Committee approves amended ordinance on surplus land, relocates District 7 polling place and adopts election administration items

The La Crosse Judiciary Administration Committee met Dec. 2 and unanimously approved a slate of ordinances and resolutions, including an amended ordinance (25-1097) revising the city code on sale of surplus land and several election-administration measures.

Chair opened the meeting and introduced ordinance 25-1097 to repeal and recreate section 2-405 of the La Crosse Code of Ordinances concerning the sale of surplus land. Staff had recommended approval and the Board of Public Works had approved the item earlier in the week. Council President Dickinson said wording across committees had been refined and recommended the revised language be printed so members could review exact verbiage before a vote. Julie Emsley confirmed the Board of Public Works’ 11/24/2025 version was attached to the legislation. The committee adopted the amendment and then adopted the ordinance as amended, both by unanimous vote.

The committee also adopted resolution 25-1153 to relocate the District 7 polling place effective Jan. 1, 2026. Council Member Padeschi moved adoption; the motion passed unanimously.

Resolution 25-1155, establishing absentee voting locations for the 2026–27 election cycle, was introduced and adopted; Council President Dickinson noted Fire Station Number 4 was chosen to represent the North Side. The committee then adopted resolution 25-1156 naming election officials for the 2026–27 term, with Council Member Weston moving adoption and the committee approving it unanimously.

Several licensing items were considered for the 2025–26 license period, including public vehicles for hire, horse-drawn vehicles, pedicabs and pedal cars (item 25-1263). Council President Dickinson asked staff to confirm that Rivertown Pedal Tours’ listed departure site (the Tribune site) remains available given a possible spring demolition; Clerk Elson said she would check and provide updated rates and location information before the full council vote. The committee moved the consent items (including licenses) subject to compliance and approved them unanimously.

Two zoning ordinances (25-1325 and 25-1326) were approved to proceed to the council consent agenda after public discussion: 25-1325 will rezone parcels at 1931 George Street and 1126 Livingston Street to allow a duplex and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with an owner-occupancy deed restriction; 25-1326 rezones 610 Hagar Street to commercial to combine it with an adjacent commercial parcel.

All formal motions recorded in the committee were approved by unanimous voice vote. The committee adjourned with no further business.

Votes and formal actions at a glance

- Ordinance 25-1097 (sale of surplus land): Amendment adopted (attachment dated 11/24/2025); ordinance adopted as amended (unanimous). - Resolution 25-1153 (relocate District 7 polling place, effective 01/01/2026): Adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 25-1155 (absentee voting locations for 2026–27): Adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 25-1156 (election officials for 2026–27): Adopted (unanimous). - License applications (25-1263 and 25Dash1264): Adopted subject to compliance; staff to confirm specifics such as departure site and rates for operators (unanimous). - Ordinance 25-1325 (rezoning for ADU and duplex at 1931 George St / 1126 Livingston St): Approved to go on consent (unanimous). - Ordinance 25-1326 (rezoning 610 Hagar St to commercial): Approved after public hearing (unanimous).

The committee forwarded approved items to the full council (consent agenda) where noted. Where specific roll-call tallies were not recorded in the committee transcript, votes were described as unanimous by the chair or meeting record.