City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes

Climate Action Plan Steering Committee

Monday, April 8, 2024

4:30 AM

Eagle Room

Call to Order

Mindel called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm.

Roll Call

5 -

Present:

Dorothy Lenard, Casey Meehan, Mackenzie Mindel, Natalie

Heneghan,Andrew Ericson

1 - Stephanie Hanna

Excused:

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Ericson, seconded by Lenard, that these Minutes be

APPROVED . The motion carried by voice vote.

Notices and Discussion

Mindel is giving a presentation on the CAP to the Wisconsin Conservation Voters on

4/9 @ 6pm at the Nature Place. She also shared that the April 2024 issue of the

League of Wisconsin Municipalities' magazine addresses resiliency and sustainability,

and highlights La Crosse's Inspiring Sustainability Award from the Sustainability

Institute.

Heneghan said Habitat for Humanity has begun the home rehabilitation phase of

Renew the Block, which includes a weatherization assessment. They'll begin soon on

a mural co-created with students and are partnering with Grow La Crosse for a plant

sale on 5/13.

Kaitlyn Wiehe announced a seed bomb event.

Agenda Items:

Proposal to extend outreach & engagement contract with Paul Nicholas.

24-0313

Attachments:

Draft Contract

Signed Contract

Staff provided background. Nicholas added to that and answered questions, including

on posting on LaCrosseClimateActionPlan.org and collecting an email database.

Ericson asked about pros and cons of creating new social media accounts. Existing

channels can be used, but operating an independent profile allows greater flexibility.

Analytics would be available. The measure of success would be participation in the La

Crosse Carbon Free Challenge.

A motion was made by Ericson, seconded by Lenard, that this Contract be

APPROVED . The motion carried by voice vote.

Outreach & Engagement Update

24-0067

The Earth Fair had a slot open from 11:20 – 11:55 am in the Marshview Room, so CM

Mindel volunteered to speak about the Climate Action Plan. Hanna had also secured

a table in the Discovery Room for the CAPSC. Staff is available to be at the table

throughout the event, but any committee members can feel free to join or take over.

Engagement suggestions include a scavenger hunt / bingo card with a prize (collect

email to enter drawing) and a resource to take home. The Green Goose Chase

includes a mission to sign up for Bright Action.

Working Group Updates

24-0065

24-0512

Ericson requested moving to WG 1. Heneghan requested more guidance on

expectations and soliciting members. Staff could create a sign up sheet for the Earth

Fair. WG 3 is drafting text for a water quality report insert.

Discussion and direction on year-2 plan implementation

Attachments:

CAP Year 1 Implementation Plan (May 2023)

Staff requested working groups put together accomplishments, roadblocks, and

suggestions for next steps. Staff also asked whether to shift focus to strategies

instead of actions. Committee members need direction on who the audience is for

their work, and relationship mapping with existing sustainability community. They

would also like a way to track and share their work. Staff will provide update at next

meeting.

Brownfield and Transportation Grants and Technical Assistance Pursuits

24-0513

Attachments:

EPA Targeted Brownfield Assessment Program

DNR Wisconsin Assessment Monies

Federal Redistribution

Staff mentioned programs available to do site clean up and fund bike share stations.

Next Meeting / Agenda Items

The next meeting will be 5/13. Agenda items may include the implementation plan,

Earth Fair, and grants.

Adjournment

Mindel adjourned the meeting at 5:38 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.