s meeting took place between the stay and the rescinding, leaving Simpson to discuss funding that was at stake at the time. The city has engaged with a lobbying firm in Washington D.C. that has helped staff navigate the process.

Most of the city’s federal funding is indirect, going through the state oftentimes.
“USDA told us that yes, affirmatively, the memo would impact the fire station funding. That was part of the freeze, and that will be frozen at least until March,” Simpson said.

The stay would have protected the funding temporarily, but if the stay was removed, the funding would have been at risk. The library project and the US Army Corps of Engineers both had “uncertain” futures on if their funding would freeze.

Rescinding the memo means the funding is back to being expected by the city as usual.

Mayor Dan Toland said the Fire Department welcomed eight volunteer members during his Good News Report.

Public comment

Reuben Herfindahl, a candidate for the District 3 seat in the upcoming election, spoke to council about some of his focuses if elected.

“I am a self-confessed green geek. I love the green spaces we have here in town, I love the river,” Herfindahl said. “I think we fumbled the ball with DeSanctis Park. I think we fumbled it right next door here.”

Herfindahl said the city needs to protect green spaces, continue to be sustainable and listen to the residents.

Benjamin Fochs discussed the tragedies going on in the world, asking the council to do what they can to make River Falls a safe and welcoming place.

“How can River Falls be a place of safety in those times,” Fochs said. “Is River Falls resilient enough to take on some of those people that are fleeing a disaster?”