Hello City of Eau Claire residents, staff, and Council Members,

Here are some updates from around the City. As a reminder, prior updates can be found here, and people can sign up for updates here. Feel free to send me feedback.

Thanks for reading!

City Manager Stephanie Hirsch

CITY UPDATES

Pollinator Land Conversion Coming Soon: As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we are preparing to convert land that is currently mowed land to “pollinator” land. Through this project, 93 acres of land will be turned into pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Planned locations include areas along Hastings Way, the entrance and exit ramps of Highway 312, and land adjacent to the Chippewa River State Trail, towards the airport and north. Smaller parcels throughout Eau Claire in parks and open spaces are also part of the conversion plan, including portions of Archery Park, Boyd, and Fairfax Parks. More information and maps can be found here: Pollinator Spaces

The project comprises several stages and is scheduled to begin around May 28th, weather permitting. This project was introduced, and ARPA funds were approved at the City Council meeting on December 10th, 2024. The timeline is as follows:

• Phase 1: The contractor will begin spraying the first round of herbicide beginning on or around May 28th, weather permitting. Once started, that work is expected to be completed within the same week.

• Phase 2: Once there is additional growth of four to six inches, a second round of spraying will be completed. If necessary, an additional spray may be applied.

• Phase 3: Native seeds will be planted, along with winter wheat, for stabilization.

Within the first year, residents can expect to see the first blooms of pollinator-friendly vegetation, signaling the beginning of a thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other crucial pollinators. Maps of the areas that are being converted are shaded in red and can be found on our website, click “Planned Areas for Conversion”.

A Q&A with City staff and the contractor occurred this past Friday, and we will post the recording from that information session on the website. We will also continue to add more resources to that webpage as well. If residents have concerns about any of the proposed areas or any other questions, they can contact the City via the form on that website, or feel free to contact me. The map of areas for conversion will continue to evolve as we receive feedback from the community. We welcome your thoughts!

Pictured below are two staff members mowing land next to the trail on Galloway and an image of what the pollinator spaces should look like. Note that paths can be made through spaces, as is pictured.

Micro Transit Name: This summer, there's another big project underway related to transportation. It's a big year for Eau Claire Transit! We are updating our Transit Development Plan, opening our new Transfer Center, celebrating Transit's 50th anniversary, and launching a pilot “Micro-Transit” program on the Northside. This year, we hope more people will try our amazing transit system!

For the micro-transit pilot, individuals may order rides online or call to have a pooled taxi-type service pick them up at a location within the pilot area and drop them off anywhere else within that area, including at the Downtown Transfer Center. See below for a tentative map, which may change prior to launch. Fares will match our current fixed-route fares, and the service will run from 6:45AM to 6:45PM on weekdays. We will be looking closely at data that the pilot generates to determine how/if the service will be continued and if it can serve as a tool that our Transit system can use to cover service in parts of the city or times of the day/week that are not well served by fixed routes. It may also be an effective tool to serve constituents who face mobility concerns, as the vans will be wheelchair accessible.

 
One of our first steps of creating the micro-transit program is to identify a “name” for the initiative. Our consultant, then, will work on marketing it along with our whole Transit system. We need your help! We have been asking different stakeholders for ideas, and we have come up with a short(ish) list of options. Our goals with the service name are to, ideally, have some connection to Eau Claire and the current Eau Claire Transit logo, and to potentially indicate that only the northside of the city will be covered in the pilot year. Our Transit team has also been thinking about a revised Transit logo, so that may occur in the future too.
 
Here are the names that people have suggested. (They would be used along the lines of "Eau Claire Transit Connect North", or "Eau Claire Transit Connect Northside.") Please vote and comment here: Micro Transit Name Survey (Note that the survey requests your email address).

• Connect

• Link

• EauGo

• Current (River themed)

• On Demand

• Swift (River themed, and one of the founders of early transit was named Mr. Swift)

• Bridge (River themed)

• Glide (Rhymes with Northside - e.g. "Glide Northside". Could be spelled Glyde, and then the "Y" could look like the confluence of the rivers)

• Go Claire (The idea here is that it could become the brand of Transit in the future, such as Go Claire Bus, Go Claire Van, Go Claire Paratransit, so it could perhaps be combined with another name, e.g. Go Claire Link)

We want you to vote and comment! Share your thoughts here: Micro Transit Name Survey The names will be integrated with a version of the current Eau Claire Transit logo, and there will be additional marketing campaign verbiage, such as "Try Transit" or "Leave your car at home." We need everyone's creative energy.

