Public Meetings - La Crosse, Wisconsin

The Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) of La Crosse held a hybrid meeting on May 14, 2026, in the Miller Room at City Hall and via Zoom. The agenda included updates on pedestrian accessibility, a discussion on bicycle registration requirements, planning for the 2026 Week Without Driving campaign, and preparations for upcoming biking events. The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and heard presentations from city staff and community advocates. Note: The meeting minutes list the date as May 12, 2026, while the provided agenda indicates May 14, 2026; this summary uses the date supplied in the instructions. Consent Calendar - Approval of April 14, 2026 Meeting Minutes: Motion by Young, seconded by Pueschner to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on voice vote. Discussion Items - Discussion on Pedestrian-Related Opportunities: Cullen Haldeman, ADA coordinator and sidewalk specialist from the Engineering Department, provided an update on the Banish transition plan for city facilities, sidewalk trip hazard repairs, and the sidewalk infill project on 29th Street. He addressed questions about pedestrian signals, accessible curb ramps, and the city's use of five-section signal heads which prevent leading pedestrian intervals. Committee members discussed constraints with state-owned signals and catch basin placements, and requested that the city recommend moving catch basins during state highway design. No formal action was taken. - Discussion on Article VI Division 2 Sec. 44-222 (Bicycle Registration): Kevin Hundt proposed removing subsection 44-222A, which makes bicycle registration mandatory, arguing it is unenforced and could be misused. Officer Whitney Hughes defended the registration program as a victim-centered tool for recovering stolen bikes and tracking bike thieves, noting that citations are rarely issued. The committee debated the pros and cons but made no motion to repeal the section. - Discussion on 2026 Week Without Driving (October 1-8): Kathy Van Meren presented the national campaign, highlighting that 40% of La Crosse residents are non-drivers. She suggested BPAC involvement through events like walk audits, film screenings (e.g., “Cycling Cities”), and social media campaigns. Chelsea Boldon noted that International Walk to School Day (October 7) could be tied in. The committee discussed potential activities but took no formal action. - Update on 2026 Ride with the Mayor and Citywide Bike Rodeo: Jenna reported that the Ride with the Mayor is scheduled for June 12 at 9:00 AM, with a rain date likely in August or September. The bike rodeo is tentatively set for July 21 or July 23, from 2:30 to 4:30 PM, in coordination with Parks and Recreation. Committee members suggested adding driver education components. No vote was taken. Key Outcomes - The April 14, 2026 meeting minutes were approved. - No formal votes were taken on the discussion items; the committee noted the information and suggestions. - Kevin Hundt requested that a future agenda item be added to consider a resolution thanking city departments for repairing the Marsh Trail. - The committee agreed to continue planning for Week Without Driving and the bike rodeo events.

This summary is based solely on the scheduled meeting timestamp of 2026-05-11 at 10:15 UTC. No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided, so no substantive discussions, decisions, or public testimony can be reported. Note on Available Records - The agenda and minutes were marked as unavailable. - The raw transcription field was empty, meaning no spoken content from the meeting was captured or supplied. Key Outcomes - No decisions, votes, or actions can be confirmed due to the absence of meeting records.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no summary can be generated from the available information.

The Finance & Personnel Committee of the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin, held a test meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 3:25 PM in the Council Chambers. The agenda included one item: Agenda Item 26-0486 for Livemanager testing. No minutes or transcripts were available, and no discussion or decisions were recorded. Call to Order & Roll Call The meeting was called to order with roll call, but no attendance details are available. Agenda Item 26-0486: Livemanager Testing This item was listed on the agenda as a test for Livemanager. No further information was provided. Adjournment The meeting adjourned. No actions or votes were recorded.

