Hello City of Eau Claire employees, residents, and Council Members –

Here are some updates from around Eau Claire. Note that prior updates can be found here, and you can use these linked forms to send feedback to the City Manager’s Office or City Council.

City Manager Stephanie Hirsch

CITY UPDATES

Snow Storm: We weathered last weekend’s storm pretty well. It was an all-hands-on-deck situation, with our Streets and other Community Services crews out plowing, our Neighborhood Services Division monitoring snow removal complaints, our Media and Communications expert pushing out community updates, and our first responders taking extra calls.

Snow Removal Response: During the snow storm, our Streets crews carried out extensive plowing operations. Streets Manager Aaron Nicholson wrote on Sunday morning: “The snow system is in full force and arrived at about 8PM on Saturday. Street Division operators have been out since that time patrolling and plowing the Ice Control Routes. At 5AM this morning, 24 additional staff were brought in to begin plowing on residential streets. At this time, the direction has been for staff to plow one pass in each direction on all residential streets. The goal of this operation is to open up as many streets as possible in case there is an emergency. These 24 staff will be here for 12 hours, and then they will be sent home at 5PM to allow an eight-hour break before the full residential plow begins. The ice route operators will continue throughout the duration of the storm.”

Public Safety Response: Our Police and Fire staff had very busy shifts all weekend.

Fire Chief Matt Jaggar shared that there were more calls than usual due to crashes. Also, residents in the area served by our EMS could not as easily drive themselves to hospitals, so they called for ambulances to help with transports.

As with Fire, our Police Department responded to many crashes and disabled vehicles. Here are a sample of responses from first 12 hours of Sunday:

• 12:52AM: ECPD Officers controlled traffic and assisted EC Fire during this structure fire

• 2:12AM: Single vehicle crash

• 7:54AM: Vehicle assist (Vehicle was stuck in snow near the intersection and partially blocking traffic)

• 7:58AM: Vehicle in ditch

• 8:50AM: Vehicle stuck in snow in lane of traffic (Stood by with emergency lighting until tow truck could free the vehicle)

• 8:56AM: Vehicle assist (Off roadway in the median ditch)

• 9:43AM: Vehicle’s transmission went out in roadway (Stood by with vehicle until tow truck could remove it)

• 9:45AM: Vehicle in ditch (Remained on scene until a tow arrived to remove the vehicle)

• 9:42AM: Vehicle stuck in snow in roadway (With the assistance of a couple of good Samaritan passersby was able to push vehicle out of snow)

• 10:25AM: Vehicle stuck in snow (Tow requested and removed the vehicle. Lights provided until it was clear)

• 10:28AM: Crash property (Report of hit-and-run)

• 10:59AM: Vehicle stuck in snow on the roadway lane of traffic (Stood by until vehicle was removed)

• 11:02AM Crash

• 11:53AM: Vehicle in ditch

Over the rest of the day, officers responded to nine more vehicle-related calls, plus a call related to a dispute about snow removal, plus all of the regular types of calls they take.

Neighborhood Services Response: This Division fielded many complaints about unshoveled sidewalks and were very busy. In response to a constituent complaint about an unshoveled sidewalk, our Neighborhood Services Director and Administrative Support person went out with the Streets Manager and  Supervisor to clear a sidewalk area themselves (thank you Aaron, Hayley, Chad, and Janiece!). Our employees care a lot about doing a good job, and they show up for our community time and time again.

Appreciation: Our staff both received and shared appreciation for response to the event...

• “I just wanted to pass on a huge thank you to the City’s street crew during this nifty snow storm. This evening, our neighbor’s car got stuck in the snow in a dangerous area. When one of the plow drivers noticed the predicament from over a block away, he took time in his busy shift to secure the area, make it safe so we could help shovel the car out, and advise the neighbor on how to get the car moving. Very kind, generous, and patient… Our neighbor was ready to give up when the employee arrived and was yelling thank you like a giddy little kid as he drove all the way down Clairemont when his car was finally moving thanks to your employee!”