Pictured below is the current Transit logo, along with a whole bunch of options as to how these names for micro-transit might connect to the larger Transit brand. (We are not marketing experts, so you will have to use your imagination to picture how it'll all fit together! And for anyone who IS a marketing expert, we welcome your help as we continue to think about how to market Transit to as many riders as possible.)

Street Crews Spring Work: Streets and Fleets Manager Aaron Nicholson shared this spring update: “Our Streets teams are beginning to ramp up our summer season of road work. Crews have been out cold patching and spray patching the roads. They have been through the entire city once, but since we’ve had some heavy rains, crews will be going through the entire city again as many areas have popped open.

Crews will begin the process of inspecting manholes and catch basins for any repairs needed on roads that will be micro-surfaced or chip sealed which will lead into the next phase of micro-surfacing and chip sealing many roads. The biggest and most notable maintenance project will be Golf Road from Highway 53 all the way to Cottonwood Road. The rest of the crews are beginning mowing operations, painting crosswalks and cross blocks, and crack sealing.

A quick reminder, when approaching our work crews, slow down and move over if you can in order to give our crew plenty of room to work and to ensure that they all get to go home to their families at the end of the day!”

Pictured below are spray patch and crack seal crews hard at work. We are grateful for your work to keep our streets in great shape and extend their lifetime!

Fairfax Pool Preparations: Our Recreation Division shared that they are readying the pool for the summer! “In preparation for the season, we’ve resurfaced the water slide, painted the main pool and diving well pool, and added brand new shade features.” The work underway is pictured below, on an empty pool. It'll look very different in just a few weeks.

Water Safety and Mt. Simon Cliff Area: We want to share a few notes about water safety, given the time of year and the water that is all around us. May is national Water Safety Awareness Month, and it’s a good time to remind the public that water, while a source of a lot of our region's recreation, can also be deadly.

We are taking these steps to try to reduce water-related injuries and fatalities:

Fire Visits to Fourth and Fifth Graders: Eau Claire Fire and Rescue and its Water Safety Task Force have created a water safety program to present to the Eau Claire School District’s fourth and fifth graders as part of this year’s spring prevention programs. This program has been teaching students about the inherent dangers of water and providing them with the tools to keep themselves and their families safe. They shared: “Please join us in getting the word out about water safety, and let’s aim for a safe summer on our waterways. If you have any questions about these topics, please call the department’s Fire Prevention Division at 715-839-4825.”

Work on Messaging: The City has been working with Visit Eau Claire, University, and other partners to ensure that we message about use of our riverways for recreation. We are grateful for the shared effort. Our Fire Prevention Deputy Chief Bob Haller and Aquatics Director Christine Mohr, provided this language to include in any notice about inner tubing, which you can find here: Tubing in Eau Claire, WI | Floating Down the Chippewa River

“Remember, moving water is never safe, no matter how calm it may look. You can minimize your risk by following some simple guidelines before you go float.

• Check the weather before you go.

• Tell a friend or loved one where you will be and when you plan to be off the water.

• Wear a personal flotation device when on the water.

• Use a buddy system. Always stay with your group.

• Keep a phone in a buoyant watertight container for emergencies.

• Avoid using drugs and alcohol while enjoying the water.

• Do not dive below the surface. The water just below the surface moves much faster than what you can see at the surface, and there are objects that could hinder you from resurfacing.”

Mt. Simon “Cliffs”: Last fall and early this spring, the City removed trees at Mt. Simon Park that had rope swings connected to them. In addition, we have put up a fence. This is to reinforce the prohibition on jumping and swimming in this area.

We urge residents and visitors to enjoy our waterways, but to do so safely. Our Fire Department, Police Department, and aquatics staff, as well as families impacted, can share stories of how much lives can be greatly harmed or even lost when unpredictable water conditions result in disaster. Pictured below are tubers on the river wearing life jackets and images of the trees that were removed at Mt. Simon. 

PFAS Settlement Funds Received: Last week, the City of Eau Claire received a check for $1.68 million, which was the first installment of the class action settlement with 3M over PFAS contamination. The total award for the 3M settlement is expected to reach $9.4 million, paid in installments through 2033. It is the first of four class action settlements in cases filed by the City against manufacturers of PFAS. Payments to the City from the settlements of all four claims are expected to exceed $12 million.