The City of La Crosse Redevelopment Authority met on April 24, 2026, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street. Source materials supplied for this summary are dated Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.; this date discrepancy is noted rather than silently resolved. No agenda was supplied. The meeting opened at 4:00 p.m. with six members present and Edward R. Przytarski excused; Michael Sigman arrived at 4:08 p.m. and left at 5:26 p.m. The board approved minutes, received a River Point District project update, approved Lot 11/12 planning agreements, accepted the April financial report, and acted on two closed-session negotiation items before adjourning in closed session at 5:35 p.m. Discussion Items - Project Manager Update (26-0437): RDA project manager Jason McGillman reported that War Eagle and The Lofts are now occupied, with all but five units leased in the 100-unit building and 50% of The Lofts units committed. He said 42 townhouses on Lots 1 and 2 will be built in phases with occupancy estimated between July and October 2027, and that 360 Real Estate, MSP, and Red Earth are expected to start or continue work in 2026. He also described the Renter Economic Stability Program, funded by a Community Foundation grant, as a potential workforce-housing incentive being discussed with employers and financial firms, and said it could serve rental buildings across the city and region rather than only River Point District. - Certified Survey Map and Planning Option Agreements (26-0436, 26-0441, 26-0439, 26-0440): Staff explained that Lot 11 will be split into Lot 1 (1.1 acres for RyKey Properties, planned for a 60-unit apartment building) and Lot 2 (0.34 acres for Cowboy Jacks/Capital Investment Partners LLC). The original PDD had shown two 7,000 sq ft buildings on Lot 11, one 12,000 sq ft building on Lot 12, and a 50-stall parking lot on Lot 11; the approved approach shifts parking to Lot 12 and allows more building volume on Lot 11. The board approved the certified survey map and the three option agreements, changing the placeholder "Cap Vest" to Capital Investment Partners, LLC for Lots 11-2 and 12. - Lot 12 Parking and Design Discussion: Bill Albright, representing Capital Investment Partners/Cowboy Jacks, presented a Lot 12 parking-area design developed with landscape architect Paul Nelson. It includes switchback access, native and fruit-bearing plantings, connections to the park trail, possible shared public/farmers-market use before the restaurant opens, and a solar feasibility review. Albright stated Cowboy Jacks' current 90-space lot is full from about 4 or 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., that 45 spaces are Cowboy Jacks-only and 45 are city spaces, and that a city-built bypass lot of about 80-100 spaces is underused; he also said the Altoona restaurant drew 25,500 visitors last year and argued that the restaurant would bring the traffic needed to make River Point's commercial spaces succeed. A participant identified in the transcript as Councilmember Trost, though not listed in the official roll call, questioned the need for 90 spaces, said the city had just eliminated minimum parking requirements, and said she would not support what she called "flippant use of surface parking" on expensive land. Councilmember Janssen expressed support for the design and confidence in Albright's experience; Councilmember Ostrem said the lot has limited feasible uses and dedicated parking is needed; Councilmember Henline asked that the public/community space between Cowboy Jacks and Lot 12 be evaluated in addition to parking. Staff noted that PDD guidance identifies parking as critical to commercial development, that the original PDD included extensive off-street parking, and that the Lot 12 concrete monolith is roughly football-field-size, 9-11 feet deep, with removal likely costing over $1 million. - Monthly Financial Update (26-0414): The April financial update was presented for awareness; no questions were raised, and it was accepted and filed as presented. - Preliminary Term Sheet for RyKey Properties (26-0442): Julie Henline said RyKey's TIF application had been reviewed the previous day by the Economic and Community Development Commission, which unanimously approved the term sheet. Lee Haremza summarized a proposed 60-unit general-occupancy building on Lot 11-1, including high-end facade materials, floor-to-ceiling windows, balconies for about 90% of units, EV charging stations, and a large amenity package, while noting the organic riverbed soil will require deeper footings, larger geopiers, and vapor mitigation. He described the requested assistance as an 85% pay-as-you-go TIF rebate over 20 years, with a guaranteed project assessed value of $8.522 million, guaranteed construction cost of $13.58 million, and a land sale amount of $275,000 consistent with Lot 8. Closed Session - Items 26-0428 and 26-0442 were noticed for closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to discuss negotiation strategies. The board moved into closed session at 4:49 p.m. on a motion by Janssen, seconded by Henline. Formal votes on both items are recorded below; the meeting was adjourned in closed session at 5:35 p.m. Key Outcomes - Approved the March meeting minutes (motion Fimple/Henline, voice vote). - Approved the Certified Survey Map submittal for Lot 11 (motion Janssen/Fimple, voice vote). - Approved the Planning Option Agreement with RyKey Properties for Lot 11-1 (motion Ostrem/Sigman, voice vote). - Approved the Planning Option Agreement with Capital Investment Partners, LLC for Lot 11-2, with the entity name corrected from Cap Vest (motion Ostrem/Janssen, voice vote). - Approved the Planning Option Agreement with Capital Investment Partners, LLC for Lot 12, with the entity name corrected from Cap Vest (motion Janssen/Ostrem, voice vote). - Accepted and filed the April 2026 financial update; no formal motion was recorded. - Denied the purchase offer from 7 Copeland, LLC for parcels 17-20400-210 and 17-20400-234 after closed session (motion Janssen/Fimple, voice vote). - Approved the Preliminary Term Sheet for public assistance to RyKey Properties for Lot 11 (motion Janssen/Ostrem, voice vote). - Adjourned in closed session at 5:35 p.m.

The Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC) of La Crosse, Wisconsin, met on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 3:02 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey called the meeting to order. Six commissioners were present (Linda Lee, Vicki Markussen, Mary Rohrer, Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, and the Mayor), with one excused (Gina Miller). The meeting adjourned in closed session at 4:35 PM. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting was made by Commissioner Markussen, seconded by Commissioner Lee, and carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Dickinson abstained due to not attending the March meeting. Discussion Items - Presentation from Family Friendly Workplaces: Neil Klein, Executive Director of Family Friendly Workplaces, presented on demographic trends affecting the workforce. Key points included: Wisconsin's population is projected to peak in 2020 and then decline through 2050 due to low birth rates and an aging population; the state's total fertility rate has been below the replacement level of 2.1 since 1975; La Crosse County had 17% of its population over age 65 in 2020, projected to reach 22% by 2050; net workforce entrance in Wisconsin is expected to become negative in 2030 (more people leaving than entering the workforce). Klein outlined three timeframes: immediate (recruitment/retention through employer certification), medium (talent attraction to make Wisconsin a premier destination for raising families), and long-term (early childhood development to build non-cognitive skills). Commissioners asked about on-the-job training and the concentration of aging populations in northern Wisconsin. - Recap of BLACK's ARPA Funded Project: Terrell Mallet and Antoina Williams from BLACK (Black Leaders Acquire Collective Knowledge) presented on their $50,000 ARPA-funded program to support small business owners. The program ran two six-week cohorts serving 30 businesses, with about half completing all requirements. Grants of $1,300–$2,000 were distributed to assist with startup costs, rent, and inventory. Highlighted businesses included Thomas Nichols (Vesorix, a 3D camera attachment) and Mia's food truck. Speakers emphasized the need for continued funding, partnership with organizations like SCORE, and more incubator space in the city. Mayor Washington-Spivey noted challenges with business placement and costs. - Introduction of TIF Applicant – Bridgeview Plaza: Jake Buzzwell of Eagle Bay Properties/Three Amigos presented a redevelopment plan for Bridgeview Plaza, a gateway site on the north side. Phase 1: Demolish existing structures and build a 101-unit apartment building with 94 interior parking stalls and 60 surface stalls, plus 25,000 sq ft of repurposed commercial space in the existing Blue Zone. Unit mix: 42 one-bedroom, 12 one-bedroom+den, 42 two-bedroom, 7 three-bedroom. Phase 2: A 100-unit building along Rose Street with 95 interior parking stalls and 2,000 sq ft of commercial space. Unit mix: 8 studio, 42 one-bedroom, 4 one-bedroom+den, 38 two-bedroom, 8 three-bedroom. Challenges include a high water table (2 feet below grade) and poor soil requiring geo-piers. The developer hopes to break ground in summer 2026, with each building taking about 18 months. Commissioners asked about zoning, traffic, existing tenants, and aesthetics. - Consideration of Preliminary Term Sheet for RyKey Properties – Lot 11, River Point District: Lee from RyKey Properties presented a project for a 60-unit market-rate building on Lot 11 (1.1 acres, separated from Lot 12 for a restaurant). Units: 6 hybrid one-bedroom (570 sq ft), 17 standard one-bedroom (650–725 sq ft), 31 two-bedroom, and 3 three-bedroom lofted units with private balconies. Parking: 24 structured interior stalls and 31 surface stalls. Amenities include a golf simulator, fitness center, and coffee bar. Challenges cited: compromised soils requiring geo-piers, a vapor mitigation system ($80,000–$150,000), and market volatility. The proposed TIF assistance: $2.656 million in an 85% pay-as-you-go rebate over 20 years, with a guaranteed project assessed value of $8.522 million and guaranteed construction cost of $13.5 million, plus a land sale price of $275,000 for the 1.1 acres. Lee noted that 50% of the units in their recently completed Lot 8 building have already been leased, indicating strong demand. The committee then moved into closed session to discuss negotiation strategies. Key Outcomes - Approved minutes from the previous meeting (voice vote, Dickinson abstaining). - Received presentations and updates from Family Friendly Workplaces and BLACK; no action taken. - Heard introduction of the Bridgeview Plaza TIF application; no action taken. - Approved the preliminary term sheet for RyKey Properties' Lot 11 development (motion by Commissioner Goggin, seconded by Commissioner Markussen, carried by voice vote after closed session). - Moved to closed session (motion by Commissioner Lee, seconded by Commissioner Dickinson, unanimous) to discuss negotiation parameters for the RyKey term sheet, and adjourned in closed session at 4:35 PM.

