Stevens Point meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Stevens Point Council approves Main Street property sale, fiber network expansion

The Stevens Point Common Council approved a property sale, a fiber network expansion, and a bond financing resolution at its Aug. 17 meeting, along with several other items. The Council also approved an agreement with Mid-State Technical College for the proposed Nexus Center.

City Council

The Council approved a finalized sale agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank for the acquisition of property at 601 Main Street and an associated parcel off Water Street, by a 9-2 vote. It also approved a resolution amending the initial industrial development revenue bond financing for Firecrest Aerospace, Inc. (11-0), and awarded a fiber network expansion project to Elexco Inc. for up to $420,500 (11-0).

The Council approved an agreement with Mid-State Technical College related to the proposed Nexus Center (11-0). It disallowed two vehicle damage claims (11-0), approved the consent agenda with item 5l pulled (11-0), and approved the mayoral appointment of Todd Penske to the Police and Fire Commission (10-1).

Finance Committee

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Finance Committee approved an initial resolution for industrial development revenue bond financing for the Firecrest Aerospace, Inc. project, with changes noted but no alteration to the basics of the agreement. It also approved an agreement with Mid-State Technical College for the Nexus Center, with lease terms changed to fifty years and a right of first refusal with three-year notice. All votes were unanimous.

The committee also approved funding for telecommunication line relocation at the former Edgewater site, increased cat license fees to $14 (spayed/neutered) and $24 (not) for 2027, approved two AECOM change orders for Business 51 North and South segments, and denied two vehicle damage claims. All votes were unanimous.

Board of Water and Sewerage Commissioners

The Board approved the 2025 audit by Baker Tilly, replacement of unit water heaters up to $26,500, and a non-binding letter of intent with CDS TitanForge, LLC for renewable energy credits, all unanimously. The board discussed upcoming rate increases for all three utilities, with a public hearing scheduled for Sept. 8, 2026.

Airport Commission

The Airport Commission approved the 2025 audit presented by Baker Tilly, which showed operating revenues decreased from 2024-2025 due to increased city subsidies, while expenses remained stable but exceeded revenues. It also approved minutes and claims, and discussed a petition to the state for capital projects with a public hearing scheduled for Aug. 24, 2026. All votes were unanimous.

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee approved all five items on its Aug. 10 agenda: a new Associated Bank EDI Service Agreement for FSA, HSA, and COBRA accounts; known 2027 out-of-state travel; reclassifying a Production Assistant from Seasonal to Permanent Part-Time; a merit pay request; and adding a part-time Community Service Officer for the Police Department. All votes were unanimous.

Public Policy and General Government Committee

The committee approved a temporary extension of licensed premises for Partner's Pub & Grill's 48th Annual Homecoming Bash on Oct. 10, 2026, and approved four recurring events: Riverfront Jazz Festival (Sept. 5-6), Pointoberfest (Sept. 19), Pacelli Homecoming Parade (Oct. 2), and Halloween Trick or Treating (Oct. 24). All votes were unanimous.

Transit Commission

The Transit Commission approved the June 8 minutes, the June and July 2026 Financial/Claims Reports, and the 2027 Section 5310 Mobility Management and Operating Assistance (Volunteer Driver Program) Grant Applications, all unanimously. Superintendent Scheuermann provided an update on UWSP routes, ridership, and staffing.

Canvassing Board

The Canvassing Board certified the Aug. 11 Partisan Primary Election results, verifying 5,776 ballots cast across six polling locations. One provisional ballot in District 3 was not rehabilitated. No errors or irregularities were reported.

Other meetings

The Joint Review Board met Aug. 11 to review annual PE-300 reports and consider closing TIF #8; minutes are not yet published. The Business Improvement District Board met Aug. 19 to consider maintenance quotes, software cost share, and a logo selection; minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **Airport Commission** – Aug. 24, 12:00 p.m., at 300 Bliss Avenue (with Zoom option). Public hearing and possible adoption of a resolution to petition the Secretary of Transportation for Airport Improvement Aid.
• **Historic Preservation and Design Review Commission** – Aug. 25, to review a design request from Jim Lucas of R&L Developers for a principal structure at 1016 Third Street (Parcel ID 281240832200425) under Ch. 22.05(2).

Park Commission expands Yulga disc golf course, raises ice rental fee

The Stevens Point Park Commission on Aug. 5 approved expanding the Yulga Park disc golf course from 18 to 24 holes, along with several other actions. The commission also approved a pedestrian trail concept for Mead Park, a parking lot rental, and increased the ice rental fee at KB Willett to $175 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

Park Commission decisions

The commission voted 10-0 to expand the Yulga Park disc golf course. It also approved a Mead Park pedestrian trail concept with dark sky compliant lighting (10-0, with an amendment passing 7-3) and adopted the trail into the city's Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (10-0).