The City has been proactively addressing the presence of PFAS contaminants in groundwater at its wellfields, located near the airport. Historically, fire suppression foams containing PFAS, required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), were used in that area, contributing to contamination. PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are resistant to breaking down in the environment and have been linked to cancer and other serious health concerns. These contaminants are regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with additional regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The City’s drinking water has consistently remained below the regulated concentration levels. To avoid using wells with elevated PFAS levels, the City shut down nearly half of the wells closest to the airport, and the remaining wells continue to provide uninterrupted water service to the community. To address the underlying issue, the City is constructing a PFAS filtration facility to remove remaining trace amounts of PFAS from the water supply and to enable reactivation of the affected wells. This facility is projected to be operational in early 2026, representing a major step forward in ensuring clean and safe drinking water for Eau Claire residents.

The settlement payments are significant, though they do not fully cover the City's response costs. Eau Claire continues to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to share remediation and treatment costs.

We are grateful for our City Attorney’s Office for carrying out this legal work. Also, we thank the skilled and dedicated team in our Utilities Division and all those who worked on the PFAS emergency response and who continue to ensure the reliability and safety of our groundwater and community drinking water. Pictured below is the PFAS filtration site under construction.

Structure Fire and Grass Fire: Our Fire Department shared: “On Sunday May 11th, at approximately 09:57AM the Eau Claire Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at 1515 Taft Ave. Truck 5 and Medic 5 arrived to find heavy smoke and fire showing from the breezeway of a residential house. Truck 5's crew made an aggressive fire attack, while Medic 5's crew conducted searches to ensure all occupants were out of the home. The fire was quickly knocked down while additional crews assisted with ventilating smoke and performed extension checks to confirm the fire was out. Responding units included three engines, one truck, one ambulance, two chief officers, and one fire inspector. Also assisting were the Eau Claire Police Department, Xcel Energy, Eau Claire Building Inspections, and the Eau Claire Communication Center. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation." In addition to the fire on Taft Ave, the ECFD also responded to a Mutual Aid Box Alarm that was requested by Menomonie Fire Department for a grass fire that spread to surrounding structures. 

Deputy Chief Haller shared that both fires occurred during a “Red Flag” issued by the State that prohibits burning. While the City of Eau Claire has discretion on burning within the limits, he said that we follow the recommendations that are issued by the State and do not allow burning on Red Flag days. An image from the Taft fire is below, from WQOW's reporting. 

Regional Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony: The Police Department recently shared: “This week, we held the 2025 Northwest Wisconsin Regional Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony, honoring over 21,000 Officers nationwide and 53 officers from our region who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Following the ceremony, our Honor Guard placed floral arrangements at the final resting places of fallen ECPD officers Chief Elmer Sundby and Officer Robert Bolton in remembrance of their sacrifice. We were honored to have members of Chief Sundby's family join us this year.” An image from the ceremony is below, from WEAU's coverage of the event.

Storm Damage: It appears that most of this week's storm damage hit on the southern and eastern part of the region, and we extend sympathy to communities more severely impacted. Some of our squad cars that were in that area did sustain damage. Pictured below are employees from City Hall taking shelter in the interior hallway of the ground floor.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS: Here are a few ways to be involved in Eau Claire...

Library Outdoor Open House: Our Library staff invites residents to join them on Monday, May 19th, from 3:30 to 5:30PM for the second annual Library Outdoor Open House. They write: “Join us to officially reopen the Library's outdoor spaces with some springtime fun! We're talking about free ice cream, free fresh cut flowers, craft activities, live music, prizes, and more. Drop by for the following happenings: On the Plaza (Native Drumming from Tomahawk Circle, Free Ice Cream from Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor, BookBike), Dabble Box Courtyard (Felt Flower Craft, "Surprise Prize Flower Picking", Dabble Box Open Lab), Youth Services and Main Desk (Springy Craft Make-n-Take Activity for Kids, Easy Library Card Signups, Pick-a-Flower Book Garden), Reference Desk Level 2 (Seed Library Clearance), Terrace Level 3 (Free Fresh Cut Flowers from Brent Douglas Flowers). More information can be found here: Learn More. A special thank you to sponsors Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor and Brent Douglas Flowers! Pictured below is an image from WEAU's coverage of last year's event: L.E. Phillips Library hosts open house

Rail Coalition Train Service Meeting: There will be an update on the possibility of passenger rail service to the Eau Claire area on Monday, May 19th, from 6 to 7:30PM at CVTC on 620 West Clairemont Avenue. The announcement reads: "We are closer than ever to bringing passenger trains to Eau Claire, Menomonie, Baldwin, Hudson, and other towns. Join us to: Hear the latest about federal and state funding, review initial route maps, and learn how you can help right now to help move WI passenger trains forward." More information can be found here: West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition

CLOSURES/DETOURS, OPENINGS, DEADLINES, & REMINDERS:

Eddy Street Bridge Closure: With construction occurring in the downtown area, the Eddy Street Bridge closure is being delayed until temporary traffic signals will be operational at the Madison Street/Forest Street/Riverfront Terrace intersection. The closure is expected to occur the week of June 2nd, and it will be closed to vehicular traffic until structural improvements can be made. More information can be found here: Eddy Street Bridge Closure | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Dewey Street Bridge Closures: Starting on Monday, but lasting only one week, Dewey Street Bridge (by the Library and City Hall) will be closed to complete soil borings related to the new Dewey Street Bridge design. The bridge is expected to re-open Friday, May 23rd. More information can be found here: Dewey Street at the Eau Claire River | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Madison Street/North Farwell Street/North Barstow Street Improvement Project: Our Engineering team has been working really hard to juggle street projects with traffic, pedestrians, business owners, and more. Our construction season is short, and those are the same months that people would like to be out and about. We appreciate the team's efforts, and we appreciate the patience of the neighbors and commuters throughout the impacted area.

Here are some updates on the ongoing project in the Madison Street corridor…

• May 15th to May 24th will be used to complete construction on Madison Steet, with work continuing on the north side of the Madison/Forest Street intersection. Traffic will be routed around the block on Hobart and William Streets.

• On Saturday May 24th, Madison Street will be opened, and the detour that’s been using Putnam Street to Galloway Street will be removed. This will reduce the traffic congestion that’s been coming through downtown on Galloway Street.

• Farwell and Madison intersection will open only as a three-way intersection with temporary signals, keeping the north side of the intersection closed. This control will be used to operate until the new permanent signals are installed.

• Without traffic signals working yet at the Barstow/Madison intersection, Bartow Street access will remain closed on the north and south sides of Madison Street to keep Madison Street flowing through this intersection

Please note these dates and schedules may change due to contractor and weather delays. Also note, some of the proposed traffic patterns are susceptible to change depending on unforeseen for circumstances, complications, and efficiencies. A map updated 5/16 can be found here. 

On Tuesday, May 20th, the Engineering staff will be meeting with downtown businesses at Menomonie Market Food Co-op to review construction staging maps related to North Barstow Street and to provide details related to the construction timeline. Our staff looks forward to talking with businesses and working through project details. More information on the work in that area can be found here: Madison, Farwell & Barstow Street Improvements | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin Pictured below is Madison Street construction underway.

First and Platt Street Closures: Street construction work in this area is expected to start June 2nd. Residents may see private utility contractors working in the area prior to the full closures of First Street (Platt to Third) and Vine Street (Third to First).

Beach Water Monitoring Begins: The Health Department shared that their team that monitors beaches for bacteria and harmful algae is getting started soon, as they work from around Memorial Day to around Labor Day. To keep up to date on beach closings: sign up to get email notifications or follow us on Facebook. During testing season, beach status is updated every Tuesday, or when status changes.  For details about beach status, see our latest social media post. 

Memorial Day Closures: On the upcoming Memorial Day holiday (Monday, May 26th, City buildings and the Library will be closed. Transit will not be running bus service. Our 24-7 public safety staff, utilities, and other on-call staff will, though, continue to keep the City safe and running smoothly.

University Projects: UWEC shared that the wooden staircase in Putnam Park connecting UW-Eau Claire’s lower and upper campus will be closed for maintenance starting Monday, May 19th, with completion of work expected by the end of June. The Campus Hill will remain open to pedestrians throughout the work. UWEC also shares that work will begin this summer on demolition of the Zorn Arena. More information can be found here: Planning & Construction | UW-Eau Claire

A few more continuing notes…

• No Mow May As a reminder, residents may forgo mowing during No Mow May EauClaireWI.gov/NoMowMay.