• “Thank you to the plow drivers clearing the city streets and the county plow drivers!! Great job!!”

• Fire Chief Matt Jaggar wanted to specifically thank the Community Services crews for helping the Fire Department respond to the weekend's working fire. "They really helped us a lot. They cleared the street of snow to allow emergency vehicles to pass.”

• “Please pass on my appreciation to the streets crew. This last weekend was challenging to say the least, and y’all really rose to the challenge. Thank you.”

• “A special shout-out, praise, kudos to Streets employee Rich Bauer, who cleared our cul de sac of ALL the snow on Monday, March 16th, 2026 around 1:30PM…. He gets what customer service is all about. THANK YOU SO MUCH RICH!!!!”

And finally, Aaron shared appreciation to his team, co-workers, and the community: “I wanted to take this opportunity to give a huge THANK YOU to all of the staff that made this weekend a huge success. While the storm didn't turn out to be the huge totals that we expected, it still was a significant storm that slowed the city down. However, due to the exceptional dedication, craft, and expertise of all of our staff, many residents didn't have the chance to notice how much snow we actually received. Almost all roads throughout the entire city were passable throughout the entire storm. Overall, we have received fewer calls from citizens for requests and concerns than what we receive for a three- or four-inch event. 

A HUGE thank you to the managers and supervisors for giving up yourselves and your staff over the weekend through today, the mechanics for keeping us on the road, Tess for helping us build out our social media presence, and to Stephanie for putting our information in the newsletter and authorizing some creative ideas to help the our citizens. We truly have some of the best employees, and I am proud of the team that we have at the City of Eau Claire.”

Pictured below is downtown during the storm. Residents did a good job of getting cars off the streets.

Two Structure Fires: This week we saw two structure fires.

Barstow Street: “Just after midnight on Saturday, the Eau Claire Fire Dept (ECFD) responded to a fire alarm on Barstow Street, and further reports indicated smoke was coming from the rear of the structure. A full structure fire response was then requested. Engine 2 arrived and made entry through the front door and found heavy smoke conditions and fire towards the rear of the business. Additional arriving crews worked to contain the fire to the first floor, with smoke damage occurring throughout the structure. Crews searched the entire building, as well as the two adjacent buildings. Crews also performed ventilation and checked for fire extension. The fire investigation is ongoing by ECFD personnel. Assisting with this incident was the Communications Center, and ECPD. No injuries were reported at the time of this media release.”

Spring Street: “On March 19th at approximately 5:31PM, the Eau Claire Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 500 block of Spring Street. The call was initiated by a neighbor who reported visible flames coming from the residence.

Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire conditions on the rear of a two-story, wood-frame duplex, with fire extending into the second floor. Crews quickly deployed hose lines and initiated an aggressive interior fire attack, while simultaneously conducting a primary search of the structure.

All primary and secondary searches were completed, and no occupants were found inside. The fire was brought under control in a timely manner, limiting further damage to the structure.

During the incident, firefighters also managed a downed power line near the building, which required coordination with Xcel Energy to secure utilities and ensure scene safety. One firefighter was evaluated on scene for a medical issue. No other injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the ECFD Fire Inspector. The Eau Claire Fire Department was assisted on scene by Xcel Energy, ECPD, EC City Building Inspector, and Eau Claire Communications Center.” The Fire is pictured below.

Police Department Shares Scam Alert: Our PD passed along this message to the community… “We have been alerted that several Eau Claire area residents have received calls from a person claiming to be Sergeant Mike Major with the Eau Claire County Sherriff's Office this afternoon. While Sgt. Major is a real person, he is not with the ECSO and will never ask you to send him money via cash drops at your house or Bitcoin machines.

We discussed this exact scenario in a recent FIVE-EAU Podcast episode, which is out NOW. Please watch, share and discuss Episode 4: A Financial Crimes Detective's Survival Guide with your family now to prepare yourself for when the scammer calls them."

