Open Session

07/16/2026

CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE

Whether you’re in favor of the proposed City Administrator charter ordinance, opposed to it, or simply undecided, one thing remains true:

Now is the time to start getting informed.

Council Member Aron Newberry has published the full text of the proposed City Administrator charter ordinance, along with a detailed explanation of each section and the reasoning behind it.

If you’re interested in understanding the proposal before it reaches the Judiciary & Administration Committee, it’s worth taking a few minutes to read through. Regardless of where you ultimately stand, becoming familiar with the proposal is an important first step.

The charter ordinance is scheduled to be considered by the Judiciary & Administration Committee on Wednesday, August 5, with a potential path to the Common Council on Thursday, August 13.

At Before Council, our goal is simple: help residents understand what’s coming before the vote. We’ll continue sharing resources from a variety of perspectives as they become available and encourage residents to review the proposal, ask questions, and communicate with their Common Council member before any decisions are made.

Read Council Member Newberry’s post here:

https://open.substack.com/pub/inservicelacrosse/p/the-city-administrator-ordinance?r=5vno8q&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

An informed opinion starts with an informed resident.

Know Before the Vote.

The full text and a complete explanation of every provision so every resident can be informed before the public comment hearing.

07/15/2026

Tomorrow morning, we welcome our first Common Council member into studio.

Over the next two weeks, we’re hoping to sit down with every member of the La Crosse Common Council for a series we’re calling:

Before Council Presents: One Question

The question:

Should La Crosse have a City Administrator?

Each council member has been invited to the studio for the same conversation, the same format, and the same opportunity to share how they’re approaching one of the most significant decisions currently facing our city.

These conversations aren’t intended to be debates or campaign speeches.

They’re an opportunity to better understand how our elected representatives prepare for decisions of this magnitude, what information they’re gathering, what questions they’re considering, and how residents can best engage before a vote is cast.

Our hope is to record as many conversations as possible over the next two weeks and release them together during the week of July 27, giving residents time to listen before the August Common Council Meeting.

This is hopefully only the beginning.

We believe there is tremendous value in hearing directly from the people elected to represent us, not just after votes are cast, but before them.

If you’d like to hear your Common Council member participate, consider reaching out and letting them know.

Because the better we understand the people making these decisions, the better equipped we are to participate in the process ourselves.

Know Before the Vote.

07/10/2026

Last night’s Common Council meeting lasted just 17 minutes.

If you watched it without following the committee meetings beforehand, you may have found yourself wondering why there wasn’t much discussion.

That’s because much of the conversation, questions, and deliberation had already taken place during last week’s Judiciary & Administration and Finance & Personnel Committee meetings. By the time the Common Council met, members had already done much of the work necessary to prepare for the vote.

That’s exactly why we created Before Council.

In Episode 2, we walk through last week’s committee meetings, explain the agenda items, and provide the context behind the decisions that came before the Common Council last night.

As a follow-up, every item that appeared on last night’s Common Council agenda was approved. As you listen to Episode 2, you can do so knowing that the agenda items we discussed ultimately passed at the Common Council meeting.

If you’re wondering what was voted on and why, there’s no better time to give it a listen.

For those who want to go even deeper, our Meeting Companion episodes include the complete J&A and F&P committee meetings with only the silence, recesses, and delays removed.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
www.justgoodfight.com/before-council

Civic resources, meeting agendas, livestreams, and Common Council contact information:
www.justgoodfight.com/city-resources

For official City of La Crosse information:
www.cityoflacrosse.org

Know Before the Vote.

07/09/2026

Common Council meets tonight.

Whether you plan to attend in person, watch the livestream, or catch up afterward, tonight’s meeting is where this month’s committee work becomes action.

If you’ve been following along with Before Council, you’ve had the opportunity to learn about the agenda before the vote. If not, there’s still time to review the agenda, watch the meeting, and stay informed about the decisions shaping our community.

If an item matters to you, don’t let tonight be the end of the conversation. Reach out to your Common Council representative, ask questions, and stay engaged in the process.

Know Before the Vote.

We encourage you to attend tomorrow's Common Council meeting.

MEETING DETAILS
6 p.m. Thursday, July 9
City Hall Council Chambers

AGENDA
https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/CommonCouncilJuly2026

ATTEND VIRTUALLY
https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Please visit https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/stayconnected to receive future City meeting notices and sign up for alerts and news.

07/06/2026

Common Council meets Thursday. Now’s the time to have your voice heard.

There are just a few days left to review the agenda, learn about the issues, and, if something matters to you, reach out to your City of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Common Council representative before the vote.

Want to contact the Common Council?
https://cityforms.cityoflacrosse.org/Forms/ContactCityCouncil

Whether you agree, disagree, or simply have a question, an informed community starts with residents who take the time to engage.

Listen to Episode 2 of Before Council
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xSedSdohjqLQiExQQEztD?si=AHdk5pE9TbaCParCbEFZ8w

Know Before the Vote.

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July, City of La Crosse, Wisconsin!

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday with family and friends.

If you find a little time over the long weekend, Before Council Episode 2 is now available wherever you listen to podcasts.

With five days remaining before the July 9 Common Council meeting, there’s still time to review the agenda, learn about the issues, have a conversation with a friend or neighbor, and reach out to your Common Council representative if an agenda item matters to you.

