Public Meetings - La Crosse, Wisconsin

The City of La Crosse Board of Public Works met on Monday, September 21, 2026, beginning at 10:05 AM (the meeting minutes record a 10:00 AM start time; the transcript indicates the call to order occurred at 10:05 AM). All five members were present: Matt Gallager, Andrea Trane, Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, and Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey. The board considered four agenda items, approved two unanimously and two with one dissenting vote each. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (September 14, 2026): Motion by Dickinson, second by Trane, carried unanimously. - Construction Contract Change Orders (26-0971): Motion by Gallager, second by Dickinson, carried 5-0. Discussion Items - No Parking Zone on the 400 block of 12th Street North (26-0996): Staff (Jacks) explained that the no-parking restriction was previously discussed during street design and the vacation of the Badger West property. The street was built narrower intentionally, similar to Hagar Street. Mayor Washington-Spivey expressed concern that removing parking could push college students into adjacent residential areas, calling it a "never ending battle." Despite her concerns, she voted in favor. Councilmember Goggin voted against. Motion by Dickinson, second by Gallager, carried 4-1. - Policy Proposal on Public Sidewalks near Tree Cells (26-0999): Staff presented a policy to allow narrowing sidewalks from the standard six feet to a minimum of four feet (or three feet in limited cases) immediately around tree cell openings, to give trees the best chance of survival. Questions were raised by the Mayor about tree survival rates and costs, and by Councilmember Goggin about coordination with Forestry and the appropriateness of tree cells in downtown. Staff clarified the policy only addresses sidewalk width flexibility and does not authorize tree placement—that decision remains with the Council. Councilmember Goggin initially requested more time to study, but a motion to approve was made by Gallager, seconded by Dickinson, and carried 4-1 with Goggin voting no. Key Outcomes - 26-0971 (Change Orders): Approved 5-0. - 26-0996 (No Parking Zone): Approved 4-1 (Goggin opposed). - 26-0999 (Sidewalk Policy): Approved 4-1 (Goggin opposed). - The meeting adjourned at 10:17 AM (per minutes; transcript ends with adjournment without timestamp). Note: The minutes record the meeting start at 10:00 AM, but the transcript states the call to order occurred at 10:05 AM due to technical adjustments with a new system.

This was a test meeting of the Common Council held on September 15, 2026, at 1:00 PM (agenda time; user note indicates 19:15 UTC). No minutes or transcript are available. The agenda consisted entirely of test items with no substantive business conducted. The meeting was opened with roll call, pledge of allegiance, and a moment of silence. The only action on the agenda was approval of test meeting minutes. Discussion Items - Test Item with Very Long Caption (26-0926): A report item with an extended caption repeated multiple times. - Test Ordinance (26-0927): A proposed ordinance; the agenda noted the possibility of convening in closed session under Wis. Stats. sec. 19.85(1)(a) to deliberate a decision, with a possible return to open session. - Resolution Doubling Pay of Clerk's Office Staff (26-0928): A test resolution; the agenda noted the possibility of convening in closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel. - Review of Plans for Expansion of Clerk's Office (26-0929): A test item; again with a note about possible closed session for legal counsel consultation. Key Outcomes - No votes, decisions, or substantive actions were recorded. The meeting appears to have been a procedural test with no official outcomes. No public comments or testimony were documented. The closed session notes were conditional and not confirmed as having occurred.