   

• Xcel Pole Maintenance: Xcel Energy shared a notice that residents can expect to see crews out testing electric utility poles in the region. General customer and public questions about the pole maintenance program can be directed to Xcel Energy’s Customer Contact Center at (800) 895-4999.”

Job Openings: The City of Eau Claire offers a wide variety of positions. We hope you will keep an eye on our job openings and come serve the community! View the full list of our current job openings, applications, complete job descriptions, and more at www.eauclairewi.gov/jobs.

City Assessor (Finance): Put your assessment expertise and leadership skills to work in a meaningful way. If you're passionate about driving change and delivering results, we want to hear from you! We're a welcoming, fast-growing Wisconsin city, nationally recognized as one of the best places to live in the country. The City Assessor directs trained personnel in assessment and appraisal related activities to ensure Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and statutory compliance.  Deadline to apply: Open until filled.

Mechanic (Community Services): Enjoy a team atmosphere while working on a wide variety of mechanical equipment! Join us! We are currently hiring a Mechanic position in the Fleet Division of the Community Services Department. This position performs skilled mechanical work in the maintenance, servicing, and repair of automotive, truck, and other mechanical equipment, including preventive maintenance, and general and major overhaul work on equipment with diesel and gasoline engines. Deadline to apply: May 18th at 11:59PM.

NEW: Police Officer (Police): Enhance the quality of life in Eau Claire by partnering with the community to solve problems, reduce crime and disorder, safeguard individual rights, and improve public safety. Join the City of Eau Claire’s Police Department! We are now accepting applications for current Police Officer openings and a hiring eligibility list. Now accepting lateral transfers! Deadline to apply: June 11th at 11:59PM.

NEW: Desk Clerk (Library): Do you love helping people and connecting them with the resources they need? The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is currently seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Desk Clerk who has a passion for public service to work at the Library's front desk. As a Desk Clerk, you will assist customers by checking materials in and out, processing library card applications, and transferring library materials between customers and shelves and SO MUCH MORE. This is a part-time non-exempt position, averaging 19 hours per week. Deadline to apply: Friday, May 23rd at 8AM.

Volunteer Roles: The City has quite a few Boards, Committees, and Commissions on which residents help in different ways, from providing expert advice to serving in a quasi-judicial role. More information on how to join one is here: Boards, Commissions & Committees | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin We are, in particular, looking for a member for this BCC…

Administrative Review Board: The City of Eau Claire is seeking volunteer applicants to serve. The Board provides the opportunity for a hearing to a person contesting a decision made by an agency, board, or department of the City. The Board is quasi-judicial in nature, and for this reason, it's inadvisable for members to serve on other City boards or commissions. To apply or learn more about the Administrative Review Board or any of the City's other Boards, Commissions, or Committees visit: EauClaireWI.gov/BCC 

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: We have the best employees! Get to know one of them this week. (And submit your suggestion for an employee to spotlight here…)

Today we highlight Telecommunicator Terron Bell. Terron shared these quotes about him:

• “Terron brings an uplifting presence and a strong work ethic with him each day to a challenging position to better himself and his community”

• “Terron is very friendly and polite with co-workers and callers. He is always smiling and laughing.”

• “Terron is fun to work with and very kind to all.”

• “Terron has a positive attitude that is infectious to those around him. His friendly personality and big laugh make him instantly likeable. He is a great addition to our dispatching team!”

• “Terron is fun to work with. He always has a smile on his face and is ready to take on any task that is asked of him.”

And here's a bit more about Terron:

• Your Job: "Eau Claire Communications Center – Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher)"

• Best Part about Working for City: "Being able to know I do what I can each day to help my community."

• Activities Outside of Work: "I enjoy working out, playing video games, and watching movies"

• Hometown: "I am from Chicago, IL"

• Life Philosophy: "Hard work and dedication will get me there. Life is too short not to go after what you want."

• Something People May Not Know: "I can do the splits."

COUNCIL CALENDAR (Tentative – Please see: City Calendar | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (eauclairewi.gov) for most complete and up-to-date list of public meetings)

• CANCELLED: Monday, May 26th, Public Hearing, Council Chambers, 6PM 

• Tuesday, May 27th, Council Meeting, Council Chambers 4PM