City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Common Council  
Thursday, January 12, 2023  
6:00 PM  
Council Chambers  
City Hall, First Floor  
Mayor Mitch Reynolds, Presiding  
Mayor Reynolds called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  
Roll Call  
12 -  
Present:  
Andrea Richmond, Scott Neumeister, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow,  
Jenasea Hameister, Chris Kahlow, Mac Kiel, Mackenzie Mindel, Rebecca  
Schwarz, Jennifer Trost, Douglas Happel, Mark Neumann  
1 - Chris Woodard  
Excused:  
Pledge of Allegiance  
Invocation  
Pastor Mark Clements, of Living Word Christian Church, presented the Mayor with a  
donation from his congregation and offered invocation.  
Mayor's State of the City Address  
Mayor Reynolds reflected on the accomplishments of 2022 and spoke on the City's  
goals for 2023 and beyond.  
Annual Code of Ethics Certification  
Mayor Reynolds confirmed the review of the Code of Ethics.  
Approval of Minutes  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Janssen to APPROVE minutes  
of November 14 and December 8, 2022; the motion carried.  
Notices and Discussions  
Council President Janssen wanted to remind the public of the opportunity to have input  
on Phase II of Kids Coulee and with the ongoing construction of the La Crosse Street  
station there is a need for traffic to slow down for pedestrians.  
Mayor Reynolds spoke on the new Staff Reports, as a reminder, that they are a  
summary of the legislation that comes before the Council.  
COMMON COUNCIL MATTERS  
Declaration of Emergency (Winter Shelter).  
23-0035  
2023-01-001  
A motion was made by Kiel, seconded by Kahlow, that the Declaration be  
APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
Reports  
Financial Report from the Director of Finance for the month of November  
2022.  
23-0058  
2023-01-002  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Sleznikow, that the Report be  
ACCEPTED AND FILED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
COMMON COUNCIL MATTERS  
Resolution approving 2022/2023 Bills and Engineering Estimates paid in  
23-0059  
January 2023.  
2023-01-003  
A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Neumeister, that the Resolution  
be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED  
Amended Resolution approving a revised Tax Increment Financing policy.  
22-1509  
2023-01-004  
A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Kiel, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED.  
A motion was made by Happel, seconded by Kiel, to AMEND AS PROPOSED;  
motion carried unanimously.  
A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Kiel, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
11 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kiel, Mindel,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Kahlow  
No:  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
Resolution creating project and appropriating funds for Capital Improvement  
project in the 800 block of Sill Street.  
22-1534  
2023-01-005  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Neumeister, that the  
Resolution be ADOPTED . The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
Resolution Approving Application of Destinie Bagniewski for a Beverage  
Operator's License and appeal of denial by the Police Department. (Note: The  
Committee and/or Council may convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. sec.  
19.85(1)(a) to deliberate its decision. Following any closed session, the Committees  
and/or Council may reconvene in open session.)  
23-0004  
2023-01-006  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Kahlow, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
11 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Trost  
No:  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT AGENDA  
AN AMENDED ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 115-110 of the Code of  
22-1467  
Ordinances of the City of La Crosse by transferring certain property from the  
Commercial District to the Special Multiple Dwelling District allowing for  
commercial and multi-family use including a walking and biking trail and a  
canoe and kayak boat landing at a portion of 3102 Chestnut Place.  
Ord. 5239. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.  
A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Kahlow, to AMEND AS PROPOSED;  
motion carried unanimously.  
A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Sleznikow, that the Ordinance be  
ADOPTED AS AMENDED . The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
Resolution adopting the City of La Crosse’s 2022 Climate Action Plan.  
22-1529  
22-1505  
2023-01-007  
Unanimous consent to ADOPT.  
A SECOND AMENDED ORDINANCE to repeal and recreate sec. 2-402, sec  
2-403, sec 2-404, and sec 2-405 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La  
Crosse regarding economic development.  
Ord. 5243. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Neumeister, to AMEND AS  
PROPOSED; the motion carried unanimously.  
A motion was made by Neumeister, seconded by Sleznikow, that the  
Ordinance be ADOPTED AS AMENDED . The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
CONSENT AGENDA  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Kahlow, to ADOPT the Consent  
Agenda; motion carried unanimously.  