The Common Council of La Crosse, Wisconsin, held a meeting on September 15, 2026, according to the agenda and the supplied event timestamp of 2026-09-15 17:45:00+00:00. The agenda states that this was a "TEST MEETING ONLY" and lists a 1:00 PM start time in Council Chambers at City Hall. No transcript is available, and the minutes file states "[No minutes available]"; the agenda does list an approval item for "Test Meeting minutes," so the available records are incomplete and conflict as to whether minutes exist. Agenda Items Listed - Roll Call, Pledge of Allegiance, and Moment of Silence: These opening proceedings were listed on the agenda. - Approval of Minutes: The agenda lists approval of "Test Meeting minutes," but no minutes document is available. - Reports – 26-0926: A test report item with a very long caption; no content or discussion is included in the available record. - Common Council Matters – 26-0927: Listed as "TEST Ordinance," with a note that the Council could convene in closed session under Wis. Stat. sec. 19.85(1)(a) to deliberate and then reconvene in open session. - Items Recommended to be Adopted – 26-0928: A test item described as a resolution doubling the pay of staff in the clerk's office, with a possible closed-session note under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel. - Items Recommended to be Adopted – 26-0929: A test item described as a review of plans for expansion of the clerk's office, also with a possible closed-session note under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g). - Adjournment: Listed as the final agenda item. Discussion Items - No substantive discussion can be summarized from the available source material because the transcript is blank and the minutes are not available. The agenda identifies the items as test items and provides no narrative or deliberation. Key Outcomes - No votes, ordinances, resolutions, or formal decisions are documented in the provided source material. - The agenda labels the meeting as a test meeting only, and the lack of minutes and transcript prevents verification of whether any action was taken.

The Board of Public Works met on Monday, September 14, 2026, at City Hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (Note: The agenda indicated a 10:00 AM start, but the meeting was called to order at 10:06 AM per the transcript.) All five members were present: Andrea Trane, Erin Goggin, Matt Gallager, Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, and Tamra Dickinson. The board unanimously approved four agenda items, each discussed and voted on individually. Approval of Minutes - A motion to approve the minutes from September 8, 2026, was made by Council President Dickinson and seconded by Director Trane. The motion carried unanimously without discussion. Discussion Items - Kwik Trip Intersection Plan (Item 26-0938): Staff presented a concept from Kwik Trip to modify public right-of-way at the Kwik Trip Way and Oak Street intersection. The plan includes constructing a small island for pedestrian refuge, pavement markings for crosswalks, and utility work to manage storm sewer overflow—all funded and executed by Kwik Trip. The design aims to accommodate large truck turns while maintaining pedestrian safety. After clarifying questions about the curb design and rationale, the board approved the motion (vote: 5-0). - Payment List for Losey Blvd ROW Acquisitions (Item 26-0952): A motion to approve the payment list for right-of-way acquisitions was made by Director Gallagher and seconded by Council President Dickinson. No questions were raised, and the motion carried unanimously. - Construction Contract Change Order (Item 26-0965): Staff reported a net reduction of approximately $6,000 for the Badger Hickey Park project, resulting from savings on concrete work offset by increased excavation costs due to relocating a building northward to address flood issues. Councilmember Goggin inquired about a 120-day extension for substantial completion, which staff confirmed was granted to allow for the building relocation. The change order was approved unanimously (vote: 5-0). - Xcel Energy Street Privilege Permit (Item 26-0967): Alex Lewick, community relations manager for Xcel Energy, presented a request for relocation and replacement of a gas main and services in the Hintgen Neighborhood, tied to the Losey Boulevard project. Work is expected to take 6–8 weeks. The permit was approved unanimously (vote: 5-0). Key Outcomes - All four agenda items were approved unanimously by a 5-0 vote. - The meeting adjourned at 10:10 AM.

This special meeting of the Finance & Personnel Committee was called to consider a single agenda item: a resolution approving a concession agreement with the La Crosse Concessionaire Corporation for the La Crosse Center. The meeting was brief, lasting from 6:23 p.m. to 6:24 p.m., and the committee voted unanimously to forward the resolution to the Common Council without a recommendation. Note on date discrepancy: The official agenda and minutes list the meeting date as September 10, 2026, but the instruction for this summary specifies the meeting took place on September 11, 2026 at 12:30:00+00:00. This summary follows the provided instruction date. Discussion Items - 26-0959 Resolution approving Concession Agreement with La Crosse Concessionaire Corporation for the La Crosse Center. - The staff report explained the purpose of the legislation. The mayor's office noted that because the exact end date of DMI (the previous concession operator) is unknown, the timing is urgent to avoid a business interruption at the La Crosse Center. - Councilmember Janssen asked for clarification on the composition of the concessionaire corporation. The response indicated it consists of three city officers: the parks director, the city clerk, and the responding official (likely the finance director or mayor, though not explicitly named in the transcript). - Councilmember Kahlow (referred to as "KLO" in the transcript) moved to send the resolution to the Common Council without a recommendation. Councilmember Goggin seconded the motion. Key Outcomes - Vote: The committee voted unanimously (6–0) to recommend the resolution to the Common Council with no recommendation (i.e., without taking a position for or against). Members voting yes: Newberry, Janssen, Kahlow, Goggin, Sleznikow, Northwood. - Next steps: The resolution will proceed to the Common Council for final action. No further discussion or action was taken at this meeting.

