A slew of ordinances and agreements came before the Prairie du Chien Common Council at their Tuesday, July 7, meeting, including one that further defines the restrictions for e-bike use within the city.

This past month, the Council passed an ordinance adopting the State’s definition of three classes of e-bikes. That ordinance also includes rules and restrictions for riders, including suggested safety equipment, number of riders, right of way and parking.

The ordinance also gave the City the option to prohibit the use of e-bikes on city walking or bicycle paths without explicit permission from the City and restricted operators of Class 3 e-bikes to age 16 and older. Class 3 bikes have a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling up to 28 m.p.h.

Alderman Jaaren Riebe clarified that the new ordinance passed on July 7 only made an area of Blackhawk Avenue from Illinois Street west to Main Street off limits for any e-bike use. At this time, e-bikes are not restricted elsewhere within the city limits.

"That just includes e-bikes and e-scooters, restricting them on the sidewalks on Blackhawk Avenue," said City Administrator Chad Abram. "So, we're just cleaning up that ordinance now. Currently, it's bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, cross-country skis — this just adds e-bikes and e-scooters."

Riebe said the Council and the City had received multiple complaints for e-bikes and e-scooters on Blackhawk Avenue. "They go on there going 25 m.p.h., and there's no room."

The resolution was unanimously approved by the Council.

A separate ordinance pertaining to e-scooter use on walking and bicycle paths within the city was tabled again. The proposed ordinance was also tabled at the Council's June 16 meeting.

The Council unanimously adopted an ordinance regulating the possession of firearms and other weapons at LaRiviere Park and Horse Park.

Possession of a firearm or airgun in the park has several restrictions, including that a firearm must be unloaded and in a carrying case and the discharge of a firearm in the park is prohibited. This restriction also applies to bows, slingshots and "spring-loaded devices designed for shooting a projectile."

The ordinance also stipulates that someone with a concealed carry permit is allowed to carry a handgun while within the park.

"This just basically allows members or individuals that have a current concealed carry permit to carry at the LaRiviere Horse Park. Otherwise, you are not," said Abram.

The ordinance also prohibits anyone from hunting, killing, pursuing, trapping or taking a wild animal or bird from the park.

Abram said the ordinance was approved by the LaRiviere Park Board and came through the Public Works Committee before the Council.

The Council also approved the use of wind-powered recreation on portions of St. Feriole Island.

According to a memo from Parks and Recreation Director Mike Wallace, a man named Greg Wilson went before the Park Board this past month for approval to use old rodeo grounds and soccer field for low-impact wind-powered recreation.

Information provided by Wilson says he wants permission to use the area for blokarting. The area wouldn't be exclusively for his activity, and he described it as "occasional" use.

Blokarts are compact vehicles with sails that use wind as their sole means of propulsion. Wilson's information claims the vehicles have minimal to zero environmental impact for noise, damage to the ground and air pollution.

The packet given to the City says no infrastructural improvements are needed for blokarting to utilize the area.

The Parks Board and Public Works approved the matter before it went to the Council.

The Council approved an agreement with the town of Bridgeport allowing their residents to utilize the city's compost site.

Alderperson Kayla Ingham said Bridgeport approached the City to make an arrangement for the site's use.

The agreement stipulates a cost of $1,000 from Bridgeport for access to the site for one year. The fee will be put towards the City's cost to operate the site. The agreement is effective from Aug. 1 to July 31, 2027.

Bridgeport residents would have access to the site during posted hours and have the same rules and regulations as city residents.

The agreement also includes the option for renewal based on both parties' interest in continuing the arrangement.

Prairie du Chien Mayor Mark Gillitzer asked how the fee was determined.

Ingham answered that the $1,000 amount was determined by looking at "a combination of what [the City's] cost is currently to maintain it and staff."

Alderperson Todd Crotty said information he received determined it cost approximately $2,000 for the City to operate the compost site each year.

• approved the City to send out requests for proposals for the city assessor, a position currently held by Derek Flansburgh.
• reviewed a draft of the 2025 city audit from Lauterbach & Amen. Krisztina Dommer, an accountant representing the firm, said the audit is a draft because the city's component of the housing authority also needs to be audited. She said the city's audit cannot be dated until that is completed.
• tabled an ordinance relating to cellphone use on public school property. The ordinance includes several restrictions and exceptions based on student need as well as the possibility of citation and financial penalties for violations.