At its September 2 meeting, the Stanley City Council approved six applications for hunting and trapping within city limits on private property. Permits were granted to Cody Fanjoy, Tanner Miller, Cody Bergerson, Ryan and Will Chwala, and Elijah Acker.

The meeting, typically held on a Monday, was moved to Tuesday because of the Labor Day holiday. Alderperson Aaron Dickson was absent, while Alderpersons Jason Meyer and Keith Samuelson participated by phone.

The Council then moved on to other business, approving Franklin Brown to be hired to the Stanley Fire & EMS Department. Brown had resigned from the department on December 1, 2024. Mayor Mike Henke informed the Council that the Stanley Fire officers were split on the decision 3 to 3. “Yeah, it was tied,” commented Alderperson Laurie Foster.

“By the bylaws no matter what their vote is, it still comes to Council,” Mayor Henke stated.

“Is there any reasoning why there were three no votes,” Alderperson Keith Samuelson questioned.

Mayor Henke explained that there was nothing in the Fire Officers’ minutes stating one way or another.

Alderperson Jason Meyer shared that Brown had shown dedication during his prior service by showing up to multiple calls. “In that regards that person is a good fit for that.” Meyer also stated that Brown already has his certifications so more training shouldn’t be needed.

“My only concern is its 3 to 3,” stated Henke.

“Is there a probationary period in our bylaws?” asked Alderperson Mark Fitzsimmons.

City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim commented that if the probationary period is followed for a fully certified fire fighter, the pay would be low.

“I just don’t want to deviate too far from the bylaws, we spent quite a bit of time developing them,” Henke said.

“I think if we have bylaws we should follow them, for better or worse,” commented Alderperson Ben Wald.

Wald then motioned to approve following the probationary period as in the bylaws and the wage to start. All alderpersons approved with the exception of Fitzsimmons.

Schmitt brought the condition of Stanley’s 35 alleyways to the City Council, seeking guidance on how the city should proceed with their upkeep and potential improvements.

“The grass ones don’t get plowed in the winter right now,” Schmitt explained. “None of the alleys have been maintained at all being that they all need gravel, some of them have potholes.” He added that while the city could continue filling them, the material often washes out, and the alleys really need to be leveled and receive a proper base course.

Schmitt asked the council for direction on whether to maintain the alleyways as they are or to consider improving them.

“If we’re going to fix, they need to fix,” said Fitzsimmons. “We should be maintaining,” he added.

Mayor Henke agreed that gravel alleyways require regular maintenance. “If it’s gravel, we need to maintain.” He suggested that Schmitt create a priority list of alleyways in need of attention. “We’re not going to take a grass one and make it gravel,” Henke noted.

Fitzsimmons also emphasized the importance of prioritization. He recommended focusing on alleys with heavy traffic and those that are most frequently utilized.

With input from the council, Schmitt will now compile a priority list to guide improvements and ongoing maintenance.

City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim asked the Stanley City Council to approve requiring utility companies to obtain permits before beginning work in city right-of-way’s, noting that the city should be notified of such projects regardless.

“How much are the permits?” asked Alderman Foster. Pilgrim explained that fees are based on the size of the project. Foster then inquired if other municipalities have similar requirements, to which Pilgrim replied that Chippewa Falls does, and that was where the idea originated. “We aren’t Chippewa Falls,” Foster responded.

The council approved Ordinance 2025-001, amending Section 6-2-4 on excavations of streets, alleys, public ways, and grounds. “This way we can know who is digging on the right of way,” said Henke. Council members noted that some companies have previously completed work without properly restoring the right-of-way, and the new ordinance could help prevent that. The council also approved the fee schedule for right-of-way management.

“How are we going to implement this?” asked Fitzsimmons. Pilgrim explained that the ordinance would be published in the newspaper and that utility companies would need to contact City Hall to complete the required paperwork.