City of Eagle River City Council Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 A meeting of the Common Council of the City of Eagle River was called to order at 6:00PM by Mayor Deb Brown. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dan Dumas and was recited by all present. Roll Call: Dan Dumas, Kim Schaffer, Vic Washelesky. Also in attendance: Robin Ginner, Becky Bolte, Brad Adamovich, Tyler Salvinski, Tony Sable and Mike Sanborn. Jerry Burkett was absent. Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Dumas to approve the agenda in any order. Carried, all. Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Schaffer to approve the minutes of 6-9-2026 Common Council and 6-17-26 Special Council meetings. Carried, all. a) Clerk provided Council a listing of public records requests to the City of Eagle River for June 2026. b) MSA Monthly Updates: Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Dumas to approve presented 2026 Street Project bid to Pitlik & Wick for a total of $274,223. Motion carried on a roll call vote. c) Eagle River Light & Water: Sanborn presented the sludge update stating they are continuing to work with the DNR for approval to spread on private landowners’ acreage. d) Golf Course Greens Update: Ginner provided a verbal report supplied to her by Superintendent Anderson; crew added sand into bunkers, nine new benches were placed, and pumphouse is keeping up with irrigation in this heat. Golf Pro Update: Tony Sable provided a written report. Sable reported revenue is up from 2025 to 2026 and things are going smoothly. e) Eagle River Fire Department: Fire Chief Jim Randall provided a written update. Call volume continues to remain high. Chief Randall reported 152 calls through the end of June 2026 compared to 83 calls through the end of June 2025. Randall encouraged people to volunteer. f) Eagle River Police Department: Salvinski provided a written report of PD activity for June. An offer for employment was extended and accepted, with conditions including completing academy training. The COPS hiring grant is now open and being pursued. Salvinski supplied a preview of historic items to lend to the Eagle River Historical Society. Motion by Dumas, 2nd by Schaffer, to lend 13 historic PD items to the Eagle River Historical Society (ERHS) for display in their museum. Items to be returned to the PD when no longer displayed or used by the ERHS. Carried, all. g) City Administrator’s monthly update on activities of all departments: Ginner presented a written report. Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Schaffer to approve the hiring of a masonry contractor to repair the brick at the Depot for an amount up to $13,360. Carried on a roll call vote, all. h) Planning Commission: i) Conditional Use Permit - Continuation: Request by Amerco Real Estate Company/U-Haul for a conditional use permit to construct four (4) self-storage units totaling 51,977 square feet at 1100 N. Railroad Street, Eagle River, computer number 221-1019-06, in accordance with Chapter 106, Article VI, Division 7, Sec 106-473 Uses permitted by conditional grant, (8) Storage buildings not used for habitation – human or animal. Shawn Odden was present as representative for U-Haul. Schaffer presented the Planning Commission recommendation. Schaffer, as Council representative of the Planning Commission, presented a thorough verbal summary of the May, June and July Planning Commission meetings and gave an extensive explanation of Planning Commission recommendation of approval. Schaffer explained all conditions recommended in detail. Discussion. Washelesky explained Act 67 and requirement to act only on substantial evidence and factual information to decide issuance or denial. As an experienced engineer, Washelesky spoke on the complexity of the plans presented by U-Haul and reported multiple errors and inaccuracies within the final 6-30-2026 plans that were not corrected after notification to applicant. Discussion on inaccurate building floor elevations that incorrectly show building slab elevation is 8’ below ground. The intended elevation is 3’ above ground. Washelesky also discussed the impervious surface level calculating that the percentage is above the zoning ordinance requirement, 106-267(c), that states the impervious surface can be no greater than 80 percent of the lot. The area used for water detention was not eligible to be included in the calculation for impervious surfaces as standing water is expected. Discussion on concerns that multiple MSA recommendations included in the MSA executive summary have not been addressed in presented plans and CUP recommended conditions. Continued discussion on the presented stormwater plan and expected flooding possibilities at and around the property, including effects of snow melt. Washelesky recited the City Zoning Ordinance 106-171 (c) providing standard for granting CUP: (c) Standards. No conditional use will be granted by the council or recommended by the plan commission unless the use:(1) Addresses expected harmful project impacts. (2) Is so designed, located and proposed to be operated that the public health, safety and welfare will be protected. (3) Will not cause substantial injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which it is located. Washelesky stated that all three listed standards for CUP denial are apparent. The flooding concerns fall into standard (1) harmful impacts, and (2) public safety with probability of road flooding, and standard (3) the negative property valuation to neighboring businesses as evidenced by realtor letters provided by Bortolotti’s Cin Cin located at 1114 N Bluebird. Washelesky referenced a legal opinion dated July 1, 2026, given by city attorney Steven Garbowicz, that provided city guidance as to which of the presented realtor letters could be considered in making a decision on injury to the value of other property in the neighborhood in which project is located. Dumas stated flooding impacts are his biggest concern. Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Dumas to deny a conditional use permit to Amerco Real Estate Company/U-Haul to construct self-storage units at 1100 N Railroad for the following reasons: Over 80% impervious, project has potential harmful impacts due to flooding, and this property substantially reduces the value of neighboring properties. Carried on a roll call vote. Ayes: Washelesky, Dumas Nays: Schaffer ii.) Conditional Use Permit: The Vilas County Fair Board has submitted a request for a conditional use permit to allow camping by carnival workers at the Vilas County Fairgrounds during the County Fair, August 13-16, 2026, with additional shoulder dates as required for set-up/tear-down of the fair attractions. The Vilas County Fairgrounds property, Parcel 221-182, 133 South Forrest Street, is described as Sect. 32, T40N,R10E, MILL LOT 1 COUNTY CLERK'S PLAT GOVT LOT 1 & PRT SE NE EXC 23-382,196-598,580174, 584885 RESOLUTION 441482. Discussion. Motion by Schaffer, 2nd by Dumas to accept Planning Commission recommendation and approve a Conditional Use Permit to The Vilas County Fair Board to allow camping by circus workers July 13-15, 2026, at the Vilas County Fairgrounds property, Parcel 221-182, 133 South Forrest Street. Carried on a roll call vote, all. iii.) Rezoning Resolution 1077: to consider the rezoning and subsequent change to the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Eagle River, for Elm Drive property listed below from Parks/Recreation to Office/Residential zoning classification: 1) Buskager: Parcel #221-1058-6011, 1025 Elm Drive, SE-SE,Sect. 33, T40N,R10E, LOT 2 22CS212 CSM 5874 FKA PRT SE SE EXC 540834. Motion by Schaffer, 2nd by Washelesky to postpone to August 18, 2026, meeting to bring back to Council in ordinance format. Carried, all. i) Discussion of potential dog park locations and development plan: Plan presented by Washelesky for location behind City Hall. Discussion centering largely on financial impact to city in relation to altering public works snow dump locations. Motion by Schaffer, 2nd by Dumas to table until August 18, 2026, City Council meeting. Carried, all. j) Street Closing/display of goods/event food trucks/temporary sign/amplification permits: Motion by Dumas, 2nd by Schaffer to approve the following permits as presented: i. Temporary Signs: Eagle River National Night Out, Eagle River City Hall 525 E Maple Street, August 4, 2026, 3:00PM – 6:00PM. Mike Sanborn ii. Amplifying Device: Abundant Life Church, Riverview Park Bandshell, Live music, July 21, 2026, 3:00PM soundcheck, 4:30PM – 7PM music. Rob Dixon iii. Temporary Signs/Amplifying Device/Food Trucks: Eagle River Firefighters Festival, Vilas County Fairgrounds, Signs at event at the front parking lot, August 8, 2026, 8:00AM – 4:00PM. Jim Randall iv. Food Trucks/Temporary Signs: Praise in the Pines, Northland Pines High School auditorium, Signs at Pleasure Island Rd and Hwy 45, October 18, 2026, Noon – 7:00PM. Mike Bishop v. Street Closing/Amplifying Device/Temporary Signs: Three Eagle Half Marathon, Street Closed - Railroad south of Dairy Queen onto the Three Eagle Trail, Signs at starting line south of Dairy Queen, October 10, 2026, 8: :30AM – 9:30AM. Nathan Koch Carried, all. k) Motion by Schaffer, 2nd by Washelesky to approve a Temporary Class “B” Beer to Eagle River Firefighters Fund Inc, Eagle River Firefighters Festival, August 8, 2026, 8:00AM – 5:00PM, Vilas County Fairgrounds, premises includes fenced in area of the festival grounds with consumption within the bounds of the festival grounds, Spencer Holms Agent. Carried, all. l) Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Schaffer to approve the Operators Licenses as listed: REGULAR: David Audy, Edward Dade, Thomas Dillahunt, McKenzie Ebert, Deette Eckes, Seth Garrick, Tina Hansen, Marcus Hletko, Ann Koleske, Dianna Krohn, Diane Moline, Gabrielle O’Hara, James Ovsak, Lorelei Schlueter, Douglas Talbott, Angela Vinnedge, Sabrina Wagner, Abygail Wenberg. Carried, all. m) Motion by Dumas, 2nd by Schaffer to approve a Direct Sellers Permit to Penney Korotka – Sweet Corn at Eagle Lanes, Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat, July/August two- month term. Carried, all. n) Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Dumas to approve draft document of Request for Proposals (RFP) for Residential Garbage and Recycling Collection Services and Garbage/Recycling Collection at City Facilities as presented. Carried on a roll call vote, all. o) Motion by Schaffer, 2nd by Washelesky to accept the retirement of Municipal Attorney, Steven Garbowicz, effective December 31, 2026. p) Motion by Schaffer, 2nd by Dumas to approve payment of the bills for the city and the golf course as recommended by the Finance Committee. Carried on a roll call vote, all. q) Clifton Larson Allen 2025 Presentation of City and Golf Course Audited Financials : Scott Sternhagen, CPA presented the 2025 financials. Motion by Washelesky, 2nd by Dumas to accept the 2025 financials as presented. Carried on a roll call vote, all. Motion by Dumas, 2nd by Washelesky to adjourn at 7:56PM. Carried, all. /s/ Becky Bolte - Clerk Published July 22, 2026 WNAXLP
