Common Council on 2026-01-08 6:00 PM

City Hall City of La Crosse, Wisconsin 400 La Crosse Street La Crosse, WI 54601 Meeting Minutes - Final Common Council Thursday, January 8, 2026 6:00 PM Council Chambers City Hall, First Floor Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey, Presiding Roll Call Present: 13 - Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Olivia Stine, Chris Kahlow, Gary Padesky, Mackenzie Mindel, Aron Newberry, Jennifer Trost, Crystal Bedford, Lisa Weston, Rosanne Northwood Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence Mayor's State of the City Address Mayor Washington-Spivey highlighted City accomplishments and awards received over the last year. Mayor Washington-Spivey also noted the goals for the next year and beyond and stressed the importance of collaboration in working toward them. Annual Code of Ethics Certification Council President Dickinson confirmed with the body that they had completed the review for the year. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Northwood, to APPROVE the minutes of December 11, 2025. The motion unanimously City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 1 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 8, 2026 Reports 26-0026 Financial Report from the Director of Finance for the Month of November. 2026-01-001 A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Janssen, that the Report be RECEIVED AND FILED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood Notices and Discussions Mayor Washington-Spivey announced the opening of a new restaurant & grocery store on South Ave by Emplify. He also noted that the City of La Crosse has earned the Gold Level certification as a Certified Family Friendly Workplace and recognized Human Resources Director Franzen's work in achieving the accomplishment. Council Member Kahlow thanked Downtown Neighborhood Resource Officer Jorrey Olson and the Fire Department, and public safety staff related to a call for service in November. Council Member Padesky noted that February 4 is MTU Transit Equity Day in honor of Rosa Parks. Council President Dickinson thanked Yuri Nasonovs for work in the field with residents regarding the project on Moore Street. COMMON COUNCIL MATTERS 26-0025 Resolution approving 2025/2026 Bills and Engineering Estimates paid in January 2026. 2026-01-002 A motion was made by Dickinson, seconded by Northwood, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood APPOINTMENTS BY THE MAYOR 26-0017 Committee for Citizens with Disabilities: Nate Hundt. La Crosse County Convention & Visitors Bureau: Shamawyah Curtis. 2026-01-003 A motion was made by Padesky, seconded by Trost, that the Appointments be CONFIRMED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 2 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 8, 2026 SUSPENSION OF COUNCIL RULE XV FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: (2/3 Vote Required) A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Northwood, to SUSPEND Council Rule XV for 26-0019. The motion carried unanimously. REPORT OF BIDS/QUOTES RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED 25-1346 Report of Bids and Resolution awarding contract to Gerke Excavating Inc. in the amount $647,386.08 for the Grand Crossing Trail (La Crosse River Marsh) project. 2026-01-004 A motion was made by Janssen, seconded by Weston, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 13 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood ITEMS WITH NO RECOMMENDATION 26-0019 A CHARTER ORDINANCE to create Section 19 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Crosse regarding term length of the Municipal Court Judge. Ch. Ord. 42. For complete ordinance, see p. ____ of Volume 2 of Charter Ordinances. A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Janssen, that the Ordinance be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 11 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Northwood No: 2- Padesky, Weston Roll Call Council Member Mindel recused themselves and left their seat. Present: 12 - Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Olivia Stine, Chris Kahlow, Gary Padesky, Aron Newberry, Jennifer Trost, Crystal Bedford, Lisa Weston, Rosanne Northwood Excused: 1 - Mackenzie Mindel City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 3 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 8, 2026 25-1399 Resolution authorizing public improvement and levying special assessments against benefited property in La Crosse, Wisconsin - Curb and Gutter of 1600 block of Moore Street. 2026-01-005 A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Dickinson, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Padesky, that the Resolution be REFERRED 30 days to develop policy. The motion failed by the following vote: Yes: 2- Kahlow, Padesky No: 10 - Dickinson, Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood Recuse: 1- Mindel The motion that the Resolution be ADOPTED carried by the following vote: Yes: 10 - Dickinson, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Padesky, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood No: 2- Goggin, Kahlow Recuse: 1- Mindel Roll Call Council Member Mindel returned to their seat. Present: 13 - Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Olivia Stine, Chris Kahlow, Gary Padesky, Mackenzie Mindel, Aron Newberry, Jennifer Trost, Crystal Bedford, Lisa Weston, Rosanne Northwood ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED 25-1370 Resolution rescinding Resolution No. 2009-08-022 and discontinuing invocation procedures for Common Council meetings. 2026-01-006 A motion was made by Trost, seconded by Dickinson, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 9- Dickinson, Sleznikow, Stine, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood No: 4- Goggin, Janssen, Kahlow, Padesky City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 4 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 8, 2026 Roll Call Council Member Mindel recused themselves and left their seat. Present: 12 - Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Olivia Stine, Chris Kahlow, Gary Padesky, Aron Newberry, Jennifer Trost, Crystal Bedford, Lisa Weston, Rosanne Northwood Excused: 1 - Mackenzie Mindel 25-1398 Resolution authorizing public improvement and levying special assessments against benefited property in La Crosse, Wisconsin - Water Main of 1400 and 1500 blocks of Moore Street. 2026-01-007 A motion was made by Bedford, seconded by Northwood, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 10 - Dickinson, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Padesky, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Weston, Northwood No: 2- Goggin, Kahlow Recuse: 1- Mindel Roll Call Council Member Mindel returned to their seat. Present: 13 - Tamra Dickinson, Erin Goggin, Barb Janssen, Larry Sleznikow, Olivia Stine, Chris Kahlow, Gary Padesky, Mackenzie Mindel, Aron Newberry, Jennifer Trost, Crystal Bedford, Lisa Weston, Rosanne Northwood 25-1471 Resolution requesting that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation develop additional project alternatives for the Highway 53 Corridor Study that maintain on-street parking and add bicycle facilities. 2026-01-008 A motion was made by Padesky, seconded by Kahlow, that the Resolution be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 11 - Goggin, Janssen, Sleznikow, Stine, Kahlow, Padesky, Mindel, Newberry, Trost, Bedford, Northwood No: 2- Dickinson, Weston City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 5 Common Council Meeting Minutes - Final January 8, 2026 CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Kahlow, seconded by Dickinson, that the Consent Agenda be ADOPTED. The motion carried unanimously. ITEMS RECOMMENDED TO BE ADOPTED 25-1405 AN ORDINANCE to amend Subsection 115-110 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Crosse by transferring certain property from the Residence District to the Special Residence District, allowing for the property at 1701 Onalaska Ave. & 1509 Rublee St. to return to use as a triplex. ORD. 5357. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances. 25-1469 AN ORDINANCE to amend Secs. 10-393 and 10-394 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of La Crosse to include definitions and an exemption for community pantries on private property. ORD. 5358. For complete ordinance, see p. _________ of Volume 12 of Ordinances. 26-0002 Resolution granting various license applications pursuant to Chapters 4, 6, and/or 10 of the La Crosse Municipal Code for the license period 2025-2026 (January). 2026-01-009 Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. City of La Crosse, Wisconsin Page 6