In other action, the commission approved a parking lot rental for Zenoff Park to the UWSP Career Advising Center (9-0, with Guthrie abstaining) and approved the Peters Family Park concept and fundraising plan, with bike parking added (10-0). The ice rental fee increase at KB Willett passed 10-0, and the commission approved its June 3, 2026, meeting minutes (10-0).

Other recent meetings

Several other city boards met during the past two weeks, but their minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are reported.

• **City Plan Commission (Aug. 3):** Discussed two fencing standard exception requests, for 1233 Maria Drive (Raymond Cal) and 501 Michigan Avenue North (SentryWorld Real Estate LLC).
• **Business Improvement District Board (Aug. 4):** Considered redirecting Storefront Competition prize funds to an Economic Vitality Small Grant fund, a Locable platform proposal, and heard a presentation on the AECOM one-way to two-way street conversion study. The board also accepted a resignation from Craig Cook and appointed a new secretary.
• **Sustainability Commission (Aug. 6):** Reviewed preliminary results of the city greenhouse gas inventory and a public engagement survey tool, and planned a recommendations presentation for the Mayor and City Council on Nov. 16, 2026.
• **Police and Fire Commission (Aug. 6):** Discussed hiring Codi Fox as a probationary police officer (lateral transfer), promoting Mark Lenz and two battalion chiefs to permanent status, and accepting a $2,000 donation from Wisconsin Public Service for patrol flashlights.

Coming up

Several meetings are scheduled for Aug. 10 and Aug. 11. Notable items include:

• **Finance Committee (Aug. 10):** Preliminary 2027 operating budget update, an initial resolution for industrial development revenue bond financing for Firecrest Aerospace, Inc., funding for telecommunication line relocation at the former Edgewater site (1450 Water St.), and an agreement with Mid-State Technical College for the Nexus Center.
• **Board of Water and Sewerage Commissioners (Aug. 10):** Closed session to discuss a possible public-private partnership with CDS TitanForge, LLC for renewable energy credits and operational agreements, plus an audit presentation by Baker Tilly.
• **Transit Commission (Aug. 10):** Approval of 2027 Section 5310 grant applications for the Volunteer Driver Program.
• **Public Policy and General Government Committee (Aug. 10):** Temporary liquor license extension for Partner's Pub & Grill's homecoming bash, plus recurring events including Riverfront Jazz Festival, Pointoberfest, Pacelli Homecoming Parade, and Halloween Trick or Treating.
• **Personnel Committee (Aug. 10):** Bank service agreement, 2027 out-of-state travel, position reclassification, merit pay, and adding a part-time Community Service Officer.
• **Joint Review Board (Aug. 11):** Review of annual PE-300 reports for active TIF districts and possible closure of TIF #8.

Stevens Point roundup: $1.25M Sisters Meadow contract approved; finance committee backs bond financing, library design RFP

The Board of Public Works awarded a contract not to exceed $1,254,039.70 to Earth Inc. for the Sisters Meadow Project #26-108, the largest dollar action among recent city meetings. The Common Council is scheduled to consider the same contract at its July 20 meeting.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee approved several items unanimously on July 13, including an initial resolution for Industrial Revenue Bond Financing for Firecrest Aerospace, Inc., a State Municipal Financial Agreement for State Highway 66 pavement replacement, and issuance of a request for proposals for professional design services for the downtown Portage County library. The committee also established a plan to close TIF District 8 early using a housing extension and approved claims paid, both unanimously. A lease with UW-Stevens Point Foundation, Inc. for 809 Division Street passed 4-1.

Board of Public Works

In addition to the Sisters Meadow contract award (Ayes: All), the board approved the Director's Report (Ayes: All) and heard a presentation on the Downtown Conversion Study. No further details on that presentation were included in the minutes.

City Plan Commission

On July 6, the City Plan Commission approved a final subdivision plat for two parcels bounded by Maria Drive and Union Street North on a 5-1 vote. The commission unanimously approved an amendment to the Official Street Map establishing Meadow Street North, Third Street North, and an extension of Academy Avenue, and unanimously approved dedication and acceptance of land for right-of-way purposes for those streets. Meeting minutes from May 20 and June 1 were approved unanimously.

