City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Climate Action Plan Steering Committee  
Monday, October 9, 2023  
4:30 PM  
Grandad Room  
Note different meeting room  
This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing.  
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Call to Order  
Mindel called the meeting to order at 4:33 pm.  
Roll Call  
6 -  
Present:  
Dorothy Lenard, Cathy Van Maren, Casey Meehan, Mackenzie Mindel,  
Natalie Heneghan,Andrew Ericson  
1 - Ronald Cosby II  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
Lenard motioned to approve the minutes, Meehan seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Notices and Discussion  
Agenda Items:  
Request to Submit Surface Water Grant Application for ReNew the Block  
Project  
23-1181  
1
Attachments:  
Surface Water Grant Webpage  
ReNew the Block Webpage  
Heneghan and Don Huff gave a presentation on the project plan. The project had  
already started at Lincoln MS and will be transplanted to Logan MS. The grant is for  
$25,000, which will go toward Coulee Region Ecoscapes landscaping work.  
Municipalities are automatically eligible and there needs to be an authorizing resolution  
in November. Habitat for Humanity has matching funds and doesn't need any from the  
City. They also have a maintenance agreement to take care of the landscaping for ten  
years. Mindel said this could be a great educational model. Van Maren asked if the  
plan could incorporate bus stops and shelter. This project is intended as a pilot that  
could be scaled up elsewhere.  
Heneghan recused herself. Ericson made a motion to approve the request,  
Meehan seconded. The motion carried by a voice vote.  
Report on Johnson Controls' Energy Saving Performance Contract, Year 2  
Measurement & Verification  
23-1183  
2
Attachments:  
Report  
Staff went over report. Since the saving need to be used to pay off the debt for the  
project, they can't be used for new projects. Meehan asked if we're showing a  
reduction from the plan's baseline year. [Municipal energy use in 2019 was 22.1 million  
kWh, and in 2022 was 20.3 million kWh]  
Discussion and Updates from Working Groups.  
23-1184  
3
Van Maren shared that Xcel Energy sponsored a WI Clean Cities ride and drive event  
with EVs [https://wicleancities.org/event/oct-11-2023-transportation-innovation-expo/].  
She is also reaching out to the WI Sustainable Business Council. Staff is looking to  
propose climate action projects for UniverCity Alliance and Thriving Earth Exchange.  
Mindel talked about connecting with Green Homeowners United, USGBC regarding IRA  
incentives, and NPS recommendations for energy efficiency and renewable energy  
retrofits on historic buildings. Lenard prepared questions for meeting with City staff.  
Van Maren suggested a tree preservation ordinance; there is report for that in the  
Planning office.  
Next Meeting / Agenda Items  
The next meeting will be 11/13 @ 4:30 pm.  
Adjournment  
Mindel adjourned the meeting at 5:47 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.