City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Neighborhood Revitalization Commission  
Wednesday, August 2, 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:  
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Participate by phone: 1-312-626-6799  
Call to Order  
The Meeting was called to order at 6:00pm.  
Roll Call  
9 -  
Present:  
Vacant 1, Ralph Geary, Will Kratt, Jim Bagniewski, Larry Sleznikow,  
Jennifer Trost, Jessica Stanton, Sean Hurtubise ,Robert McDonnell  
1 - Greg Clark  
Excused:  
Absent:  
1 - Steve Nicolai  
Approval of Minutes  
Approval of the July 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes.  
Ralph Geary moved to approve the minutes. Larry Sleznikow seconded. The  
motion passed 8-0 by voice vote.  
Agenda Items:  
23-0906  
1.  
Jennifer Trost provided an overview of why this item was on the agenda.  
Jennifer stated that the Neighborhood Revitalization Commission is an  
advisory and policy recommendation board and items like this are what the  
NRC would typically work on. Larry Sleznikow stated that urban heat islands  
are becoming more of an issue nationwide, especially with recent high  
temperatures. He stated that it is iImportant to look at the study and understand  
how addressing this issue could benefit La Crosse. The City should be looking  
as practices to reduce heat islands whether it is through new buildings or  
increasing tree plantings. Plans for tree maintenance and increasing plantings  
in boulevards is a question for the Parks Department.  
Jim Bagniewski agreed that trees are important. He asked if they are a part of  
the Climate Action Plan? Larry Sleznikow stated that there are actions in the  
plan. Jim stated he would like to hear from Lewis on how the NRC could help  
with this action.  
Ralph Geary agred that nationwide temps are high. He stated that new  
technology for concrete that has an additive that can help reduce the heat  
effect in cities. JenniferTrost stated that the City and NRC can look at that  
technology through the Capital Improvement Program.  
Jessica Stanton asked about the City's actions to remove all of the ash trees  
and if they had all been replaced. Jennifer Trost stated that she will look into  
it.  
23-0910  
2.  
Jennifer Trost showed the NRC the City's Green Complete Streets ordinance,  
including the examples regarding street design and sidewalk treatments. A  
new revision to the ordinance requires that street projects in the CIP must be  
reviewed by the BPAC and CCD to ensure that these principles are included.  
Jennifer stated that she was bringing this to the NRC as many themes in the  
draft comprehensive plan support these practices and initiatives.  
Jim Bagniewski asked if this policy applies to any time streets are repaired or  
build new. Jennifer stated yes. Jim also asked if any other cities do this and  
how has it been working. Will Kratt stated that Wisconsin used to have a  
complete streets policy but it was repealed. Street projects used to be  
discussed one by one during the CIP process but that has changed. Process  
works well when larger infrastructure projects are included as well as trees.  
Will suggested referring to the National Organization of City Planning Officials  
for guidance. He also stated that the Urban Stormwater Guide has lots of  
principles and policies being discussed. He recommended adopting it as a  
design manual. Chris Kahlow recommended looking at Madison and their  
green streets guide as it is understandable and easy to read. Madison used a  
consultant and suggested La Crosse should use one. Jennifer Trost stated that  
her intent with this item was to show the NRC some existing policies that are in  
place that can help them advocate for making their neighborhoods accessible.  
23-0911  
3.  
Jennifer Trost showed the letter sent to the City regarding recommendations  
for zoning code changes that could help with constructing affordable housing.  
These include lot size, setbacks, and parking.  
Will Kratt stated that he thought they were great ideas and suggested that the  
Commission keep pushing on eliminating all parking requirements. Jim  
Bagniewski clarified that Will was suggesting that the developer determines  
what they want. Will said yes. Parking on streets is a traffic calming measure  
which contributes to the green complete streets philosophy. Jim Bagniewski  
asked where they City was at with the parking districts that was suppose to  
help with this. Staff stated that they were unsure of where that program was at.  
Jim asked for a future report on the parking districts. Jennifer Trost said she  
would get one. Jennifer stated that there is not one around UWL but was one  
around the Downtown. Jim stated that this changes would be preferred over  
using farmland and to help minimize sprawl. Larry Sleznikow asked what can  
cities do. Staff stated that amending their zoning codes is becoming a  
nationwide trend. Jessica Stanton asked what the process was for the smaller  
lots as the former Navy Reserve site. Staff stated that the smaller lots were  
permitted through special zoning.  
Jenifer Trost also stated that she received a letter from AARP indicating what  
they can provide the City to assist with these efforts. She also stated that all of  
the items on the agenda were intended to give everyone knowledge on  
moving forward with developing neighborhoods that are accessible. Sean  
Hurtubise asked why the city has the lot size and setback requirements they do  
now. Staff was unsure but stated that it was likely a product of the time. Larry  
Sleznikow stated that he would like to create green space requirements. Jim  
S., former Board President of Habitat for Humanity, stated they he was looking  
at how to get these issues out in the neighborhoods and created a committee  
to advocate for change. Will Kratt stated that the City needs to take radical  
steps. Housing density should be discussed. Hard to build in La Crosse.  
Thinking about green is good but density also helps reduce transportation.  
4.  
Updates (Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Reports, Community Tree Workshop, CIP  
Approval).  
There will be a Community Tree Workshop on September 25th. There was one  
in July but it was for businesses.  
Staff stated that there is currently a public comment period for the whole comp  
plan. Go Forwardlacrosse.org to participate.  
Adjournment  
The meeting was adjourned at 6:59pm.  
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