On the supplied meeting date of April 21, 2026, the La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission met to consider local landmark nominations, National Register review-and-comment items, and a historic certificate initiative. The raw transcript opens as “Thursday, February 26th at 6.01 p.m.,” which conflicts with the supplied date; this summary uses the supplied meeting date and notes the discrepancy. All commissioners were present in person except Natalie Hennigan, who was excused. Consent Calendar - The commission unanimously approved the January 29, 2026 special meeting minutes. - Roll call was completed; no other routine consent items were listed. Public Comments & Testimony - Professional Arts Building public hearing: Mark Zettler, a West Salem resident representing the Preservation Alliance of La Crosse (PAL), spoke in support of the local landmark nomination. He said the nomination originated after PAL could not stop demolition of St. Anne’s and argued the building qualifies under two criteria: association with significant events/persons in La Crosse’s history and representation of the notable work of a master builder/designer. He described the early-1940s concrete-frame building designed by Parkinson & Dockendorf, noted its high degree of historic integrity, and mentioned original blueprints, classrooms, a gymnasium, and a nursing-student ice cream and candy room. - Chris Hossey, chief administrative officer for Mayo Clinic Health System, opposed the designation, saying Mayo has cared for the building and fears designation could hinder patient-safety improvements, entrance vestibules, window replacements, and energy-efficiency work. - Tanner Holst, a Mayo administrator and Town of Greenfield resident, opposed designation, citing potential limits on exterior entrance and patient-movement projects and possible cost increases. - Tim Boskirk, speaking remotely for Mayo, opposed designation and said Mayo has its own history of preserving historic buildings; he worried slower approvals could harm the building. - Matt Trudewell, Mayo vice chair of administration, opposed designation, emphasizing the need for safe, weather-protected, accessible entrances close to clinics. - Jennifer Livingston Thompson, Mayo director of community engagement and La Crosse resident, opposed designation, arguing preservation is achieved through responsible ongoing use and adaptation, not designation alone. - Barbara Coyman, a former longtime commission member and PAL board member, supported the nomination and urged the commission to decide based on ordinance criteria, not potential future use. She said designation “puts a little bit of the brakes on just wanton demolition.” - Two attendees, Travis and Samuel, were present in support of the nomination but did not speak. - Emerson Elementary School comments: Dr. Aaron Engel, superintendent of the School District of La Crosse, spoke in opposition to the Emerson nomination. He argued the orthopedic program was common rather than unique, noting it was one of 11 orthopedic schools built across the state of Wisconsin; the Emerson site was not the first location, because the program began at the Washburn School. He said the building no longer displays the features that made it special, the 1955 second-story addition eliminated the one-story design, and association with the Public Works Administration is insufficient. He also raised concerns about the nomination process, 40-day notices, and limits on future redevelopment options. Discussion Items - Local landmark nomination: Professional Arts Building, Mayo Campus/St. Francis School of Nursing (26-0063): The public hearing was opened and closed by unanimous consent under the commission’s three-minute speaker limit. Staff explained that exterior alterations requiring building permits would generally require a certificate of appropriateness, some like-for-like replacements could be approved administratively, and decisions can be appealed to the city council. Commissioners in favor said designation would add time but not prevent Mayo’s plans, that preservation keeps buildings usable, and that retrofits and re-applications are possible. The chair