An informed community depends on residents who are willing to engage. Civic participation doesn’t begin on voting night, it begins before the vote.

Listen to Episode 2:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xSedSdohjqLQiExQQEztD?si=sE3tpnzsSMOk8hnq3hlFqg

Message the Common Council:
https://cityforms.cityoflacrosse.org/Forms/ContactCityCouncil

Find your Common Council representative:
https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/Your-Government/Elected-Officials/City-Council

Additional civic resources:
www.justgoodfight.com/city-resources

For official City of La Crosse information:
www.cityoflacrosse.org

07/03/2026

NOW AVAILABLE: Before Council, Episode 2

The July edition of Before Council is now live.

Former Common Council member Mac Kiel and La Crosse resident Tony Ayala discuss this week’s Judiciary & Administration and Finance & Personnel Committee meetings, highlighting what residents should know before the Thursday, July 9 Common Council meeting.

Our goal isn’t to tell you what to think.

Our goal is to help you know what’s happening before the vote.

Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xSedSdohjqLQiExQQEztD?si=98aef85bb77346b6

Civic resources, meeting agendas, livestreams, and Common Council contact information:
www.justgoodfight.com/city-resources

For official City of La Crosse information, please visit:
www.cityoflacrosse.org

Know Before the Vote.

Before Council · Episode

07/03/2026

Finance & Personnel Meeting Companion is Now Available

The July 2026 Common Council Cycle continues with our latest Before Council Meeting Companion - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5BYOi2w0phTfYJvUJUYehn?si=_gg-xYE0RZGjH6wIBQQAjw

This episode features the complete Finance & Personnel Committee meeting from July 2, 2026, with only extended periods of silence, delays, recesses, and other dead air removed. The discussion itself has not been edited.

Whether you’re driving to work, mowing the lawn, or taking a walk, it’s another way to stay informed about what’s happening at City Hall without having to sit through a lengthy video meeting.

Later today, we’ll release Episode 2 of Before Council, where former Common Council member Mac Kiel and Tony Ayala walk through this week’s Judiciary & Administration and Finance & Personnel Committee meetings, discuss the agenda items, and highlight what residents should know before next Thursday’s Common Council meeting.

Our goal isn’t to tell you what to think.
Our goal is to help you know what’s happening before the vote.

Know Before the Vote.

CIVIC RESOURCES
Looking for meeting agendas, livestreams, minutes, your Common Council representative, or the City’s contact form?
We’ve gathered the City of La Crosse resources we use most often in one place:
www.justgoodfight.com/city-resources

For all official City of La Crosse, Wisconsin information:
www.cityoflacrosse.org

Before Council · Episode

07/02/2026

The Finance & Personnel Committee meets tonight at 6:00 PM.

Many of the items discussed tonight will move on to the Common Council for consideration next week, making this one of the best opportunities to understand what’s happening before the vote.

If you can, attend in person or watch the livestream.

Agenda:
https://www.cityoflacrosse.org/FP070226

Livestream:
https://cityoflacrosse.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

If you can’t watch live, we’ve got you covered.

Tomorrow, we’ll release another Before Council Meeting Companion, a condensed audio version of tonight’s meeting with only the silence, delays, and dead air removed, making it easier to listen wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Here is the J&A Meeting Companion for the July Common Council Cycle from Tuesday’s meeting - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jHcghFtYMi4W8uFQ22r3x?si=1MqzA315TSaDgyr5z5TYoQ

Later tomorrow, after Mac Kiel and Tony Ayala discuss both committee meetings, we’ll release the July edition of Before Council, highlighting what residents should know before next Thursday’s Common Council meeting.

Know Before the Vote.

CIVIC RESOURCES

Looking for meeting information, minutes, your Common Council representative, or the City’s contact form?

We’ve gathered the City of La Crosse, Wisconsin resources we use most often in one place:
www.justgoodfight.com/city-resources

For all official City of La Crosse information:
www.cityoflacrosse.org

07/01/2026

NEW: Meeting Companion is now available to listen whenever you listen to Before Council.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jHcghFtYMi4W8uFQ22r3x?si=b9Vnypo9S2WTkmRqZuFxkw

One of the most common things we’ve heard from residents is that it’s difficult to dedicate an hour or two to watching a committee meeting online.

So we’re trying something new.

Today’s release contains the complete Judiciary & Administration Committee meeting and the Budget Parameter Committee meeting from the July 2026 Common Council Cycle.

To make the meetings easier to listen to, we’ve removed only extended periods of silence, delays, recesses, and other dead air. The discussion itself has not been edited.

Whether you’re driving to work, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, or simply curious about what’s happening at City Hall, we hope this makes local government a little more accessible.

On Thursday, we’ll release the Finance & Personnel Committee Meeting Companion.

Then on Friday, Mac Kiel and Tony Ayala will sit down for the July edition of Before Council, connecting the dots and discussing what residents should know before next week’s Common Council meeting.

Know Before the Vote.

⸻

CIVIC RESOURCES

Not sure who represents your neighborhood? Looking for the Common Council agenda, meeting information, livestreams, minutes, or the City’s contact form?

We’ve gathered the City of La Crosse resources we use most often in one place.

www.justgoodfight.com/city-resources

For all official City of La Crosse information:

www.cityoflacrosse.org

Before Council · Episode