Parking ramp safety, city administrator search on La Crosse city council agenda Thursday

A new ordinance against trespassing in La Crosse city parking ramps may be voted on Thursday night by the city council at its November meeting.

The council’s Judiciary and Administrative (JA) Committee voted last week on a La Crosse Police proposal to restrict the kinds of activity allowed in ramps. The plan prohibits people from being in the ramps, unless they’re parking. It is aimed at preventing drinking, drug use, vandalism, skateboarding and other activities inside the ramps.

The council could also vote on whether to form a special working group to look at the idea of hiring a city administrator. Last week, the JA committee voted 3-3 on the study idea, meaning it would not be recommended to the council.

The council voted in October to postpone any decisions on the administrator position until after the spring elections, in which both the mayor and half the city council will be on the ballot.

Mayor Mitch Reynolds has said the council should have voted yes or no on the city administrator idea. He believes La Crosse should have both a mayor and a city administrator, and he disputes the need for more study of the concept.

The council also may take action on a proposed annexation of some land at the Shrine of Guadalupe site, in connection with plans for a guest house for shrine visitors.