Executive Director Kahya Fox, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region, answered at the September 10 Eitzen City Council meeting that the Eitzen Habitat house is expected to be completed by the end of October.
Mayor Jeff Adamson called the regularly scheduled meeting of the Eitzen City Council to order at 6:03 p.m. Councilors, including Mayor Adamson, Emily Burrichter and Mitch Lange were present. Councilors Mitch Luttchens and Doug Meyer were absent. Others in attendance included City Clerk Steve Schuldt, Maintenance Supervisor Darryl Meyer, as well as Executive Director Fox.
The minutes from the August 26 city council meeting were unanimously approved. Before approving the financial reports, the council reviewed the reports, asked questions, and discussed the next steps regarding delinquent accounts.
Adamson welcomed Fox, who first thanked the council for their patience and hoped that they had noticed that they have been going gang busters over the past few weeks.
Crews will be onsite at least two days a week and have been working on the garage, which will be done shortly. All the exterior work will be done by the end of September and will then focus on the interior of the house. She shared that they were able to reclaim a hardwood floor from another project and will be using it in the Eitzen home.
The first volunteer day was a success, and volunteers have been showing up on a regular basis on Fridays and Saturdays. Fox announced that a volunteer day is scheduled for Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The non-profit organization will provide lunch.
Starting next week, both crews will be on site full time for the next three weeks on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The organization is committed to having their crews on site every Friday and Saturday until the house is complete, so volunteers are welcome to stop by and help. Registration is not required.
Fox stressed that youth groups, church groups and work groups are encouraged to schedule a workday in addition to the volunteer day on October 12.
During the council’s discussion regarding the Habitat house, with a sign of relief in his voice Mayor Adamson said, “I am happy.”
The council approved a 2% increase in the 2025 tax levy as compared to last year. A 2% increase equals a levy of $128,520. The council was reminded that the levy can be lowered but not increased before it is finalized at the end of the year. Schuldt replied to Burrichter’s question that last year’s increase was also 2%. When asked why the increase, Schuldt responded, “To stay ahead of things.” Councilman Lange expressed that he wants to make sure to keep Eitzen affordable. Councilwoman Burrichter added that she did not want to surprise residents with a huge increase like other cities have done over the years. The mayor said that they do not have any big projects coming up except for a street project. There are some projects coming up at the ballpark and the community center.
Action on the LMCIT (League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust) insurance was tabled until the October council meeting.
Maintenance Supervisor Darryl Meyer reported that the blacktop patches are done including a water leak repair in front of the Habitat house and the manholes that catch the snowplows are now smooth. The wellhouse is almost done and the lift stations are next. The mayor commended Meyer on the meter down at the sewer pond with Meyer noting that “it came out pretty good.” He added that a new one would have cost around $10,000.
Before adjourning the meeting at 6:32 p.m. the council unanimously approved paying the August bills.
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