noted Mayo’s investment and the strength of the building, acknowledged the owner’s perspective, but said he could not oppose the nomination based on its merits. A motion to approve the nomination, made by John Ryman and seconded by Ellie McLoon, passed unanimously. - Local landmark nomination: Emerson Elementary School/Hillview Orthopedic School (26-0222): Mark Zettler presented the case for designation, describing the school as an early special-education facility serving students from La Crosse and nine counties, partially funded by the Works Progress Administration, with features 50 years ahead of the Americans with Disabilities Act; a second floor was added in 1955 during the baby boom. Dr. Engel answered commissioner questions, saying the interior is safe and maintained but outdated, and the district has not yet decided the building’s future after students move to the new Hogan site. He cited the Lincoln Middle School experience, where eight interested parties narrowed to one bid after historic designation, as a reason designation could limit options. A commissioner noted that the nationwide-trend argument could support the broad-history criterion; Dr. Engel replied that one of many similar buildings and the loss of the special features did not rise to that level. A motion to approve was made by Jim Gallagher and seconded by Laura Gottden, but after discussion Ellie McLoon moved to refer the nomination for 30 days so the commission could tour the building, and Eric Garland seconded. The referral passed unanimously; no final approval/denial vote was taken. The transcript says the item would return on March 26, a date that is difficult to reconcile with the supplied April 21, 2026 meeting date. - National Register of Historic Places nominations – review and comment: Staff explained that the commission was not asked to approve or deny National Register listings, but to comment to the State Historic Preservation Office; the nominations were prepared with property-owner approval by a Milwaukee consulting firm. A National Register listing is honorary, carries no local review jurisdiction, and can make a property eligible for state historic tax credits, which would require meeting Secretary of Interior standards for rehabilitation. - Former Fire Station 4, 906 Gillette Street: Staff noted the building was purchased by a retired firefighter who planned a duplex for himself and rental housing for new firefighters. A motion to support the nomination and direct staff to send a letter, made by Laura and seconded by John, passed unanimously. - La Crosse City Hall, 400 La Crosse Street: Staff called City Hall an example of Brutalist architecture with a prominent history. A commissioner acknowledged its looks are unpopular but said it meets the criteria, and another noted the postcard view toward the bluffs. The motion to support the nomination and send a letter passed unanimously. - HSR Building, 100 Milwaukee Street: Staff described it as an obscure building built into the ground, with an enthusiastic property owner. A motion to support the nomination and send a letter, made by Ellie and seconded by Jim Gallagher, passed unanimously. - Congregation Sons of Abraham, 1820 Main Street: Staff said the congregation was initially cautious but ultimately supported the nomination of its unique building. A commissioner who is a congregation member described the synagogue’s vulnerability, police monitoring, and the significance of the board and membership agreeing to be publicly recognized. A motion to approve the nomination and send a letter passed unanimously. - Historic Certificate Initiative: Commissioner John presented a voluntary recognition proposal for property owners, possibly using a letter, certificate, sign, or a combination. The commission discussed keeping it simple and low-cost and refining the wording. No formal action was taken; written feedback was to be routed to John, with a revised version expected at a future meeting. Key Outcomes - Unanimously approved the January 29, 2026 special meeting minutes. - Unanimously approved the local landmark nomination for the Professional Arts Building/St. Francis School of Nursing (26-0063). - Unanimously referred the Emerson Elementary/Hillview Orthopedic School nomination (26-0222) for 30 days to allow a commission tour; no final designation vote was taken. - Unanimously voted to support and submit comment letters for the National Register nominations of Former Fire Station 4, La Crosse City Hall, the HSR Building, and Congregation Sons of Abraham. - Discussed but took no action on the historic certificate initiative; revisions are to be prepared for a future meeting.

