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

In Person Absentee Voting Underway: Early voting for the April 7th election is now underway. Our Elections Division shared this information… “In-person absentee voting is available for City of Eau Claire residents weekdays in the Elections Office, which is across the alley from City Hall at 203 S. Farwell Street. Hours of operation are 9AM to 4PM through Friday, April 3rd. Please note there are extended hours of operation on Monday, March 30th, and Thursday, April 2nd, from 9AM to 6PM, Individuals may also register to vote and request/complete/return a ballot. For additional information visit EauClaireWI.gov/Elections” The locations to park are pictured below.

Police Incident and School Resource Officer Response: The Police Department shared this update…

“This week our community learned of a difficult situation where a teacher with the Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) is alleged to have had sexual contact with multiple students. The incident was immediately reported to the School Resource Officer at North High School who began the investigation. Additional investigative resources were quickly deployed, and services were provided by the District. Evidence was gathered which led to the teacher’s arrest within 24 hours of the incident being reported.

Incidents like this are very complex, especially in the school environment. The long-standing partnership between the ECASD and the Eau Claire Police Department has created policies and practices that ensured this textbook response. Student safety was safeguarded, and services were provided for those impacted. Disruption to the learning environment was minimized to the extent it could, and the public was provided accurate and timely information. 

When considering the value provided by School Resource Officers, it is often thought of in terms of safety in the event of an active threat, like a school shooting. While preparedness and a rapid response for this type of incident are critical, there are more common benefits applied daily. The relationships with students, staff, and families, the knowledge of and respect for the school setting, and the opportunity to establish well-thought policies and procedures serve our community’s youth in the best way possible.”

North Eddy Street Bridge Weight Reduction Added: Our Engineering Department shared this update…

“After a recent state inspection of the North Eddy Street bridge, a weight restriction of five tons has been imposed to reduce bridge traffic and the related loading on the structure. This bridge is privately owned by Union Pacific/Chicago North Western Railway.

Updates on the bridge project can be found on the City of Eau Claire webpage at this link: Eddy Street Bridge Closure. For questions related to the bridge project or other street construction, please contact the City of Eau Claire Engineering Department by email at engineering@eauclairewi.gov or by phone at 715-839-4934. For questions related to transit service, please contact the City of Eau Claire Transit department by email at transit@eauclairewi.gov or by phone at 715-839-5111. Contact information for Union Pacific can be found on their website by clicking this link UP: Union Pacific Contact List”

Note that a few neighbors contacted the City to share concerns about semis that were still using the bridge after the weight restriction announcement. These residents were worried about the possibility of "more damage to the bridge and another closure.” In response to the concern, the City and involved residents worked together to carry out these steps: contacted Cascade, updated route-mapping tools, increased signage (pictured below), and increased Police enforcement. Thank you to our caring neighborhood residents!

Spring News: In this week and next week’s newsletter, I’ll share some information about City work activities that are changing as the seasons change. Here are a few for this week…

Spring Break at the Library: The Library shared their plans for next week… “Kids, teens, and families can have plenty of fun at the Library during its annual Spring Break Week (March 30th through April 4th). You’ll find trivia events, art and crafting activities, movies, ping pong, book bedazzling, a pop-up planetarium, and more. And don’t forget to check out their super-popular Escape Room (described below). Full details: https://www.ecpubliclibrary.info/kids/SpringBreak/”

Odd/Even Parking and Street Cleaning: This is the time of the year when residents ask when the odd/even parking enforcement will be suspended. Though there were some flakes Friday morning, we hope there won’t be more significant snow. That said, we carry out a full street sweeping process (pictured below) across the City prior to suspending the seasonal parking restrictions. Sweeping removes sand, which makes streets safer for bikes and motorcycles. It also keeps the runoff from our streets cleaner, which is required by the DNR. We appreciate your patience and compliance as we complete this process, and stay tuned for an announcement as to when parking restrictions will be lifted.

Spring Flooding: The melting snow and rain has increased river levels, with water reaching “action level”. That triggers closure of trails, as well as steps to close/open of valves in our stormwater infrastructure that help manage the water levels. Pictured below, we see high water on one of the warm days this week, when so many people were out enjoying the weather.

Safety During High Water Season: Our Fire Prevention Division shared these flooding-related tips…

“As the temperature rises, the snow melts and the spring rain will begin. Our rivers and waterways become extremely dangerous, even if they don’t look like it.

What’s happening right now? Melting snow and rainfall equals faster and stronger currents. Water levels rise quickly and unpredictably. Water temperatures are still cold enough to cause cold shock in minutes. Ice is unstable, thinning, and breaking apart.

