Minutes-Regular Board Meeting 06-09-2026

Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 06/09/2026 1 Unofficial Minutes until approved by the Village Board VILLAGE BOARD MEETING LA CROSSE COUNTY, WISCONSIN REGULAR VILLAGE BOARD MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 09, 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: **Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 66.0213(3), the officers of the former Town of Campbell continue in their powers and duties following incorporation of the Village of French Island until the first meeting of the elected Village Board at which a quorum is present** Present: Acting President Dan Kapanke, Acting Trustee Bob Wolfert, Acting Trustee Lee Donahue, Acting Trustee Ralph Thoren, Acting Trustee Jason Stratman. *Throughout these meeting minutes Acting President will be abbreviated A.P . and Acting Trustee will be abbreviated A.T.* Also Present: DPW Jason Hilton, Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Stahl, Police Chief Trisha Stratman Pursuant to law, written notice of this meeting was given to the press and posted on the public bulletin boards. 3) Public Comment: (limit to 5 minutes per person) Motion to receive public comment made by A.T. Donahue/A.T. Thoren. Motion carried 5-0. Tyler Verdict, 1310 Caroline., addressed the Board to state his support for firework permitting. Robert Wolfert, 904 Susan Pl., commented on the historic moment of the Town being incorporated into Village of French Island. Bill Richmond, 1731 Bainbridge., inquired if all of Campbell is now a Village. Motion to close public comment by A.T. Wolfert/A.T. Donahue. Motion carried 5-0. 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: Regular Board Meeting 05/12/2026, Special Town Board Meeting 05/18/2026 B. Payment of Bills: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda by A.T. Stratman/A.T. Donahue. Motion carried 5-0. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 06/09/2026 2 5) Business: A. Discussion and possible action on 4th of July fireworks and permit request by Skyline Fireworks for September 13, 2026 wedding celebration (A.P. Kapanke) Motion to approve Skyline Fireworks for September 13, 2026 for a period of 15-20 minutes by A.T. Stratman/A.T. Thoren. Motion was amended to add “notification of surrounding residents that may be impacted by either Skyline or Celebrations”. Motion carried 4-0. A.T. Donahue abstained. No action taken on July 4, 2026 fireworks. B. Discussion and action on Resolution No. 2026-05: WTA Road Resolution (A.P. Kapanke/A.T. Donahue) Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2026-05 by A.T. Wolfert/A.T. Donahue. Motion carried 4-0. C. Incorporation and Village Status Update including date/planning for celebration (A.P. Kapanke) A.P. Kapanke stated he would like the Village to hold a celebration for Incorporation and would like to hold off on determining a date until a village board meeting following the July 7, 2026 election. No action. D. Discussion and possible action regarding Turtles Crossing signage (A.T. Donahue) A.T. Donahue explained that the Village was contacted by a resident via the Village website regarding turtles crossing roadways within the Village and suggestion for added signage within the Village. A.T. Stratman and A.T. Wolfert also provided comments on the amount of turtle nests in the Village and that while residents may be aware of the turtle population and to be cautious; those traveling to the Island may not be aware. Motion to work with DPW for additional signs by A.T. Donahue/A.T. Wolfert. Motion carried 5-0. E. Municipal Water System/PFAS update (A.P. Kapanke/A.T. Donahue) A.P. Kapanke confirmed that the PSC has officially accepted the application for municipal water system and they have 90 days to review. A.T. Donahue provided updates on the municipal water system including working with USDA-RD Public Information Department to develop posters promoting the new water system. She also advised of upcoming listening sessions regarding PFAS hosted by the DNR. Donahue reported that she continues to work closely with the DNR regarding PFAS, potential Well Compensation funding, and working towards assistance with residents that have private wells during the transition period until the municipal water system is operational. A full report of Donahue PFAS update is available via this link: PFAS report or visiting: https://frenchislandwi.gov/well-water-pfas-information/ F. Discussion and possible action on revising ordinance Sec. 18-2 (d) Noxious Weeds (A.T. Donahue) A.T. Donahue presented to the Board wording recommendation to update Ordinance 18-2. Donahue noted neighboring municipalities use similar verbiage to what Donahue and members of the Beautification Committee were presenting for updating. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 06/09/2026 3 Motion to update ordinance including changes identified in yellow by A.T. Donahue/A.T. Wolfert. Motion carried 5-0. Ordinance Sec. 18-2 Noxious Weeds G. Discussion and possible action on potential Art Contest for Village of French Island logo (A.T. Donahue) A.T. Donahue presented to the Board the idea for an art contest for the creation of VOFI logo; explaining this would be a great way to engage the community. Donahue stated she would take the lead on exploring this. No action. H. Discussion and possible action on Blueway Inn & Suites (A.P. Kapanke/Chief Stratman) Chief Stratman provided an updated that there has been over 77 calls for service; mostly welfare checks, medical and domestic. She advised the parking lot lighting was to be implemented but appears to be no longer working and that inside renovations do seem to be continuing. A.P. Kapanke advised he will take an A.T. over to the hotel for a review. No action. I. June 2026 Treasurers Report (A.P. Kapanke/Clerk) Clerk Stahl provided an update for SDW Loan #1, noting the last disbursement has been requested and working on loan close out documents. She also advised the DOJ is working to approve the Village’s new domain of frenchislandwi.gov and as soon as the domain is confirmed email addresses and official website will be updated. J. Discussion and possible action regarding annual Maple Leaf Parade (A.P . Kapanke/Police Chief) Motion to approve Maple Leaf Parade by A.T. Wolfert/A.T. Donahue. Motion carried 5-0. K. Discussion and possible action on Interim Financing (A.P. Kapanke/Clerk) A.P. Kapanke advised the Board that the Clerk will begin to take action on researching interim financing options. No action. L. Discussion and possible action on Summit Well in relation to Commercial use (Chairman/Supervisor Wolfert) A.T. Wolfert explained to the Board that he is in favor of suspending the use of Summit Well to decrease the use of the well system, assisting in prolonging the life of the equipment. Regular Village Board Meeting Minutes 06/09/2026 4 Motion to limit the use of the Fire Well near Summit Elementary to the Village of French Island uses by A.T. Donahue/A.T. Wolfert. Motion carried 5-0. M. Electronic Billboard in French Island (A.P. Kapanke) A.P. Kapanke advised the Board that Lamar Signs & Dan Nelson have presented the idea of an electronic sign featuring 10 spots; presenting the Village would have a spot to utilize at no charge. Kapanke stated he is making a record of the conversation as it was brought to him and he recommends the future Village Board to discuss the matter further. No Action. The board took a recess at this time. (7:08 P.M.) Motion to convene in Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes §19.85(1)(c) on a roll call vote made by A.T. Stratman/A.T. Donahue. A.P. Kapanke – yes A.T. Wolfert-yes A.T. Donahue-yes A.T. Thoren-yes A.T. Stratman-yes. Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no (7:14 P.M.) 6) CLOSED SESSION: Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statutes 19.85 (1) (c) Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data or any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility A. Personnel matters 7) Reconvene in Open Session Motion to reconvene in open session by A.T. Donahue/A.T. Thoren. Motion carried 5-0. (7:30 P.M.) 8) Possible Action on Items Discussed in Closed Session No Action. 9) Adjournment of Meeting Motion to adjourn by A.T. Wolfert/A.T. Donahue Motion carried 5-0. (7:30 P.M.) Respectfully Submitted Michelle Stahl, Clerk/Treasurer