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

7 -

Present:

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:

Request for funds to temporarily remove solar array on Fire Station No. 3

during roof replacement - Chief Schott

26-0251

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

the solar panels on Fire Station No. 3. be APPROVED. The motion carried by

the following vote:

Request to Sponsor Prairie Springs Lecture Series Keynote - Andrew Ericson

26-0170

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.

Zoning for Climate Action Update

26-0018

26-0141

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.

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.