The Common Council met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting, presided over by Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, covered a full agenda including consent items, bid awards, a charter ordinance, liquor license complaints, and several resolutions. Notable actions include the imposition of 10-day liquor license suspensions on two establishments (with delayed start dates) and the referral of a charter ordinance for further study. Consent Calendar - Minutes of August 13, 2026: Approved unanimously. - Financial Report for July 2026 (26-0951): Received and filed unanimously (13-0). - Bills and Engineering Estimates for September 2026 (26-0950): Adopted unanimously (13-0). - Heritage Preservation Commission Appointment – Lisa Weston (26-0954): Confirmed unanimously (12-0, Weston abstained). - Suspension of Council Rule XV for items 26-0825, 26-0936, and 26-0959: Approved unanimously (2/3 vote). - Bid Awards: - Sunset Ln Sanitary Sewer project to A-1 Excavating, LLC for $101,995.00: Adopted unanimously (13-0). - Civic Center Park project to Fowler & Hammer, Inc. for $766,662.00: Adopted (12-0, Trost abstained). - Accessible Water Bubblers project to Fowler & Hammer, Inc. for $89,113.00: Adopted unanimously (13-0). - Consent Agenda (including ordinances, licenses, development agreements, fee schedules, and other routine items): Adopted unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Bennett O'Riley's LLC: Owner Darren Householder objected to the immediate start of the recommended 10-day suspension, requesting it begin September 28 to allow staff to prepare financially. Assistant City Attorney Gideon Worthheimer deferred the start date to the Council's discretion. - Del's Bar (Moonshine on Vine LLC): Owner Tammy Plorn accepted the 10-day suspension but requested the start date be moved to September 28, citing hardship for staff and noting the need for consistency. She also suggested considering accountability for licensed bartenders. Discussion Items - Charter Ordinance on Department Head Appointments (26-0894): The ordinance would update the charter to separate the Finance Director and HR Director positions, eliminate the obsolete La Crosse Center Manager position, and add a one-year probationary period for department heads. Councilmember Trost moved to refer it for 30 days to allow more time for broader discussion on municipal government options. The motion to refer passed unanimously (thumb vote). - Liquor License Complaint – Bennett O'Riley's LLC (26-0879): The Judiciary & Administration Committee had recommended a 10-day suspension starting immediately. Owner Darren Householder objected and requested a start date of September 28 to protect employee wages during Oktoberfest. Councilmember Kahlow moved to amend the start date to September 28, seconded by Padesky. After debate on fairness and precedent (some members noted similar leniency granted to Chuck’s previously), the amendment passed 9-4 (Goggin, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Newberry, Bedford, Weston, Northwood in favor; Dickinson, Janssen, Mindel, Trost opposed). The amended suspension (10 days beginning September 28) then passed 8-5 (Goggin, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Newberry, Bedford, Weston, Northwood in favor; Dickinson, Janssen, Sleznikow, Mindel, Trost opposed). - Liquor License Complaint – Del's Bar (26-0880): Similar recommendation from committee for a 10-day suspension starting immediately. Owner Tammy Plorn requested a September 28 start. Councilmember Bedford moved to amend the start date to September 28, seconded by Padesky. The amendment passed 8-5 (Goggin, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Newberry, Bedford, Weston, Northwood in favor; Dickinson, Janssen, Sleznikow, Mindel, Trost opposed). The amended suspension (10 days beginning September 28) then passed 8-5 (same split). - Concession Agreement for La Crosse Center (26-0959): Resolution approving an agreement with La Crosse Concessionaire Corporation (a corporation of three city officers) was adopted unanimously (13-0). - Civic Center Park Funding (26-0871): Amended resolution appropriating additional funds from TID No. 17 to the Civic Center Park Project (CIP 778) to cover a bid overrun and meet an October 12 contract deadline. Adopted 11-1 (Janssen opposed, Trost abstained). - Sanitary Sewer Extension – Sunset Lane (26-0892): Resolution creating and re-allocating unspent funds to extend sewer service to three parcels on the west side. Adopted unanimously (13-0). - General Obligation Promissory Notes (26-0901): Authorization for up to $13,805,000 in notes for capital projects and equipment. Adopted 12-1 (Goggin opposed). - Consent Agenda Items (26 building): Included approval of ordinances (fire code update, zoning change at 616 Saint Cloud St.), various licenses, surveying, development amendments, contract awards, and fee schedule changes. All passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - Charter Ordinance (26-0894): Referred 30 days to the October meeting for further consideration. - Bennett O'Riley's LLC: License suspended for 10 days beginning September 28, 2026 (and ending October 7). - Del's Bar (Moonshine on Vine LLC): License suspended for 10 days beginning September 28, 2026. - Concession Agreement for La Crosse Center: Approved with corrected corporation name. - Civic Center Park Project: Additional funding from TID 17 approved to keep the project on track for 2027 construction. - $13,805,000 General Obligation Notes: Authorized for capital projects and equipment purchases. - All bid awards and consent items approved as recommended. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.

This special meeting of the City of La Crosse Judiciary & Administration Committee convened at 5:34 PM on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in the Council Chambers. All seven committee members were present. The meeting addressed four agenda items, each of which involved a closed session for deliberation. Following closed sessions, the committee reconvened in open session at 6:15 PM to announce decisions and conduct votes. Consent Calendar - None. All items were discussed individually. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments or testimony were provided during the open session. Discussion Items - 26-0935 – Appeal of TAC Citgo Inc. dba Citgo on State regarding denial of cigarette/tobacco/vape device license at 1914 State Rd. The committee voted to sustain the clerk's denial of the appeal, making this a final decision. - 26-0780 – Application of TAC Citgo Inc. dba Citgo on State for Class "A" Liquor and Class "A" Beer license at 1914 State Rd. The committee discussed the companion case and found insufficient separation between the applicant and the previous license holder. A motion was made and seconded to deny the license and bar the applicant from applying for any alcohol license for 12 months from the date of decision. - 26-0879 – Complaint: City of La Crosse vs. Bennett O'Riley's LLC dba Bennett O'Riley's (213 3rd St. S.) The committee recommended a 10‑day suspension of the combination Class "B" beer and liquor license, beginning September 11, 2026. - 26-0880 – Complaint: City of La Crosse vs. Moonshine on Vine LLC dba Del's Bar (229 3rd St. N.) The committee recommended a 10‑day suspension of the combination Class "B" beer and liquor license, beginning September 11, 2026. Key Outcomes - 26-0935: The committee voted unanimously to sustain the clerk's denial of the appeal. - 26-0780: Motion to deny the license application and prohibit re‑application for 12 months passed unanimously (7‑0). - 26-0879: Motion to suspend Bennett O'Riley's license for 10 days starting September 11 passed 6‑1. - 26-0880: Motion to suspend Del's Bar license for 10 days starting September 11 passed 6‑1. - For items 26‑0879 and 26‑0880, the affected parties were informed they could present objections to the City Council later that evening. - The meeting adjourned immediately following the final vote.