What does this mean? That “calm-looking” river? It’s not calm. That Ice? It’s not safe. That tubing or kayaking trip? It can turn into an emergency fast. Every year, ECFD responds to water rescues involving people who underestimate these conditions. Strong swimmers and experience can help, but it won’t matter when the current is cold and moving fast.

How can people stay safe? 

• Avoid rivers during high flow conditions.

• Stay off the ice…There is no safe ice this time of year.

• No matter how good a swimmer you are, ALWAYS wear a life jacket if you’re near the water.

• ALWAYS supervise kids and pets closely.”

Pictured below are images that show how quickly ice melts this time of year.

Green Waste Facility Opening: The City's Green Waste Facility is expected to open April 1st, weather permitting. The facility on Jeffers Road provides an environmentally friendly solution for City of Eau Claire residents to dispose of brush, grass clippings, and leaves. Here's more information...

• Passes are available for purchase at the City's Central Maintenance Facility located at 910 Forest Street. Credit card, check, and cash accepted. CMF is open Monday through Friday 7:30AM to 4PM.

• Passes will also be available beginning April 1st at the brush site, located at 5710 Jeffers Road. Credit card or check accepted, NO cash.

• For more information on prices, accepted items, and hours of operation, visit the Green Waste Facility on our website at EauClaireWI.gov/Brush

Severe Weather Awareness Week: A reminder that April 13th through 17th marks Severe Weather Awareness Week. The week 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 1:45 PM. During this time, sirens and NOAA weather radios will sound. More resources for community members to prepare for severe weather can be found here: Climate and Health: Severe Storm Safety | Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Spring Means Cleanup: Don’t forget to sign up for the 18th Annual “The Amazing Eau Claire Clean Up!” On Saturday, April 25th from 9AM to noon, community members will come together to perform an outdoor spring clean-up of our community. Volunteers will be assigned locations throughout the city, including community parks, neighborhood playgrounds, picnic areas, recreational trails, and the downtown. They will pick up litter and perform basic tasks of service. No special skills are needed, just a willingness to help keep Eau Claire beautiful!  

Register online at www.eauclairewi.gov/volunteer. To volunteer by phone or for additional information, contact Claire Ystebo at 715-839-5032 or email us at recvolunteers@eauclairewi.gov. For those unable to volunteer at the clean-up event but still keen on contributing, consider adopting a park, trail, or garden in your neighborhood! Pictured below is a team from last year.

Accessibility Discussions

Waterstreet Accessibility: On Wednesday of this week, City officials, UWEC representatives, and members of the media took a tour of Water Street. It was led by a group of UWEC students who have organized a local chapter of an advocacy group called DREAM. They showed us how challenging it can be to cross Water Street, where traffic has increased in recent years. They also demonstrated how difficult it is to get into some businesses if using a wheelchair or other mobility devices to get around. 

I encourage everyone to take a moment to watch this video recorded by WEAU to listen to their experiences and ideas. Eau Claire Discusses Accessibility On Water Street (3/25/26) We found the tour to be a very meaningful experience, and it was great to interact with these motivated young leaders who are fighting for pragmatic improvements that will benefit all of us. The tour is pictured below.

Website Accessibility: Our Communications and Media person, working with our ADA Coordinator, carried out a discussion about changes coming to the City website. The City will be shifting to a new website platform, and at the same time, working to make improvements to ensure that the website is compliant with accessibility laws.

Media and Communications Specialist Tess Morgan shared: “These updates are all about making things clearer, easier to navigate, and more accessible for everyone who uses our information -- both our residents and our staff. While this change may feel daunting, reaching our goal will put everyone closer to being on the same footing and, in the process, simplify things and make day-to-day work easier, not harder.”

Interview with Local Leader: Somewhat related, our very own Katherine Schneider (who is a longtime residents and a County Board Member) was recently interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio. She created a children’s book award to encourage the development and promotion of books that feature children with different abilities and disabilities in order to create a more representative and inclusive world. Listen here: Book Award Story. 

Car Seat Safety Inspections: The Fire Department would like to share that Children’s Wisconsin will be hosting a community event offering free car seat safety inspections on Wednesday, April 8th, from 3:30 to 6PM at Station 10 (820 Malden Avenue). The Fire Department will be joined by the Eau Claire City-County Health Department and other local car seat technicians. 

Escape the Library: The Library shared this note… “A few times a year, our talented Youth Services staff transforms one of their study rooms into a fun escape room activity for kids and families. Staff from other departments get to test out each new room, and they can assure you -- the rooms are a blast. The puzzles are challenging, but not too hard for all ages. They’re super clever, surprising, and satisfying.  

