April 27, 2026 · 6:00 PM

City Council Work Session

Two Rivers council members spent this work session looking for ways to fund small community programs without leaning on property taxes, and they also chose to stick with the city’s current leaf pickup approach (with possible tweaks). They also assigned council members to a long list of boards and committees.

Key Decisions

Council heard a pitch from the Lakeshore Community Foundation on alternative, more “sustainable” ways to pay for community programs (like cemetery flowers and the community band) so those costs don’t keep landing on property taxes or the general fund; staff were told to keep working on options.

On leaf collection, the council leaned toward keeping the current system, but discussed shortening the season (now about 8–10 weeks) rather than switching to new equipment or a bag-based approach.

Council members divvied up seats on city boards and committees, including Plan Commission, Room Tax Commission, and the council’s own finance and public works committees—choices that shape what issues get attention and how fast they move.

Public Input

No public comments or communications recorded for this meeting.

Agenda Items

Presentation from Lakeshore Community Foundation on sustainable funding mechanisms for community programs for the purpose of reducing property tax contributions

Representatives from the Lakeshore Community Foundation walked the council through possible funding options for community programs, specifically naming cemetery flowers and community band events. The stated goal was to reduce reliance on property taxes and the general fund, and staff said they are evaluating strategies. Council generally supported continuing to explore the options and directed staff to keep pursuing this approach—though no specific funding mechanism was chosen in this meeting.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

lakeshore community foundation partnership Full history → sustainable funding mechanisms to reduce property tax contributions Full history →

Public Works leaf collection methods and review of more sustainable alternatives

Public Works reviewed how leaf pickup currently works and laid out alternatives, including a leaf-compacting device and a compostable bag collection system. After discussion, the council’s preference was to keep the current method rather than switch systems. The one change they signaled interest in was shortening the leaf collection window, which is currently about 8–10 weeks—something residents will want to watch for if it affects neighborhood pickup timing.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

leaf collection methods and alternatives Full history →

Appointments of Council Members to Various City Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Passed

Council assigned its members to a range of boards and committees, including Plan Commission (Adam Wachowski), Room Tax Commission (Mark Bittner and Bill LeClair), and Library Board (Shannon Derby). They also set the makeup of the council’s standing committees: Personnel and Finance (Mark Bittner, Scott Stechmesser, Adam Wachowski as chair), Public Utilities (Shannon Derby, Darla LeClair as chair, Tim Petri), and Public Works (Doug Brandt, Katherine Dahlke, Bill LeClair as chair). These assignments matter because they determine who does the early shaping of policy and spending before items reach the full council.

📄 See in official document: Page 1

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