City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes  
Climate Action Plan Steering Committee  
Monday, January 13, 2025  
4:30 PM  
Eagle Room  
This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing.  
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Call to Order  
Mindel called the meeting to order at 4:31 PM  
Roll Call  
7 -  
Present:  
Dorothy Lenard, Casey Meehan, Mackenzie Mindel, Natalie Heneghan,  
Andrew Ericson, Stephanie Hanna,Adam Jacobson  
Approval of Minutes  
A motion was made by Ericson, seconded by Heneghan that these minutes be  
APPROVED. The motion carried by voice vote.  
Notices and Discussion  
Heneghan announced Habitat for Humanity's Housing Week the last week in April.  
Agenda Items:  
25-0045  
1
2
Annual Code of Ethics Policy Review.  
Attachments:  
City of La Crosse Code of Ethics Policy  
Mindel recited the certification and the committee affirmed that they had reviewed the  
Code of Ethics.  
Request to Fund Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for  
Cities Certification Fees - Mindel  
24-1467  
Mindel recused herself from this item. Heneghan chaired the committee for this item.  
Mindel gave an overview. Certification is good for 5 years. Ericson asked about the  
benefits. Heneghan asked for regular updates on available resources. Hanna asked  
about the size of the communities in the cohort.  
A motion was made by Ericson, seconded by Meehan, that this Request be  
APPROVED. The motion carried by voice vote.  
Discussion and Action on Drift Cycle Sponsorship - Jacob Sciammas  
25-0053  
3
Attachments:  
Drift Cycle Annual Report 2024  
Ericson recused himself from this item. Jacob Sciammas gave an update on Drift  
Cycle's year. They will be enhancing programming to increase ridership, adding new  
stations, updating the app, and adding new incentives. Meehan asked which activity  
would be best to fund. It is more difficult to find sponsors for app and low-income  
subsidies. Staff talked about grant funding for new stations. App will connect to  
MTU, offering a more comprehensive transportation solution. Heneghan asked how  
the City logo has been included on stations and bikes. The City was on back rack;  
Parks Dept. was on fenders and ad signs on stations. Drift Cycle is updating all of its  
ads. Mindel asked how Drift Cycle will pivot when funds aren’t available from CAPSC  
in the future. Meehan asked how can other departments take this on. Staff talked  
about new Economic and Community Development Commission process for grants.  
Lenard supported funding bike rack expansion to north side. Heneghan suggested  
unrestricted funding; Hanna agreed and asked if CAPSC could get some recognition.  
Mindel mentioned how bike share contributes to vehicle miles traveled reduction.  
A motion was made by Lenard, seconded by Heneghan, that this Request be  
APPROVED. The motion carried by voice vote.  
Implementation Plan Status, Part 2 - Adaptation Goals  
25-0051  
4
Attachments:  
Tree Planting for Heat Island Mitigation  
Plan for an Increase in Severe Weather Events  
Reduce Building Vulnerability to Flooding  
Community Networks for Vulnerable Populations  
Incentivize Building Resilience  
Staff talked about tree planting for heat island mitigation. The Parks Dept. published  
an Urban Forest Management Plan in Feb 2024. CAPSC members researched  
equity-based tree planting programs. Next steps are to share the City’s street tree  
planting requirements, follow Board of Park Commissioners agenda for updates, and  
share the research. Staff requested assistance with identifying incentives are available  
for tree planting, and what other communities have for street tree requirements.  
Staff shared the action on planning for an increase in severe weather events. There  
hasn’t been any progress here. There has not been any surface flooding damage in La  
Crosse, but there has been basement flooding on the lower north side. Engineering is  
contracting to update floodplain map. Staff requested assistance with reviewing  
County Emergency Management Plan and City Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan.  
Staff went over action on reducing building vulnerability to flooding. Public Works  
Dept. develops Green Complete Streets project list annually. Parks Dept. is working  
on La Crosse River marsh restoration. New fire stations are not in floodplain and meet  
stormwater requirements. Staff could use help with identifying critical facilities at risk  
of flooding.  
Staff discussed community networks for vulnerable populations. There hasn’t been any  
progress here. Staff requested assistance with identifying any active support networks  
in cases of extreme weather in La Crosse, and what other communities are doing.  
Staff brought up action to incentivize building resilience. There hasn’t been any  
progress here. Staff requested help with finding State and Federal Government  
incentives to increase the building resilience in the face of extreme weather.  
Next Meeting and Agenda Items  
The next meeting is 2/10 and meetings this year will be bumped up to 4 PM.  
Adjournment  
Mindel adjourned the meeting.  
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.