La Crosse · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in La Crosse public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Green steel trial at the wastewater plant
The plant is only the second city in the country trialing 'green steel' — steel mill slag — to replace ferric chloride for phosphorus removal. Sixty days in, the plant is running better than ever with a third less chemical, and staff built the feeder in-house for $2,150 instead of a $100,000 system.
Illicit railroad storm sewer connection closed
The railroad piped an unpermitted connection into the city storm sewer at Charles and St. James Streets using substandard materials. Staff closed it off; the railroad must go through the engineering department if it wants to reconnect.
Water Utility Fleet and Equipment Needs
The water utility kept three trucks it was going to sell because flushing and valve-turning work left crews short on vehicles — cheaper than renting at $2,000 per truck for six months.
Sunset Lane sanitary sewer extensions
The city will extend sewer service to three west-side Sunset Lane properties that can't legally connect to existing sewer lines, funded as a new capital project, plus a $101,995 construction contract.
Xcel Energy gas main replacement in Hintgen Neighborhood
Xcel will dig up streets in the Hintgen Neighborhood for six to eight weeks to relocate and replace its gas main as part of the Losey Boulevard project.
Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Utility Quarterly Update
The Water Utility gave its regular quarterly report to the board — a chance to check in on water system operations and finances.
Shared sewer lateral assessments
The city is considering a public improvement for sanitary sewer laterals on the 900 block of East Avenue S, with costs assessed to the benefited properties. Property owners on that block could face a special assessment bill.
Main Library microgrid grant pursuit
The city will apply for a state Energy Innovation Grant to help build a microgrid at the Main Library — a step toward keeping a key public building powered during outages and cutting energy costs.