City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Climate Action Plan Steering Committee  
Thursday, June 16, 2022  
4:30 PM  
Grandad Room  
This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing. The meeting can be viewed by clicking  
this link (or typing the URL in your web browser address bar):  
https://stream.lifesizecloud.com/extension/4857797/a8c61270-e220-4ad3-a234-c76d9d7dde51  
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& Development Department at the email or phone number below so we can provide you with the  
necessary information to join in.  
Members of the public who would like to provide written comments on any agenda may do so by emailing  
kuhlmanl@cityoflacrosse.org, using a drop box outside of City Hall or mailing the Planning & Development  
Department, 400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse WI 54601. Questions, call 608-789-7361.  
Call to Order  
Mindel called the meeting to order at 4:31 pm  
Roll Call  
4 - Dorothy Lenard, Cathy Van Maren, Susanna Hanson,Mackenzie Mindel  
1 - Casey Meehan  
Present:  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
Van Maren motioned to approve the minutes, Mindel seconded. The motion  
carried by a voice vote.  
Agenda Items:  
Presentation on Public Heath Capstone Climate Change Workbook and  
Request for Follow Up Feeback - Jeni Walker Bailey  
22-0760  
1
Attachments:  
Presentation  
Bailey went over her presentation. Van Maren suggested including actions that people  
can take in the mental health section so they don't feel helpless; she also suggested  
looking at connections between different actions. Staff suggested adding a piece  
about social bonds and community building in resiliency, since research has shown  
heat wave deaths in Chicago were related to social isolation. Lenard suggested it  
could help young people cope with climate despair. Van Maren recommended The  
Tantrum that Save the World. Mindel could connect Bailey with Meehan regarding his  
climate game. Van Maren suggested looking at broader issues like when producers  
shift blame to consumers for pollution.  
Resolution declaring a climate emergency, committing to policies opposing  
fossil fuel expansion and accelerating the clean energy transition, and  
endorsing the call for a global fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.  
22-0427  
2
Attachments:  
Resolution  
Letter of Support - Gorski - 5.21.2022  
Support Letter - K. Allen - 5.30.2022  
Support Letter - C. Van Maren - 5.31.2022  
Support Letter - L. Herling - 5.31.2022  
Committee Registration Slips - 5.31.2022  
Support Letter - B. Moore - 6.5.2022  
The Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty Webpage  
Janssen provided reasoning from suggested changes including new council members,  
forthcoming Climate Action Plan (CAP) draft, and desire for action steps rather than  
policy direction; stated neutral language would be more effecting; wording is important  
if you want to bring people along. Lenard agreed that there's no reason to include  
inflammatory language; suggested adding forest fires to key issues. Janssen would  
rather see CAPSC make revisions than for her to introduce her own amendment.  
Mindel wanted the resolution to go beyond the 2019 carbon neutrality resolutions;  
suggested amendments take out any substance; amendments raise concern over  
commitment to actually reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. Council needs to be  
accountable. Lenard supports a commitment to changes in fossil fuel use. Staff  
clarified that greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, which comes from burning  
fossil fuels; that connection needs to be understood. Mindel shared that Judiciary &  
Administration Committee members were nervous about local economy and perception  
of negativity; City can't meet its CAP goals without phasing out fossil fuels. Janssen  
requested action items, like a to-do list. Staff was concerned about wasting time on  
developing policy that wouldn't be supported and felt this resolution is an indicator of  
future commitment and support. Van Maren stated that we need to be honest about  
not burning fossil fuels. Janssen suggested considering what reaction the Council  
would get from WIZM listeners and CM Happel when drafting legislation; it doesn't need  
to be rushed. Mindel indicated future legislation would go into expansion of  
electrification and non-carbon sources of energy. Van Maren agreed that the City's  
vehicle fleet needs to shift to electric.  
Staff asked for amendments from the committee over the next 2 weeks; would provide  
synthesis and work on revisions with CM Mindel.  
June Climate Action Plan Workshops Update and Discussion  
22-0827  
22-0831  
3
4
Revision in the ActionFinder were disabled on 6/14 for the consulting team to create a  
draft CAP. Staff will see if it is possible and how to review for gaps and make  
suggestions.  
June Partners in Energy Outreach and Engagement  
Attachments:  
EV Toolkit  
Staff will be drafting policy based on electric vehicle toolkit implementation.  
Discussion on Community Events at Which to Share Climate Action Planning  
22-0832  
5
Process Information - Van Maren  
Solar on La Crosse Schools Show and Tell on 6/20. 6/21 Bike tour. Plastic Free July  
Events, including screening of Story of Plastic. Van Maren will share info at  
Juneteenth. Other events may include Riverfest, Irishfest, farmers markets. Staff will  
ask CAP consultant about cards to solicit feedback on draft plan.  
Adjournment  
Mindel adjourned the meeting at 6:01 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.