Watch now on YouTube

Listen now on Spotify

Training Updates: Here are a few recent trainings that our public safety departments have carried out to increase their readiness for emergencies…

Tabletop Exercise: Deputy Chief Haller shared a note about a recent training… “Members of the City’s Emergency Management Team, Jasmine Dutton, Danielle Wik, and Deputy Chief Bob Haller, as well as participants from the Health Department, attended a Family Assistance tabletop exercise at the Sonnentag Event Center on March 3rd. This exercise was facilitated by WEM and Eau Claire County Emergency Management. The exercise focused on how different agencies and community stakeholders would coordinate, communicate, and reunify family members involved in a traumatic event in the City of Eau Claire. In this exercise, we were able to identify strengths and weaknesses, as well as develop new plans and relationships to aid in family notification and reunification.”

Lights Out PIO Training: Recently, the Police Department and partners from the region carried out a training that simulated how the region would respond to an extended power outage, including communication, coordination, and messaging. PD Media and Communications Specialist Shannon Hoyt shared “I wanted to thank you for attending last week’s training at Xcel Energy. Not only did we have great discussions, but we also left with new ideas on what we can do as a group.”

Rope Rescue Training: The Fire Department shared that their B shift recently spend the day training with our new rope rescue equipment. They wrote: “From rappelling, to ascending and building hauling systems, the team put in the reps to sharpen the skills that matter when seconds count. Training like this ensures we’re ready when the call comes.”

COUNCIL UPDATES

Next week is another City Council meeting week. You can find full packets here: 3/23/2026 and 3/24/2026 City Council Packets | News | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Council Topics: On Monday, I will provide a brief effort on our work to apply for Innovation Funding. It looks like only one or two projects will move forward, due to the complexity of applying for the funding and implementing a transition in the short timeframe. If projects do move forward, the Council will hold a special meeting on March 30th to approve required agreements. Residents and stakeholders are, as always, welcome to come comment on this topic or any topic of interest.

Continuing our FY27 early budget planning, we will continue to discuss Transit at a work session on Tuesday after the Council Meeting. Additionally, we will share compiled results of an exercise the Council is carrying out to try to identify priorities of where to reduce spending/increase revenue. Once we get some direction from the Council, we will carry out a community engagement process. The budget will then return to the Council for their acceptance or amendments in the late fall.

Budget Forums: And speaking of engagement opportunities, Council Member Aaron Brewster has arranged for a serious of budget discussions at which you can learn more and ask questions. I plan to be at as many of these as possible, so I hope to see some of you there. Here are the details...

When: 3PM on the following Sundays: April 12th, April 19th, April 26th, and May 3rd

Where: The Plus (208 S Barstow Street, Downtown Eau Claire)

All are welcome, and come with your questions!

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Feel free to share your question here and we will work on answering it: Service Request Form - City Manager | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin (eauclairewi.gov) You can also send questions or comments to the City Council via this form: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/city-council/city-council-members/city-council-contact

Sidewalk Snow Removal Process

Question: A constituent notified Neighborhood Services about two problem properties and wondered when they would be cleared. “We walk three dogs on those sidewalks, each one twice daily. It's a sad statement about city safety when walking down a busy street to bypass one of those properties is a safer option.”

Answer: We do have two staff members who work on code violations, but there are almost 30,000 households in the City, so it is a lot of area to cover. The process involves the following steps...

• Notify the property;

• Give them 24 hours to resolve the issue;

• Come back with a contractor or staff member to remove the snow; and then

• Bill the owner for the snow removal.

Snow removal contractors or staff members also get very busy in a storm like the one we had, so staffing the removal can be a challenge. We are glad that people have high expectations for our new Neighborhood Services Division, and we are working to build capacity to respond effectively to the growing number of requests we are receiving.

Mailbox Challenges

Question: “My mailbox was knocked off when plowing was done on Monday am. I am a single elderly woman and would like this is taken care of. Thank you, it is greatly appreciated.”

