Minutes

Town Board Meeting Minutes – APPROVED Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 Time: 5:00 p.m. Location: 2800 Ward Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601 Present: Chairperson Tim Candahl, Supervisors Marlene Heal, Renee Knutson, and Tim Padesky; Administrator Christina Peterson, Treasurer Melissa Erdman, Clerk Fortune Berg and Fire Chief Tony Holinka. Excused/Absent: Supervisor Tim Ehler. Attendance List: Joe Hauser (N2095 County Road F), Ray and Cynthia Hach (N2082 County Road F), Nick Weber (Featherstone Rise Developer), Grant Duchac (Excel Engineering), Brian Roemer (Ehlers). 1. Meeting called to order by Candahl at 5:00 p.m. 2. Minutes from 07/21/2026. Motion by Knutson to approve minutes from 07/21/2026, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Bills Payable. Motion by Knutson to accept closed invoices for $76,823.27, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Knutson to pay open invoices for $81,191.06, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Treasurer’s Report. Erdman noted final tax settlement from La Crosse County expected this month. No action taken. 5. Public Comment. None. 6. Resolution for Fire Fees - Ehlers. Brian Roemer reviewed proposal for the Hydrant Conversion for Fire Protection Fees. Peterson provided additional clarification on the difference between the hydrant fee and the fire fee as a special charge on the tax bill. Only the hydrant fee is being reviewed currently. Review of the proposed resolution. Motion by Knutson to approve Resolution 2026-02, second by Padesky. Motion carried unanimously. Peterson added this will go to the Sanitary District Board at their next meeting. 7. Featherstone Rise Development – Final Plat Review. Peterson noted changes made after County staff and State review. Duchac noted upcoming review at the County and the City after the Town’s decision. Peterson noted changes made and explained that the approval tonight would be contingent on the inspection and approval of the public improvements. Motion by Heal to approve final plat contingent on inspection and approval of public improvements, second by Padesky. Motion carried unanimously. Public Comment. a. Joe Hauser and Ray Hach noted concerns about well drilling for Featherstone and noted communications with the County Health Department. Residents brought well samples before any new drilling happens. Asked what the recourse would be if the new wells cause issues for them. Peterson noted they need to discuss this with the health department and/or an attorney. b. Ray Hach asked about light pollution, Weber noted there is only one streetlight at the entrance off County Road F but no other lights. 8. Coulee Avenue Building. Peterson noted the new floor plan/design will be shared with the Board at a future meeting. Project timeline will be solidified soon. a. Grant Documents. Peterson reviewed the documents. Motion by Padesky to approve grant agreement and use agreement, second by Knutson. Motion carried unanimously. b. Structural Review. Peterson noted additional review of the structure will be on the September 1st agenda. Peterson noted different areas that are being reviewed by the engineer. c. Closing Update. Peterson reported new closing date is September 16, 2026. d. Roof Warranty. Peterson noted that the roof warranty cannot be extended. Peterson is going to have Ledegar inspect the roof and if any issue that would be covered under the current warranty needs to be fixed. The idea is to get a better handle on what the Town needs to do going forward (i.e., transfer the warranty, plan for construction, etc.) 9. Fire Department Report. Holinka reported … a. New data-capable tablets were installed to assist with prehospital instructions for more complex cases. Replaced the hotspots and old tablets. b. Interviewing 2 new people in September. Station 2 is fully staffed. New hire Friedrich Weissing. c. This Saturday at Station 2 – St. Joes 125th Anniversary – truck and members will be there for the event. d. National Night Out – very good turnout. e. SFD responded to a car fire in McDonalds parking lot. f. $2,500.00 donation from the St. Joe’s Lion’s Club. g. As of August 16, SFD responded to 250 calls in 2026. h. Holinka noted brush burn permit that we received questions about up off County Road F. Amish took down the barns on a property and hauled away building materials, the brush pile was burned and then an excavator pushed dirt over the ashes after they finished burning. 10. Mormon Coulee Park Paving – Mathy Pay Request. Peterson noted this came in at the exact bid price, was budgeted for $30,000.00. Motion by Padesky to approve the pay request for $24,820.00, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. Discussion on where to allocate the cost. 11. Erosion Control Ordinance Repeal. Towns Association advised that the Town cannot have an ordinance if the County has one. Peterson noted that the Town can still review and work with the County to enforce erosion control. Motion by Knutson to repeal erosion control ordinance and post notice as required by state statute, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. 12. LUSG Contract. Peterson noted the stormwater group contract gets reviewed every three years. The contract term is 2027-2030. Knutson noted it doesn’t look like it’s changed from the last version. Knutson commented on their social media campaign, likes the idea, however, the municipalities need more education in case residents ask questions to staff or the board. Motion by Knutson to approve the contract, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. 13. Old Town Hall Road – Gerke Pay Request #1. Peterson noted this is the first pay request from Gerke and gave an update on the status of the project. Motion by Heal to approve and pay $32,736.60, second by Padesky. Motion carried unanimously. 14. 2027 Preliminary Budget. Peterson touched on radios for public works trucks, asked Holinka about radio options for public works, tower versus cellular. Peterson reviewed capital improvement plan and noted meeting with public works to discuss assets to be sold, replaced, etc. Discussion on vehicles/machines usage and upcoming road projects. Discussion on upcoming needs for the Fire Department. Continued discussion on public works equipment and vehicle replacement schedule. Peterson reviewed the line -item budget. Peterson noted the fire contract with Greenfield expires in 2027, Peterson noted staffing expenses, new position of Public Works Superintendent, explained the role that would be fulfilled. Peterson noted wage increase for 2027. No action taken. 15. Administrator and Public Works Report. Peterson reported … a. Thursday 8/20 for Sanitary District; will be discussing fluoride addition to water. b. Sanitary District Arbor Hills Well #2 is still offline. Working with the attorney to move forward on a resolution. Knutson noted an update to residents would be appreciated. c. Thursday 8/20 County Board meeting for transferring the lease for Hillview Ballfields. 16. Chairperson and Supervisors Report. Candahl reported … a. Conversation with Joe Ledvina about safe crossing to State Road School. Ledvina mentioned the opportunity for a grant to get a flashing stop sign to help with safer crossing. b. Log jams in Mormon Creek are being addressed. c. The Mormon Coulee Lion’s Chicken Q is at the Moose Lodge is this week. 17. Clerk’s Report. Berg reviewed her report. No action taken. 18. Adjournment. Motion by Knutson to adjourn at 7:35 p.m., second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. Next Regular Meeting on September 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall Respectfully Submitted by Fortune Berg, Clerk