This year’s springtime escape room is pirate themed!

• The Mission: Treasure on Troubled Seas! The most feared pirate on the seven seas has been causing chaos for far too long. It’s time to take back what’s ours! Gather your crew, sneak aboard his ship, and solve the puzzles to find the hidden gold before you’re forced to walk the plank.

• When: Now through April 11th.

• Where: The Library, Youth Services.

• Who: Recommended for Grades 4th through 12th, but the whole family is welcome to join the crew.

• Time: You’ve got one hour to nab the treasure and escape.

• How to Join the Crew: The ship is open during regular library hours, but space is limited! Register ASAP to reserve your one-hour timeslot: https://lephillips.librarycalendar.com/yarrr”

Some Notices from the Community:

Chancellor Search: UWEC’s Strategic Communications Manager and Legislation Liaison Jake Wrasse shared this note… “We are nearing the end of the UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Search process and are starting to share information about the finalist interviews happening in mid-April. Finalists in the UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Search will have on-campus interviews the week of April 13th, including public forums that community members are encouraged to attend or view.

While finalists will not be known until closer to interview week, preparations have been made for up to five finalists to engage in hourlong forums each day of the week from 4:30 to 5:30PM. Attendees are encouraged to prepare questions in advance.” For more information, visit: Chancellor Search page

Post Office Vehicles: The US Post Office reached out to the City, letting us know that they are getting new delivery vehicles that are taller. This requires the pruning of some tree limbs to allow for delivery. City Forester Matthew Staudenmaier shared: “I have already had some constituents contact us about tree vs postal truck concerns. We are pruning on the southwest side of town currently.”

Documentary: Volume One in conjunction with the Eau Claire Area Hmong Assistance Association and the Wisconsin Hmong Chamber of Commerce will present a documentary entitled "A Half Century Home: 50 Years of Hmong Resettlement in Eau Claire". The screening will occur on April 16th. Pablo Foundation is providing support, and the free reservations can be made here: Documentary Screening

One Better Way Tour: Western Dairyland invites all to a ribbon cutting and tours of their new Day Resource Center facility...

"Because of the generosity of our community, the new Day Resource Center is now open, providing services to individuals who are homeless and housing insecure. The capital campaign has raised $4.6 million towards the $6.4 million goal. Please join us to celebrate these milestones and see the impact firsthand. Tour the facility, meet partners, and learn about the next steps.

3PM - Ribbon cutting & opening remarks
3:30 to 6PM - Small group tours offered every half hour"

More information can be found here: Day Resource Center Ribbon Cutting & Open House | Upcoming Events | Western Dairyland

COUNCIL UPDATES

Special Council Meeting: Next week on Monday, March 30th at 5PM, we will hold a Special Council meeting to review a proposed contract between the City of Eau Claire and Eau Claire United for operations of the Eau Claire Soccer Park. This agreement makes us eligible to submit an application for the State’s innovation funding program. See here for the agenda.

Budget Forums: As a reminder, Council Member Aaron Brewster has arranged for a serious of budget discussions where you can learn more and ask questions.

• When: 3PM on four Sundays: April 12th, April 19, April 26, and May 3rd

• Where: The Plus at 208 S Barstow St. Downtown Eau Claire

All are welcome and come with your questions!

SHOUT-OUTS

Police Recognition: The Police Department recently held its 2025 Annual Recognition and Awards Ceremony. This event celebrated service year milestones, Letters of Recognition and/or Commendation through 2025, and Outstanding Service Awards. There are many categories of Outstanding Service Awards a staff member can be nominated for, from "Excellence in Leadership" to "Innovator in Policing." I will be sharing the recognition videos in coming newsletters, and I encourage everyone to take a moment to watch each one.

As the PD shared, “We begin today with Officer Ariana Larson, who was the recipient of the 2025 Shield of Valor Award. This award is presented to an officer who demonstrates extraordinary bravery and courage in the line of duty, going above and beyond to protect lives and uphold justice in the face of imminent danger. Officer Larson, thank you for all that you do!”

Please take a moment to watch this video to better understand the work that our officers do. They work together and with great courage. They create space and time to slow down crises whenever possible, and they rely on their very extensive training to make quick decisions when necessary. Watch here: Shield of Valor Award

Thank You to Mark Stanley: Long-time local contributor and member of our Waterways and Parks Commission, Mark Stanley, passed away on March 1st. His son Cam wrote us, sharing: “I know that he really enjoyed the opportunity to have a say in his community and support a cause that he really believed in as a science teacher and former public environmental health student in college.” (Mark was a teacher at Memorial when I attended, and many of my classmates shared that he was their favorite teacher.)