Answer: We are sorry for the damage! Please send along requests in one of these ways…

• Call or send an email to: riskmanager@eauclairewi.gov, phone number is 715-839-4942

• Submit a ticket online: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/online-services/service-request/service-request-form-streets

Funding from Big Box Stores

Question/Comment: “Once again cities and counties are required and asked to do more while receiving less from the State and Federal Governments. ….As the City Council works to balance the annual budget, I encourage you to ask Big Box Stores and other multi-corporate businesses to pay their fair share of City operating costs. Citizens must pay sales and income tax on all earnings and expenditures as required by law. Families keep having their share to pay increase to make up for dark store tax discounts and so on. Businesses have to do their part and pay their fare share to help the rest of us out.”

Answer: This is a very good point, and we appreciate it! Unfortunately, each year some of the large retail stores, as well as others such as the two main hospital systems, sue the City to reduce or eliminate their tax payments. Without reform at the State level, we will continue to see these challenges each year.

We encourage our residents and stakeholders to contact their state representatives to ask that they pass legislation to limit and better define the scope of property tax exemptions and procedures that are used by large businesses and organizations to limit or even eliminate their fair share of costs to support local government services. Note that their property taxes pay for vital police and fire public safety services that are well used by these properties.

The City has been successful in defending retail commercial claims, such as a recent ruling against such a claim by Scheels in Circuit Court. (The case is on appeal, and a favorable decision is expected, but those rulings are never guaranteed, and they are always costly to defend.) We welcome productive inquiry into fair valuation by any property owner and taxpayer, however, most are repeat claims from same parties with little merit.

The City will continue to defend against unsupported claims to reduce or eliminate lawful and fair share taxes. But we also look to the state to clarify these tax laws, fully fund any tax exemptions granted for true benevolent services to our residents, and properly fund necessary local services. 

Budget Challenges

Question: "Did we have any sense this major cliff was on the horizon?"

Answer: Yes, the challenges have existed for decades, and the high inflation and population growth in the last five years, along with the cumulative challenges from prior decades, have increased pressure on us to make structural changes.

As a reminder, the City’s budget can primarily only grow at an amount equal to the prior year’s new growth (or Net New Construction). Given that constraint, there are significant challenges during times of any inflation and population growth. To keep up with those, we have had and will continue to have a gap of about $1.5 million/year. We filled that gap with the Local Vehicle Registration Fee for two years, and one year it was filled with the one-time increase in state aid (called "shared revenue"). The public safety referendum largely added positions, rather than closing the gap. 

Below are some numbers that show change from 2020 to 2025. As indicated in the chart below, departmental spending has risen more slowly than inflation, and spending has also not kept pace with population growth. As a result, inflation-adjusted per capita departmental spending has fallen between 2020 and 2025. 

Shared Pain

Question: "Is the City of Eau Claire unique in this challenge?"

Answer: Throughout the country, government organizations are struggling due to inflation, falling revenue, and growing community needs. Households are struggling with similar challenges. (I just read an article describing the challenges of communities in Massachusetts, which has levy limits that allow for growth PLUS 2.5 percent each year, as compared to Wisconsin's which allows for just growth, with no inflation adjustment).

Challenges are especially acute in Wisconsin which has experienced decades of tax law that prevent governmental entities (cities, villages, towns, counties, school districts, and UW campuses) from generating revenue. Cuts to federal funding exacerbates the situation. 

Here are a few examples, but a quick search identifies challenges in nearly every community, excepting perhaps places that have had exceptional net new construction...

Some Wisconsin libraries are struggling for funds due to inflation, budget shortfalls - WPR

City of Milwaukee Budget Proposal Avoids Severe Cuts, Increases Fees | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

La Crosse city council approves 2026 budget, after fights over funding for north side pool, library - WIZM 92.3FM 106.7FM 1410AM

The $1.45 million question behind Wausau’s firefighter referendum

UPDATE: Attorney’s and ECASD discuss lawsuit against state legislature

70 School Districts Have Referendums on April Ballots » Urban Milwaukee

One-Time Spending

Question: "Has the City been using one-time ARPA spending to balance the budget?"

