City Hall  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Common Council  
Thursday, May 11, 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:  
Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Chris  
Kahlow, Mac Kiel, Mackenzie Mindel, Chris Woodard, Rebecca Schwarz,  
Jennifer Trost, Douglas Happel, Mark Neumann  
1 - Jenasea Hameister  
Excused:  
Pledge of Allegiance  
Invocation  
Chaplain Ann Wales, La Crosse Jail Ministry  
Council Member Appointment to the Executive Committee  
Happel nominated Janssen and Mindel nominated Sleznikow; no other nominations. By  
secret ballot, Janssen was elected to the Executive Committee on a vote of 7 to 5.  
Approval of Minutes  
A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Schwarz, to APPROVE minutes  
of April 13 and 18, 2023. The motion carried unanimously.  
Reports  
Engineering Monthly Progress Report.  
2023-05-001  
A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Kiel, that the Report be RECEIVED  
AND FILED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Financial Report from the Director of Finance for the month of March 2023.  
2023-05-002  
A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Schwarz, that the Report be  
RECEIVED AND FILED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Notices and Discussions  
Mindel spoke on Mental Health Awareness. Mayor Reynolds acknowledged April 30 to  
May 6 as Professional Municipal Clerks week, the 3rd week of May as National Public  
Works week with the 6th annual Touch-a-Truck on Thursday May 25 from 8 a.m. to 2  
p.m. at the Municipal Service Center. He gave thanks to incredible staff and  
Emergency Management Plan manager Chief Schott who were involved with regard to  
the recent flooding which was the 3rd highest recorded flood in La Crosse history.  
Mayor Reynolds also recognized National Police Week which is May 15 to 29; on the  
15th there will be a memorial service in Holmen to recognize sacrifices officers have  
made. He stated that it was an incredible honor to be invited to hand out UW-L  
Chancellor Service Awards where 69 students were honored; UW-L Eagle Achievement  
Awards were received by Maddy Krueger and Ilah Tregoni who provided more than 400  
volunteer hours each while at UW-L. Happel spoke on the award ceremonies on  
Wednesday the 18th for Police and Fire staff.  
COMMON COUNCIL MATTERS  
Resolution approving 2023 Bills and Engineering Estimates paid in May 2023.  
2023-05-003  
A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Kiel, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR  
Common Council Emergency Interim Successors - 2023.  
2023-05-004  
A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Kahlow, that the Emergency  
Interim Successors be CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Aviation Board: Tamra Dickinson. Arts Board: Mark Neumann. Bicycle and Pedestrian  
Advisory Committee: Larry Sleznikow, Brooke Pataska. Boundary Agreement Task  
Force: Doug Happel, Mark Neumann, Jennifer Trost. Building and Housing Appeals  
Board: Kevin Kellogg. Committee for Citizens with Disabilities: Larry Sleznikow. City  
Plan Commission: Jennifer Trost, Jenasea Hameister. Climate Action Plan Steering  
Committee: Mackenzie Mindel. EMS Contract Negotiating Committee: Doug Happel,  
Erin Goggin. Heritage Preservation Commission: Mackenzie Mindel. Human Rights  
Commission: Claire Bakalars, Mac Kiel. International Committee: Chris Woodard. Joint  
Board of Harbor Commissioners: Mark Neumann, Jerome Gundersen. Joint  
Development Corporation: Chris Woodard, Chris Kahlow. La Crosse County Convention  
and Visitors Bureau: Barb Janssen. La Crosse Center Board: Barb Janssen. Library  
Board: Mac Kiel. Neighborhood Revitalization Commission: Larry Sleznikow, Jennifer  
Trost. Public Safety Communications Board: Doug Happel. Redevelopment Authority:  
Barb Janssen. Room Tax Commission: Jennifer Trost, Ben Stepanek. Weed  
Commissioners: Kelsey Hanson, Andrew Berzinski, David Reinhart, Jason Riley, Mike  
Suntken, Eddie Young, David Foster, Sarah Rafajko, James Woychik, Jeff Kepler.  
2023-05-005  
A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Kiel, that the Appointments be  
CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
REPORT OF BIDS/QUOTES RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED  
Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Fowler & Hammer, Inc. in  
the amount of $2,507,118.33 for the 2nd Street Reconstruction Project.  