Public Policy and General Government

The committee unanimously approved items 2A through 2I, covering temporary Class B wine and beer licenses for the Downtown Business Improvement District, Holy Spirit Parish, Pacelli Catholic Schools, and Portage County Business Council events; a provisional Class A beer and liquor license and a Class A beer and liquor renewal for Save A Lot; a taxicab company license for Courtesy Cab with ten driver licenses; and a secondhand jewelry/pawnbroker license for The Whiting Exchange LLC. Four community events were approved unanimously: the Wine Walk, the Portage County Democratic Party Picnic, the UW-SPP P!nk charity game, and the Festival Food Turkey Trot. Two proposed ordinance amendments on campers/RVs and habitation in vehicles did not pass; the habitation-in-vehicles amendment was withdrawn for further review.

Agenda-only meetings (no minutes yet)

The Downtown Business Improvement District Board met July 7 to discuss and possibly act on a proposal from Locable and to approve June 2, 2026 minutes. The Redevelopment Authority met July 14 to consider an offer to purchase 1101 Centerpoint Drive by Mid-State Technical College, grant and loan program exceptions for three residential properties, and Shopko Site redevelopment updates. The Business Park Business Improvement District Board met July 15 to discuss possible action on maintaining asphalt walkways within the district. Outcomes for these meetings are not yet published.

Coming up

• **City Plan Commission, July 20:** Reviews rezoning and development requests from Mike Helmrick on the Sisters Meadow parcel (Parcel ID 281240829240033), including comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning to Conservancy, R-3 and R-4 districts, a Planned Development overlay, site-plan review, and a conditional use permit. Also on the agenda: a right-of-way plat and relocation order for the Business 51 Reconstruction Project from Michigan Avenue to Rice Street.
• **Common Council, July 20:** Considers the $1,254,039.70 Sisters Meadow contract award to Earth Inc., the 809 Division St. lease with the UW-Stevens Point Foundation, industrial revenue bond financing for Firecrest Aerospace, Inc., a memorandum of understanding with Local 484 on salary language, and probationary firefighter/paramedic Jeff Davidson's advancement to full status.

Stevens Point roundup: Firefighter appointment approved; street map changes and $1.25M project on deck

The Stevens Point Police and Fire Commission confirmed a new firefighter and approved union contract updates at its July 2 meeting, the only body in the past two weeks with final decisions on record. Several other city boards met or are scheduled to meet with agendas that have not yet produced published minutes.

Police and Fire Commission — July 2

The commission made three substantive decisions:

• **Firefighter appointment:** Confirmed the permanent appointment of probationary Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Davidson, effective July 18, 2026.
• **Salaries:** Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Local 484 regarding Article 19 (Salaries), finalizing contract language on compensation for city fire and police staff.
• **Continuing education:** Approved a Side Letter of Agreement with Local 484 regarding Article 28 (Continuing Education), updating training terms.

Procedural items, including meeting minutes and confirmation of bills, were approved unanimously.

City Plan Commission — July 6

Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed. The agenda listed public hearings on:

• Final subdivision plat review for parcels bounded by Maria Drive and Union Street North (Parcel ID 281240829240047) and Maria Drive (Parcel ID 281240829240033).
• An Official Street Map amendment to establish Meadow Street North, Third Street North, and an extension of Academy Avenue.
• Land dedication and acceptance for right-of-way purposes for those same streets.

Downtown Business Improvement District Board — July 7

Minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included discussion and possible action on a proposal from Locable, plus approval of minutes from June 2, 2026.

Coming up

Four meetings are scheduled for July 13 and July 14:

• **Public Policy and General Government (July 13):** Will review temporary alcohol licenses for several events and businesses, ten taxicab driver licenses for Courtesy Cab, and proposed ordinance amendments prohibiting campers and RVs in city permit parking lots and habitation in vehicles on city streets and property.
• **Finance Committee (July 13):** Will consider an initial resolution for Industrial Development Revenue Bond financing for the Firecrest Aerospace project, a pavement replacement agreement on State Highway 66, a request for proposals for design services for the Portage County library's downtown location, and a tentative plan for early closure of TIF District 8 with a housing extension. A closed session is scheduled to negotiate leases for the former UW Credit Union building at 809 Division St. and a proposed public safety training facility on Badger Ave.
• **Board of Public Works (July 13):** Will vote on awarding the Sisters Meadow Project #26-108 to Earth Inc. for up to $1,254,039.70. Also on the agenda: updates on Division and Church Streets reconstruction, the West Scott Street Project, a traffic signal upgrade, an AECOM presentation on the Downtown Conversion Study, and discussion of an ordinance regulating private plantings in the public right-of-way.
• **Redevelopment Authority (July 14):** Will discuss a property purchase offer from Mid-State Technical College for 1101 Centerpoint Drive, grant and loan program exceptions for three residential properties, and updates on the Shopko Site redevelopment.