Answer: We spent most of our ARPA funding on as many projects as possible that would improve our long-term fiscal health, including zoning reform, IT improvements that are leading to efficiencies, and studies that supported fiscal reform and stability. We also contributed ARPA funding to support community efforts, which was one key goal of ARPA funding. Finally, we spent APRA funding to close the gap on the cost of housing built at the Transfer Center. This investment was a requirement of the grant that was submitted for the transfer center prior to 2020.

Innovation Funding

Question: "Why did the City wait so long to apply for the Innovation Funding offered by the State?"

Answer: The State opened the innovation grant process in September of 2025 (note that this is a correction over what was included in my emailed newsletter, which stated January of 2026), and then subsequently issued guidance on what was eligible, such as this document from this month. They are still providing guidance, as they work through the requirements of this new program. We have been trying to get applications in the first round. This would give us our best shot, because it will have the fewest applicants (due to the very compressed timeframe). That said, due to that same timeframe, it’s hard for us to get the tasks complete, especially because it involves partners taking on risk that they haven't had enough time to evaluate. Learn more here: DOR Innovation Grants

Water Systems

Question/Suggestion: “Who pays for the maintenance of the City's water system and fire hydrants. Many cities add a few dollar charge on the water bill pay for maintaining the system. This takes that expenditure away from the general fund. Also, renters have to help pay for the service and not just property taxpayers.”

Answer: Thank you for this suggestion! The City’s water and sewer system is handled as part of our Utility enterprise fund, with rates covering the costs. Enterprise funds with revenue sources have fewer challenges than our general fund.

Street Lights

Question/Suggestion: “Many cities have instituted a street light utility that pays for the maintenance and operating of the city street lights. A small surcharge could be added to the electric bill to pay for this service and again take that expense away from the general fund. Again, renters and not just property tax payers would take part in funding this.”

Answer: Thank you for this suggestion! It is a new fee that we could consider. The public would likely be unhappy, but it is one of the few tools that are available for communities to use to cover costs.

Graham Ave Resurfacing

Question: “Is there any way for the City Street crew to resurface, not patch the street area from Lake Street to Gilbert on Graham Ave? It’s been in need of resurfacing for at least three years. It's one of the main route to and from downtown to get to State Street and Water Street.”

Answer: “Thank you for reaching out with your question. It looks like Graham Avenue (Washington Street to Emery Street) is proposed to be reconstructed in 2028. Reconstruction projects typically involve replacement of water and/or sanitary sewer lines, curb and gutter, installing new sidewalk and/or sidewalk repairs, removing the existing surface, grading and graveling, new bituminous pavement, and restoration of disturbed areas. Property owners would be sent notice of the public hearing, the special assessment estimate and information on special assessments, and the engineer’s report for the project prior to the City Council public hearing. Property owners are encouraged to attend the public hearing. The project would only move forward with city council approval.

It doesn’t look like the portion of Graham Avenue between Washington Street and Jefferson Street/Gilbert Street is on the five-year CIP project list. I am forwarding your request to the deputy city engineer who oversees design and construction, so he is aware of the request.

You can check the status of upcoming construction, get answers to special assessment FAQs, and see what the proposed projects are at this link:
Street Construction | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin"

CLOSURES/DETOURS, OPENINGS, DEADLINES, ALERTS, & REMINDERS:

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Our Risk Manager shared this message.... "The week of April 13th through 17th marks Severe Weather Awareness Week. It provides an important opportunity to review and practice our tornado safety procedures. As part of this effort, the City will participate in the Statewide Tornado Drill on Thursday, April 16th, at 1:45PM. During this time, sirens and NOAA weather radios will sound."

A Few More Reminders:

• Sharps Box: A box is available for household disposal of needles, lancets, syringes, and other sharps devices at 21 S. Dewey St. (near the bridge and trail)  

• Junior Police Academy: Applications for ECPD's 2026 Junior Police Academy are open! Apply here: JPA Application.

• Weight Restrictions: Seasonal weight restrictions are in place. More information is here: weight restrictions.

