Minutes

Park and Vacant Land Committee Draft Meeting Minutes – APPROVED Date: Monday, September 8, 2025 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: 2800 Ward Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601 Present: Chairperson Renee Knutson; Committee Members, Jean Wiggert, Monica Redmond, Jeffrey Butler; Administrator Christina Peterson. Absent: Committee Member Nate Torres. Attendance List: Parviz Sohaei (N1452 Timber Valley Road). 1. Meeting called to order by Knutson at 5:33 p.m. 2. Minutes from 5/5/2025. Motion by Redmond to approve minutes from 5/5/2025, second by Wiggert. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Public Comment. Mr. Sohaei stated that at Briedel Coulee Park there is no place to sit. He and his neighbor want to place a bench in the park. Some bench styles can be chipped by kids. Stone benches are beautiful but need a backrest. Suggests a different style. Renee explained that Town has a standard bench. Discussion on subsidizing donation benches to make them more affordable. 4. Bluffland Grant Update. Knutson checked with Siena on progress. To date, research on property includes Trail assessment, property assessment, identify ecosystems. 5. Locations for benches and garbage cans. 1 bench and 1 garbage can at Skyline, 3 benches at Pammel Creek, 1 bench at Nolop Estates, and 1 bench and 1 garbage can at Hills of Home. Knutson shared sketches and ideas for Hills of Home Park. Hills of Home landscaping Priority is to create a buffer from the highway. Motion by Redmond to approve list and use remaining budget for landscaping if options are found. Second by Butler, approved unanimously. 6. Nolop estates. Refurbished equipment. New mulch surface, scrub trees gone. Painted basketball upright and swing set. Public Works still needs to paint basketball lines and replace the infant swing. Landscaping still needs to be done. Laid out perimeter of trees behind basketball court. Private well is being worked on, so dirt is in the way. Residents suggested tree for shade. 7. Administrator Report a. Peterson reported part-time office staff to help with ordinances. Hillview sports complex being used by UWL for Sundays this fall. 8. Chairperson/Commissioners Report a. Butler asked about UTV public hearing. Knutson reported that it was a good turnout with good representation on both sides. Board will review at a later meeting. b. Knutson checked on pricing for backless benches $1,425 for 6ft. Regular with back $1600 + shipping. c. Walking trail map signs are in house. Sign holders are still work in progress, waiting for cost estimate. Updated price for current bench brochure. d. Knutson showed photos of old signs that need updating. e. Knutson requested staff look further into funding for tennis court replacement. f. Wiggert mentioned lights coming on way after dark, so timer should be checked at the gazebo. 9. Next regular meeting will take place Monday, October 6th @ 5:30 p.m. 10. Adjournment. Motion by Butler to adjourn at 6:47p.m., second by Wiggert. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully Submitted by Christina Peterson