Report

Mayor's Task Force to Review Alcohol Ordinances, Infrastructure of Riverside Park and Community Attitudes and Readiness

On June 24, 2004, Mayor John Medinger called together a task force of 15 community members. He charged the group to examine community issues and to make recommendations to him and the City Council. Mayor Medinger charged the group to look at the following issues:

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the task force included: Jennifer Shilling, State Representative; Andrea Richmond, City Council; Andy Monfre, City Council; Rose Mary Boesen, United Way (co­chair); Sheila Garrity, Community Foundation (secretary); Ed Kondracki, La Crosse Police; Kim Jacobson, citizen; Bud Miyamoto, Downtown Mainstreet; Joe Baker, UW-L; Denise Vujnovich, WWTC; Petra Roter, UW-L (co-chair); Anne Ellefson, Viterbo; Linda Wissing, Coulee Council on Addictions; Dave Berger, owner of Sloopy’s Alma Mater; Kay Guberud-Boszhardt, citizen. Ex-officio members included: Mayor John Medinger, Peter Kisken, Bob Berndt, and Peter Hughes.

PROBLEM-SOLVING WORK OF THE TASK FORCE

The Task Force began its work by utilizing in part Herman Goldstein’s problem solving method, SARA: Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment. The Task force began with Peter Hughes facilitating a session where issues and concerns were articulated and surveyed and scanned. It became clear that the work of the Task Force fell into three distinct categories which included: data collection, public and physical safety, and excessive misuse and binge drinking. Subcommittees were formed to address these issues. Work of the subcommittees occurred simultaneously with the work of the Task Force as a whole.

Data Collection Subcommittee. Membership: Denise Vujnovich (chair), Sheila Garrity, Petra Roter, Kay Guberud-Boszhardt and Andrea Richmond. The goals of this subcommittee were to determine what information or data are needed to assist the Task Force in their problem-solving method. The data provided a way to assess and survey the problems and issues in the community. The committee collected the relevant data and reports and posted this information on a Task Force website, hosted by the City of La Crosse. The website made the information available to the Task Force and any interested community members. The website is: http://www.cityoflacrosse.org/index.aspx?NID=1477 and is home to data, reports, articles, Task Force information, and links to “best practice” programs and resources.

Excessive Alcohol and Binge Drinking Subcommittee. Membership: Ed Kondracki (chair), Kim Jacobson, Jennifer Schilling, Linda Wissing, Rose Mary Boesen, Andy Monfre.

The Subcommittee’s Vision Statement for La Crosse in 2010: The Midwest community of La Crosse does not tolerate drunkenness. This effort is supported by the local community, businesses and retailers that support this effort by constructively addressing advertising and monitoring availability of product. The change in community attitude towards drinking has resulted in a marked decline in the amount of underage drinking and alcoholism. There has also been a significant reduction in neighborhood vandalism and injuries from fights and sexual assaults. Neighborhoods partner in assisting community enforcement and addressing drinking concerns.

The subcommittee examined issues of alcohol advertising, community education, drink specials, keg registration, house parties, bar density, responsible server and liquor licensing. The group addressed community readiness as well as ways to emphasize personal and community responsibility.

Public and Physical Safety Subcommittee. Membership: Anne Ellefson (chair), Dave Berger, Bud Miyamoto, and Joe Baker.

The Subcommittee’s Vision Statement for La Crosse in 2010: La Crosse will be a community that actively works to prevent excessive use of alcohol and the negative consequences associated with such use. The community will insist on responsible beverage service, marketing and vending. Increased law enforcement will insure consistency in enforcement of existing and future laws and ordinances. The general public will perceive police responses to be timely, consistent and effective. Regular patrol of identified community “hot spots” will be the norm. Programs addressing alcohol safety issues (e.g. safe ride, safety bus, designated driver) will be expanded and publicized. Increased comprehensive education regarding alcohol and safety will target youth, landlords, parents, college students, and the community at large. There will be increased supervision of high-risk areas provided by volunteer student and community monitors. The general community attitude will be that drunkenness is dangerous, unhealthy and irresponsible.

The subcommittee examined issues of identification of community “hot spots”, increased law enforcement, commitment to safety and alcohol education, consistent enforcement and consequences, safety education, safety assessment of Riverside Park and Downtown area, and the expansion of safety programs such as call boxes and safe ride. This subcommittee also addressed the issue of a serial killer.

Writing Subcommittee. Membership: Denise Vujnovich, Sheila Garrity, Petra Roter, and Peter Hughes. The subcommittee was responsible for writing the final action plan and recommendations.

COMMUNITY INPUT AND INVOLVEMENT

The Task Force was made up of knowledgeable community resources and each member brought their expertise and perspectives to the table. The Task Force acknowledged the need for expanded perspective, information and feedback. They used their meetings to obtain additional information and perspectives. All meetings were open and a number of community agencies/groups and concerned citizens participated in the process. Some of these reports and information were solicited and formal. Other reports came from concerned groups and individuals who wanted to provide input and have their perspectives and concerns heard. In both cases, the information provides the Task Force with valuable feedback that was later incorporated in the formalized recommendations.

The Task Force acknowledges and thanks the work of the La Crosse media who covered the meetings of the Task Force and kept the community informed and involved in the group’s process and issues. The media is credited with educating the community on these issues and facilitating discussion. It is the Task Force’s hope that this interest and coverage will continue and that the media will encourage exchange of information and ideas and support and foster action related to these issues.

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLAN

The Task Force reviewed all the information and options available to them. They prioritized their interventions and recommendations to determine an action plan that consists of nineteen recommendations/actions to be presented to the Mayor and City Council. The action plan focuses on education, enforcement and environment and has the unanimous support of each of the task force members.

The recommendations are presented in matrix form to allow for ease of review, clarity and are in a format that is grant-friendly. The task force also suggested potential means, timelines, metrics, responsible parties and change agents. These are recommended action steps that may need to be altered or expanded to involve the appropriate community stakeholders.

The recommendations in this action plan reflect the Task Force’s conviction that safety and alcohol are a community issue and need to be a priority. The education and involvement of the community is paramount. Addressing the community culture concerning alcohol use and abuse is not easy, but necessary. The city of La Crosse has a wealth of expertise and resources and these resources should be optimized. However, it is necessary to develop a directed, focused and consistent approach to address these issues, as well as the mixed messages that our community sends. Mixed messages and inconsistencies undermine the educational efforts of community entities and agencies.

It is difficult to put a price tag on the negative consequences of the misuse or abuse of alcohol. This includes monetary and personal loss such as lost wages, poor professional and academic performance, criminal activity, domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual assaults, property damage, personal injuries and fatalities. It affects the way the La Crosse community is viewed by visitors and potential businesses and residents. It would be costly for the community and is residents to ignore these recommendations or to maintain the status quo. By implementing these action steps and recommendations, La Crosse can assume a leadership role by addressing these issues that are not only local issues, but state and national issues.

The goal of this action plan is to create a community that uses intervention and education for an environment that supports healthy and safe behaviors. These recommendations promote long-term and sustainable change in attitudes and behaviors that will contribute positively in the development of a caring community.