City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes - Final

Neighborhood Revitalization Commission

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

6:00 PM

Council Chambers- City Hall- 400 La Crosse St

Members of the public will be able to attend the meeting in person in the Council Chambers at

City Hall located at 400 La Crosse St in La Crosse or online via video conferencing with the

links below.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://cityoflacrosseorg.zoom.us/j/82155464093pwd=aGw1NWRRUE4xM1RxajJxaTM0QkNU

QT09

Meeting ID: 821 5546 4093

Passcode: 543969

Participate by phone: 1-312-626-6799

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm.

Roll Call

8 -

Present:

Absent:

Steve Nicolai, Ralph Geary, Larry Sleznikow, Jennifer Trost, Jessica

Stanton, Sean Hurtubise , Robert McDonnell,Greg Clark

3 - Vacant 1, Will Kratt,Jim Bagniewski

Approval of Minutes

Approval of the August 2, 2023 Meeting Minutes.

Larry Sleznikow moved to approve the minutes. Jessica Stanton seconded.

The motion passed 8-0 by voice vote.

Agenda Items:

Discussion on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan: City-wide survey of

compliance issues-Cullen Haldeman.

CM Jennifer Trost thanked City Staff for their work on developing policy and

stated that the two items on the agenda are intended to continue to inform the

Commission what is being worked on to help neighborhoods.

Cullen Haldeman, Sidewalk and ADA Coordinator with the Engineering

Department, explained to the Commission that they hired a consulting firm to

develop a plan that will make the city ADA compliant. This would start with

City owned infrastructure including buildings, parks, and streets. Required

signage has been a low hanging fruit that was identified. Being in compliance

will provide those with disabilities the same experience as everyone else. Not

being in compliance can also make the City susceptible to fines by the

Department of Justice. Cullen stated that to date he is not aware of any fines to

the City. He is also the staff person for the Committee for Citizens with

Disabilities (CCD).

CM Sleznikow asked about the importance of the plan to members of the CCD.

Cullen stated they were excited about the plan and are an important resource

to completing the plan.

CM Trost asked what items we were not in compliance with. Cullen stated that

curb ramps are a big item. Many are not the correct slope and some do not

have a metal pad or no pad at all. Cullen said they also deal with sidewalk trip

hazards and areas with no sidewalks. Correct signage for information purposes

is also another big item.

Cullen stated that a transition plan is a good thing so the City is more

accessible for everyone. CM Sleznikow stated that his awareness has definitely

been raised since serving on the Committee. CM Sleznikow said learning

about what others are concerned about has been beneficial when working on

other projects.

CM Trost asked if there were opportunities for people to submit issues. Cullen

said that is available on the City website as a Self Service Request 311.

Update and discussion on Accessory Dwelling Unit policy research - Lewis

Kuhlman

23-0382

Lewis Kuhlman stated he had been working on a draft ordinance for several

months. Several questions were asked at the last meeting he attended. A

memo with responses to the questions was attached to the agenda. Lewis

provided a summary of the responses.

CM Sleznikow asked about the process of rezoning from R1 to R2 to have an

ADU. Lewis stated that a rezoning petition would need to be submitted to the

City for Common Council approval. Jessica Stanton asked about the process

for a variance regarding owner occupancy. Lewis stated that as long the

property has an ADU the owner has to occupy one or the other, unless the

zoning code were to change in the future.

CM Trost asked where we are at with moving the ordinance forward. Lewis

stated that it depends on the Commission's perspective on whether they feel it

is ready. Meetings have been had with Community Risk Management and

there have been several revisions made accordingly.

Sean Hurtubise asked about what would be considered the front. Lewis stated

the front would be facing the front yard and the rear would be facing the

alleyway, similar to a primary structure.

CM Sleznikow asked about Onalaska and how their ADU ordinance was

working. Lewis stated that it was pretty new and has not had that conversation

but will look into it. CM Sleznikow stated it would be beneficial

Greg Clark asked if there are requirements for electrical and plumbing. Lewis

stated that they would have to follow any required building codes which would

also include meeting water meter requirements.

CM Trost asked if it could be ready to introduce within the next month. Lewis

stated he could have it ready for the next meeting to approve.

Updates (Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Reports).

Staff provided an update on the Comprehensive Plan. Staff stated they were in

the final comment period for the draft Comprehensive Plan. Staff stated the

final draft would go through the October Council cycle.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:59 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.

Neighborhood Revitalization Commission Members:

CM Jennifer Trost, CM Larry Sleznikow, Jessica Stanton, Jim Bagniewski, Greg Clark, Ralph

Geary, Robert McDonnell, Sean Hurtubise, Steve Nicolai, Will Kratt