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED  
AN ORDINANCE to amend Section 40-14 of the Code of Ordinances of the  
City of La Crosse adding Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee and  
Committee for Citizens with Disabilities review of green complete streets  
projects and identification of green complete streets features in street  
requests.  
22-1435  
Ord. 5240. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.  
AN ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 115-110 of the Code of Ordinances of  
the City of La Crosse by transferring certain property from the Washburn  
Residential District to the Residence District allowing for a two-unit duplex as  
a rental at 530 8th St S.  
22-1483  
22-1498  
Ord. 5241. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.  
AN ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 115-110 of the Code of Ordinances of  
the City of La Crosse transferring certain property from the Special Multiple  
Dwelling District to the Traditional Neighborhood District allowing for the  
construction of a 4-story, 64-unit multi-family residential building with  
community/classroom facility at 410 and 414 Mississippi St, 1107, 1113,  
1117, 1119, 1123, 1125 and 1127 4th St S, and 403 and 409-411 Jackson St.  
Ord. 5242. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.  
Resolution designating the month of May 2023, as "No Mow May".  
22-1439  
22-1497  
2023-01-008  
Resolution Approving Request for Exception to Commercial Design  
Standards by La Crosse Fire Department allowing for facade exceptions for a  
project at 920 Gillette St., 1534 Liberty St., and 1540 Liberty St.  
2023-01-009  
Resolution incorporating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding as a  
grant to the Affordable Housing Revolving Loan policy.  
22-1513  
22-1515  
2023-01-010  
Resolution approving American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support  
Replacement Housing Program for 2023.  
2023-01-011  
Resolution authorizing submission of an application to Wisconsin Economic  
Development Corporation (WEDC) for the Vibrant Spaces Grant Program.  
22-1520  
22-1523  
2023-01-012  
Amended Resolution approving a Wisconsin Department of Transportation -  
Transportation Alternatives Program State/Municipal Grant Agreement to  
construct the Wagon Wheel Trail.  
2023-01-013  
Resolution Granting Various license applications pursuant to Chapters 4, 6,  
and/or 10 of the La Crosse Municipal Code for the remainder of license period  
2022-2023 (January).  
23-0002  
23-0006  
2023-01-014  
Resolution Approving Request of Pump House Regional Arts Center, Inc. for  
an Exception to Minimum Height Standards allowing for an infill project to add  
adequate restrooms at 119 King Street.  
2023-01-015  
ITEM NOTICED FOR POSSIBLE CLOSED SESSION  
ITEM WITHOUT RECOMMENDATION  
Amended Resolution regarding Harry J. Olson Multipurpose Senior Center,  
22-1426  
Inc.  
(Note: The Committee and/or Council may convene in closed session pursuant to Wis.  
Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to formulate & update negotiation strategies and parameters and Wis.  
Stat. 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel.  
Following such closed session, the  
Committees and/or Council may reconvene in open session.)  
2023-01-016  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Happel, to ADOPT.  
A motion was made by Sleznikow, seconded by Kahlow, to CONVENE in  
Closed Session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to formulate & update  
negotiation strategies and parameters and Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(g) to confer with  
legal counsel; the motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.  
Unanimous consent to RECONVENE in Open Session.  
A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Trost, to ADOPT the January 5th  
Resolution; the motion carried 10-2 (No - Richmond & Neumeister).  
A motion was made by Happel, seconded by Janssen to AMEND to offer for  
$1.00 by the terms of the 5/5/2022 proposal with 30 days to respond; the motion  
carried 9-3 (No - Richmond, Neumeister, Schwarz).  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Neumeister to AMEND to offer  
a 30-day counter-offer period; the motion failed on a vote of 4 - 8 (No - Janssen,  
Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Trost, Happel, Neumann).  
A motion was made by Richmond, seconded by Neumeister to AMEND to offer  
a 60-day counter offer period; motion failed on a vote of 2 - 10 (No - Janssen,  
Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel,  
Neumann).  
On vote to ADOPT AS AMENDED, the vote was as follows:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Richmond, Neumeister, Janssen, Sleznikow, Hameister, Kahlow, Kiel,  
Mindel, Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
Excused:  
Adjournment  
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.