• Service Line Survey: You may have received a notice from our Utilities division about an important survey for property owners in the city of Eau Claire. The survey is a few simple questions about the type of pipes you have in your home. Learn more here: EauClaireWI.gov/SLI

• Local Vehicle Registration Fee Tips: If you see a Local Vehicle Registration Fee on your Wisconsin license plate renewal but don’t live in the City of Eau Claire, you may need to update your address information. WisDOT applies local vehicle fees based on where your vehicle is customarily kept, using the address on file for that vehicle. More information can be found here: Wisconsin DOT Wheel Tax  and City of Eau Claire LVRF

• Upcoming Elections: Here is what we can expect for elections this year… 2026 Election dates in Eau Claire are: Spring Election (4/7/2026), Fall Primary (8/11/2026), and Fall General Election (11/3/2026). Information about registration, absentee ballots, I.D. requirements and more can be found at EauClaireWI.gov/Elections Visit MyVote.WI.gov for your complete voter information and much more.

• Police Non-Emergency Line Reinder: Save the Police Department’s non-emergency line in your phone: 715-839-4972. The non-emergency number is for situations that do not require an immediate police response but still need attention.

• Please Pick Up Dog Feces and Litter: Please pick up your trash or dog’s feces. And, if you are feeling community-minded, please pick up other people’s litter and dog’s feces to keep our sidewalks and trails clean. Pictured below is a left-behind winter hat.

• Water Street Accessibility Tour: Join students and other UWEC and City representatives for a tour of the Water Street area to discuss ideas for improving accessibility in the district. Meet in front of Aspenson Mogensen Hall (AMH) at 3:30PM on Wednesday, March 25th.

• Name Our Pool Bus: Transit shared… Submit your name ideas for names for our pool bus and win a prize: https://www.cognitoforms.com/CityOfEauClaire/NameThePoolBusRoute”

• Pool Passes Available: Pool Memberships are 10 percent Off from February 1st through May 15th. You may purchase the passes online on at https://activenet.active.com/eauclaire/ or in person at the Recreation Office at 915 Menomonie Street.

• Kids/Teens Ride Transit for Free in 2026: Children (and adults who are still in high school) will take Transit for free starting in 2026! Stay tuned for more details.

• Shelters and Rinks: Rinks and warming shelters are now closed for the season.

• Communicable Disease Updates: Stay on top of the virus outlook by signing up for the Health Department’s monthly communicable disease email newsletter by clicking here.

• Odd/Even Parking Restrictions: The City is enforcing winter odd/even parking restrictions. Alternate Side Parking rules are in effect even if there is no snow. If you're new to Eau Claire or just need a refresher, visit EauClaireWI.gov/AlternateSideParking for what you need to know. Alternate Side Parking rules do not replace more restrictive parking regulations, including any street posted with No Parking sign.

WAYS TO SERVE

Employment Openings: Take a look at our open positions here: Job Openings | Sorted by Posting Date descending | JOB OPENINGS (governmentjobs.com)

Seasonal Laborers - Limited Term Employment (Engineering and Community Services): Don't want to spend your summer stuck in an office? Join us in the outdoors! Our Community Services & Engineering Departments are hiring Seasonal Laborers for the 2026 Summer Season. Deadline to apply: Open until filled.

Recreation Part-Time Summer Positions (Community Services): The City of Eau Claire Recreation Division is now hiring for part-time recreation positions! (number of hours per week and duties vary with position) Deadline to apply: Open until filled.

