Minutes

Town Board Meeting Minutes – APPROVED Date: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 Time: 5:00 p.m. Location: Town Hall – 2800 Ward Ave, La Crosse, WI 54601 Present: Chairperson Tim Candahl, Supervisors Renee Knutson, Marlene Heal, Tim Padesky, and Tim Ehler (arrive at 5:02 p.m.), Administrator Christina Peterson, Fire Chief Tony Holinka, Treasurer Melissa Erdman, and Clerk Fortune Berg. Absent: None. Attendance List: Stacey Everson (School District of La Crosse) and Jacob Schweitzer (N1545 Hagen Road). 1. Meeting called to order by Candahl at 4:59 p.m. 2. Minutes from 4/15/2025. Candahl noted corrections to the minutes. Motion by Knutson to approve minutes from 4/15/2025 with corrections, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Bills Payable. Motion by Knutson to accept closed invoices for $91,365.70, second by Padesky. Heal asked about Stratford sign invoice, Berg answered digital sign service. Knutson asked about park related charges from Menards, Peterson answered bubbler and bathroom opening costs. Knutson asked about 911 posts, Erdman answered it’s the t- posts to hold the fire numbers. Motion by Knutson to pay open invoices for $35,939.11, second by Padesky. Motions carried unanimously. 4. Public Comment. None. 5. La Crosse School District Community Engagement – Stacey Everson. Stacey Everson introduced herself and explained she is gathering feedback to better shape the vision of the upcoming school years for the district. Candahl reviewed the questions provided (see attached). Discussion on vision for the future for the La Crosse School District. 6. RE-Zoning Request – ORA Trail Farm (Parcels 11-555-0, 11-605-0, 11-1024-0, 11-1023-0, 11- 673-0, 11-1025-0, 11-1026-0, 11-1106-0, and 11-1105-0). Peterson explained the re-review of the request due to additional information. Candahl opened the floor for comments. Jake Schweitzer explained his concerns about the conditions, specifically no firearms and no hunting. Peterson reviewed relevant statutes and the communication with the DNR. Peterson noted supporting language in the comprehensive plan for making trails and parks a priority. Hunting was not mentioned in the plan. Discussion on the re-zoning and past concerns from residents regarding hunting on public land surrounding residential neighborhoods. Candahl noted the Town owned parks and land do not allow hunting because of the same concerns. Discussion on public land use, hunting opportunities and deer management needs. No further action taken. 7. Fire Department Report. Holinka reported … a. 36 calls in April (34 Shelby & 2 Greenfield) (29 EMS & 7 Fire). b. As of May 6th, the department responded to a total of 167 calls in 2025. c. Live burn on April 19th on Highway 33 (TOS and Stoddard FD) d. Department members participating in the river clean up this weekend. e. Training on auto extraction and hose testing in May. f. Search and Rescue training upcoming, use of the app 3 words (new app that helps pinpoint location of person in need of services). g. New hires are doing well, and one member has finished their probationary period. h. New radios purchased from the City of La Crosse are working well. 8. Facilities Study – Architectural Design Consultants, Inc. Peterson reviewed the proposal received. Discussion on a study of the needs of the town and usage of space being a priority over deficiencies with current systems and buildings. The board will form a building committee and fine tune what the facilities study should cover. The board agrees this should be pushed to later in the year for budget constraints. No action taken. 9. Town Hall Roof Bid Award. Peterson reviewed the bids received and recommended the base bid, plus alternate three (3). Motion by Ehler, to award the bid to Ledegar Roofing the base bid, plus alternate three (3) for a total of $34,426.00, second by Heal. Motion carried unanimously. 10. La Crosse Area Planning Committee (LAPC) – Appoint an Alternate Representative. Candahl noted he is appointing an alternate to attend meetings when he is not available. Motion by Candahl to appoint Marlene Heal as the alternate representative for the Town of Shelby at the La Crosse Area Planning Commission, second by Knutson. Motion carried, Heal abstained. 11. Utility Accommodation Policy. Peterson reviewed the Utility Accommodation Policy and the increasing need for the Town to have a policy in place due to the number of incoming utilities. Discussion on restrictions and future planning. Motion by Padesky to adopt and sign Ordinance 2.25 to Adopt the Utility Accommodation Policy, second by Knutson. Motion carried unanimously. 12. Subdivision Signs – Red Oaks Estates. Peterson reviewed the sign ordinance and the potential involvement of the Town for new subdivision signs. Discussion on sign options, designs, and sizes. Peterson was instructed to collaborate with residents of Red Oaks to get the subdivision sign designed, made, and installed. The Town will contribute up to $750.00. The Red Oaks Sign project could be a template for other subdivisions. 13. Administrator and Public Works Report. a. Peterson reported that Wedgewood Valley stormwater project is gaining momentum. The preconstruction meeting is planned for May 29th during the day, and a public information meeting planned for the same day, in the evening. 14. Treasurer’s Report. No questions or concerns. Peterson noted July will be the month where the Board will review an amendment to the budget and look at loan needs. 15. Chairperson and Supervisor Reports. a. Candahl reported a proposed new development on the Knobloch property off Highway 33 and County Road F. Peterson stated a request to rezone this property will appear on the May 20th meeting agenda for Planning Commission and Town Board. Peterson added the request is consistent with the Future Land Use Plan that shows the area as residential. Candahl noted developer is aware of the greenspace dedication requirement. b. Heal asked about the mobile home on Eddie Ave, Erdman answered an invoice was sent for the violation, but payment has not been received. c. Heal asked about truck sales, Peterson confirmed we received an offer of $300.00 for the Suburban and $300.00 for the F350. d. Ehler noted that Joe Zoellner, President of LADCO contacted him about moving forward with the boundary agreements and development in the Town of Shelby. Discussion on the need to meet with the City of La Crosse. e. Knutson reported an email received by Mary Gohlke about stop signs on Hagen Road. Concerned about federal traffic regulations for stop signs. f. Knutson reported that she was contacted by Jerry Hanoski and he is concerned about private business signs that are advertising on Town Property/Right-of-Way. Candahl directed Berg to get a door hanger that says signs are not allowed on Right of Way for enforcement. Candahl and other Board Members can pull signs in violation and will bring them to Town Hall. g. Knutson reported a concern from a resident in Arbor Hills about a swing that broke while in use and resulted in a broken finger. Discussion on response from Town Staff. Peterson will follow up on this. 16. Adjourn. Motion by Knutson to adjourn at 8:04 p.m., second by Heal. Motion carried Unanimously. Next Regular Meeting May 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, Fortune M. Berg, Clerk.