District Discussion Policy Questions - Open Form
At this fall's District Discussions, we asked attendees for their opinions on a number of policy questions that the City is currently reviewing or may discuss in coming months and years. If you didn't get a chance to attend a meeting (or did, but would like to add more details), please chime in here. (Note that this poll is not scientific and will provide informal feedback to City staff and elected officials). We will request your contact information in the final section so we can follow up as needed. Results will be aggregated with no personal information publicly.
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Using the map as a guide, please share which "District" you live in. (If you live outside of the area shown on the map, please select "other".)
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POLICY QUESTION 1 - Fireworks: After a number of years of concern and discussion, the City convened an advisory group to consider permanently moving the annual fireworks display, due to safety concerns with continuing to launch the fireworks in Carson Park. This past summer, the firework launch was moved to the high bridge. Please share your thoughts...
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I was happy with the shift of the Fireworks to High Bridge.
I watched the Eau Claire Fireworks in 2024.
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POLICY QUESTION 1 - Fireworks: Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about Fourth of July Celebrations in the City of Eau Claire.
POLICY QUESTION 2 - Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces: Over the past 28 years, the City has nearly doubled the amount of open space it maintains. The number of neighborhood parks has increased, and trail mileage has increased (we are second only to the City of Madison in our combined length of trail mileage). We have also opened a number of new "destination" parks, like Phoenix Park. Those spaces have more complex features to maintain, and they draw many visitors. The new, large Cannery Park, which will open early in 2025, will be one of these larger-draw parks. Additionally, there's interest in further expanding or improving open spaces, such as building out a network of river walks that connect businesses, residences, and our waterfront areas. While our commitments have grown and continue to grow, the size of our Parks Division has decreased due to cuts in State funding and other State-level tax policies. Older parks and amenities, like Carson, the Owen Bandshell, and Neighborhood Park play structures are deteriorating. We are currently working with a consultant to figure out how to manage our large portfolio of open space properties with limited staff. We need to pull back on investments, but how should do that? Please share your thoughts... The image below reads: "In 1996, 24.75 Parks Maintenance employees maintained 645 acres of parks, or 26 acres per employee. In 2022, 21 employees maintained 1,080 acres of parks, or 51.4 acres per employee (The amount of space maintained per employee doubled)."
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Investing in development and maintenance of neighborhood parks is the top priority.
Investing in development and maintenance of larger, destination parks and trails is the top priority.
The City should maintain what we have, rather than add park space or amenities.
The City should continue to expand its parks and trails, even though it means forgoing maintenance on some.
To manage the workload, the City should consider repurposing some open spaces that are not well used currently.
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POLICY QUESTION   2 - Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces: Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about how we can prioritize and manage our parks, trails, and open space assets in the City of Eau Claire, given fiscal constraints that do not allow us to add staff.
POLICY QUESTION 3 - Significant Tree Preservation: Trees play a significant role in communities. They cool us on hot days, improve mental health, help water drain into the ground, and help clean the air. More information on the benefits can be found here:  Tree Facts at arborday.org  We have had two major tree epidemics in the last 50 years, causing our tree canopy to shrink, regrow, and shrink again. How can we work to maintain our trees, both those on public land (like the boulevards) and those on private lands? 
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The City should regulate preservation of significant trees on private land.
The City should incentivize preservation of significant trees on private land
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POLICY QUESTION 3 - Significant Tree Preservation: Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about how we can best manage and protect trees on public and private land in the City of Eau Claire.
POLICY QUESTION 4 - Trash and Parking: The City has just undertaken a study of how our trash hauling system compares to those of similar communities. The study can be found here:  SortingThroughTheOptions.pdf Should the City do more to regulate trash hauling to try address some of the concerns that have been raised? Also, we are continuing to analyze parking options in the greater downtown area. Share your thoughts!
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Related to parking, I would pay a bit for a great parking spot downtown.
