Eagle River City Council covered a lot of ground during its May 12 meeting.

In the first golf course update of the season, Golf Pro Tony Sable said he’s seen a slow start due to the recent cold temperatures since the course opened May 1. He said while they are behind last year, he’s “not really that concerned.”

He and course Superintendent Kyle Anderson both commented on the good condition of the greens after a long winter. Anderson said the greens are the best they’ve been coming out of winter since he’s worked at the course. Upcoming projects include adding more sand to bunkers and sod to the tee boxes in the back.

Over the winter the fleet of golf carts had new windshields put in, and Sable said they look “fantastic.”

Sable also spoke about upcoming expenses that are coming down the pike, including the purchase of new golf carts. Approaching 10 years of service, he said carts are still “in good working condition” for this season. Sable said he’s not suggesting action now, but getting it out there as something to be aware of as a future expense.

He shared a cost estimate with the council, which totaled approximately $330,000 to replace all 66 carts. That included the trade-in value of the existing carts, but Sable noted that in the coming years the prices of new carts are likely to increase and the existing value of trade-ins will decrease.

He has ordered five extra batteries to have on hand to keep the fleet powered in the interim.

Anderson is looking at artists to convert an 8-foot tree trunk by hole 17 that was damaged during a tornado some years prior into a piece of art work; likely a large eagle.

“This is kind of the last hole-and-a-half when you’re there, and I think it would make a statement,” he said of the project. He is in talks with one artist that excels at carving Northwoods wildlife and estimates it would cost $5,000-$6,000.

City Administrator Robin Ginner added that Sandbaggers Clubhouse is now open under its new operators and things are going smoothly.

Dog park options dwindling

Ginner also proposed a lot on Commerce Loop for a dog park that has been in talks by the council over the last year. Although the lot has some wetland area that would need fill, Ginner called it “kind of the last hope if we want to do this in the city.”

As an alternate option, Alderman Jerry Burkett has tried repeatedly to get in touch with Marshfield Clinic, now Sanborn Health, which has an unused back lot behind its clinic on Commerce Loop that he thinks would be an excellent site for the dog park. So far has received no response back.

Visibly frustrated by the lack of communication, he said, “I would appreciate a no as much as a yes at this point.” Burkett added that ideally, he would like to see the company donate use of the back lot to the city for a dog park or a pickleball court area.

He said he would contact reps. Rob Swearingen and Mary Felzkowski to try to find the correct person to contact at Sanborn Health.

Wastewater sludge handled

Utilities Manager Mike Sanborn updated the council on the wastewater sludge issue that has been talked about over the past couple months.

So far this spring, Eagle River Light and Water has been able to spread about 200,000 gallons, leaving about 280,000 gallons left in the holding tank. He had a meeting scheduled with the DNR to hopefully pass inspection that would allow another 240,000 gallons to be spread this summer on a privately-owned parcel on Highway 17 North.

Sanborn recommended they continue to look for their own field to purchase for spreading use going forward.

He also commented that the department has been testing for PFAS in the sludge. They found 53 parts per million (ppm) this year compared to 45 ppm found last year.

“We are continuing to follow the DNR’s strategy,” Sanborn said. He also noted they test effluent but will also test influent to see if more PFAS is coming in and to find the source.

In other business

Sanborn provided an update on the Lion’s club’s Gremban Park bathroom project which is moving forward “smoother than expected” with local contractors completing work at reduced or no cost to the city. Burkett offered to pay for a brass or bronze plaque honoring their work through his business, Century 21. Completion is expected by the end of June.

Another update was given on the Highway 45 crossing project by Laura VanValkenburg, president of Great Headwaters Trails Foundation. She said plans for the crossing continue with a possible, although unlikely, start date as soon as July 6. Construction work would follow a schedule of Mondays-Thursdays with restrictions on holiday weekends in order to avoid causing traffic issues during busy summer months. She said they are aiming for a construction completion date of Oct. 31 in order to take advantage of the $50,000 Vibrant Spaces grant that expires at the end of this year.

Also during the meeting, the council:

— Declined reopening the Elm Drive yard waste facility one day per week for Town of Lincoln residents due to repeated misuse;

— Okayed a conditional use permit for the Eagle River Historical Society to place informational signs at three area parks;

— Discussed paving and chip sealing projects with final decisions to be made at a special meeting;

— Announced a $385,610 grant through the Wisconsin Local Roads Improvement Program to resurface McKinley Road with a targeted completion of the project within the next few years;

— Approved the removal of a problematic urinal from the Depot public bathroom, making both restrooms unisex;

— Changed the municipal code to add a definition of the term “excavation;”

— Approved two residences to keep six chickens, but no roosters allowed; and

— Introduced Dirk Devries, the new operations manager for Republic Service.
The Eagle River City Council meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at city hall.