Climate Action Plan Steering Committee on 2026-03-09 4:00 PM
Regular MeetingLa Crosse, WI · March 9, 2026
Minutes
City Hall
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin 400 La Crosse Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Meeting Minutes
Climate Action Plan Steering Committee
Monday, March 9, 2026 4:00 PM Eagle Room
This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing.
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Call to Order
Ericson called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM.
Roll Call
Present: 7 - Andrew Ericson, Casey Meehan, Dorothy Lenard, Lauren Fortin, Mackenzie
Mindel, Natalie Heneghan,Stephanie Hanna
Approval of Minutes
Fortin made a motion, seconded by Hanna, that the Minutes be APPROVED.
The motion carried by a voice vote.
Notices & Discussion
Staff notified the committee that final reporting for the second round of the Youth
Climate Action Fund has been submitted and have been sent back for revision. The
third-round awardees have not been announced yet. Staff updated the committee
about Energy Innovation Grant Program reporting; the Public Service Commission is
accepting comments about the next round of the program. Staff highlighted Bright
Action newsletter and requested suggested for content for next month's newsletter.
Staff did not receive an update on the power purchase agreement with US Solar.
Agenda Items:
1 26-0251 Request for funds to temporarily remove solar array on Fire Station No. 3
during roof replacement - Chief Schott
Staff provided an overview of the issue and reported new estimates under $12,000.
The vote would be up to how much to give the Fire Dept. and they would select the
contractor.
A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Lenard, that the Request of up to
$12,000 for a contractor selected by the Fire Department to temporarily remove
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Climate Action Plan Steering Meeting Minutes March 9, 2026
Committee
the solar panels on Fire Station No. 3. be APPROVED. The motion carried by
the following vote:
2 26-0170 Request to Sponsor Prairie Springs Lecture Series Keynote - Andrew Ericson
Ericson was able to meet the fundraising goal, so he took the opportunity to promote
the event. He solicited ideas from the committee on ways to use Timothy Beatley's
time to benefit the committees work while he's in La Crosse, 4/15-16. Other City staff
may benefit from meeting with Beatley, such as stormwater and parks. Mindel also
brought up consideration of new lighting requirements, and inviting the mayor,
department representatives, and reps from other institutions like Emplify. Ericson
suggested an event at the Nature Place or River Point District. This talk could be
promoted by the Forward La Crosse, too.
3 26-0018 Zoning for Climate Action Update
Attachments: Presentation (Jan '26)
Draft Community Interview Questionnaire (Feb '26)
Staff provided an overview of the process. Consultants listed 10 communities to
interview about sample ordinances. They will wrap up interviews next week.
4 26-0141 2026 Earth Fair Vendor Participation Inquiry
Staff will not be available due to the National Planning Conference. Neither will Mindel.
Staff inquired about plugging into what committee members are already doing.
Ericson could represent the committee at the fair. Mindel suggested collaborating with
Parks, since they are tabling. Heneghan suggested that Habitat for Humanity has a
list of which Climate Action Plan actions ReNew the Block takes on.
Next Meeting / Agenda Item
The next meeting will be April 13. Agenda items may include an update on the
communications plan.
Adjournment
Ericson adjourned the meeting at 4:35 PM.
Notice is further given that members of other governmental bodies may be present at the
above scheduled meeting to gather information about a subject over which they have
decision-making responsibility.
NOTICE TO PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY
Requests from persons with a disability who need assistance to participate in this meeting
should call the City Clerk's office at (608) 789-7510 or send an email to
ADAcityclerk@cityoflacrosse.org, with as much advance notice as possible.
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