Common Council on 2026-04-09 6:00 PM

City Hall City of La Crosse, Wisconsin 400 La Crosse Street La Crosse, WI 54601 Meeting Minutes - Final Common Council Thursday, April 9, 2026 6:00 PM Council Chambers City Hall, First Floor Council President Tamra Dickinson, Presiding Dickinson called the meeting to order at 6:44 p.m. Roll Call Present: 13 - Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Olivia Stine, Chris Kahlow, Gary Padesky, Mackenzie Mindel, Aron Newberry, Jennifer Trost, Crystal Bedford, Lisa Weston, Rosanne Northwood Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Northwood, to APPROVE the minutes of March 3 and March 12, 2026. The motion carried unanimously. Reports 26-0384 Financial Report from the Director of Finance for the Month of February. 2026-04-001 A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Stine, that the Report be RECEIVED AND FILED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 1 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 9, 2026 Notices and Discussions Council Member Goggin noted the retirements of Ray Malin and Joe Bayer and thanked them for their dedication to the City. Council Member Barb Janssen mentioned that they attended the Leader Ethics event at WTC and recommended the public to watch the recording of that meeting. Council Member Newberry recognized his neighbors, the Attlesons, who won the Soak It Up award from the La Crosse Area Waters group. Council President Dickinson noted the progress of third ADU (accessory dwelling unit) which is on Livingston Street. Council Member Mindel thanked the Clerk's office and team for their work in election administration. COMMON COUNCIL MATTERS 26-0383 Resolution approving 2025/2026 Bills and Engineering Estimates paid in April 2026. 2026-04-002 A motion was made by Sleznikow, seconded by Goggin, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR 26-0253 Board of Zoning Appeals: Rachel MacFarland. Economic and Community Development Committee: Gina Miller. 2026-04-003 A motion was made by Padesky, seconded by Trost, that the Appointment be CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood 26-0375 Aviation Board: Jeannie Groskreutz, Scott Arenz. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee: Randi Pueschner. Building & Housing Appeals Board: Vince Ristow. Citizens Board of Review: Fred Giese, Heather Talbot. City Plan Commission: Katrina Bjornstad. Library Board: Marlene De La Cruz-Guzman, Suzanne Anglehart. 2026-04-004 A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Stine, that the Appointment be CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 2 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 9, 2026 SUSPENSION OF COUNCIL RULE XV & IX FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: (2/3 Vote Required) A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Kahlow, to SUSPEND of Council Rule XV & IX for file 26-0391. The motion carried unanimously. REPORT OF BIDS/QUOTES RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED 26-0315 Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Gerke Excavating Inc. in the amount of $207,061.40 for the St. Cloud St - Avon Street to Liberty Street project. 2026-04-005 A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Sleznikow, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood 26-0317 Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Fowler & Hammer, Inc. in the amount of $99,620.50 for the 2026 Annual Sidewalk Infill project. 2026-04-006 A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Northwood, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood 26-0318 Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to A-1 Excavating LLC in the amount of $604,415.00 for the Vine Street - 15th Street to 16th Street & 16th Street - Vine Street to State Street project. 2026-04-007 A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Stine, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood REPORT OF BIDS RECOMMENDED TO BE REJECTED 26-0327 Report of Bids for the Non-compliant Laterals-King St project. 2026-04-008 A motion was made by Goggin, seconded by Kahlow, that the Report of Bids be REJECTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 3 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 9, 2026 ITEM WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION 26-0391 Resolution appropriating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Interest Funds for the opening and operating of the North Side Pool located at 816 Sill Street for the 2026 season . 2026-04-009 A motion was made by Goggin, seconded by Sleznikow, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion failed by the following vote: Yes: 5- Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Padesky No: 8- Dickinson, Stine, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED 26-0238 Resolution allocating unused Sanitary Sewer funds for the final payment on the Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades. 2026-04-010 A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Northwood, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood 26-0276 Resolution appropriating Tax Incremental District (TID) 11 funds for Civic Center Park. 2026-04-011 A motion was made by Padesky, seconded by Goggin, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 10 - Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Trost, Bedford, Weston No: 3- Dickinson, Newberry, Northwood City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 4 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 9, 2026 26-0314 Amended Resolution approving the carryover of unexpended appropriations from the 2025 Operating Budget to the 2026 Operating Budget and 2025 year-end budget adjustments for department cost overruns. 