Minutes

Town Board Meeting Minutes – APPROVED Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: 2800 Ward Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601 Present: Chairperson Tim Candahl, Supervisors Tim Ehler (until 9:45), Tim Padesky and Marlene Heal; Public Works Foreman Terry Wright, Administrator Christina Peterson, Clerk Fortune Berg, and Treasurer Melissa Erdman. Excused/Absent: Supervisor Renee Knutson. Attendance List: Brian Malm (Bolton and Menk), Tom Myhre, Todd Fischer, Dennis Justin, Joe and Dianne Hauser, Alan Lorenz, Nick and Angela Weber, Grant Duchac (Excel Engineering), Tim Buisman, Erik Miller, and Dan Oelke . 1. Meeting called to order by Candahl at 8:30 a.m. 2. Minutes from 02/03/2026. Motion by Padesky to approve minutes from 02/03/2026, second by Ehler. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Bills Payable. Motion by Heal to accept closed invoices for $2,111,737.77, second by Ehler. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Ehler to pay open invoices for $595,397.90, second by Padesky. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Public Comment. None. 5. Preliminary Plat Review – Featherstone Rise LLC (11-37-0, 11-16-0, 11-18-0, 11-35-1, County Road F and Highway 33). Peterson noted that the plat was reviewed and discussed at the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting with La Crosse County, School District, Town, Developer, etc. Changes were made based on that meeting, and this Preliminary Plat was created and submitted. The Planning Commission reviewed this and recommended approval. Peterson noted items that needed additional review based on discussion at the Planning Commission such as traffic, location of the shared wells and drainage. Traffic concerns were addressed by the County Highway Department, no concerns. Peterson confirmed the locations of the shared wells exceed the minimum distance from other shared wells, no concerns. Discussion on the slopes, grading and drainage. Peterson recommends that the Town require grading plans when each lot is developed to ensure each property will drain appropriately. Public Comment a. Joe Hauser (N2095 County Road F) asked about retention pond maintenance and asked if there is someone who works for the Town that can guarantee they are working properly. Candahl stated the Town works with La Crosse County to make sure the ponds are maintained and working as they were designed to. b. Tim Buisman (W4896 County Road FO) asked when the park needs to be completed during construction. Nick Weber (145 17th Street S) noted it would be completed at the same time as the roads and retention ponds are deeded to the Town. Motion by Heal to approve the preliminary plat with the condition that each lot submit a grading plan before construction begins, second by Ehler. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Driveway Exception – Johnson (11-1205-0, 3725 Cliffside Drive). Candahl would like to have a conversation with the property owner. Motion by Ehler to table until Tim Candahl can speak with the owner, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. 7. Certified Survey Map (CSM) – Kramer (11-2329-0, N124 Cedar Hills Lane). Peterson reviewed the Planning Commission recommendation and reminded the Board that Cedar Hills Lane is a private road, and residents share ownership of the road. Motion by Ehler to approve the Certified Survey Map, second by Padesky. Motion carried unanimously. 8. Applications to Exceed Two-Dog Limit – Cutter (W5907 Hillcrest Drive), Hermanson (2340 Redwood Court). No issues reported from Sheriff/Coulee Region Humane Society. Motion by Heal to approve, second by Padesky. Motion carried unanimously. 9. Updates on the Mormon Creek Watershed Study and the Millstream Addition – Bolton and Menk. Brian Malm reviewed updates and project goals. There will likely be another public information meeting in Summer 2026. Public Comment a. Erik Miller (W4944 Center Street) stated he does not plan to repair his culvert or driveway until the drainage issues are resolved, also concerned about water issues in backyards and his septic being affected. Peterson noted if there are too many impacts to backyards, the Town may not be able to address backyard drainage. b. Dennis Justin (W4987 Woodhaven Drive) is concerned about how many residents are using the right-of-ways as their front yards and creating steep ditches along the road would cause issues for residents. Also concerned about pavement repairs, if they will have to install water and sewer in a few years, is it worth the cost? c. Al Lorenz (W4927 Hoeth Street) asked what funding options are, Candahl answered that the options will be provided when the Town has a better idea of what the scope of the project and cost of the project will be. d. Dan Oelke (N656 Hwy 35) noted special pavement used on Diagonal Road could be an option to mitigate problems in Millstream. 10. Administrator and Public Works Report. Peterson reported… a. Meeting at All Star at noon today for the Highway 35 project. b. Peterson is attending the Blufflands Coalition meeting today at 2:00 p.m. c. Tentative meeting on Thursday to discuss use of Hillview Ballfields. d. Public Works will be purchasing a new mower head to upgrade mower used for roadside ditches that can handle the terrain. Discussion on repairs and rentals to finish up the ditches. e. Wright reported that they will be boring out the sewer to camera and clean the sewer lines in Arbor Hills. f. Public Works will be cutting off I beams at the inlet structure at the end of Valley Road. g. Public Works will be clearing brush on the sides of roads and clean up the corner of Crown Blvd and Cliffside Drive. h. Public Works will be working on trucks. i. Public Works will be cutting and trimming trees that overhang the roads. 11. Chairperson and Supervisors Report. a. Candahl reported he will be attending a future City of La Crosse Public Works Board Meeting. b. Heal asked Wright about the timeline for bench installation and park inspections. Wright answered the frost needs melt before they can put the slabs down for the benches, the playground inspections are supposed to be completed by April 15. c. Berg asked Wright about road bans, Wright answered he needs to assess the roads but is not planning to place them on roads at this time. d. Heal stated she will not be helping the Chicken Q this year. Peterson noted she or Erdman will be assisting. Heal asked how much the 2025 Chicken Q made. Berg will find the answer. 12. Fire Department Report. Candahl reported a. Chicken Q is going to be on March 15th. b. Firefighter Daren Schieldt retired this week. c. Engine 1 and 3 had minor work done are now back in service 13. Clerk’s Report. a. Berg reviewed monthly report for permits, licenses, etc. Also reported on the recent meeting with La Crosse County Sheriff to discuss coverage. 14. Adjournment. Motion by Heal to adjourn at 10:09 a.m., second by Padesky. Motion carried unanimously. Next Regular Meeting on March 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall Respectfully Submitted by Fortune Berg, Clerk