Council members praise fireworks planning, new bakery and outline zoning code outreach

Council members used the July 9 meeting to update colleagues and the public on recent community events and ongoing planning work.

Council member Goggin thanked residents and staff involved in a recent forum at Black River Beach, praised the La Crosse Center's fireworks viewing and publicly thanked police and fire for their work around the holiday. She also noted Joyce Hagman's 100th birthday and recognition by the council.

Council president Dickinson described participation in an MTU ride experience coordinated with officers and staff, and recounted a lengthy tour of a Kwik Trip facility that he said was informative for council members.

Council member Johnson highlighted continued resident concerns about fireworks, specifically citing impacts on people with PTSD and on pets, and said the La Crosse Center's air-conditioned viewing helped more than 300 people attend comfortably.

Council member Trost detailed the Planning Department's public engagement on a zoning code update, naming Deputy Director Ackland and Associate Planner Dinkel, and framed the reform as intended to align land-use rules with housing needs, expand household options and inform the city's operating budget planning over the next three years.

Council members Madel and Padeschi noted strong neighborhood response to the opening of Opus Bakehouse on Market Street and thanked staff and colleagues for work that made rezoning possible. Council member Padisky thanked the mayor and communications director for a well-attended forum.

The meeting included no extended public-comment exchange on these items; remarks were delivered during the notices and discussions portion of the agenda.