2026-04-012 A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Padesky, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Padesky, that the Resolution be AMENDED as proposed by the Director of Finance (posted in Legistar). The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 12 - Dickinson, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood No: 1- Goggin A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Padesky, that the Resolution be ADOPTED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 11 - Dickinson, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood No: 2- Goggin, Newberry ITEM PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA 26-0289 Resolution regarding the administration and financial maintenance of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received by the City. 2026-04-013 A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Padesky, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Mindel, that the Consent Agenda be ADOPTED. The motion carried unanimously. Meeting went into a 5-minute recess after the vote on adoption of the Consent Agenda. City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 5 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 9, 2026 ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED 25-0994 Resolution approving the Arts Board to be renamed as the Arts and Culture Board. 2026-04-014 26-0136 Resolution approving application of A & S Foster LLC dba Bottoms Up for an Expansion of Alcohol Beverage License & Street Privilege Permit for a special event at 500 Copeland Ave on June 13, 2026. 2026-04-015 26-0164 Resolution granting various license applications pursuant to Chapters 4, 6, and/or 10 of the La Crosse Municipal Code for the license period 2025-2026 (April). 2026-04-016 26-0204 Resolution dedicating City property, Lot 42 of Sexauer's Addition, to the public for right-of-way purposes and approving request from Badger Corrugating Company to vacate a portion thereof. 2026-04-017 26-0246 Resolution denying application of Rolling Trees LLC dba Rolling Trees for a Cigarette, Tobacco, and Electronic Vaping Device License and appeal of denial by the Police Department. (Note: The Committee and/or Council may convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. sec. 19.85(1)(a) to deliberate its decision. Following any closed session, the Committees and/or Council may reconvene in open session.) 2026-04-018 26-0254 Resolution approving Preliminary Plat of Featherstone Rise - Part of the Northwest 1/4 & Northeast 1/4 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 7 and Part of the Southwest 1/4 & Southeast 1/4 of the Southwest 1/4 of Section 6, all in Township 15 North, Range 6 West, Town of Shelby, La Crosse County, Wisconsin. 2026-04-019 26-0258 Resolution appropriating Tax Incremental District (TID) 11 funds for the design and construction of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) across Hwy 14/61 as part of the Wagon Wheel Trail Project. 2026-04-020 City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 6 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final April 9, 2026 26-0301 Resolution approving the carryover of unexpended appropriations for the Arts Board from the 2025 Operating Budget to the 2026 Operating Budget. 2026-04-021 ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE RE-REFERRED 26-0144 Resolution approving Certified Survey Map - Lot 1, Certified Survey Map Number 67, Volume 19, Document Number 1761262, Located in the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 9, Township 15 North, Range 7 West, City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin and request for dedication of right-of-way and waiver of platting requirements. Referred 30 days to the May 2026 meetings. ITEM FOR CLOSED SESSION 26-0322 Appeal by Mayo Health System of the Heritage Preservation Commission designation of historical structure for the building located at 615 10th St. S. (Note: The Common Council may convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel and Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(a) to deliberate its decision. Following any closed session, the Council may reconvene in open session.) 2026-04-022 A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Northwood, that the Claim/Appeal be PUBLIC HEARING open. The motion carried unanimously. The following spoke: Samuel Lindner, Paul Molling, Marc Zettler, John Reiman, Gordon Howie, Jennifer Livingston Thompson, and Barbara Kooiman. Unanimous consent to close public hearing. A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Newberry, that the Claim/Appeal be DENIED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 10 - Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Trost, Bedford, Northwood No: 3- Dickinson, Newberry, Weston Adjournment Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:30 p.m. City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 7