City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes

Climate Action Plan Steering Committee

Thursday, April 21, 2022

4:30 PM

Grandad Room

This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing. The meeting can be viewed by clicking

this link (or typing the URL in your web browser address bar):

https://stream.lifesizecloud.com/extension/4857797/a8c61270-e220-4ad3-a234-c76d9d7dde51

If you wish to speak on an agenda item, you can do so as part of the virtual meeting. Contact the Planning

& Development Department at the email or phone number below so we can provide you with the

necessary information to join in.

Members of the public who would like to provide written comments on any agenda may do so by emailing

kuhlmanl@cityoflacrosse.org, using a drop box outside of City Hall or mailing the Planning & Development

Department, 400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse WI 54601. Questions, call 608-789-7361.

Call to Order

Mindel called the meeting to order at 4:43 pm.

Roll Call

4 - Cathy Van Maren, Casey Meehan, Susanna Hanson,Mackenzie Mindel

1 - Dorothy Lenard

Present:

Excused:

Approval of Minutes

Hanson motioned to approve the minutes, Meehan seconded. The motion

carried by a voice vote.

Notices & Discussions

Van Maren noted an Earth Day event on 4/22 at noon at City Hall. Meehan noted the

Earth Fair on 4/24 at 11 am to 5 pm at Myrick Park. There are also cleanup events

downtown and in the marsh on 4/23. Van Maren also noted a bike tour of Solar on La

Crosse Schools on 4/23.

Agenda Items:

CAP Team Workshop B Review

22-0598

Van Maren reiterated need to start meetings with a purpose statement about reducing

carbon emissions. Staff cited concern about lack of facilitators in subgroups to direct

conversation. Meehan reiterated desire to cut length of workshops to 90 minutes

because later subgroup conversations lack engagement. Hanson expressed

challenge of only addressing different sectors at the city scale. Staff will share review

of Project Drawndown recommendations that could fit in CAP. Committee felt the

Action Finder tool was a bit overwhelming and could use some curation or help with the

filters. Mindel met with consultant to discuss how to incorporate Energy Action Plan

Report into CAP.

PiE outreach and engagement updates

22-0216

Staff will re-share list and schedule to CAPSC; ask Hutchins for list of assessments

he's done, if possible to share. Staff will share requirements for LAPC applications for

the Carbon Reduction Program. Van Maren asked for more information about where

money for Renewable*Connect goes, so the City can change the perception about it.

Meehan will look into getting information on grid cleanliness. Staff asked for help with

•

convene large energy users to share best practices. Gundersen and Trane could

offer speakers; Rocky Mountain Institute likely has prepared presentations to share.

Hanson suggested sharing case studies of where peers are taking action.

Resolution declaring a climate emergency, committing to policies opposing

fossil fuel expansion and accelerating the clean energy transition, and

endorsing the call for a global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.

22-0427

Attachments:

Resolution

SAFE Cities Webpage

Mindel suggested reaching out to groups in the community to speak in favor of this

resolution; she can sponsor it as well.

Hanson motioned to recommend adoption of this resolution, Meehan

seconded. The motion carried by a voice vote.

Discussion on possible resolution to divest from publicly traded fossil fuel

companies.

22-0422

Attachments:

20220317 Draft Resolution

Hanson asked about fossil fuels that are shifting to clean energy and if they would still

be included in divesting. Committee members suggested framing it in terms of fossil

fuel being a risky investment.

Meehan motioned to recommend this resolution be reviewed by the Finance

Director for adoption, Van Maren seconded. The motion carried by a voice

vote.

Next Meeting / Agenda Items

The next meeting will be 5/19.

Adjournment

Mindel adjourned the meeting at 5:53 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.