Town Board — Minutes

Town of Onalaska Town Board Meeting Minutes June 10, 2025 1. Chairperson Paula Przywojski called the Town Board Meeting or order on June 10, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Town of Onalaska, Town Hall N5589 Commerce Road. Present: Chairperson Paula Przywojski, Supervisors Frank Fogel, Luke Marcou, Emy Monroe and Betty DeBoer. Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Mary Rinehart was also present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Motion to Approve agenda by Fogel/Monroe passed unanimously. 3. Presentation by La Crosse Area Plan Commission relating to metropolitan transportation plan (MTP) and possible future drift link participation given by Travis Key and Bob Gollnik. 4. Public Comment (3-minute time limit): Dave Surra, county Road ZB spoke in opposition to the short-term rental in agenda item 25. Gary Fischer, spoke in opposition to the short-term rental in agenda item 25. Sue Schultz, County Road ZB, spoke in opposition to the short-term rental in agenda item 25. Marc Schultz spoke in opposition to the short-term rental in agenda item 25. 5. Correspondence: Rinehart reported the DNR permit for the Anderson Road culvert has been received. The La Crosse County Disposal System Annual Meeting is Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Excel Energy will begin construction and pole replacement between the Holmen and Onalaska substations. The employee insurance renewal rates for the following year have been received. The 2024 audit has been completed and reports filed. The roundabout at OT and Commerce Road is scheduled for construction in 2026, land acquisition is in 2025 6. County Board Report: None 7. Chairperson report: Przywojski reported on attendance to WTA training in Eau Claire, and FEMA training in La Crosse. 8. Administrative Report: Covered under correspondence. 9. Consent Agenda: (All items listed are considered routine or have committee recommendation and will be acted upon in one motion. There will not be separate discussion of these items unless a Board Member so requests, in which case the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and be considered on the Regular Agenda) A. Approve minutes of May 13, 2025 meeting, B. Approve bills and finance book, C. Approve Liquor license renewals for Angy’s Way Out, Petticoat Junction, and Red Pines Bar and Grill and Café, D. Approve tobacco license for Red Pines Bar and Grill Café, and Petticoat Junction, E. Approve Storm Water Utility recommendation relating to sweeper repair, F. Approve Storm Water Utility recommendation relating to drainage issue at Sobkowiak Park, G. Approve Plan Commission recommendation relating to Survey Map for Terry Weiland Construction Inc, for lots 23, 24 and part of lots 22 and 25 Heritage Hills undeveloped subdivision to vacate a portion of undeveloped roadway and combine into one buildable lot, H. Approve Plan Commission recommendation relating to Certified Survey Map for The Graw Family Trust, Bill Raven to combine Wildwood Valley lots 53 and 54 into one lot: Motion by DeBoer/Fogel to approve items as listed on consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Agenda Items Items Relating to Public Works Department 10. Shop Report: Shop employee Philip I reported the crew has been working to fill potholes. Chip distribution in the parks is nearing completion for the year. Ditch mowing operations are underway. 11. Discussion relating to shop and road tour: Board members noted items had been left outside at the Super Fund Site were set inside the building. All board members expressed how helpful it was to observe the equipment, roads and current projects. 12. Discussion regarding the sale of obsolete equipment including but not limited to truck 10: Consensus was for the shop crew to continue to prepare the truck for sale. 13. Discussion regarding Angle Broom attachment for Bobcat: Replacement is not with the current budget. No action. 14. Discussion regarding spending policy development relating to shop equipment and day to day purchases: Motion by Monroe/Fogel to develop policy and brought back to the Board for approval. Motion passed unanimously. 15. Discussion regarding sending 2 shop employees to attend equipment training in Tomahawk WI 16. Discussion regarding chipper repair: Motion by Monroe/Marcou to send PH and CS to equipment training in Tomahawk passed unanimously. 17. Discussion regarding delivery and customization of salt truck included but not limited to change order: Motion by Marcou/Monroe to approve the change order as presented for the salt truck on order. Motion passed unanimously. 18. Discussion regarding BID development for Clifford Drive guardrail: Motion by Monroe/DeBoer to have the town engineer proceed with bid publication for the Clifford Drive guardrail. Motion passed unanimously. 19. Discussion regarding Schilling Road resurfacing project: Motion by Marcou/Fogel to approve the project overage caused by unforeseen issue with the road base. Motion passed unanimously. 20. Discussion regarding 2025 chip sealing: Filler Court, Pinewood Addition, Meadowview Addition and as much of Waldon Acres as possible will be chip sealed. The Clifford Drive guardrail coming from the road budget has affected the amount of roadways chip sealed this year. Motion by Monroe/Marcou to proceed with Scott Construction chip sealing as discussed. Motion passed unanimously. 21. Discussion regarding repair of Pertzsch Drive guardrail: Motion by Marcou/Fogel to have the crew repair the Pertzsch Drive guardrail passed unanimously. 22. Discussion to designate a preferred provider for automotive equipment repair: Motion by DeBoer/Monroe to designate Howe on Brice Prairie, and Bill’s in Holmen as preferred for automotive repair passed unanimously. Items Relating to Shoreline Committee 23. Discussion regarding recommendation regarding erosion issues at Fred Funk and Mosey Landings: Motion by DeBoer/Fogel to follow committee recommendation and approve the Schafer’s Marine Services in the amount of $1693.28. Motion passed unanimously. Items Relating to General Government 24. Discussion regarding Mini Donut Half Marathon request for use of Swarthout Park and Shelter: Motion by Monroe/Marcou to approve the Mini Donut Half Marathon request, wave the fee and accept the donation for use of the park on September 13, 2025. Motion passed unanimously. 25. Discussion regarding short term rental application for Christopher Vaaler, dba Vaaler Investment Properties, LLC, PO Box 325, Holmen, WI: Applicant Christopher Vaaler was not in attendance at this meeting. Motion to open the floor by DeBoer/Monroe passed unanimously. Dave Sure advised he is not in favor short-term rental businesses in residential areas. Motion to close the floor by Monroe/Marcou passed unanimously. Motion to defer until later date to get information from town attorney and La Crosse County since information on application is dated 1/24/2024 to 6/9/2025 for application submission by Fogel/Marcou. Further discussion not time for application review prior to meeting as the application was received in office one day prior to the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. 26. Board member comment on item to added to future Town Board agenda No action. 27. Motion to Adjourn by Fogel/DeBoer passed unanimously at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted Mary Rinehart Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer