City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes - Final

Common Council

Thursday, December 12, 2024

6:00 PM

Council Chambers

City Hall, First Floor

Draft until approved by Council on 1/9/2025

Mayor Mitch Reynolds, Presiding

Roll Call

12 -

Present:

Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Chris

Kahlow, Mac Kiel, Mackenzie Mindel, Chris Woodard, Rebecca Schwarz,

Jennifer Trost, Douglas Happel, Mark Neumann

Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation

Moment of silence.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Janssen, to APPROVE minutes of

November 14 & 18, 2024; the motion carried unanimously.

Reports

Financial Report from the Director of Finance for the Month of October.

24-1594

2024-12-001

A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Neumann, that the Report be

RECEIVED AND FILED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

Notices and Discussions

Council President Kahlow noted that she and Council Member Neumann were honored

to be able to visit the sister city Epinal in France. Both noted the connection to the

sister city in that they face similar issues and challenges that the City of La Crosse

experiences. Council Member Goggin noted that the Canadian Pacific Holiday Trane

stopped in La Crosse earlier in the week and thanked the Visitor's Bureau and the

Police Department for their work related to the event. Mayor Reynolds visited Busan,

South Korea, to participate in the United Nations Environmental Program Global

Plastics Treaty Negotiations and as the only Mayor there, was able to talk about how

critical it is to address plastic pollution as the burden truly falls on local governments

for waste management and community health. Mayor Reynolds acknowledged the

unexpected loss of K9 Officer Loki, and expressed his condolences not only to the

police department, but also to Loki's handler and family.

COMMON COUNCIL MATTERS

Resolution approving 2024 BIlls and Engineering Estimates paid in December

2024.

24-1593

2024-12-002

A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Schwarz, that the Resolution be

ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR

Arts Board: Jennifer Morris, Andrew Sherman. Joint Board of Harbor

24-1586

Commissioners: Chet Kirschbaum. City Plan Commission: Jacob

Sciammas.

2024-12-003

A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Dickinson, that the Appointments

be CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

SUSPENSION OF COUNCIL RULE XV FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:

(2/3 Vote Required)

A motion was made by Goggin, seconded by Sleznikow, to SUSPEND CR XV

for items 24-1557, 24-1563, and 24-1598. The motion carried unanimously.

REPORT OF BID/QUOTE RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED

Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Pember Companies, Inc.

24-1452

in the amount of $131,515.25 for the Pammel Creek Repairs Phase 1 project.

2024-12-004

A motion was made by Dickinson, seconded by Kahlow, that the Resolution be

ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

REPORT OF BID/QUOTE RECOMMENDED TO BE REJECTED

Report of Bids for the Hintgen Neighborhood Pedestrian Lighting Project.

24-1450

2024-12-005

A motion was made by Goggin, seconded by Kahlow, that the Report of Bids

be REJECTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

ITEMS WITH NO RECOMMENDATION

Resolution approving the sale of City owned property at 626 Monitor Street to

24-1437

Property Logic III.

2024-12-006

A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Dickinson, that the Resolution be

ADOPTED.

A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Schwarz, that the Resolution be

REFERRED to the first Economic and Community Development Committee

meeting in 2025 to evaluate both of the proposals for the property. The motion

failed by the following vote:

6 - Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Schwarz, Happel

6 - Dickinson, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard, Trost, Neumann

Yes:

No:

The motion to ADOPT failed by the following vote:

5 - Dickinson, Mindel, Woodard, Trost, Neumann

Yes:

No:

7 - Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Schwarz, Happel

Resolution authorizing the creation and uses of special revenue funds for the

Street Department.

24-1506

2024-12-007

A motion was made by Woodard, seconded by Dickinson, that the Resolution

be ADOPTED. The motion failed by the following vote:

12 -

No:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

Amended Resolution reallocating American Rescue Plan Funds (ARPA) from

the Marsh Lead Contamination Allocation to Carroll Park Improvements, CIP

#440.

24-1598

2024-12-008

A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Kahlow, that the Resolution be

ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED

AN ORDINANCE to repeal and recreate Section 115-393 and amend Section

24-1323

115-512 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Crosse regarding

removal of all off-street parking requirements.

ORD. 5317. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.

A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Schwarz, that the Ordinance be

ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

9 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kiel, Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel,

Neumann

3 - Goggin, Kahlow, Woodard

No:

AN ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 115-110 of the Code of Ordinances of

the City of La Crosse by transferring certain property from the Local Business

and Commercial Districts to the Commercial District, allowing for 1133 West

George Street to be combined with an adjacent parcel of the same zoning.

24-1435

ORD. 5318. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.

A motion was made by Goggin, seconded by Dickinson, that the Ordinance be

ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

11 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Schwarz,

Trost, Happel, Neumann

1 - Woodard

Recuse:

AN ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 115-110 of the Code of Ordinances of

the City of La Crosse by transferring certain property from the Washburn

Residential District to the Residence District, allowing for a duplex at 516 5th

Avenue S.

24-1465

ORD. 5319. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.

A motion was made by Dickinson, seconded by Trost, that the Ordinance be

ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

Resolution re-allocating and appropriating unused roadway funds for

additional funding on HSIP and Signal Replacement projects.

24-1542

2024-12-009

A motion was made by Sleznikow, seconded by Neumann, that the Resolution

be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

12 -

Yes:

Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,

Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann

CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Kahlow, to ADOPT the Consent

Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED

AN ORDINANCE to create Section 103-274 of the Code of Ordinances of the

City of La Crosse regarding Service Charge for inspection, review and

issuance of a Release of Raze and Removal Order filed with the Register of

Deeds.

24-1438

ORD. 5320. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.

AN ORDINANCE to amend section 103-109(c)(6) of the Code of Ordinances

of the City of La Crosse to update code language regarding pool covers.

24-1466

24-1373

ORD. 5321. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.

Resolution granting various license applications pursuant to Chapter 10,

Articles XIII, XIV, and XVIII of the La Crosse Municipal Code for the 2025

license period (Public Vehicle for Hire, Horse-Drawn Vehicle, Pedicabs and

Pedal Cars).

2024-12-010

Resolution granting various license applications pursuant to Chapters 4, 6,

and/or 10 of the La Crosse Municipal Code for the license period 2024-2025

(December).

24-1374

24-1389

24-1418

2024-12-011

Resolution authorizing an application to the Wisconsin Economic

Development Corporation (WEDC) for the Community Development

Investment (CDI) Grant Program for the Haven on Main development.

2024-12-012

Resolution approving Request of Jadeboy LLC for permission to apply for a

Combination "Class B" Beer and Liquor license at 1217 Caledonia St. Suite B

for the license year 2024-25.

2024-12-013

Resolution approving application of Joseph Endrizzi/JME Products LLC for a

Conditional Use Permit at 1513 Market Street allowing for demolition of

existing structure for green space until property is redeveloped.

24-1434

2024-12-014

Resolution declaring certain property at 713 St. James St. (parcel

#17-10010-90) as surplus property.

24-1453

24-1473

2024-12-015

Resolution approving application of Gerrard Development LLC for a

Conditional Use Permit at 907, 915, 919 & 927 Main Street and 115 & 117

10th Street N allowing for demolition of existing structure for green space until

property is redeveloped.

2024-12-016

Resolution adopting the HUD Citizen Participation Plan.

24-1487

24-1498

2024-12-017

Resolution reallocating American Rescue Plan Funds (ARPA) to the ARPA

interest revenue account.

2024-12-018

Resolution approving subordination request by Ocean Fin, LLC on Upper

Floor Renovation Loan.

2024-12-019

Resolution to re-allocate unused funds from closed projects and

re-appropriate additional funds to open projects for the Water Utility.

2024-12-020

Resolution to re-allocate unused funds from closed projects and

re-appropriate additional funds to open projects for the Stormwater Utility.

2024-12-021

Resolution to re-allocate unused funds from closed projects and

re-appropriate additional funds to open projects for the Sewer Utility.

2024-12-022

Resolution to authorize Sanitary Sewer Utility to purchase used dump truck

from the Street Department.

2024-12-023

Resolution re-appropriating Operating Budget funds for purchase of Street

Department and Refuse & Recycling vehicles from the fleet lease program.

2024-12-024

Resolution approving Federal transit operations and capital assistance

application.

2024-12-025

Resolution approving State transit operating and capital assistance

application.

2024-12-026

Resolution appropriating additional Utility funds for design and environmental

documentation as part of the STP-Urban project on 6th Street, from State

Street to Cass Street.

2024-12-027

Resolution to approve adjusted wage rates for part time, seasonal and casual

city employees effective January 1, 2025.

24-1537

24-1549

2024-12-028

Resolution approving request of John William Waters dba Jr's Ghost Kitchen

LLC for permission to apply for a Combination "Class B" Beer and Liquor

license at 705 Rose Street for the license year 2024-25.

2024-12-029

Resolution authorizing application for and participation in the 2024

pre-disaster flood resilience grant program with Wisconsin Emergency

Management (WEM) and designation of funding for same.

24-1557

2024-12-030

Resolution approving a collective bargaining agreement between the City of

La Crosse and the International Association of Firefighters, Local #127 (IAFF)

for January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2027.

24-1563

2024-12-031

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 7: 15 p.m.