Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in La Crosse public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
22 issues in public safety
Fire Station #1 window replacement
Fire Station #3 is in the middle of a remodel, and its four garage doors are being replaced with heavier-duty versions. The new springs are rated for 50,000 uses versus the 10,000-cycle springs currently at their max — important since fire rigs go in and out constantly. The doors will be red to match Stations #2 and #4.
Regional Safety Action Plan
Committee members want pedestrians to get a head start at crossings, but the city's five-section signal heads make that impossible without confusing left-turning drivers. Andrew Sherman said intersections are where he's come closest to being hit.
Week Without Driving participation
La Crosse will join the national Week Without Driving October 1-8, asking elected officials to experience getting around without a car. WisDOT estimates 40% or more of city residents are non-drivers.
Alcohol and tobacco license compliance
The police department's quarterly review showed several bars sold alcohol to underage buyers in compliance checks, and Rolling Trees was arrested in an investigation over illegal tobacco sales. The fake ID fine was raised to $575 for a first offense.
No overnight parking at Eagle Watch lot
Overnight parking is now banned at the Eagle Watch public parking lot on the 2600 block of Rose Street.
Coordinated campaign for downtown unsheltered individuals
The council's whole special meeting was devoted to reviewing what the city is doing about homelessness. Downtown and North Side districts report safety problems, drug activity, and park disruptions, while the city points to Pathways Home, ramped-up outreach, and new housing projects. Big open questions: who pays, whether other municipalities and the state will share the burden, and what to do about people who decline services.
Out-of-community inflow question
Council member Lisa Weston raised concerns about unsheltered people being transported into La Crosse, as Eau Claire recently did. Data shows 83% of people on the housing list last had housing in La Crosse, and more people have left the regional coalition than arrived over four years.
Oktoberfest parade right-of-way policy and public awareness
The board approved the annual parade right-of-way policy and added a push to actually tell people about it — city website, Police and Parks Facebook pages, and neighborhood associations — hoping better information means fewer problems for police.
Fire prevention code modernization
Two fee bumps are headed to Council: fire prevention fees in the Appendix C fee schedule and higher court costs on municipal citations — both of which show up in what violators and permit holders pay.
Urban Search and Rescue agreement renewal
La Crosse firefighters will keep training and deploying with Wisconsin's Urban Search and Rescue team — bluff rescues, confined space, swiftwater — with the state now paying $60 an hour, up from $55.
Public safety staffing reductions
The police department will hold six positions open and the fire department would drop from 101 to 93 staff, taking Rescue Two at Station Two out of service. The fire chief warned the city is approaching a line where reduced staffing jeopardizes citizen and firefighter safety.
Fire Station #3 project bid
The board reviewed the bid for the new Fire Station #3 but referred it instead of awarding, so the project isn't under construction contract yet.
Safe Cam 2 security camera expansion
Donated foundation money will add cameras along south Riverside Park and eventually River Point North — a low-cost public safety boost tracing back to the 2013 downtown double homicide.
District 7 polling place relocation
A resolution would move the District 7 polling place for the rest of the 2026-2027 election term, changing where those voters cast ballots.
Commission leadership and future rules
The commission was set to elect a chair and vice chair, and future agenda items could include rules for staff review of complaints and a discussion of the commission's powers and duties.
Discrimination complaint - Fixmer v. Nuttall
The commission was scheduled to decide whether probable cause exists to believe discrimination occurred under Chapter 22 of the city's municipal code. A probable-cause finding would move the complaint forward in the city's enforcement process.
Bicycle registration ordinance repeal proposal
A little-known city rule technically requires bike registration, but almost nobody does it and it's rarely enforced. One member wants it repealed; police say it helps recover stolen bikes. No action was taken.
Expanded ambulance coverage with Tri-State
The council approved step one of a plan to run a Tri-State ambulance 24/7 out of Station 1 using La Crosse firefighter-paramedics, addressing rising call volumes and paramedic shortages.
Green Circle Recovery junk dealer license on Commerce Street
The council approved a junk dealer license at 3019 Commerce Street with a waiver of the 1,000-foot spacing rule; the applicant documented no burning or chemicals and noted a rail yard separates the site from most homes. Council Member Trost flagged that nearby rental residents were never really notified.
Lawsuit Against Fire Truck Manufacturers
La Crosse is suing fire truck manufacturers, claiming they colluded to raise prices and slow deliveries. If the city wins, it could mean cheaper, faster emergency equipment—or at least accountability for how your tax dollars are spent.
Police Settlement Approval
The La Crosse Common Council approved a $144,000 settlement for a man who was run over by a police vehicle. That means local taxpayers are covering the payout, though the city likely avoids a longer legal fight.
Police Department Practices
La Crosse’s police department was the only one in Wisconsin doing something unusual with officer payouts—and it reportedly cost taxpayers money. If you care where your tax dollars go, this is worth a look.