Two officers sworn in, comprehensive plan approved
Police Officer Steve Jennings took his oath at the Prairie du Chien Common Council meeting on May 20. Both are graduates from Southwest Technical College’s academy. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
Fellow Police Officer Alex Endres takes his oath at the Prairie du Chien Common Council meeting on May 20. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
The Prairie du Chien Common Council tackled a full agenda and a public hearing for the city’s 20-year comprehensive plan during their May 20 meeting.
Police Chief Kyle Teynor swore in two new officers during the meeting.
“This seems to be an event that’s a long time coming,” he said. “We will be fully staffed with the addition of these two officers.”
Alex Endres, from DeForest, is a graduate of UW-Platteville and the academy at Southwest Technical College. He is a current member of the Wisconsin National Guard.
“One of his instructors communicated with me throughout the semester how impressed they were with Alex’s leadership capabilities. Several of his classmates struggled in different areas, and Alex always helped build them up.”
Steve Jennings comes from a family of law enforcement professionals. He worked as a volunteer fireman and served 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“I want to thank Steven for his service to our country and thank him even more for his trust in our department and coming onboard with us as a police officer,” said Teynor.
Jennings’ father and Endres’ fiancé pinned their badges in front of the common council.
Comprehensive plan
Matt Miller, part of the planning staff for Vierbicher, presented an overview of the city’s 20-year comprehensive plan after the public hearing.
“A comprehensive plan is a 20-year vision for your community — where do you want to go? What do you want to see happen?” he said.
In the plan’s executive summary, it says, “This plan serves for the Plan Commission, the Common Council and the community to understand the local landscape.”
The plan provides guidance to address needs for the city and its residents. According to Miller, it incorporates feedback provided by residents through surveys and public-engagement events.
The summary outlines four main priorities for the city: achieve growth in multiple areas while maintaining a safe environment, expand housing options, protect the natural environment and agricultural resources and foster collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions.
The summary also includes statistical information about the community, including
- The Wisconsin Department of Administration projects that the city’s population will decrease 22 percent over the next 15 years. The population has decreased more than seven percent between the 2010 and 2020 censuses.
- A 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) estimates there are approximately 2,500 housing units within the city, with a homeowner vacancy rate of 1.7 percent and a rental vacancy rate of 11.7 percent, which are both above Crawford County and the state of Wisconsin.
- The ACS estimates 4,604 people within the city are 16 years of age or older, with 2,438 in the labor force (39 of whom are unemployed).
- Desired businesses according to the public-engagement events for the plan included boat repair, recreational businesses, restaurants and daycare.
The Census Bureau conducts the ACS annually and utilizes a sampling of residential occupants in a given municipality. According to the Bureau’s website, approximately 3.5 million households are surveyed each year.
To learn more about the ACS, visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/.
The Comprehensive Plan will be made available on the city’s website (cityofpdc.com) in the future.
Miller said the city’s previous comprehensive plan helped focus the city’s efforts to address the needs of the community.
“After that plan was approved in 2005, you had a transportation plan, you had a marina plan, and you had recreation plans done that improved your parks, your transportation, and other infrastructure in the city that made it a better place to be than it would have been otherwise,” he said. “It’s important to have that guide map for the future.”
The council approved the comprehensive plan, which will now be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
In attendance were alderpersons Nick Crary, Vicki Waller, Nate Bremmer, Bob Granzow, Mark Bowar, Kayla Ingham and Andy Ringgold. Jaaren Riebe was absent. Also present were Abram, Teynor and City Planner Nate Gilberts. Mayor David Hemmer was absent.
Other business
- The council approved the Oktoberfest Parade for Oct. 18 and the Home Living Expo on Aug. 14.
- Starks Sports Shop held a cheese curd fundraiser for Fort Fun this past Saturday, according to Abram.
- Abram said the Blackhawk Historic District was approved as a state historical district on May 16. The honorific distinction will now be considered for the national registry, with action taking place within 90 days.