The Board of Public Works met on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Council Chambers. All four present members (Erin Goggin, Matt Gallager, Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, Tamra Dickinson) voted on several agenda items, with one member (Andrea Trane) excused. The meeting lasted approximately 45 minutes, concluding at 10:45 AM. Key actions included approval of a bidder’s responsibility, a change order package (with one dissenting vote), a new policy on sanitation for special events, and referral of the Green Bay Street reconstruction design recommendation to the next meeting for additional information. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes (April 13, 2026): Motion by Dickinson, second by Gallager, carried unanimously. - 25-1174 Bidder's Proof of Responsibility: Motion by Gallager, second by Dickinson, to approve Weezer Brothers General Contractor Inc. (La Crescent, MN) for $470,081,450 for general contracting. Approved unanimously (4-0). Discussion Items - 26-0413 Construction Contract Change Orders: Four change orders for the La Crosse Public Library, wastewater treatment facility upgrades, and Fire Station 3 renovation. Motion to approve by Washington-Spivey, second by Dickinson. Passed 3-1 (Goggin voted no). - 26-0424 Proposed Policy Change on Sanitation and Restroom Requirements for Special Events: Staff presented a revised policy allowing flexibility for small events. Events lasting less than four hours, with no admission fee and no alcohol service, would require a minimum of two toilet facilities for crowds up to 500. Events exceeding 500 attendees would still require the International Building Code ratio of one toilet per 75 attendees. The policy also allows a combination of permanent restrooms, private facilities, and portables. Motion by Dickinson, second by Gallager, approved unanimously (4-0). - 26-0438 Green Bay Street Reconstruction Design Recommendation: Jenna from planning presented public input results. A public meeting had 47 attendees; 25 comment cards were collected (10 favored current conditions, 6 neutral, 8 preferred some bike infrastructure). An online survey received 305 responses: 66% favored current conditions (parking on both sides), 30% favored a raised bike lane (Alternative 1, removing one side of parking), and smaller percentages for other alternatives. Of the 18% of respondents who live or work on Green Bay Street, only 11% (8 people) felt positively toward bike infrastructure. A parking study showed high usage (e.g., 125% capacity on some blocks). Board members discussed alternatives, including rerouting to Redfield Street as a neighborhood greenway. Councilmember Goggin opposed bike infrastructure based on public opposition. Council President Dickinson requested more information, including aerial maps and retrofit costs for both alternatives. Motion by Dickinson, second by Washington-Spivey, to refer the item to the April 27, 2026, Board of Public Works meeting, requesting additional data. Passed 3-1 (Goggin voted no). Key Outcomes - Approved: Bidder’s Proof of Responsibility (unanimous), Construction Contract Change Orders (3-1), and Sanitation Policy Change (unanimous). - Referred: Green Bay Street Reconstruction Design Recommendation to the next meeting (April 27, 2026) with a request for staff to provide retrofit cost estimates for both alternatives and accompanying aerial maps. - Next Steps: Staff will prepare the requested information for the upcoming meeting. The board also noted that future amendments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan could be considered for alternative routes such as Redfield Street.

