City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Climate Action Plan Steering Committee  
Monday, November 13, 2023  
4:30 PM  
Eagle Room  
This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing.  
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Call to Order  
Van Maren called the meeting to order at 4:32 pm.  
Roll Call  
5 -  
Present:  
Cathy Van Maren, Casey Meehan, Natalie Heneghan, Andrew  
Ericson,Ronald Cosby II  
2 - Dorothy Lenard,Mackenzie Mindel  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
A motion was made by Meehan, seconded by Cosby II, that these minutes be  
APPROVED . The motion carried by voice vote.  
Notices and Discussion  
Staff shared that the Public Service Commission rejected a proposal from Madison  
Gas & Electric that would change net metering. Also, the State legislature will soon  
be introducing legislation on per-kW fees for Electric Vehicle charging, which would  
impact publicly-owned EV chargers.  
Van Maren shared that there would be a tour and discussion on EVs at Western  
Technical College on 11/14 at 11 to noon.  
Agenda Items:  
Request for letter of support for La Crescent's Minnesota Pollution Control  
Agency Grant.  
23-1368  
1
Attachments:  
Sample Letter of Support  
A motion was made by Meehan, seconded by Cosby II, that this Request be  
APPROVED . The motion carried by voice vote.  
Discussion and Updates from Working Groups  
23-1184  
2
Staff shared guidance on using the implementation plan. Working group 1 is working  
separately on proposals. Van Maren is awaiting guidance from the transit director.  
Crosby is working on a proposal to map building energy footprint for the city, along with  
EV education and incentives. Working group 2 is meeting with Habitat for Humanity  
and Couleecap regarding energy efficiency. Working group 3 is figuring out how to get  
more trees planted in distressed areas.  
Request to pursue Thrive Earth Exchange project on community support  
networks in times of extreme weather.  
23-1369  
23-1370  
3
4
A motion was made by Ericson, seconded by Heneghan, that this Request be  
APPROVED . The motion carried by voice vote.  
Direction and action on possible workshop with Climate Alliance for the  
Common Good in January  
Staff gave overview of event. Crosby suggested sharing working group projects at  
event. Van Maren suggested talking about implementation actions. Staff also  
mentioned Wisconsin Clean Cities and Xcel Energy were looking at doing a ride &  
drive event in December.  
A motion was made by Cosby II, seconded by Meehan, that this General Item  
be APPROVED . The motion carried by voice vote.  
Climate Action Plan Implementation Budget Update  
23-1065  
5
Attachments:  
November Status  
September Status  
Staff shared some suggestions for spending, including a GHG inventory, bike share  
station sponsorship, and SMRT bus sponsorship. Ericson suggested a zoning code  
update, but that would cost more than the budget. Staff suggested pre-approved,  
energy efficient ADU plans. Van Maren suggested bike hangars. Meehan suggested  
spending more on promoting Bright Action. Tom Schlesinger suggested making  
information available on incentives for heat pumps.  
Direction on Solar*Connect Community Program Subscription Pre-Approval  
23-1011  
6
Attachments:  
Memo (Aug 2023)  
Contract  
Fequently Asked Questions  
Webpage  
Memo Addendum (Oct 2023)  
Staff shared that the waiting list came back around for 4.6 kW at $3,000.  
No action taken.  
Request to join Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)  
23-1371  
7
Attachments:  
Introduction to USDN  
A motion was made by Ericson, seconded by Meehan, that this Request be  
APPROVED . The motion carried by voice vote.  
Next Meeting / Agenda Items  
The next meeting is 12/11 @ 4:30 pm. Agenda items may include budget proposals  
for the Capital Budget and for spending the rest of this year's budget. Van Maren  
suggested talking about Earth Fair and connecting with other groups.  
Adjournment  
Van Maren adjourned the meeting at 5:31 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.