La Crosse Board of Public Works Meeting - August 31, 2026

The Board of Public Works met on Monday, August 31, 2026, in Council Chambers at City Hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Minutes record the call to order at 10:00 AM; the transcript appears to say 10:03 AM. All five commissioners were present. The board approved prior meeting minutes, street privilege permits, a water rate effective date, a mid-block crossing, and a no-parking zone before adjourning at 10:22 AM.

Approval of Minutes

• The board unanimously approved the August 24, 2026 meeting minutes on a motion by Dickinson, seconded by Trane.

Bidder’s Proof of Responsibility

• Item 25-1195: None reported.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tess Larsen, Freedom Honor Flight Board of Directors, thanked the board for expediting the temporary EMC board permit. She said the lighted sign would operate from roughly 4:30 to 6:30 a.m. and about one hour at night to guide veterans to the hangars.
• Noah Gerdis (listed as Noah Gardes in the minutes), owner/CEO of Veterans and Professions, said he was called for the wrong agenda item and had no comment on the no-parking zone. He thanked the board for approving the mid-block crossing and asked whether the city might reimburse half the cost in the new year if he builds it immediately. Staff directed him to work with the Engineering Department on that arrangement.

Discussion Items

• Bodega Brew Pub Inc. Street Privilege Permit (26-0908): Staff recommended approval for placement of dumpsters and recycling bins at 122 4th St S and 317 Pearl St. Approved 5-0.
• Water Rate Application Update (26-0917): Water utility staff presented the Public Service Commission (PSC) final order. The PSC requires the new rates to be implemented no later than 90 days from the order service date and did not phase the rate increase, finding that the revenue from the authorized rates is necessary to meet the utility’s long-term financial needs. Staff recommended an effective date of October 1, 2026, which would produce prorated charges on November, December, and January bills; full new-rate charges would first appear on February, March, and April 2027 bills. Staff said they would file the date with the PSC and post rate information in early September. Council President Dickinson asked about consumer rate information; staff said they had a spreadsheet calculator for residential customers and would work with IT to make it available online. Councilmember Goggin asked what would happen if the board rejected the date; staff said the PSC order is a directive, the choice could be delayed within 90 days, and delay could affect the utility’s 2026-27 budgets. Approved 5-0 with an effective date of October 1, 2026.
• Mid-Block Crossing, 1400 Block of St. Andrew Street (26-0918): Engineering staff said the request came from the property owner for 1407 St. Andrew Street (Fenegor Group, LLC) and Veterans and Professions, Inc., to improve accessibility for veterans with mobility issues. Exact placement on the west or east side of the driveway is not yet decided and must have a minimum 15-foot offset from the driveway opening. If the business builds immediately, it will pay entirely; if it waits, the city may include the ramp in a 2027 curb and gutter project. Approved 5-0.
• Freedom Honor Flight Temporary Street Privilege Permit (26-0919): The permit allows a temporary EMC board on the northwest corner of Fanta Reed Road and Dawson Avenue for the September 7, 2026 Freedom Honor Flight. The chief building inspector asked whether a temporary sign permit was also required; staff said the temporary street privilege would cover the public right-of-way location. Approved 5-0.
• No-Parking Zone, North Side of 1800 Block of Barnabee Road (26-0920): Engineering staff reported that 67% of the frontage on the block face had requested the restriction. Parking restrictions are based on frontage footage, not headcount; 50% or more of the block's frontage must sign to establish a majority. Staff said no engineering study is required unless there are street-width or driving concerns. One board member asked whether other property owners are notified; staff said the petition is sent to all owners of record and they may speak at the board. The motion was approved 4-1, with Washington-Spivey voting no. The minutes do not state a reason for her opposition.
• Xcel Energy Street Privilege Permits (26-0921, 26-0922): The board approved a permit to install a gas main on the 2900-3100 blocks of Losey Boulevard South, and a permit to replace and install electrical infrastructure on 29th Court South. Both motions were approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved August 24, 2026 minutes unanimously.
• Approved Bodega Brew Pub street privilege permit (5-0).
• Approved water rate effective date of October 1, 2026 (5-0).
• Approved mid-block crossing on St. Andrew Street (5-0).
• Approved Freedom Honor Flight temporary street privilege permit (5-0).
• Approved no-parking zone on Barnabee Road (4-1; Washington-Spivey opposed).
• Approved both Xcel Energy street privilege permits (5-0 each).
• Meeting adjourned at 10:22 AM.