Council Member Jess Shoen shared this message of appreciation for Mark… “I had the privilege of serving alongside Mark Stanley on the City’s Waterways & Parks Commission. His commitment to strengthening our community through the generous sharing of his expertise will be remembered for years to come. Mark cared deeply about our environment and demonstrated that dedication through his volunteerism, sound judgment, and meaningful policy contributions. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

Thank You for Lunch and Learn: Members of our City Staff recently visited the University to help students better understand what jobs they may want to pursue in local government. The UWEC partners shared this note of appreciation: “Thank YOU so much for organizing all of the speakers, lunch, etc! The presentation was fantastic and you guys were so prepared, which made my side of things easy.” Pictured below is presenter Marisa Stanley from the Health Department.

Thank You for Snow Removal: We got a super kind note of appreciation for the plowing efforts… “This is a comment, not a question. The snow removal team performed outstandingly! Our snow was cleared partially and then completely in a thorough and efficient manner! I appreciate the hard work and extra hours everyone put in!”

Thank You from Neighborhood Services to Fire Prevention: Here's one of my favorite kinds of shout-outs, when one department thanks another. Our NS team sent over thanks to Fire Prevention, writing: "We over here in Code Enforcement were just talking about our awesome fire inspector Shoua and how excellent and helpful she is! We are very thankful to have someone as dedicated to the profession as she is." They said thank you to the whole Fire Prevention team, which is small, but consistently gets the job done well.

Thank you to Hobbs/Soccer Park User Groups: I want to extend a special thank you to the user groups members who have been working with us to talk about operations of Hobbs and the Soccer Park. It was a very compressed timeframe to think through options, and they all worked really hard to consider what might be possible. Even more inspiring is their commitment to the community and its youth-serving organizations. 

Demonstrating the incredible ways that the Hobbs user groups enrich our community, the Eau Claire Figure Skating Club recently shared their own shout out: “The Eau Claire Figure Skating Club held its 37th Annual Figure Skating Competition recently at Hobbs Ice Arena. With four days of skating events, we welcomed over 280 skaters from across the region and beyond who competed in individual events and 42 teams who competed in front of a packed house in the synchronized skating portion of the competition. Our club would like to extend a special thank you to the Hobbs Ice Arena staff who went above and beyond to help make this opportunity for skaters to compete, connect, and support each other happen.” A photo of the team skating event is below.

Thank You for Pollinator Work: A constituent wrote to say thank you to those who have been working on the pollinator project referenced in a recent newsletter. She shared: “I was so happy to read of the collaboration between UWEC Biology Professor, students, and the City. The City of Eau Claire has a wealth of knowledge at UWEC. It's great to see the City working with UWEC to find a way to reduce the use of herbicides. I see this as a win-win for the City and UWEC students. These students may be able to use this experience on their future resumes, and the City is blessed with the access of their young minds to think outside the box and find an answer through this experiment. Thank you to Sustainability Advisory Committee Chairperson, Lily Strehlow, by making a connection between Biology Professor Dr. Nora Mitchell and the City.”

School Resource Officer Appreciation: We recently celebrated School Resource Officer Appreciation Day! The PD shared: “We know our SRO's are great, but don't just take our word for it. Students, teachers, and administrators from the schools our SRO's serve wanted to share THEIR thanks for the amazing connections our SRO's make.” Watch the appreciation video and learn more about what our SROs do here: SRO Appreciation Day

Happy National Puppy Day: ECPD shared a video featuring Heather from Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles who brought in puppies to spread some joy to our PD on National Puppy Day. They also donated K9 Murphy to the Police Department. The PD said: “Thank you Heather for bringing these cuties in and making our day!” 

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

Seeking Council Member Applications: Reminder that the Council is soliciting residents who would like to represent District 2 for the next year. The deadline is 4:30PM on April 2nd, and more information can be found here: News | City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin

A Few More Reminders:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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)

Part-Time Shop Personnel: Are you looking for a part-time position with benefits where you can utilize your mechanical skills? Do you work well independently? Join us! We are accepting applications for the Part-Time Shop Personnel position with Eau Claire Transit. Duties include: performing minor mechanical work; cleaning and fueling transit vehicles; and providing support to the transit shop operations. Deadline to apply: Sunday, April 5th at 11:59PM.

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.

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 building/development, accessible design, 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 30th, Special Council Meeting, 5PM, Council Chambers

• Monday, April 12th, Council Public Hearing, 6PM, Council Chambers

• Tuesday, April 13th, Council Legislative Session, 4PM, Council Chambers