Note: The instruction for this summary stated the meeting date as April 16, 2026. However, all official meeting materials (agenda, minutes, transcript) indicate the meeting occurred on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 8:30 AM. This summary uses the correct date from the source documents. The Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) met on April 14, 2026 in the Miller Room of City Hall and via Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 8:31 AM and adjourned at 9:49 AM. Seven members were present, one excused. The committee discussed and voted on a proposed electric scooter and electric bicycle ordinance, received a public involvement summary for the Green Bay Street project, and heard an update on the bicycle and pedestrian count program. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from March 10, 2026 were approved via motion by Kevin Hundt, seconded by Robert Young. The motion carried on a voice vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Flint Carl Law (West Salem resident, Regional Rep of ABA Wisconsin): Expressed concern about the optics of e-bike and e-scooter use, stating that the general public cannot differentiate between e-bikes, e-scooters, and motorcycles. He advocated for education over legislation and noted that New Jersey recently passed restrictive e-bike/e-scooter legislation classifying throttle-equipped devices as motorcycles. - Greg Pump (resident at 429 2nd Street): Strongly opposed allowing bicycles and e-bikes on sidewalks in Riverside Park, citing heavy foot traffic, senior citizens, disabled individuals, strollers, and near-miss incidents he observed daily. He requested that the city require dismounting and walking bikes in Riverside Park, similar to policies in Savannah, Georgia. Discussion Items - 24-1118: Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycle Ordinance - Attorney Alan presented updated ordinance language, noting key changes from prior drafts: - E-bikes: throttle operation prohibited on sidewalks; pedal-assist allowed. E-bike sidewalk use now equivalent to regular bikes. - E-scooters: sidewalk prohibition aligned with bike rules—prohibited in the downtown La Crosse area only, otherwise allowed. - The downtown area definition was made consistent across play vehicles, e-scooters, and bikes. - Discussion centered on the standard of "reasonable rate of speed" vs. a fixed speed limit. Member Andrew Ericson proposed a definition limiting sidewalk speed to 10 mph except when conditions require slower speeds, but this was not formally seconded. Staff and other members (Randi Pueschner) supported the flexible reasonable-speed language. - Kevin Hundt proposed an amendment to remove Riverside Park International Gardens and Levees from the prohibited-area list in section 34-68(D1), arguing the current language would restrict biking there even though existing enforcement is lacking. His amendment lacked a second. - Staff noted that this ordinance also goes before the Board of Park Commissioners on April 16, then to Judiciary & Administration and Common Council. - 25-1324: Green Bay Street Project Discussion - Staff presented results of public involvement: a February 24 public meeting had 47 attendees; an online survey garnered 305 responses. Key survey findings: 66% rated current conditions 7 or higher on a 0-10 scale; support for various bicycle infrastructure alternatives ranged from 8% to 25% positive. - Cost estimate for full protected bike lanes from 14th Street to Losey Boulevard: $800,000 to $1,000,000 to adjust curbs and storm structures. The option approved would affect the section from 9th to 14th Street currently under design. - Discussion included piecemeal implementation (similar to Amsterdam's multi-decade approach) and the possibility of painted lanes as a temporary measure where protected lanes are infeasible (e.g., high driveway density near West Avenue). - The Board of Public Works will consider the project on April 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM. - Update on Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Program - Staff (Sammy and Sam) proposed purchasing Eco Counter equipment: one mobile multi-counter (tubes for bikes, infrared for pedestrians) and three nano counters (infrared for foot traffic). Total cost: $12,505, covering hardware and 5 years of software. - Half the funding was approved by the Plan Steering Committee; the other half is sought from the La Crosse Area Planning Coalition. Goal is deployment by July 2026. - Committee members suggested coordination with La Crosse County's existing mobile counter to boost data. Key Outcomes - Ordinance Vote: Motion to recommend adoption of the e-scooter/e-bike ordinance as written passed 4 to 3 (Boldon, Hundt, and Young opposed). The recommendation will move to the Board of Park Commissioners, Judiciary & Administration Committee, and Common Council. - Kevin Hundt's amendment to remove Riverside Park restrictions from the ordinance was not seconded and therefore not voted on. - The Green Bay Street project will be forwarded to the Board of Public Works on April 20 for a recommendation on which bicycle facility option to pursue. - The bicycle/pedestrian count program funding will be pursued with an additional $6,252.50 request from the Plan Coalition. - A future agenda item was requested for "Week Without Driving" (October 1-8, 2026) to consider co-sponsorship.