La Crosse Common Council Meeting – September 10, 2026

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.