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as September 8, 2026, but the user-provided timestamp is September 9, 2026. This summary uses the user-provided date. The La Crosse City Council and County Board of Supervisors held a joint planning meeting to receive an update on the Pathways Home five-year plan to end homelessness. Homeless Services Coordinator Brian Sampson and Homelessness Response System Project Manager Jim Drees presented data on unsheltered homelessness in downtown La Crosse, a coordinated outreach campaign, progress on housing and supportive services, and persistent gaps for individuals with intensive needs. No formal votes or decisions were taken; the session was informational and included questions from council and board members. Public Comments & Testimony - Community member asked about the use of donations for the Pathways Held Lease program, specifically how much goes to administrative costs versus direct housing support, and whether tenants receive ongoing guidance. Brian Sampson responded that no city or county funds are taken for administration; the money covers rent, utilities, security deposits, and renter's insurance, with a small fee for a tenant manager. Tenants must work with a service provider throughout the lease term, which starts month-to-month and may extend. Discussion Items - Pathways Home Overview: Sampson and Drees reviewed the plan launched in January 2024, now at its midpoint. The city focuses on adding housing stock at all income levels; the county emphasizes supportive services (mental health, addiction, job training). The goal is functional zero – homelessness that is rare, brief, and non-reoccurring. - Unsheltered Homelessness in Downtown: The presenters distinguished between the overall homeless population and the unsheltered subset concentrated downtown. 55% of downtown unsheltered individuals have intensive needs (serious mental illness, substance use disorders), compared to only 15–20% of the remaining homeless population. These individuals have longer histories of homelessness and higher interactions with emergency rooms and the justice system. - Coordinated Campaign (Targeted Outreach): After a temporary surge shelter proved infeasible (zoning, fire code, funding), the team pivoted to a targeted outreach campaign. Police and parks identified 80 individuals causing significant concern. Of those: 40+ received shelter bed offers (6 accepted and stayed, 12 accepted then left, 20 declined, 10 banned); 20 received treatment-to-housing package offers (4 accepted, 20% started then left, 60% declined). Nine of the 80 have been housed. Outreach occurs daily, and offers are repeated to build trust. - Service Needs Assessment: Using a Pathways Adult Need and Strength Analysis, 1% of the homeless population requires 24/7 care; 30% have intensive needs (daily support); 33% moderate (weekly); 35% light (monthly); 1% none. Only 10% of housing placements have gone to intensive-need individuals, leaving a significant gap. 60 intensive housing units are still needed. Moderate need is 70 units short; light need is down from 103 to 80 units, with many market-rate units coming online. - Housing and Funding Initiatives: - The Collective on Fourth: 12 set-aside units for lighter-need individuals; 11 of 12 leases renewed after one year. - Parkland Studios (Hillview campus): 10 units for moderate-need individuals, with on-site peer and social worker support; early data show housing stability increases income. - Pathways Held Leases: funded by Mayo, the city signs five leases with private landlords and subleases to individuals with lighter needs. Two move-ins occurred in the prior two weeks; the third was scheduled for the next day; all five units expected to be occupied within a week. Tenants pay 30% of income; the city covers the rest. Goal is to build positive rental history. - Homes for 100 Fund: a community-driven rent support fund launched with the La Crosse Area Community Foundation to expand the held lease model. - Grants: $350,000 Wisconsin DOJ deflection grant to divert individuals from jail to housing and treatment; City HOME-ARP funds for a dedicated social worker for five high-need individuals; RISE opioid response funding for a jail re-entry coordinator and jail therapist. - Data on Homelessness Trends: Overall homelessness count dropped from a peak of 295 to about 200. The community is housing more people than becoming homeless (net negative inflow of 5 per month, slightly below the target of 6). Macro factors (rising evictions, housing affordability) create headwinds. 