City Hall  
400 La Crosse Street  
La Crosse, WI 54601  
City of La Crosse, Wisconsin  
Meeting Minutes  
Climate Action Plan Steering Committee  
Monday, November 10, 2025  
4:00 PM  
Eagle Room  
This meeting will also be conducted through video conferencing.  
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Call to Order  
Ericson called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM.  
Roll Call  
5 - Andrew Ericson, Casey Meehan, Dorothy Lenard, Mackenzie  
Mindel,Stephanie Hanna  
Present:  
1 - Natalie Heneghan  
Excused:  
Approval of Minutes  
Mindel motioned, Meehan seconded, to approve the meeting minutes. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
Notices and Discussion  
Sami Meyer gave an update on Parks' sustainability programs since she the June  
meeting. The Soak It Up kickoff event was at Myrick Park Gun Club Shelter. 15-20  
people attended and they gave away 8 rain barrels and 2 downspout diversion kits.  
The barrels were assembled using Library's tool lending library. Leaf It program  
kicked off in October.  
Meyer had considered doing a compost bin group buy, but the County already does.  
Bins are available at the landfill for a reduced price of $55. The Winter sustainability  
program is coming up. Salt Smart kickoff event will be on 12/10 at 4pm at the Black  
River Beach Neighborhood Center. Participants can also learn how to make deicing  
brine, and some can take home a brine sprayer. The first sustainability newsletter  
was published this summer and had a 60% open rate. Parks is updating the City's  
public tree protection ordinance. Beautify La Crosse program allows the incorporation  
of natural planting in boulevard.  
Mindel requested that the CAPSC review the draft tree preservation ordinance.  
Meehan spoke about the 16th annual Inspiring Sustainability Award on 10/28  
recognized Kaarina Dunn, 3 YCAF grants, and main plaintiff of youth suing for  
climate action. Around 90 people in attendance.  
Mindel prompted committee members to advocate for 3rd and 4th street protected  
bike lanes. She also shared that there will be a new round YCAF.  
Ericson shared that there is a 5 pm La Crosse County Board public hearing on  
Scenic Mississippi River Transit.  
Agenda Items:  
Consideration of Virtual Power Purchase Agreement with US Solar  
25-1242  
1
2
US Solar is in discussion with Xcel Energy about adding battery storage to their solar  
project. If US Solar wants to take advantage of tax credits, an agreement may have  
to go directly to the Common Council instead of returning the CAPSC.  
Fleet Electrification Workshop Follow-up  
25-1320  
Attachments:  
Driving the Transition EV Fleets Workshop - NOTES_Redacted.pdf  
Staff provided an overview. There were presentations from Dairyland, Xcel Energy,  
and Clean Wisconsin. The discussion revolved around concerns and what  
information is needed to move ahead. Mindel suggested having Xcel talk about  
perception of rise in electrical costs (compared to natural gas, etc.). Ericson said  
Onalaska has purchased 2 electric cruisers. Staff said Direct Pay paperwork was  
delayed to include wastewater treatment plant projects but is being wrapped up.  
These funds could be used for EVs and infrastructure. Charging Smart technical  
assistance is no longer available, but other resources may be available.  
Grant Opportunities and Updates  
25-1322  
3
Attachments:  
La Crosse Community Foundation 2026 Q1 Grants  
McKnight Foundation's Midwest Climate & Energy Program  
Climate Smart Communities Initiative  
Staff provided an update on the Energy Innovation Grant third quarter reporting.  
Green Homeowners United (GHU) completed 140 homes or 40%, so staff will be  
requesting an extension to complete the project. GHU has worked with Hope  
Restores for outreach, the program was extended to moderate income homeowners,  
and GHU has started insulation installation. GHU is also helping out manufactured  
homes in the area.  
Staff was looking at Community Foundation grant in the Winter to support outreach  
and engagement for small business energy assessments that Xcel offers through the  
Partners in Energy program. For the Midwest Climate & Energy Program, staff  
is considering using the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant blueprint  
for electrification as a starting point.  
Ericson offered to have committee members review Climate Action Plan for  
grant-funded projects. There could be an opportunity to build on the GHU program to  
multifamily homes, like the Efficiency Navigator with Elevate.  
Next Meeting / Agenda Items  
The next meeting will be 12/8. Agenda items may include celebrating climate action  
wins from committee members.  
Adjournment  
Ericson adjourned the meeting at 4:38 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.