Town Board — Minutes

Town Board Meeting Monday, June 8, 2026 Meeting was called to order at 9:00 p.m. by Chairperson Przywojski at the Town of Onalaska Town Hall, N5589 Commerce Road. Present: Chairperson Paula Przywojski, Supervisors Frank Fogel, Emy Monroe (via zoom), and Betty DeBoer. Luke Marcou arrived at 9:06. Mary Rinehart was also present. Motion to approve agenda by Fogel/DeBoer passed unanimously. Discussion relating to USACOE input regarding permittable improvements on leased land specific to 2026-2026 permitting cycle: Chairperson Przywojski advised that she, the Shoreline Committee chair and the towns administrator met with USACOE John Schultz on Thursday June 4 in preparation for this meeting due to scheduling conflicts. Leading topic was existing docks that were properly permitted in the 2023-2025 permit cycle, not meeting the current criteria could be allowed to remain, and if so how to handle future upgrade or structural changes to existing docks that were previously permitted. The 2025- 2028 permit application form that was provided to and discussed with the town board, from the Corps in 2024 was discussed and it was advised the town as the lease holder could allow existing docks that were properly permitted in the 2023-2025 permit cycle, not meeting the current criteria will be allowed to remain. Any upgrade or structural changes to existing docks that were properly permitted in the 2023- 2025 will constitute a new dock and will be required to meet the above criteria. Schultz also advised that annual reporting not previously enforced will need to be completed going forward and that will include electrical inspection requirements. The previous Shoreline Structures definitions draft update was prepared for this meeting along with two additions to the Three-Year Shoreline Use Permit for Storage Shed, Dock, Boatlift or Stairs document. Motion to open the floor by DeBoer/Marcou passed unanimously. It was questioned whether pier (walkway length) is included in the maximum square footage of an allowable dock. USACOE Ranger Keiley was on zoom and participated in the discussion providing clarity to ACOE standards. Kiley advised the walkway is included in the definitions document of the Corps previously provided to the Town. This was important to the maximum length a dock structure and walkway can project from the shoreline with the document. WIDNR standards for a dock was discussed and why they are or are not the standard. It was advised Corps has authority as opposed to the WIDNR as the riparian owner of the land leased to the Town. The town is then allowed to issue specific permits allowing specified structures be placed on the leased land. It was questioned when the WIDNR specifications for dock structures in comparable to the ACOE definitions. Pier length in the WIDNR has variable length criteria and can not exceed 200 square feet excluding the pier (walkway). The USACOE specification is 300 square feet maximum including the pier (walkway). Ron Jones W7453 County Road Z advised he has a 100-foot-long pier (walkway) with no dock that he shares with his next-door neighbor and each of them have a lift. They share the walkway in effort to minimize shore land disturbance. Would this continue to be allowed and would it be one or two charges? It was further questioned whether existing docks exceeding the defined limit should be allowed to stay. Al Carini W8291 County Road ZB asked whether the Corps rules supersede the WI-DNR rules. It was determined they do because of riparian ownership by the Corps. Sue Paudler W7809 advised the Shoreland Use Guide for owners needs to be updated to reflect that. It was advised that will need to be a next step following the implementation of permitting updates. Emy Monroe advised the key to allowing existing docks that exceed the new standard is that they were properly permitted in the 2023-2025 permit cycle. Ron Klich County Road Z, asked if reminder notices are sent to people who are not compliant with permitting, and advised he would prefer to pay yearly as opposed to every 3 years. Al Carini advised he would like to see a per structure charge instead of a flat rate. Ron Klich questioned why people who do not have private structures on the leased land, but are still inspected do not have to pay a fee. Monroe advised state law does not allow for a charge of that structure. DeBoer requested clarification relating to the boat lift definition regarding modified trailers not being allowed. Kiley advised the skid and wench is allowed, however a trailer backed into the water is not being used for the purpose it was intended for. DeBoer advised of a resident who kayaks and whether the resident could wench a kayak onto the side of a storage shed. Kiley advised this was not allowable per Corps standard. The shed or storage box was further discussed as related to the meaning of “specifically intended for outdoor storage”. Consensus was for Chairperson Przywojski to email John Schultz and/or Ranger Kiley to see whether the language could be adjusted from existing dock to existing structure and whether the acceptable pier length language can be adjusted to include pier length not to exceed 50 feet unless not accessible by a boat on Lake Onalaska and the town to approve exception to include prier length to get to water depth of 3 feet. Motion to close the floor by Fogel/Marcou passed unanimously. Motion by Marcou/Fogel to approve the permit application, the 2 documents and the 2 items identified (existing structures and clarification of the length of docks) as long as the modifications are acceptable to the CORPS. If not acceptable to the CORPS move forward with the 2025-2028 form and definitions. Motion passed 4-1 (DeBoer). Motion to adjourn by Fogel/Marcou passed unanimously at 10:41 AM. Respectfully submitted Mary Rinehart Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer