On June 2nd, Jon Strand of CBS Squared shared with the Stanley Council that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is revising the floodplain mapping for the county and different places. He explained that the agency utilized data to make an approximate flood plain study. “One of the ramifications of that study is that it showed the entire water treatment plant as being in the floodplain,” he said. He added that the 2013 flood plain analysis did not show the plant in the flood plain at that time.
Strand noted that the DNR recommended that the City of Stanley conduct a more detailed study to show what’s in the floodplain and also importantly what’s in the floodway and the flood fringe. “Those are some things that DNR could not perform with their study,” Strand explained. He added that DNR is saying that their precipitation models have changed since 2013 and also the approximate portion of this study was based on satellite imagery to come up with ground contours and it’s not quite as exact as actually taking survey shots.
Alderperson Laurie Foster asked, “What happens in another ten, fifteen years when all of a sudden now we’ve got to go up higher?”
“We’ve actually planned for that, we’re going three feet above what DNR is saying is a floodplain right now,” Strand answered. “This detailed floodplain study will refine that number. But our plan is to still build in some buffer factor into the height of the plant so that this same thing doesn’t happen 20 years from now.”
“This is the work of doing the survey work and also constructing the computer model,” he concluded.
The Council then approved a supplemental agreement with CBS Squared for professional services to include a floodplain analysis at an additional cost of $75,300.00.
The Council moved on to discuss the hiring of David Mendoza as a full-time Streets and Grounds employee. Alderperson Jason Meyer questioned who had participated in the applicant interviews. City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim explained that there were four applicants, all of whom were interviewed by Streets and Grounds Foreman Joe Schmitt, along with Jacob Lukes or Wastewater Operator in Charge Nick Martin. “It came down to two that had very similar qualifications,” she noted.
“Nobody from the council was involved in the interviews? Nobody from the personnel committee?”asked Meyer.
Pilgrim responded, “No. I was told that they didn’t need to be in here.” She added that the people who would work with the future employee would ask the better questions.
Meyer replied, “The community is pretty concerned that this person is being handpicked based on friendships not just qualifications.”
“He’s not,” Pilgrim replied.
Foster stated that she thought the personnel committee was supposed to be involved in the hiring process.
Pilgrim responded, “When you choose to have an administrator position, that’s what the administrator does. They take care of the hiring, the discipline, the employees, day to day operations. The council is there for policy.”
“It seems to be inappropriate that a friend would be interviewing a friend for a public position. This is not a private company,” said Meyer.
“He is not a friend. He was a military connection. He’s in the military,” Pilgrim clarified.
Meyer then made a motion not to hire Mendoza, seconded by Foster. A roll call vote followed: Alderpersons Ben Wald, Mark Fitzsimmons, and Terry Metzger voted against the motion; Alderpersons Meyer, Foster, and Aaron Dickson voted in favor. Alderperson Keith Samuelson abstained. With the vote tied, Mayor Mike Henke cast the deciding vote against the motion.
Wald then made a motion to extend an offer of employment to Mendoza at $26.50 per hour, with Fitzsimmons and Metzger voting in favor. Foster, Dickson, and Meyer opposed the motion, and Samuelson again abstained.
Henke, siding with the interview committee’s recommendation, broke the tie in favor of the hire. “So, it passes,” he said. “Mayor votes yes to break the tie.”
The Stanley City Council voted to eliminate rental fees for open-air pavilions at McManus, Soo Line, and Fandry parks, as well as the new Depot building, following a recommendation from Streets and Grounds Foreman Joe Schmitt. The decision was made as a gesture of service to the community.
Foster questioned the reasoning behind removing the rental fees. Henke explained that the park structures are not enclosed buildings, and the new depot building includes only open areas on either side, with the exception of the new restrooms.
Pilgrim mentioned adding donation boxes at the sites, while Wald raised concerns about the lack of a reservation system—particularly in cases like birthday parties, where someone might arrive to find the space already in use. Foster noted that the addition of a building and restrooms will likely increase usage, saying, “It’s going to be more people using it.”
While the council majority approved the removal of rental fees, they are still encouraging residents to make reservations when planning to use the spaces. Foster cast the lone vote against the motion.
During the council’s approval of the prior meeting minutes, Alderperson Jason Meyer requested discussion on a specific section. He referenced the May 23 public hearing on the proposed bike path, which was followed by a special council meeting.
“I just want to be on the record that the information sent to the public for the planned bike path did not match the plan that was presented at the hearing. In my opinion this raises a legal concern about the residents being properly informed,” Meyer stated.
He added that there must be legal grounds for holding public hearings and expressed concern over inconsistencies in the plans presented.
“Also, there’s been three different plans for the bike path. One included in the public hearing notice, one presented at the hearing and another one included with the grant application. These three plans to my knowledge were not the same. So what plan was approved? What plan was presented to the public? Which one is going to be used for the proceeding design?”
Meyer then raised concerns about the potential implications: “If the project proceeds with the public hearing being illegal what are the risks of us losing grant funding after the project has been started?” He also questioned how any discrepancies would impact the grant and how contracts would be managed or paid.
City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim responded that, after speaking with the Department of Transportation, she learned the map sent to residents was the same one submitted to the State.
“But the plan that was described at the public hearing had variances from that, did it not?” Meyer asked. He pointed out that at the public hearing Heritage Baptist Church was told that there would be shared parking on Fourth Avenue between North Franklin and Emery Street, but the plan submitted to the State has no parking allowed on Fourth Avenue between North Franklin and Emery Street.
Meyer clarified that his dispute is not with Pilgrim, but the Bike Path Committee submitted the plans to the State and two other entities. “So, this problem is not caused by the Administrator,” he added. “It was caused by the Bike Path Committee sending plans to other people than to her office so she can properly combine information, and everybody be on the same page.” Meyer stated that he wanted the minutes to reflect that the plans submitted to the public were not the plans presented. Pilgrim further explained that the engineer was the one who confirmed that she had the most recent plans.

In other news
The Council approved an amendment to the Farm Rental Agreement and voted to compensate Mahr Brothers for crops that had to be removed due to a land trade agreement with the DNR.
“They want some compensation for the crops,” said Mayor Mike Henke.
Alderperson Laurie Foster asked how many acres were planted that had to get changed. “Almost 50 acres?” she asked. Henke confirmed that estimate.
The Council Approved Proposal from Ess Brothers & Sons, Inc to repair all City Manholes in the amount of $220,400 as recommended by Committee of the Whole.
The Council approved the rental fee of the newly enclosed pavilion remodeled by Stanley Sportsman Club next to the tennis courts to be $50, including a $25 nonrefundable deposit.