83% of homeless individuals last had housing in La Crosse, according to system data; balance-of-state data shows more people move out of the La Crosse coalition area than into it. - Q&A Highlights: - Councilmember Lisa Weston asked about non-local individuals transported to La Crosse. Sampson reported 83% last had housing locally; the balance-of-state data shows net out-migration. No pattern of systematic transportation was identified. - County Supervisor David Pierce asked about overlap between jail re-entry and intensive needs. Drees said the team will track intensive individuals broken down by substance use, mental health, co-occurring, and monitor progress through treatment packages and placements. - County Supervisor Peg Aisola asked why the temporary surge shelter was not pursued. Drees cited site, zoning, agency support, and funding roadblocks; adding shelter beds remains a need. - Councilmember Aron Newberry asked about state-level advocacy. Sampson and Drees recommended advocating for increased funding for homelessness prevention, flexible rent support, public housing expansion, and Section 8 vouchers. Prevention is more cost-effective than response. - County Supervisor Beth Pigash asked who is missing from the table. Sampson said private investors and businesses; Drees mentioned better coordination for moving individuals between levels of care and continued learning from other counties. - County Supervisor Randy Erickson asked about boarding houses. Sampson noted shared living models are being explored, but could not speak to boarding houses specifically. - Councilmember Chris Kahlow asked about engaging faith communities. Drees reported a monthly meeting with faith leaders, a “Baskets of Belonging” program for move-in supplies, and discussions with churches about becoming supportive landlords. He requested more information about a faith-based success story. - Councilmember Crystal Bedford raised concerns about faith-based requirements (e.g., church attendance) creating barriers. Sampson affirmed that services are voluntary and the goal is a menu of options. - Councilmember Lisa Weston asked about a geographic heat map of unsheltered locations. Sampson said locations change frequently; outreach teams adapt daily. - A question about shower services: Sampson noted Catholic Charities offers shower and laundry services a few times per week. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or motions were made. The meeting was informational. - Presenters and council members acknowledged the persistent challenge of housing individuals with intensive needs; the team will continue targeted outreach, treatment packages, and pilot projects (e.g., scattered-site daily support units). - Council President Tamra Dickinson encouraged attendees to consider contributing to the Homes for 100 fund. - The next joint meeting is expected to be hosted at the county facility, date to be determined.

The Board of Public Works met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 10:05 AM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey. Present were Andrea Trane, Erin Goggin, Tamra Dickinson, and the Mayor; Matt Gallager was excused. The session adjourned at 10:28 AM, lasting approximately 23 minutes. All action items were approved unanimously (4-0). Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from August 31, 2026, were approved unanimously. - Bidder's Proof of Responsibility: No items were presented. Discussion Items - Well House 13 Chemical Rehabilitation (Item 26-0924): Water Utility Director reported that Well 13, installed in the 1950s and 70 years old, requires chemical rehabilitation to address unstable biofilm affecting disinfection byproducts. The lowest of three quotes was approved. The cost will be covered by the water utility operating budget. Councilmember Goggin noted that Well 21 may also need rehabilitation, but casing replacement is the ultimate long-term fix. The motion passed 4-0. - Construction Contract Final Payments (Item 26-0925): Final payment for a utility service on Sint and King was approved without discussion. - Annual Development Agreement Compliance Reports (Item 26-0934): Staff presented compliance reports for Gundersen, Kwik Trip, and Riverside Center developments. Key details: - Gundersen: Exceeded $25 million assessed value guarantee ($48 million) and 2,500 job requirement (5,400 headcount, 4,300 FTEs, average wage $52/hour). Staff recommended approving a payment to the developer and a PILOT payment to the city. - Kwik Trip: Exceeded tax guarantees for bakery ($19.5 million) and dairy/freezer ($19.8 million) expansions. Job requirement of 100 new FTEs was met (910 FTEs, 153 part-time). No payments were needed; staff recommended forgoing a third-party job audit. - Riverside Center: Phase 1 assessed value fell short of $11.4 million guarantee ($9.957 million), triggering a PILOT of $26,452.27. The job count dropped to 1,232 (5 below the reset target), resulting in a $17,500 deficiency penalty. The net payment to the developer was calculated as $330,905.62. The board approved the staff recommendation. - JSI Street Privilege Permit (Item 26-0937): A request for fiber conduit placement at the southwest corner of 3rd and Cass Street was approved. The contractor agreed to coordinate around Oktoberfest activities to minimize disruption. - Oktoberfest Parade Right-of-Way Policy (Item 26-0939): The annual policy was approved with additional conditions: the City Clerk's office will post the notice on the city website, police and Parks & Rec Facebook pages, and the Planning Department will notify neighborhood associations. Key Outcomes - All four motions (items 26-0924, 26-0925, 26-0934, 26-0937, 26-0939) passed unanimously with a 4-0 vote (Gallager excused). - Well House 13 chemical rehabilitation approved. - Development agreement payments approved as recommended by staff. - Fiber conduit permit granted with coordination for Oktoberfest. - Oktoberfest parade policy approved with enhanced public outreach.