Minutes-Regular Board Meeting 07-14-2026

Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 07/14/2026 1 Unofficial Minutes until approved by the Village Board VILLAGE BOARD MEETING LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN REGULAR VILLAGE BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 14, 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) Village Clerk Michelle Stahl administered the Oath of Office to Village President Dan Kapanke and Trustees Davison, Donahue, Harney, Stolpa, Werner, and Wolfert. Following the administration of the oaths, the Village President and Trustees assumed their respective offices. 3) Roll Call & Verify Public Notice: Present: President Dan Kapanke, Trustee Bob Wolfert, Trustee Heather Harney, Trustee Lee Donahue, Trustee Peter Davison, Trustee Mike Stolpa, Trustee Mary Jo Werner Also Present: DPW Jason Hilton, Police Chief Trisha Stratman, Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stahl, Village of Holmen Patrick Barlow, Village Attorney Brian Weber Pursuant to law, written notice of this meeting was properly posted and provided in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.84. With no objection from the Board, President Kapanke began the meeting with agenda item B. B. Guest Patrick Barlow, Village President of Holmen to discuss Village and Committee operations President Barlow spoke to Holmen’s Village structure, what committee’s Holmen has and those respective meeting schedules; he also spoke to the set up of their Police & Fire Departments, the different area organizations they are members in the area. With no objection from the Board, President Kapanke began the meeting with agenda item G.. G. Discussion and possible action regarding appraisal of village land – Skipperliner President Kapanke advised that Bi-State Realty, at the request of the Village to complete an appraisal on Parcel No. 04-01253-001, Village owned property that Skipperliner has been in a long-term lease of. The lease ended June 2026 to which they then had the opportunity to rent from the Village. Attorney Brian Weber spoke to the lease agreement and letter provided by Bi-State Realty stating that per the lease agreement Skipperliner has the option to extend the lease, monthly rent, or purchase the property. Weber confirmed the language of the lease agreement shows all the past payments made are applied towards the purchase price and at this point in time they (Skipperliner) would have paid market value for the property, if not more. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 07/14/2026 2 At this time President Kapanke called the meeting back to regular order of business. 4) Public Comment: (limit to 5 minutes per person) Motion to receive public comment made by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Wolfert. Motion carried 7-0. Professor Brian Pompey, Senior Evelyn Peters UW-La Crosse University, Brian & Evelyn addressed the board and community members, speaking to a recent survey that has been sent out; explained that the goal of the survey is to better understand the water contamination and effects on public health. Al Maha, 1930 Cherokee., commented agenda item O, Al explained at the area near Hiawatha Islands entrance/sign, community members are working to clean up the area and is seeking Village permission for assistance on the project including shrub removal, brush chipping, and removal of brick. Angie Shimshack, 3144 Howry., requests from the Board that meetings become available to join virtually. Sally King, 2608 Baumgartner, noted to the Board she is a member of Observer Core, that they attend many government meetings and provide reporting of the meetings. Ron Pietrick, 2015 Lakeshore Dr., stated he is in attendance regarding agenda item K, spoke to safety concerns and issues on French Slough. Motion to close public comment by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Stolpa. Motion carried 7-0. 5) 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: Annual Liquor License Meeting 06/09/2026, Regular Board Meeting 06/09/2026 B. Payment of Bills: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Davison Motion carried 7-0. 6) Business: A. Discussion and action on Charter Ordinance for the Village of French Island President Kapanke advised Incorporation Attorney Stan Riffle has presented a draft of Village Charter ordinance, the Village needs to adopt the charter but does not have to be done immediately. Kapanke relayed that Riffle recommends the Village establish a charter committee and work with the Village attorney, towards a complete Village of French Island Charter Ordinance. Motion to establish charter ordinance committee including Mary Jo Werner, Bob Wolfert, Dan Kapanke, Village Clerk, Village Attorney by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Donahue. Motion carried 7-0. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 07/14/2026 3 B. Guest Patrick Barlow, Village President of Holmen to discuss Village and Committee operations No action. This item was taken up immediately following Roll Call. C. Joe Ruth, Wisconsin Town’s Association, presentation of WTA goals and priorities. Ruth, WTA’s Government Affairs Director, advised the Board that WTA represents 1,245 or so Towns and 28-30 Villages in Wisconsin. He explained WTA has 3 main pillars of focus: legal, education, and advocacy; that they help Towns and Villages of all different population sizes in these areas of focus. D. Request for a temporary amendment to the Combination “Class B” liquor license for the French Island American Legion for the “Rock the Vets Concert Fundraiser” on September 6, 2026 Motion to approve temporary amendment to the Combination Class B liquor license for September 6, 2026 by Trustee Stolpa/Trustee Donahue. Motion carried 7-0. E. Motion for Village Board Meeting date in August due to Partisan Primary Election Motion to move the August 11th meeting to August 18, 2026 at 6:00pm by Trustee Werner/Trustee Donahue. Motion carried 7-0. F. Incorporation and Village Status Update including date/planning for celebration President Kapanke gave an update on the City of La Crosse incorporation appeal case, noting that Judge Doyle has recused herself and the case will now be handled by Judge Veenstra and could be into early 2027 when the case is determined. Kapanke asks that Village signage be an agenda item for August. Kapanke confirmed with Chief Stratman that the Police Department’s community picnic will be Wednesday, August 5th at Plainview Park. Chief Stratman stated the Beautification Committee and Fire/EMS Department plan to be there, food will be served similar to last year. Members of the Village Board discussed pros and cons of having the Incorporation Celebration on the same night as the Community Picinic night; agreeance that the celebration for incorporation should be held on a different date/time as the demographic and organizations/members in attendance may be vastly different. (i.e. neighboring community members, Chamber of Commerce, other local organizations) Motion to ask the board to consider an alternate date that is not August 5th by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Stolpa. Motion carried 7-0. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 07/14/2026 4 Motion to create a celebration committee that includes President Kapanke, Trustee Donahue, Trustee Stolpa, Trustee Davison by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Donahue. Motion carried 7-0. G. Discussion and possible action regarding appraisal of village land – Skipperliner This item was taken up immediately following Roll Call and agenda item B. Motion to hold item over to August meeting by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Davison. Motion carried 7-0. H. Discussion and possible action on (2) Planning and Zoning Appointments Motion to approve Trustee Mike Stolpa and Trustee Werner to Planning & Zoning Commission by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Donahue. Motion carried 7-0. I. Municipal Water System/PFAS update (President/Trustee Donahue) President Kapanke advised the DNR has made incredible progress on items related to the new municipal water system and well #2. Kapanke also advised the sewer lines by the wells will need to be replaced due to their age; DNR is requiring. He also spoke to the funding from USDA-RD and the term of 40 years for this funding. Kapanke noted the hope is for the first bid to go out will be for equipment in the treatment plant in August and that Village is still awaiting PSC authorization for the water system. Trustee Donahue reaffirmed the Village is awaiting CA (Construction Authorization) and added that once the approval is received; the approval will cover all aspects of the municipal water system. Donahue on her PFAS report shared the publication that was approved by USDA-RD, EPA, and DNR and are on display at various Village public spaces. She also made note the DNR is holding their public hearing on PFAS groundwater rule on July 23 at 10am via Zoom. A complete read of Trustee Donahue’s PFAS report: PFAS Update July 14 2026.pdf No action. J. Discussion and possible action on becoming a member of WI League of Municipalities Motion to approve WI League of Municipalities by Trustee Werner/Trustee Stolpa. Motion carried 7-0. K. Discussion and possible action on establishing a no-wake zone in the north portion of French Slough Chief Stratman spoke to the board advising State law does not support a slow no wake ordinance. La Crosse County Harbor Commission already has an ordinance in place and the Village would not be able to create an ordinance/permit as the County/Harbor Commission supersedes the Village. To view La Crosse County ordinance chapter on Navigable waters, harbors and navigation: Ordinances\2026\Chapter 30 Harbor Navigation.pdf No action. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 07/14/2026 5 L. Discussion and possible action on Village of French Island Logo Contest (Trustee Donahue) Trustee Donahue provided information she collected to create the specifications and rules for a logo artwork contest. Village_of_French_Island_Logo_Contest.pdf. Trustee Donahue explained she is personally offering $100.00 cash prize for the winner; President Kapanke also volunteered to issue $100.00 towards the winner. Donahue advised that all submissions will be numbered; so the submittals will be reviewed anonymously. President Kapanke clarified with Trustee Donahue that the Trustee Board will make the decision of artwork selected and if no artwork is selected, the contest may run again. It was determined the reveal will be at the Village Incorporation. Motion to move forward with the French island Logo Contest by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Davison. Motion carried 7-0. M. Discussion and possible action on Coulee Recovery Run/Walk Parade Permit for September 6, 2026 Police Chief Stratman confirmed the Police Reserves are scheduled to assist on this day. Motion to approve Run Walk Parade Permit by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Donahue. Motion carried 7-0. N. June 2026 Treasurers Report (President/Clerk) Clerk Stahl advised the board that revenues are greater than expenditures half way through the year, future revenue expectations, and indicated areas of where expenditures are exceeding budget. Stahl gave to the Board upcoming date and time event reminders such as the Partisan Primary Election and LOPRD meeting. She also provided an update on future Planning & Commission goals to establish Floodplain, Stormwater, Shoreland, and Stormwater ordinances. No action. O. Discussion and possible action regarding landscaping around Hiawatha Island signs DPW Hilton showed illustrations of the area around Hiawatha Island sign located at Nakomis. The residents have cleared and cleaned up much of the area. Hilton relayed to the Board the residents are asking assistance from the Public Works Department to remove one brick wall and pull stumps in that area. Hilton noted that the Village already maintains part of the area and they are awaiting approval of the project by a property owner. Motion to authorize the removal of the wall and of stumps pending the approval of the land owner by Trustee Wolfert/Trustee Davison. Motion carried 7-0. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 07/14/2026 6 P. Discussion and possible action on Village Sign on Olivet President Kapanke advised Olivet has expressed they wish the Village to remove the “Town of Campbell” sign as their goal is to install an Olivet Church sign; and that the Village will soon be reviewing options to replace the sign to reflect Village of French Island. Motion to remove sign on Olivet property and location of where to place Village sign to be determined at the next board meeting by Trustee Stolpa/Trustee Wolfert. Motion carried 7-0. Q. Discussion and possible action on determining date for a Village Board organizational meeting. President Kapanke asked no action from the board; requests the Charter ordinance be established first. No action. 7) Adjournment of Meeting Motion to adjourn by Trustee Donahue/Trustee Davison Motion carried 7-0. (8:05 P.M.) Respectfully Submitted Michelle Stahl, Clerk/Treasurer