City Hall

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin

400 La Crosse Street

La Crosse, WI 54601

Meeting Minutes

Climate Action Plan Steering Committee

Monday, February 9, 2026

4:00 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 4:01 PM.

Roll Call

7 -

Present:

Dorothy Lenard, Casey Meehan, Mackenzie Mindel, Natalie Heneghan,

Andrew Ericson, Stephanie Hanna,Lauren Fortin

Approval of Minutes

Ericson made a motion, seconded by Meehan, that the Minutes be approved.

The motion carried by a voice vote.

Notices & Discussion

US Solar has provided an updated pricing to Xcel that now includes the energy storage

system. The price includes a 5% discount carve out that they are hoping Xcel will pass

through to us. If the pricing is acceptable to Xcel, Connor will be sending out an

introductory email looping in all parties (US Solar, City of La Crosse, and our Xcel

representative).

Agenda Items:

Presentation on Microgrid Feasibility Study for City, County, and WTC

Campuses - Slipstream

26-0142

Attachments:

Final Report

Presentation Slides

Staff provided an overview of the feasibility study's grant funding. Adrian Rivera

provided an overview of the report. Staff mentioned the possibility of battery storage at

the La Crosse Center. There are pathways for each building to show savings because

the benefits of existing solar arrays are not included. The study did take into

consideration peak shaving possibilities of battery energy storage system. States that

offer BESS incentives have shown greater adoption of the systems, but WI has not

offered any. Next steps will include following through on the guidance in the report and

keep an eye out for the Energy Innovation Grant Program application window.

Zoning for Climate Action Update

26-0018

Attachments:

Presentation (Jan '26)

Draft Community Interview Questionnaire (Feb '26)

Staff provided an overview. Consultant requested feedback on interview questions by

2/13. They collected example ordinances from some communities, staff will provide

them with contact information at those communities, if known, and consultant will

interview staff in those communities about their process and results of the

implementation. Mindel suggested asking about community opposition.

2026 Earth Fair Vendor Participation Inquiry

26-0141

Staff solicited questions and suggestions how the committee could be involved in the

Earth Fair. Ericson suggested making a big push on the communications plan to get

the public involved. Mindel suggested tying incentives to the actions; staff suggested

kayak or pool passes from Parks Dept. Hanna said Earth Fair is 4/26, booth sign up

is 3/31. Heneghan reiterated idea for a bingo card identifying which booths match

actions in the plan. Meehan suggested having card at registration table and break the

plan into bite-sized pieces. Ericson suggested a coupon book for kids to use for their

parents to take action, such as "take me on an adventure using the bus". Meehan

suggested a connection to the Green Goose Chase. Mindel also suggested tying it to

the Carbon Free La Crosse Challenge. Hanna suggested an electronic format to

reduce paper use.

Next Meeting / Agenda Items

The next meeting will be March 9th.

Adjournment

Mindel adjourned the meeting at 5:13 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.