The Economic and Community Development Commission (ECDC) met on September 23, 2026, at 3:03 PM in La Crosse City Hall. The meeting included discussion and votes on budget revisions, deed restriction suspensions, TIF assistance, housing rehabilitation policies, and reallocation of public service funds. The meeting adjourned in closed session at 4:24 PM.
26-0989: Budget Revision for the Parenting Place Staff recommended approval, stating the revision reflects the original ARPA intent and benefits the program. The revision reallocates funds from business outreach to provider support due to low business engagement and high provider interest.
26-1008: Suspension of Deed Restriction for 1701 Prospect St Staff (Jonah) presented the request from Kaylee Coutil, who needs to temporarily leave La Crosse for education. Discussion included concerns about precedent, monitoring rent, insurance, and income checks for renters. Commissioner Padesky proposed requiring HUD eligibility for renters. Commissioner Goggin proposed a three-year term with option to extend.
26-1000: TIF Assistance Term Sheet for Cowboy Jack’s at River Point District Staff (Andrea Train) presented the project, noting that the developer (CapVest) is partnering with Rai Key to develop on a single lot due to concrete obstacles on adjacent parcel. TIF assistance is based on increment generated; solar panels are part of the gap. Commissioner Markussen asked about risk if restaurant fails; staff explained annual look-back and PILOT obligations. The term sheet was approved without closed session.
26-0994: Housing Rehabilitation Policy & Procedures Update Staff presented a condensed 23-page policy allowing non-income-eligible repairs when funding sources permit, to use TID funds for market-rate repairs. Commissioner Markussen asked about sub-recipients; staff indicated this may come back with an RFP. The policy was approved.
26-0995: Review of Housing Rehab Request for Proposals (RFP) Staff introduced the RFP making $250,000 annually available starting 2027 for housing rehabilitation. The city aims to work with a sub-recipient. Discussion included the need to serve households at 80-120% AMI and floodplain issues. No action required; RFP will be posted.
26-0990: Reallocation of 2026 Public Service Funds Staff reported $30,183.05 available, with five responses from applicants (including three already funded). After hearing from Jason Larson, the commission moved into closed session to deliberate.
All right, good afternoon, everyone. We're gonna get this meeting started. Call this meeting order at three oh three PM. Um, all commissioners are present. Um Council President is joining us virtually. Cool. First, we'll move to the approval of the minutes from the last meeting. Is there a motion? Motion made by Councilmember Gog and second by Commissioner Lee. Any discussion or corrections? CNN, all in favor, please signify by saying aye, a raising of the hand. Any opposed? All right, the motion carries. Commissioners, for this meeting, um, there are quite a few items that are designated for closed session if needed. Uh, if there are items that are we would like to vote to go into closed session for, we're going to do the vote and then move on to the items that we're gonna continue in open session so that we'll take care of all of our close uh session matters at the same time. Does that make sense? I probably could have said that in a lot of like a very much more simpler form, but whatever. All right, moving on to our first agenda item twenty six zero nine eight nine discussion of possible action on the proposed budget revision for the parenting place. Staff Oh, our intern. Hey. First, is that the ECDC can make changes to this amendment without approval from common council? That's in the contract, so we can make this change today. I'd also like to uh to note that staff recommends approval. We think that um this change reflects the intent that um was present in the ARPA funding originally and also is a net benefit to the program as a whole. So if you have any questions for me specifically, I would be more than happy to answer them. Otherwise, I would recommend that the parenting place staff be allowed to speak. Okay, thank you. Any questions for staff? All right, see you now. Thank you, Ethan. Who's here representing the parenting place? Can you come forward to state your name and municipality for the record? Good afternoon. I'm Audrey Weezer Larson, early care and education director at the parenting place. And I'm Kim Wagner, I'm the child care um development coordinator. Um we are requesting this budget revision to better reflect the needs of the community. Um we have had stronger uptake from the provider community looking for support in um expanding access to child care in the community, um stronger interest in starting up programs, um, investing in current programs to make sure that they are able to stay open. Um a little less interest from the business community, but um leaving funding there to support businesses that are interested in um providing support to their employees. So this request really um allows us to better address the the true needs of the community that we're seeing at this point in the project. Yeah, if needed, Kim can talk a little bit about the efforts that have been made in both areas and the interests that she's seeing. She works more directly with the program. Any questions from commissioners? Would we like to hear? You said I'm sorry, say your name again. Kim. Kim. Yeah, you want to come forward and just speak a little bit? Um sure. The the Together We Can program the the budget line that we want to move the money from. Um my predecessor had reached out to probably over a hundred businesses in within the city about the program, and and the response she got was not positive.