2023-05-006  
A motion was made by Woodard, seconded by Mindel, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Johnson Controls, Inc. in  
the amount of $693,500.00 for the La Crosse Center Boiler Replacement.  
2023-05-007  
A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Schwarz, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Gerke Excavating, Inc. in  
the amount of $683,221.33 for the LRIP Cliffwood Lane - 28th St to Seiler  
Lane Project.  
2023-05-008  
A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Kiel, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Brickl Bros., Inc. in the  
amount of $591,275.00 for the Myrick Park Playground Phase 2  
Improvements Project.  
2023-05-009  
A motion was made by Kiel, seconded by Janssen, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
ITEM RECOMMENDED TO BE NOT ADOPTED  
Resolution approving Request of Northern Grounds Properties LLC for an  
Exception to Minimum Height Standards allowing for a drive-thru coffee kiosk  
at 224 La Crosse Street.  
2023-05-010  
A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Trost, that the Resolution be NOT  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
11 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Schwarz,  
Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Woodard  
1 - Hameister  
No:  
Excused:  
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED  
AN ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 115-110 of the Code of Ordinances of  
the City of La Crosse by transferring certain property from the Single Family  
Residence to the Residence District allowing for the existing dwelling to be  
used as a duplex at 3019 Ward Avenue.  
Ord. 5249. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances.  
A motion was made by Happel, seconded by Trost, that the Ordinance be  
ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Resolution approving increased CIP costs for Boilers at the La Crosse  
Center.  
2023-05-011  
A motion was made by Neumann, seconded by Schwarz, that the Resolution  
be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
Resolution recreating Council Rules (Appendix B of the Municipal Code).  
A motion was made by Schwarz, seconded by Woodard to ADOPT.  
A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Dickinson, to AMEND AS  
PROPOSED on Legistar. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
2023-05-012  
A motion was made by Sleznikow, seconded by Mindel, that the Resolution be  
ADOPTED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote:  
12 -  
Yes:  
Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Kahlow, Kiel, Mindel, Woodard,  
Schwarz, Trost, Happel, Neumann  
1 - Hameister  
Excused:  
CONSENT AGENDA  
A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Kiel, to ADOPT the Consent  
Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.  
ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED  
Resolution approving Application of K & M Chances R LLC dba Chances R  
for an Expansion of Alcohol Beverage License & Street Privilege Permit for  
special event at 417 Jay Street on June 3, 2023.  
2023-05-013  
Resolution approving Application of The Charmant Hotel LLC dba The  
Charmant Hotel for Expansion of Alcohol Beverage License & Street Privilege  
Permit for special event at the 100 Block of State Street on Friday, August 18,  
2023.  
2023-05-014  
Preliminary resolution declaring intent to exercise special assessment powers  
under Secs 66.0829 and 66.0703, Wisconsin Statutes, relating to the  
operation and maintenance of a downtown parking system.  
2023-05-015  
Resolution amending membership of the City of La Crosse Racial Equity  
Team to ten (10) members.  
2023-05-016  
Resolution approving Application of Christopher and Kelly Jo Eberlein for a  
Conditional Use Permit at 4808 Stanley Court allowing for a detached garage.  
2023-05-017  
Resolution approving Application of Allan McCormick for a Conditional Use  
Permit at 455 Park Plaza Drive allowing for removal of structure and creation  
of green space for future development of a multi-story, mixed-use building.  
2023-05-018  
Amended Resolution transferring City-owned parcels to the Redevelopment  
Authority of La Crosse for the development of River Point District.  
2023-05-019  
Resolution authorizing funding for a design and bidding services contract with  
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) for Phase III (3) of River Point District.  
2023-05-020  
Resolution approving Application of Pump House Regional Arts Center, Inc.  
dba Pump House Regional Arts Center for an Expansion of Alcohol Beverage  
License for special event at 119 King Street on June 10, 2023.  
2023-05-021  
Resolution approving American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding for costs  
associated with residential development in the floodplain.  
2023-05-022  
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 (May).  
2023-05-023  
DISCUSSION ITEM FOR CLOSED SESSION  
Update on La Crosse River Marsh Lead Contamination. (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. Following such closed  
session, the Committees and/or Council may reconvene in open session.)  
A motion was made by Mindel, seconded by Kiel to CONVENE in closed session  
pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to formulate & update negotiation strategies  
and parameters; the motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.  
No action taken; discussion/status update only.  
Adjournment  
Meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.