Amery meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Amery Council agenda includes rezoning, golf cart and bike helmet ordinances

The Amery Common Council's Aug. 5 agenda includes a public hearing and vote on rezoning 1101 Cornwall Ave from C-2 Central Business to I-1 Light Industrial, along with new ordinances for golf carts and bicycle helmets. The council also planned to recognize the Amery Royalty Court and swear in a police officer. No minutes have been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

City Council

The council was scheduled to consider Ordinance 08-2026, which would rezone the property at 1101 Cornwall Ave, owned by SMK Holdings LLC, to allow the business to become a conforming use and permit construction of a lean-to and an outbuilding. The parcel number is #201-00776-2000. The public hearing was set for 5 p.m. Aug. 5.

The council also had on its agenda:

• Ordinance 09-2026, creating Chapter 360 to allow golf carts and low-speed vehicles on city streets, with a $10 registration fee per golf cart for five years.
• Ordinance 10-2026, requiring bicycle helmets for riders under age 16.
• A proclamation recognizing the 2025-2026 Amery Royalty Court.
• The swearing in of Officer Patrick Schultz and the appointment of a Fire Chief.

Election notices

The city issued several notices related to the Aug. 11 partisan primary election. Absentee ballots must be requested by mail by 5 p.m. Aug. 6. In-person absentee voting runs from July 28 through Aug. 7 at the clerk's office, located at 104 Maple Street West. Voted ballots must be returned by the close of polls on Aug. 11.

The city also conducted public testing of its electronic ballot tabulation machines on Aug. 5, as required by Wisconsin Statute 5.84(1).

For the election itself, the polling place is City Hall Council Chambers, 104 Maple Street West, for Wards 1-5. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Local Board of Canvassers will meet after the close of voting to conduct the local canvass. Municipal clerk Taylor Larson can be reached at (715) 268-3410.

Recycling Committee

The Recycling Committee's Aug. 4 meeting, held at 3:30 p.m. in City Hall, included approval of the June 2 meeting minutes, a Polk County recycling program update, and planning for an August garage cleanout and county clean sweep. The committee also discussed a September focus on plastics recycling.

Coming up

The next scheduled meeting is the Aug. 11 election, with the Local Board of Canvassers meeting after polls close. No other meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Amery roundup: Rezoning vote, golf cart rules, and absentee voting ahead for August

Recent city meetings in Amery were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, so no official decisions are on record from the past two weeks. The most consequential items are scheduled for the August 5 Common Council meeting, where council members are set to hold a public hearing and vote on rezoning 1101 Cornwall Ave to Light Industrial.

Plan Commission weighs rezoning 1101 Cornwall Ave

The Plan Commission met July 23 to discuss a rezoning request to change 1101 Cornwall Ave, identified as PID 201-00776-2000, from C-2 Central Business to I-1 Light Industrial. The commission also reviewed a zoning permit application for a 32'x18' lean-to and a 64'x40' shed on the same property. An update on the city's zoning code rewrite was on the agenda, along with discussion of accessory structure provisions in the zoning ordinance. A public comment period was scheduled before adjournment. Minutes have not been published.

Absentee voting held at four Amery facilities

A July 21 election notice scheduled absentee voting for residents of nursing homes and community-based residential facilities. Special Voting Deputies were set to administer voting at four locations:

• Riverbend, 475 Golfview Lane, July 21 at 9:30 a.m.
• Willow Ridge, 400 Deronda Street, July 21 at 10:00 a.m.
• Golden Age Manor, 220 Scholl Court, July 21 at 1:00 p.m.
• Amery Memory Care, 215 Birch Street, July 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Observers from the two major parties may accompany deputies, and family members may be present at voting. Minutes have not been published.

Absentee voting notice for August 11 election

A July 28 procedural notice outlined absentee voting for the August 11, 2026 election. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on August 6, 2026. In-person absentee voting began July 28 in the clerk's office and runs through August 7. Voted ballots must be returned by close of polls on August 11. Residents can contact clerk Taylor Larson at (715) 268-3410 or 104 Maple Street West.

Coming up

August 4 — Recycling Committee, 3:30 p.m., City Hall. Agenda includes approval of June 2 minutes, a Polk County recycling program update, planning for an August garage cleanout and county clean sweep, and a September focus on plastics recycling.

August 5 — Common Council. The council will hold a public hearing and decision on rezoning 1101 Cornwall Ave from C-2 Central Business to I-1 Light Industrial for SMK Holdings LLC. Also on the agenda: Ordinance 09-2026 creating rules for golf carts and low-speed vehicles, including a $10 five-year registration fee for golf carts; Ordinance 10-2026 requiring bicycle helmets for riders under age 16; appointment of Fire Chief; and a proclamation recognizing the 2025-2026 Amery Royalty Court.

August 5 — Public testing of voting machines. The city will conduct public tests of its electronic ballot tabulation system for the August 11 Partisan Primary Election, conducted under Wisconsin Statute 5.84(1).

Amery reviews $20 wheel tax proposal, $11.5M sewer bond, and golf cart rules

Amery's Common Council and two standing committees met July 14–15, with agendas covering a proposed $20 annual vehicle registration fee, an $11.5 million sewer utility bond issuance, and new operating rules for golf carts and electric bicycles. Minutes from all three meetings have not yet been published; the following is based on agendas.

Streets funding and wheel tax

The Common Council agenda for July 15 included a five-year streets funding model covering 2027–2031, which projects a $1.29 million shortfall without additional revenue. Staff recommended preparing a wheel tax ordinance at $20 per eligible vehicle, projected to generate up to $73,560 annually starting in 2027. No vote was recorded on the agenda; the item was listed for informational review.

The council was also scheduled to review FEMA draft flood risk maps for Polk County and Amery. The agenda notes that two parcels near the Apple River Flowage are currently affected, with no new parcels added to the flood zone.

A closed session was scheduled under Wis. Stat. §19.85(1)(c) for Fire Chief employment interviews.

Finance Committee: audit and sewer bonds

The Finance Committee's July 14 agenda centered on the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. According to the agenda, Lauterbach and Amen, LLP issued an unmodified (clean) audit opinion on May 21, 2026.

The agenda lists a $250,780 restatement of the General Fund beginning balance due to land reclassification, and an $11,997 immaterial difference in taxes receivable. The committee was also set to review the Sewer Utility's $11,526,201 Clean Water Fund Revenue Bonds issuance.

Internal control findings regarding GAAP conversion capacity were listed for discussion. The agenda describes the session as a technical review of the annual financial report.

Public Safety: golf carts, LSVs, and e-bikes

The Public Safety Committee agenda for July 14 included proposed operating conditions for golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs) on city streets. Proposed hours of operation are sunrise to sunset. The agenda also lists discussion of local registration requirements, insurance, and lighting requirements for street vehicles.

For electric bicycles and scooters, the committee was set to review potential updates to Chapter 180 of the municipal code, including helmet requirements and Class 3 e-bike access to bikeways. No ordinance changes were listed as decided on the agenda.

Coming up

The Plan Commission meets July 23 to consider a rezoning request for 1101 Cornwall Ave (PID 201-100776-2000) from C-2 Central Business to I-1 Light Industrial. The agenda also includes a zoning permit application for a 32'x18' lean-to and a 64'x40' shed at the same address, an update on the city's zoning code rewrite, discussion of accessory structure provisions in the zoning ordinance, and a public comment period before adjournment.