Related to trash, I would like the City to do more to coordinate trash hauling
Related to trash, I am concerned about Cost of trash hauling services
Related to trash, I am concerned about Custumer Service
Related to trash, I am concerned about bulk waste pickup
Related to trash, I am concerned about waste reduction and composting
Related to trash, I am concerned about yard waste pickup
Related to trash, I am concerned about the cleanliness of streets
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POLICY QUESTION 4 - Trash and Parking: Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about trash hauling and parking policies and systems in the City of Eau Claire.
POLICY QUESTION 5 - Transit Ridership: The City is taking a close look at mobility and, in particular, our Transit system. We will soon open a new Transfer Center, and our Transit system will turn 50 years old next year. Despite these milestones, car ownership per capita has increased in the past 15 years (see below), while transit ridership has dropped. We are trying to figure out why and trying to figure out how Transit can serve our community best. We are looking at potential changes, such as adding "micro-mobility" vans (think subsidized Uber style rides with professional drivers) to get people places when and where the fixed routes don't run. What, if anything, would help Transit work for your household?
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I have taken a City Transit bus in the past year
I might reduce the number of my household's cars by one if transit were more frequent.
I might reduce the number of my household's cars by one if transit went more places.
I might reduce the number of my household's cars by one if there were an affordable on-demand Transit service (similar to Uber, but with professional drivers and subsidized)
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POLICY QUESTION 5 - Transit Ridership:  Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about getting around Eau Claire, what might help you take Transit, and how or if you'd consider reducing the number of cars your household has.
POLICY QUESTION 6 - Teen and Tween Mental: Health: The City has been working with the School District, the County, and non-profits on a grant-funded project focused on youth wellbeing. As part of the project, which has been facilitated by the City-County Health Department, we have been studying how our young people have been doing in recent years. We have been thinking about how we can address the growing rates of anxiety and sadness among our young people. We are looking for your feedback on whether or not you'd want to be involved in helping with an initiative that seeks to support our young people and/or if you have any other ideas on what might help. 
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I interact with at least one teen on a regular basis
I'm concerned about teen mental health
I'd be willing to volunteer to mentor a teen once a week.
I'd be willing to donate a dollar or two to an initiative that helps teen mental health once a week.
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POLICY QUESTION 6 - Teen and Tween Mental: Health: Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about challenges teens or tweens in our community are facing, what might help, and whether or not you'd want to be part of an effort to help. 
POLICY QUESTION 7 - Short Term Rental Regulation: As part of our Zoning Overhaul process, the City is looking at how best to regulate short-term rentals. People point out pros and cons of short-term rentals. On the pro side, rentals provide a different type of overnight stay, as compared to hotels. If owners follow licensing laws, they generate room tax dollars. On the con side, neighbors may not like to have a property functioning as a hotel next door, and the model takes homes off that could be used as housing off the market. State law limits how much regulation we can impose, however, we could be as strict as the law allows or more lenient. What do you think? 
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I believe that we should strictly limit short-term rentals.
I support the following regulations - stays should be at least seven days long
I support the following regulations - properties may not be rented for more than six months out of the year
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POLICY QUESTION 7 - Short-Term Rental Regulation: Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about short-term rentals and how much we as a community should try to limit their presence.
POLICY QUESTION 8 - Building Connections: A key indicator of both an individual's wellbeing and the health of their community is how many connections there are among people. Neighborhood associations can help build and support those connections, as well as help plan and problem solve related to neighborhood issues. More information on neighborhood associations can be found here: https://www.eauclairewi.gov/government/our-divisions/planning/neighborhoods

 Here are a few questions on this topic...
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I live in an area with a Neighborhood Association
Regarding Community Connections, I know my next-door neighbors' names
Regarding Community Connections, I know my neighbors' pets' names
Regarding Community Connections, I consider at least one of my neighbors a friend
Regarding Community Connections, my neighborhood has a block party
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POLICY QUESTION 8 - Building Connections:  Please share any other thoughts, questions, or comments about how we can build more connections within neighborhoods.
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