City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes

Climate Action Plan Steering Committee

Monday, June 9, 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 4:02 PM.

Roll Call

5 -

Present:

Andrew Ericson, Mackenzie Mindel, Natalie Heneghan, Dorothy

Lenard,Casey Meehan

1 - Stephanie Hanna

Excused:

Absent:

1 - Adam Jacobson

Approval of Minutes

Lenard motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Meehan. The motion

carried by a voice vote.

Notices and Discussion

Agenda Items:

Youth Climate Action Fund Micro-Grant Application Review and Selection

25-0427

Staff provided an overview of the Youth Climate Action Fund and remaining funds to

grant (~$39,000). There are twelve applications up for consideration this meeting and

staff recommended the committee vote on all grants at once rather than one at a time,

due to the limited amount of funds. Ericson arrived at 4:07 PM.

The committee posed questions to Kaarina Dunn regarding her application. About 20

youth will be able to attend the camp and sessions will be just under 7 hours a day.

Camp counselors will be 15-24 years old and incentivizing youth participation is an

eligible expense, so that would be covered. All liability costs are covered by the sites

and individuals will be responsible for their own transportation.

The committee posed questions to the Farmers Market applicants.

The committee posed questions to the Cia Siab applicants.

The committee posed questions to Juliana Dunn regarding her application.

Ericson posed questions regarding Christina Mehrkins' application and eligibility

requirements in general.

Meehan posed questions about Drift Cycle applications. The committee discussed the

remaining applications. Staff listed rank of applicants based on scoring spreadsheet

with consideration of eligibility and possibility of alternative funding sources. The

Committee could decide to use its budget to cover unfunded grants, but staff would

have to get direction from Finance whether they are eligible.

Presentation and discussion about Parks' seasonal sustainability programs -

Sami Meyer

25-0648

Attachments:

Presentation Slides

Meyer gave an overview of Parks' sustainability programs: Leaf It (Fall), Salt Smart

(Winter), Grow Green (Spring), Soak It Up (Summer), and Beautify La Crosse. Rain

barrel giveaway event from 4-6 PM on 6/25 at the Myrick Park Shelter. A compost bin

giveaway as part of Leaf It is being planned. Meehan asked what the committee do to

help; members can spread the word via social media, and the committee can fund

Parks programs that align with the plan, such as the compost bin giveaway.

Heneghan asked about how to turn programs into policy. Regarding Grow Green, there

are recommendations in the CAP for native lawn pilot projects and ordinances.

Likewise, staff is considering ways to systematize composting. Meyer suggested

positive reinforcement through incentives as well. Fitchburg has some good examples

of sustainable policies. Mindel asked about Street's salt and brine use. They have a

few brine trucks to pre-treat streets, and they are onboard with reducing salt use (and

save money). Mindel likened addressing water rate increases by reducing use. Mindel

asked about tree planting and stewardship. Parks got a grant for a tree preservation

ordinance for public trees. Meyer talked about budgeting. City foresters planted over

300 street trees last year. Mindel suggested collaboration on social media.

Review of zoning actions recommended in the Climate Action Plan.

25-0650

Ericson had suggested CAP zoning recommendations for this year's implementation

plan. There is a website and newsletter for the zoning code update and there is survey

out now. Staff cited transit-oriented development as one of the biggest opportunities.

Staff recommended looking at other communities for model ordinances to emulate.

Mindel shared example of Middleton who incorporated LEED for Cities

recommendation. Heneghan mentioned that Middleton's presentation on the La Crosse

Housing Week website. She also suggested reaching out to folks already engaged in

the City's sustainability issues to share the importance of zoning and act in support of

reform. Lenard suggested collaboration with the County, who is in charge of zoning for

neighboring towns. The zoning code update would just change what is allowed in the

future and current uses are considered legally nonconforming.

Next Meeting / Agenda Items

Adjournment