Utility Systems Technician I (Water Systems): We need you to help us meet our mission to provide an uninterrupted water supply to the residents of Eau Claire! Put your repair experience, knowledge of construction, and desire to be part of a small team to work as a Utility Systems Technician I (Water Systems). We are currently accepting applications for this position in our Community Services Department. Duties include: installing water services; installing water meters; maintaining and repairing valves, gauges, pumps, and other related equipment; disinfecting and pressure testing water mains; testing for water leaks in residences and commercial establishments; and more! This position includes public contact and manual labor. Deadline to apply: March 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Become a Poll Worker: The City of Eau Claire needs poll workers for upcoming elections. Election Inspectors (poll workers) register new voters, give credit in the poll books to those who vote, answer questions, hand out and explain ballots, and work with ballot counting equipment. Training sessions are held before each election. Currently, poll workers are paid $8.25/hour, including for time spent at the training sessions. The polls are open from 7AM to 8PM on Election Day. A full day for most workers lasts from approximately 6AM to 10PM. Some poll workers work half day shifts, either from 6AM to 1PM or from Noon to close. More information can be found here: Elections | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

The first step to becoming a poll worker for the City of Eau Claire is to go to the city’s Human Resources page and fill out the application here: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/our-divisions/human-resources  Once you have completed the application, we will contact you about the follow on steps. After completing the poll worker hiring process you will need to attend a 2hr training session prior to working your first election.

Boards, Commissions, and Committees: We have several openings on the volunteer Boards, Commissions, and Committees that are listed below. Learn more about these roles and apply here:  Boards, Commissions & Committees | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Zoning Board of Appeals: This Board hears and decides appeals where it is alleged there is error in any order, requirement, decision or determination made by the Zoning Administrator.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: This Commission advises the City Council on bicycle and pedestrian policies and practices, ensuring they reflect community values and priorities.

Housing Opportunities Commission: This Commission advises on and reviews policies to ensure affordable housing in Eau Claire, facilitates access to housing programs and funding, and promotes public-private partnerships to expand diverse and affordable housing options. Currently seeking residents with experience in housing real estate, building/development, accessible design, property management, or home financing.

WAYS TO GET IN TOUCH: We encourage you to use these different ways to follow City news and reach out to us.

• Follow our Social Media Accounts. Those accounts include: Police, K9 Murphy, Fire, Transit, Parks/Recreation, Fairfax Pool, Hobbs Ice Arena, Economic Development, and the General City account. Some of the accounts allow constituents to send direct messages, which staff will respond to.

• Use Web Forms. Submit a question or comment via our web forms: Service Request | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin We will reply, and I will continue to share the FAQs we hear in the weekly newsletter.

• Contact City Council. Council Members welcome contacts, and you can reach them here: City Council

• Sign up for City Notices. The City sends out notices on many different topics, and you can elect to receive any of them here: Sign Up for eNotifications | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

• Attend Council Meetings. Individuals can stream or attend City Council meetings, and each Monday evening session has a period of public comment. Meetings can be found here: Meetings | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

• Attend (or apply to be part of) a Board, Commission, or Committee. Individuals can also attend the meetings of our different volunteer committees. Those also have a public comment period. Residents can learn more here: Boards, Commissions & Committees | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

• Invite us to a Meeting. We are also always happy to send staff and Council Members to other meetings residents or stakeholders would like to hold. We can attend book clubs, lectures, classes, church assemblies, etc. We will come to you -- just let us know where and when.

• Join (or form) a Neighborhood Association. Neighborhood Associations are the building blocks of community ties and community change. Visit this site to learn more about how to join or create a Neighborhood Association: Neighborhood Associations | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

• Try the ECPD App. Download the app to find the Report a Crime form, track career opportunities, and get instant alerts: https://www.joinecpd.org/ecpdapp

• Volunteer. Get involved in the nuts and bolts of City Operations by volunteering to staff the winter parade, to help maintain a park, or more. Learn more here: Volunteer Opportunities | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

• Contact the ADA Coordinator. Have a question about accessibility? Contact the ADA Coordinator here: ADACoordinator@EauClaireWI.gov, or learn more here: ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act Information

• Contact Us. Find more ways to reach us via this page: Contact Us - Service Directory | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

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)

• Monday, March 23rd, Council Public Hearing, 6PM, Council Chambers

• Tuesday, March 24th, Council Legislative Session, 4PM, Council Chambers

• Monday, March 30th, City Council Special Meeting, 6PM, Council Chambers