City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Climate Action Plan Steering Committee  
Monday, May 12, 2025  
4:00 PM  
Eagle Room  
This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing.  
Join Zoom Meeting:  
https://cityoflacrosse-org.zoom.us/j/89556262687?pwd=TmzYMQRWEj7sOuWitzv04sLbpMOYp5.1  
Meeting ID: 895 5626 2687 Passcode: 102161  
Join by Phone: +1-507-473-4847  
Call to Order  
Mindel called the meeting to order at 4:18 PM.  
Roll Call  
4 - Andrew Ericson, Stephanie Hanna, Dorothy Lenard,Mackenzie Mindel  
3 - Natalie Heneghan, Adam Jacobson,Casey Meehan  
Present:  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
Lenard motioned to approve the minutes, Ericson seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Notices and Discussion  
Staff shared report on Habitat for Humanity's Dumpster Diversion Program  
(https://www.habitatlacrosse.org/dumpster-diversion-pilot-program/), updated on Great  
Lakes Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grant, discussed WEDC grants,  
gathered data for microgrid feasibility study with the County and Western Technical  
College, discussing piggybacking on City's housing programs to promote home energy  
audit program, hosted virtual Solar Power Hour and will have an in-person event soon.  
Ericson requested Grow Solar La Crosse marketing materials. Mindel asked about  
specific WEDC grants; Emslie is pursuing vibrant community grant. Direct pay data  
gathering for City solar projects is in progress and Forward Together Wisconsin hosted  
an event on direct pay.  
Agenda Items:  
Elections for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson  
25-0553  
1
Ericson nominated Mindel for chairperson, Lenard seconded. There were no  
other nominations and the motion carried by acclamation.  
Lenard nominated Ericson for vice chairperson. There were no other  
nominations and the motion carried by acclamation.  
Report on City-wide and Municipal Greenhouse Gas Inventories for 2023 -  
Anders Olson  
25-0539  
2
Attachments:  
Report  
Anders Olson presented report. Ericson asked about methane capture at wastewater  
treatment plant; staff will request update. When that goes online, we should see a  
reduction in WWTP emissions. Ericson asked about difficulty of reducing emissions  
from transportation. Anders broke down commuter data and vehicle fuel efficiency.  
Mindel suggested focusing on a specific sector at future meetings.  
Youth Climate Action Fund Micro-Grant Application Review and Selection  
25-0427  
25-0295  
3
4
Applicant was available to answer questions. Staff reported that the application meets  
all the eligibility requirements.  
Hanna motioned to approve grant application, Lenard seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Climate Action Plan Implementation Update  
Attachments:  
Slides  
This is an annual review of the implementation plan to decide any broad changes.  
Ericson had suggested focus on zoning recommendations in the plan to dovetail with  
the zoning code update. There are about thirty actions; staff needs to synthesize.  
Mindel asked for dates and times of zoning code update engagement; all information  
is on ForwardLaCrosse.org. Mindel requests that LEED for Cities recommendations be  
incorporated as well. Staff shared idea for workshop, to share what organizations in the  
city are doing to transition to EVs. Staff also mentioned possibility of getting City Hall  
parking lot EV ready. Ericson asked about adding action on organics diversion.  
Olson does not have a comprehensive data source at the city level for organics but is  
making the most of data available. Mindel would like to consider a policy tool to get  
better data and asked about measuring weight of hauling organics in terms of  
emissions vs. backyard composting. Olson mentioned the Leaf It! Initiative as a good  
example, and shared that some communities use WWTP break down organics.  
Department of Energy's Energy Saving Performance Contract Campaign  
Case Study on La Crosse  
25-0529  
5
Attachments:  
La Crosse ESPC Case Study  
Next Meeting / Agenda Items  
The next meeting will be 6/9. Agenda items may include a review of YCAF  
applications, WWTP update, Parks' sustainability program overview, discussion on  
GHG emissions by sector, and implementation plan amendments.  
Adjournment  
Mindel adjourned the meeting at 5:07 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.