Minutes-Regular Board Meeting 09-08-2026

Unofficial Minutes until approved by the Village Board VILLAGE BOARD MEETING LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN REGULAR VILLAGE BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 2026 6:00 P.M. VILLAGE HALL 2219 BAINBRIDGE STREET, LA CROSSE, WI 54603 1) Meeting Called to Order / Pledge of Allegiance: Meeting called to order at 6:00 P.M. 2) Roll Call & Verify Public Notice: Present: President Kapanke, Trustee Wolfert, Trustee Harney, Trustee Donahue, Trustee Davison, Trustee Stolpa Trustee Werner excused Also Present: Police Lieutenant Josh Czys, Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stahl, Fire Chief Nate Melby 6:20 3) Public Comment: (limit to 5 minutes per person) Motion to receive public comment made by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Stolpa. Motion carried 6-0. Allan Miller – 212 Callaway Blvd., Mr. Miller asked about the operation and use of the Flock camera system, including camera access, third-party access, and the use of Flock rather than a scanner. Lieutenant Czys stated there are four cameras located at entrances to the Island and that all six officers have access. He explained that the system captures license plates and vehicle characteristics that can be searched by officers and shared with other law enforcement agencies. Lieutenant Czys is not aware of third-party access outside of law enforcement. Jeff Foellmi, 1503 Caroline St., Mr. Foellmi asked when the overhead bridge would be accessible. Clerk Stahl stated she had been advised it would be accessible by October and that the project was running ahead of schedule. Motion to close public comment by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Harney. Motion carried 6-0. 4) Consent Agenda: (All items listed are considered routine and will be enacted with one motion. There will be no 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. Approval of Minutes: Special Village Board Meeting 08/18/2026, Regular Village Board Meeting 08/18/2026 B. Plan Commission Meeting Recommendations: None C. Payment of Bills: None Motion to approve consent agenda by Davison/Harney Motion carried 6-0. 5) Business: (All items are subject to discussion and possible action unless otherwise noted) A. Discussion and Possible Action on scheduling Special Meeting with local Legislators to update on Municipal Water System and Sewer Concern (President) Sewer Connection – La Fond Avenue: Discussion was held regarding the City of La Crosse’s 2022 ordinance prohibiting new sewer connections and the expiration of the boundary agreement on December 31, 2024. Without a current sewer agreement, the City does not allow new sewer connections or increases in flow. Public Works Director Jason Hilton reported receiving a call on September 3, 2026, regarding possible sewage entering the water from a La Fond Avenue property. Staff conducted a dye test and determined wastewater was entering a storm sewer drain. A plumber was contacted, and a request to the City for a sewer connection permit was denied. Davey reported that research identified an existing sewer connection/lateral at the property. Discussion was held regarding televising the line to determine the existing conditions and potential repairs. The Board discussed responsibility for the cost of televising and repairs, the existing sewer connection, customer-owned infrastructure, and potential DNR involvement. A Notice of Quorum was discussed for September 15 at 10:00 a.m., pending DNR availability. The Board agreed not to assume the expense of televising the line. No action. B. Discussion and possible action to on quote for on police department/Village Hall environmental diagnostics (Village President/Chief) Lieutenant Czys presented two quotes for mold and asbestos testing due to water entering ceiling tiles during heavy rain. Testing for the entire Village Hall was quoted at $5,567.52, and testing for the Police Department at $2,390.31. The Police Department has funds available in its General Operations budget to cover its portion. State and federal grant opportunities may be available for future repairs. Donahue requested information regarding the warranty on previous roof repairs before proceeding with additional work. Board members discussed the scope of testing, available funding, and potential repair costs. Motion by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Davison To approve the Police Department to utilize their budget for the roof testing. Motion carried 6-0. C. Charter Ordinance Committee update (President) The Board discussed the draft Charter Ordinance and agreed to continue review of the ordinance at the September 14, 2026, budget meeting at 4:00 p.m. Motion by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Davison to add Charter Ordinance to the Monday September 14, 2026 meeting at 4:00pm. Motion carried 6-0. D. August 2026 Treasurer’s Report (President/Clerk) Clerk Stahl reviewed the Treasurer’s Report, including State Bank and LGIP accounts. August meeting minutes will be provided to State Bank as part of the reimbursement process for water-related expenses. Expenses related to Davy Engineering and sewer matters will be charged to the Utility Professional Fees line. Invoices related to the La Fond property may be held for Board review. Shared revenue is expected in November, along with approximately $90,000 in Village insurance renewals. Donahue asked about the status of any remaining BIL funding and whether available funds must be used by the end of September. Additional clarification regarding the funding source and availability was needed. No action. E. Municipal Water System/PFAS/PSC Docket update (President/Trustee Donahue) Donahue provided an update on PFAS testing. UW-Madison and the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene are reviewing 11 soil samples collected around the Island, including areas associated with previous plane crashes. The review is examining PFAS levels and potential movement through soil and groundwater. Additional sampling south of the airport is still planned. No action. F. Discussion and possible action on Summit Strutt, Tentative Date Oct 8th, 2026 The Board discussed the proposed all-school field trip scheduled for October 8, including use of the pedestrian bridge, availability of a secondary date, and traffic control needs. Clerk Stahl reported that Public Works anticipates completion of the pedestrian bridge prior to the event, subject to construction delays and required inspection. Lieutenant Czys provided an update on the status of the bridge construction. The Board discussed additional staffing for traffic control. School PTO confirmed it was the 8th. No action. G. 2026 Incorporation Celebration Recap including discussion and possible action on Invoice #83475 (President) President Kapanke recognized those who contributed to the Village celebration and discussed consideration of the event as an annual Village gathering. The Board reviewed event expenses and donations. Approximately $1,500 in monetary donations were received toward an outstanding balance of approximately $4,400, due September 29. Additional in-kind donations of goods and services were also recognized. Motion by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Davison to pay the remainer of Celebrations invoice. Motion carried 6-0. H. Discussion and possible action on dissolution of Incorporation Celebration Committee (President) Motion by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Harney to dissolve the Incorporation Celebration Committee. Motion carried 6-0. I. Discussion and possible action on French Island Fire Department V olunteer Candidate Qualifications (President/Fire) Chief Melby explained that under the Fire Department bylaws, volunteer applicants who are not Village residents require Board approval. Collin Boehme and William Meshak were presented as applicants, and both are within the required response time for fire calls. Meshak has been approved by the Fire Department Board of Trustees; Boehme is pending approval. Motion by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Wolfert to approve William Meshack to become part of the Fire Department. Motion carried 6-0. Motion by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Stolpa for Collin Boehme become a member of the Fire Department after full approval by the Fire Department Trustees. Motion carried 6-0. J. Discussion and possible action on creation of French Island Historical Society (Trustee Donahue) Trustee Donahue reported that three volunteers expressed interest in preserving the history of French Island. The Board discussed establishing a French Island Historical Society. Motion by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Davison to approve a French Island historical society. Motion carried 6-0. K. Discussion and Possible action of Temporary Class “B” Retailer’s License for the French Island Lions Club for October 10, 2026 (Trustee Wolfert) Motion by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Davison to approve Temporary Class “B” Retailers License for the French Island Lions Club October 10th, 2026. Motion carried 6-0. L. Discussion on Village signage (President) Public Works Director reported that quotes are being obtained for Village signage. The Board discussed the creation of a Logo and Sign Committee and the use of a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for sign construction to provide consistent information to potential bidders. Motion by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Stolpa, to create a Logo and Sign Committee. Motion subsequently rescinded. Following further discussion, motion by Trustee Donahue/ Trustee Stolpa, to create a Logo and Sign Committee to discuss the RFP process, with further details to be discussed at the September 14, 2026 meeting. Motion carried 6-0. M. 2027 Budget Work Session, Tuesday, September 14, 2026 at 4:00 P.M. (President) The meeting was scheduled for Monday the 14th. Not the 15th. Clerk Stahl acknowledges type on the date. No action. Adjournment of Meeting Motion to adjourn by Stolpa/Donahue. Motion carried 6-0. 7:40pm Respectfully Submitted Elyse Ramseier, Deputy Clerk Michelle Stahl, Clerk/Treasurer